Beat Meier

Traditional Use of Herbal Remedies in Livestock by Farmers in 3 Swiss Cantons (Aargau, Zurich, Schaffhausen)

Background: This study investigated the extent of traditional knowledge and use of homemade herbal remedies for livestock by farmers in 3 Swiss cantons (Aargau, Zurich, Schaffhausen). The study focused on organic farms. Methods: At 21 farms, 24 farmers aged 36–83 years were interviewed with a semi-structured, detailed questionnaire. For each homemade herbal remedy, the plant species, mode of preparation, source of knowledge, and application were gathered. Satisfaction of the farmers with the application was estimated with the aid of a visual analogue scale. Results: Information on a total of 165 homemade remedies was collected of which 123 contained a single plant species only (homemade mono-species herbal remedies, HMHR). The 123 HMHR were selected for this paper. They corresponded to 150 different applications and originated from 43 plant species from 30 families. Plants belonging to the families of Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, and Apiaceae were used most frequently. The single most applied species were Matricaria recutita L., Calendula officinalis L., Symphytum officinale L., and Coffea arabica L. For each formulation, 1–4 different applications were mentioned, most of them for cattle. The main applications were skin alterations and sores, gastrointestinal and metabolic diseases as well as infertility and diseases of the female genitalia. Approximately half of the applications were used during the last 12 months prior to the interview. Conclusion: This study shows that HMHR are used by Swiss farmers for the treatment of different livestock diseases. In general, the farmers were satisfied with the outcome of the applications.

Ethnoveterinary herbal remedies used by farmers in four north-eastern Swiss cantons (St. Gallen, Thurgau, Appenzell Innerrhoden and Appenzell Ausserrhoden)

BackgroundVery few ethnoveterinary surveys have been conducted in central Europe. However, traditional knowledge on the use of medicinal plants might be an option for future concepts in treatment of livestock diseases. Therefore the aim of this study was to document and analyse the traditional knowledge and use of homemade herbal remedies for livestock by farmers in four Swiss cantons.MethodsResearch was conducted in 2012. Fifty farmers on 38 farms were interviewed with the aid of semistructured interviews. Detailed information about the plants used and their mode of preparation were documented as well as dosage, route of administration, category of use, origin of knowledge, frequency of use, and satisfaction with the treatment.ResultsIn total, 490 homemade remedies were collected. Out of these, 315 homemade remedies contained only one plant species (homemade single species herbal remedies, HSHR), which are presented in this paper. Seventy six species from 44 botanical families were mentioned. The most HSHR were quoted for the families of Asteraceae, Polygonaceae and Urticaceae. The plant species with the highest number of HSHRs were Matricaria recutita L., Calendula officinalis L., Rumex obtusifolius L. and Urtica dioica L. For each HSHR, one to eight different applications were enumerated. A total of 428 applications were documented, the majority of which were used to treat cattle. The main applications were in treatment of skin afflictions and sores, followed by gastrointestinal disorders and metabolic dysfunctions. Topical administration was most frequently used, followed by oral administration. In nearly half of the cases the knowledge on preparing and using herbal remedies was from forefathers and relatives. More than one third of the applications were used more than ten times during the last five years, and in about sixty percent of the cases, the last application was during the last year preceding the interviews.ConclusionsTraditional knowledge of farmers about the use of medicinal plants to treat livestock exists in north-eastern Switzerland. Homemade herbal remedies based on this knowledge are being used. The interviewed farmers were satisfied with the outcome of the applications.ZusammenfassungHintergrundAus weiten Teilen Mitteleuropas fehlen bisher Angaben zur Ethnoveterinärmedizin. Andererseits birgt das traditionelle Erfahrungswissen zu Pflanzen und deren Anwendungen ein grosses Potential für zukünftige Behandlungsstrategien für Nutztierkrankheiten. Ziel dieser Studie war daher die Erfassung und Auswertung des traditionellen Erfahrungswissens zu pflanzlichen Hausmitteln und deren Anwendungen bei Nutztieren auf landwirtschaftlichen Betrieben in vier nordöstlichen Schweizer Kantonen (St. Gallen, Thurgau, Appenzell Innerrhoden und Appenzell Ausserrhoden).MethodenVon Anfang März bis Ende April 2012 wurden 50 Landwirtinnen und Landwirte auf 38 Betrieben anhand eines semistrukturierten Fragenkatalogs interviewt. Für jede genannte Rezeptur wurden detaillierte Informationen zu den verwendeten Pflanzen und zur Herstellung dokumentiert, darüber hinaus für deren Anwendungsgebiete die Dosierung, Verabreichungsart, Anwendung, Wissensursprung, Einsatzhäufigkeit und die Zufriedenheit mit dem Ergebnis der Therapie.ResultateInsgesamt wurden 490 Rezepturen erfasst. Davon enthielten 315 Rezepturen je nur eine einzelne Pflanzenart. Ausschliesslich diese Rezepturen wurden in die Auswertung einbezogen. Sechsundsiebzig verschiedene Pflanzenarten aus 44 Pflanzenfamilien wurden hierfür verwendet. Die Pflanzenfamilien Asteraceae, Polygonaceae und Urticaceae waren am häufigsten vertreten. Die meistgenannten Pflanzenarten waren Matricaria recutita L., Calendula officinalis L., Rumex obtusifolius L. und Urtica dioica L. Für jede Rezeptur wurden bis zu acht verschiedene Anwendungen, insgesamt 428 überwiegend für Rinder, beschrieben. Die meistgenannten Anwendungsgebiete waren Hautveränderungen und Wunden, sowie Erkrankungen des Magen-Darm-Traktes und Stoffwechselstörungen. Am häufigsten wurden topische Verabreichungen genannt, gefolgt von den oralen Verabreichungen. Das Wissen über die Herstellung und Verwendung der Rezepturen stammt fast zur Hälfte von Vorfahren und Verwandten. Mehr als ein Drittel der Anwendungen wurde während der letzten fünf Jahre zehnmal und häufiger benutzt. Die letzte Anwendung erfolgte in rund sechzig Prozent der Fälle innerhalb der letzten zwölf Monate.SchlussfolgerungDas traditionelle Erfahrungswissen über pflanzliche Hausmittel und deren Anwendungen bei Nutztieren ist in der nordöstlichen Schweiz vorhanden. Die auf diesem Erfahrungswissen basierenden pflanzlichen Rezepturen werden nach wie vor angewendet. Die pflanzlichen Rezepturen werden mit grosser Zufriedenheit zur Behandlung von Nutztieren eingesetzt.

