Planta Med 2014; 80 - P1L161
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1394818

Inhibition of porcine detrusor contractility by a flavonoid fraction of Bryophyllum pinnatum, a potential treatment for overactive bladder syndrome

K Fürer 1, 2, D Eberli 3, C Betschart 4, R Brenneisen 5, M De Mieri 2, M Hamburger 2, M Mennet-von Eiff 6, O Potterat 2, M Schnelle 6, AP Simoes-Wüst 7, U von Mandach 1
  • 1University Hospital Zurich, Department of Obstetrics, Schmelzbergstrasse 12, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland
  • 2University of Basel, Division of Pharmaceutical Biology, Klingelbergstrasse 50, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
  • 3University Hospital Zurich, Urology Clinic, Rämistrasse 100, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland
  • 4University Hospital Zurich, Department of Gynecology, Rämistrasse 100, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland
  • 5University of Bern, Department of Clinical Research, Murtenstrasse 35, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland
  • 6Weleda AG, Dychweg 14, CH-4144 Arlesheim, Switzerland
  • 7Research Department, Paracelsus Hospital Richterswil, CH-8805 Richterswil, Switzerland

Patients with overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) suffer from urgency with/without incontinence, frequency, and nocturia [1]. Antimuscarinic agents are used as a first-line therapy with clinical benefits, but exhibit anticholinergic side effects [2]. Here we investigated the inhibitory effect of Bryophyllum pinnatum leaf press juice on porcine detrusor contractility in vitro. To characterize the active compounds in B. pinnatum, we tested the effects of a flavonoid and a bufadienolide fraction on the contractility of the porcine bladder strips in comparison to a highly polar fraction and oxybutynin. The methanolic leaf extract of B. pinnatum [3] was partitioned between CH2Cl2/H2O to yield a fraction of lipophilic bufadienolides. The aqueous phase was separated on a Diaion HP-20 column in a flavonoid fraction, and a fraction of highly polar constituents. Detrusor muscle strips used for the contractility experiments were prepared from porcine bladders. The effect of the separated 3 fractions and oxybutynin on detrusor muscle contractility was investigated in an organ bath chamber. Muscle contractions were induced by electric field stimulation (EFS). The flavonoid fraction (1 mg/mL) showed a significant reduction of the contractility to 21.3 ± 5.2% after 77 min. The bufadienolide fraction had no inhibitory effect at the test concentrations. The polar fraction reduced the contractility in a pH-dependent manner, and oxybutynin (10-6 M) reduced the contractility to 21.9 ± 4.7% of the contraction measured before treatment (100%). The flavonoid fraction of B. pinnatum reduced the porcine detrusor contractility in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Bryophyllum pinnatum may be a new pharmacological option for the treatment of OAB.

Keywords: Kalanchoe pinnata, flavonoids, overactive bladder, detrusor contractility, detrusor relaxation

References:

[1] Haylen BT, de Ridder D, et al. An International Urogynecological Association (IUGA)/International Continence Society (ICS) joint report on the terminology for female pelvic floor dysfunction. Neurourol Urodyn 2010; 29: 4 – 20

[2] Veenboer P, Bosch JL. Long-term adherence to antimuscarinic therapy in everyday practice: a systematic review. J Urol 2014; 191: 1003 – 1008

[3] B. pinnatum leaves were harvested in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany, by Weleda AG. A voucher specimen (ZSS 29715) has been deposited at The Zurich Succulent Plant Collection.