Zeitschrift für Phytotherapie 2009; 30 - V20
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1239863

Immune response to Pelargonium sidoides extract EPs® 7630 (Umckaloabo®) in serum and nasal mucosa in athletes after exhaustive exercise

LA Luna Jr 1, ALL Bachi 2, RR Novaes e Britto 2, R Eid 1, VM Suguri 3, PW Oliveira 3, LC Gregorio 3, M Vaisberg 1
  • 1Disciplina de Clínica Médica
  • 2Disciplina de Imunologia
  • 3Disciplina de Otorrinolaringologia, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil

Introduction: Exhaustive exercise may compromise the immune response as revealed mainly by upper respiratory tract infections. This effect may be related to the decrease in secretory immunoglobulin A and/or changes in the profile of cytokines in the upper airway mucosa as well as systemic cytokines. A special herbal drug preparation, an extract of the roots of Pelargonium sidoides, EPs® 7630 (in Germany marketed as Umckaloabo®), is currently used to treat infections that affect the upper airways.

Objective: To evaluate the action of Umckaloabo® on the immune response of athletes submitted to an exhaustive running session.

Method: Male marathon runners were recruited into this double-blind study and separated in two groups: placebo and Umckaloabo®. The treatment schedule consisted of ingestion of Umckaloabo® or placebo (3×30 drops/day) for 28 consecutive days. At the end of treatment, all subjects were submitted to an exhaustive running session. Venous blood, saliva and upper respiratory tract cell samples were collected the morning before treatment started and 48 hours after the high-intensity running session for determination of secretory immunoglobulin A in saliva and cytokines concentration in serum and nasal cells extract.

Results: Basal levels of secretory immunoglobulin A and evaluated cytokines were similar in both groups. After treatment and running session, the Umckaloabo® group presented an significant increase in salivary secretory immunoglobulin A levels, whereas serum levels of interleukins 6 and 15 and relative nasal/serum concentration for interleukin-15 were decreased in comparison with placebo group (p<0.05).

Conclusion: We suggest that Pelargonium sidoides extract EPs® 7630 exerts a strong immunomodulation on the upper airway mucosa in athletes submitted to exhaustive physical activity.