The anxiolytic effects of a Valerian extract is based on Valerenic acid

BackgroundValerian is commonly used for the treatment of insomnia and anxiety. Valerian extracts allosterically modulate GABA-A receptors and induced an anxiolytic activity. This activity is closely related to valerenic acid. In the present experiments it was investigated whether acetoxy valerenic acid may interfere with the anxiolytic action of valerenic acid.MethodsSituational anxiety was measured using male CD-1 mice in the elevated plus maze test after oral administration of the test substances. In addition the body core temperature was measured. For the 3H-GABA binding assay dissected tissue from frontal cortex of male RjHan:WI rats were used. Statistical evaluation was performed by means of the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallies H-test, followed by the two-tailed Mann–Whitney U-test.ResultsAdding of acetoxy valerenic acid abolished the anxiolytic action of valerenic acid. There was no effect on body core temperature. Moreover, the valerian extract did not show any affinity to benzodiazepine binding sites.ConclusionThe determining compound for the observed anxiolytic effect of the valerian extract is its content of valerenic acid.

Valerian extract characterized by high valerenic acid and low acetoxy valerenic acid contents demonstrates anxiolytic activity

Valerian is one of the most commonly used herbal remedies for the treatment of insomnia and anxiety. Valerian extracts allosterically modulate GABAA receptors, an action related to valerenic acid, which is one of the active compounds determined from pharmacological studies. Derivatives of valerenic acid, i.e. acetoxy valerenic acid or hydroxy valerenic acid, do not allosterically modulate GABAA receptors, but they bind to identical binding sites. Therefore, the question arises whether they might interfere with the effects of valerenic acid. Two valerian extracts were tested in the elevated plus maze test and the tail suspension test for anxiolytic and antidepressive activity, respectively. Reference substances were diazepam (1.0mg/kg) and imipramine (30mg/kg). The extracts were standardized to the identical total amounts of the acids (0.1; 0.5; 1.0 and 2.0mg/kg), i.e. valerenic and acetoxy valerenic acid, but the ratio between the acids was different (12:1 and 1:1.5). The extract with the ratio 12:1 prolonged the time spent on the open arm significantly when 0.5mg/kg was applied. Of the other extract, with the ratio 1:1.5, four times that amount was required (2.0mg/kg). Both of the tested extracts did not show any antidepressive effect, rather the other way around, the extract with the ratio 1:1.5 prolonged the immobility phase. However, since the core body temperature was reduced by the 1.0 and 2.0mg/kg extract dose, the prolongation may be related to the temperature phenomenon and is not indicative of a specific depressive action. In conclusion, the anxiolytic activity of the valerian extract seems rather related to valerenic acid and, moreover, standardization with respect to the total amount of valerenic acids, i.e. valerenic acid together with acetoxy valerenic acid, is misleading.

Swiss ethnoveterinary knowledge on medicinal plants – a within-country comparison of Italian speaking regions with north-western German speaking regions

BackgroundEthnoveterinary knowledge in Europe may play an important role as a basis for sustainable treatment options for livestock. Aims of our study were (a) to compare the ethnoveterinary practices of two culturally and sociodemographically different regions of Switzerland, (b) to compare results with earlier ethnoveterinary studies conducted in Switzerland and in adjacent Italian regions and, (c) to evaluate possible reasons for regional differences in European ethnoveterinary medicine.Methods25 interviews were conducted in 2014 in all Italian speaking regions (ItR) of Switzerland, and 31 interviews were held in five north-western German speaking Cantons (GeC). Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect detailed information regarding plant species, mode of preparation, dosage, route of administration, category of use, origin of knowledge, frequency of use, and satisfaction with outcomes of the treatments.ResultsA total of 162 homemade remedies in ItR and 219 in GeC were reported, out of which 125 and 145, respectively, were reported to contain only one plant species (homemade single species herbal remedy report, HSHR). 44 ItR and 43 GeC plant species were reported to treat livestock, of which only a half were used in both regions. For each HSHR, we classified the treatment intention of all use reports (UR), leading to a total of 205 and 219 UR in ItR and GeC respectively. While cattle were the most often treated livestock species in both study regions, in ItR 40% of UR were administered to small ruminants. Main indications in both regions were gastrointestinal diseases and skin afflictions, but in ItR a high number of URs were reported as antiparasitics. URs were mainly handed down from the past generation, but in GeC the source of knowledge for 20% of URs were from courses. Regarding the used plant species, ItR showed a higher concordance with Swiss than Italian studies, but with some differences to all regions. A total of 22 (14 ItR; 8 GeC) plant species in this study have not been reported before in ethnoveterinary studies of Swiss and Italian alpine regions.ConclusionsItR and GeC, show differences and similarities with respect to their own ethnoveterinary practices and earlier Swiss and Italian ethnoveterinary studies. Linguistic, geographical, as well as social and farm-structural conditions influence the regional ethnoveterinary knowledge. However, political borders seem to be more important than language or geographical barriers.

Reduction of safrole and methyleugenol in Asari radix et rhizoma by decoction.

Introduction: Asari radix et rhizoma (Xixin, Manchurian Wildginger, Asarum spp) is a herbal drug commonly used as an ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Many species of Asarum contain safrole and methyleugenol as the main components of their volatile oils. However, toxicological studies have shown that safrole and methyleugenol may be a hepatocarcinogen and/or genotoxic leading to concerns regarding the habitual consumption of this herbal drug. Materials and Methods: An HPLC method was established to assess the levels of safrole and methyleugenol in five batches of Asari radix et rhizoma and two TCM formulae containing this herbal drug as an ingredient. Analyses showed that the content of safrole in the dried herbal drugs tested ranged from 0.14–2.78 mg/ g whilst the content of methyleugenol ranged from 1.94–16.04 mg/g. Results: The present study demonstrated that following a 1-hour decoction, the amount of safrole was decreased by more than 92% resulting in the equivalent of no more than 0.20 mg/g safrole remaining in the aqueous extract. Similarly, the content of methyleugenol was decreased to the equivalent of 0.30–2.70 mg/g. Furthermore, both TCM formulae, after decoction, showed negligible amounts of safrole (maximum, the equivalent of 0.06 mg/ g), and only 1.38–2.71 mg/g of methyleugenol. Conclu-sions: The present study shows that a decoction procedure, similar to that traditionally used for Chinese herbal preparations, is able to effectively reduce the amount of safrole and methyleugenol effectively. Such a reduction in the content of safrole should be acceptable for therapeutic use.

Highly oxygenated sesquiterpenes in Artemisia alba Turra

Ten new sesquiterpene alcohols of which seven germacranes, a eudesmane, a guaiane and an oplopane were isolated from the aerial parts of Artemisia alba Turra. Their structures and relative stereochemistry were elucidated by spectral methods ((1)H and (13)C NMR, COSY, HSQC, HMBC, NOESY, and MS). In addition, the known 7-hydroxycadin-4-en-3-one, centaureidin and axillarin were found for the first time in the studied species.

Zwischen Empirie und Evidenz - (Re)Aktivierung der Veterinärphyotherapie

a Departement für Nutztierwissenschaften, Forschungsinstitut für biologischen Landbau (FiBL), Frick, Schweiz, b Institut für Ökologischen Landbau, Department für Nachhaltige Agrarsysteme, Universität für Bodenkultur, Wien, Österreich, c Bokholt-Hanredder, d Niederkirchen, e Fachgebiet Nutztierethologie und Tierhaltung, Fachbereich Ökologische Agrarwissenschaften, Universität Kassel, Witzenhausen, Deutschland, f Institut für Biotechnologie, Departement Life Sciences und Facility Management, Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften ZHAW, Wädenswil , g Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, h Schweizerische Vereinigung für Geschichte der Veterinärmedizin, Gasel, Schweiz, i Feldkirchen, Österreicha Departement fur Nutztierwissenschaften, Forschungsinstitut fur biologischen Landbau (FiBL), Frick, Schweiz, b Institut fur Okologischen Landbau, Department fur Nachhaltige Agrarsysteme, Universitat fur Bodenkultur, Wien, Osterreich, c Bokholt-Hanredder, d Niederkirchen, e Fachgebiet Nutztierethologie und Tierhaltung, Fachbereich Okologische Agrarwissenschaften, Universitat Kassel, Witzenhausen, Deutschland, f Institut fur Biotechnologie, Departement Life Sciences und Facility Management, Zurcher Hochschule fur Angewandte Wissenschaften ZHAW, Wadenswil , g Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, h Schweizerische Vereinigung fur Geschichte der Veterinarmedizin, Gasel, Schweiz, i Feldkirchen, Osterreich

Validated Method for the Analysis of Frangulins A and B and Glucofrangulins A and B Using HPLC and UHPLC

In the present study, robust and validated HPLC and UHPLC methods for the quantitative determination of frangulins A and B (3 and 4) and glucofrangulins A and B (1 and 2) in the bark of Frangula alnus have been developed. The HPLC method allowed the separation of the analytes in 25 min and the UHPLC method in just 13 min. The HPLC method used an MN Nucleodur C18 125 × 4 mm column with 3 μm particles, while the UHPLC method used a Waters Acquity UPLC BEH C18, 100 × 2.1 mm column with 1.7 μm particles. Mobile phase A consisted of water and 1.25 mL/L phosphoric acid (85%), while mobile phase B consisted of CH3CN/MeOH (20:80). The flow rates were set to 1 mL/min for the HPLC method and 0.4 mL/min for the UHPLC method, with the column temperature held at 50 °C and the detection wavelength being 435 nm for either method. A fractional factorial design was used to check the robustness of the methods. The resolution of the analytes was never less than 1.5 when the factors were varied in the tested range. The conditions for ultrasonic extraction were optimized by response surface methodology and found to be 68% CH3CN in the extraction solvent, 35 °C extraction temperature, and a duration of 25 min. The extraction procedure was determined to be very robust against small deviations of these factors.

Blick in die Zukunft pflanzlicher Arzneimittel

Eine ärztlich orientierte Phytotherapie ist darauf angewiesen, dass genügend pflanzliche Arzneimittel in bester Qualität zur Abgabe an den Patienten zur Verfügung stehen. In Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz steht seitens der Behörden die Infrastruktur für die Zulassung pflanzlicher Arzneimittel bereit, verbunden mit hohem sachlichem Know-how. Trotzdem ist ein deutlicher Trend zu beobachten: Zubereitungen aus Pflanzen mit therapeutischem Anspruch werden auch von renommierten Firmen in die Kosmetik oder zu den Nahrungsergänzungsmitteln ausgelagert sowie als Medizinprodukt gehandelt. Die regulatorischen Anforderungen sind deutlich geringer, Ideen können rascher umgesetzt und am Markt erprobt werden. Die Arbeit des Commitee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC), das in den letzten Jahren 120 Monographien erarbeitet hat, wird demgegenüber nur zögerlich umgesetzt. Limitierend ist da die Dosisfrage, die in der Phytotherapie ungelöst bleibt. Es gibt nur einige wenige Beispiele, in denen mit Hilfe von Studien optimale Dosierungen von Extrakten ermittelt wurden [1, 2], doch insgesamt sind die Bandbreiten sehr groß. Es ist nicht gesagt, dass über die Aufarbeitung der Daten zum «traditional use» die optimale Dosis gefunden wird. Als Beispiel sei Vitex-agnus castus, L. genannt: Die in Deutschland während Jahrzehnten gültige Dosierung, empfohlen durch die Kommission E, erwies sich im klinischen Versuch, der nach Hinweisen aus der Praxis durchgeführt wurde, als zu gering [3]. Entsprechend sollten die Dosierungen, die in den HMPC-Monographien empfohlen werden, nicht in Stein gemeißelt bleiben und flexibel gehandhabt werden. Die große therapeutische Breite der meisten pflanzlichen Zubereitungen ließe ein solches Vorgehen problemlos zu. Der Bedarf nach pragmatischer Forschung ist in der Phytotherapie nach wie vor enorm. Die Organisatoren der Tagung «Phytotherapie 2014» hoffen, dass diese einen Stimulus für die Zukunft setzen kann.