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Planta Med 2017; 83(16): 1274-1280
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-109097
Biological and Pharmacological Activity
Original Papers
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Potential of Bryophyllum pinnatum as a Detrusor Relaxant: An in Vitro Exploratory Study

Simon Bachmann
1   Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
,
Cornelia Betschart
2   Department of Gynaecology, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
,
Julia Gerber
3   Division of Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Basel, Switzerland
,
Karin Fürer
1   Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
,
Mónica Mennet
4   Weleda AG, Arlesheim, Switzerland
,
Matthias Hamburger
3   Division of Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Basel, Switzerland
,
Olivier Potterat
3   Division of Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Basel, Switzerland
,
Ursula von Mandach
1   Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
,
Ana Paula Simões-Wüst
1   Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 31 January 2017
revised 28 March 2017

accepted 07 April 2017

Publication Date:
24 April 2017 (online)

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Abstract

An earlier prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial had suggested that Bryophyllum pinnatum might have potential in the treatment of overactive bladder. Here we investigated the effects of B. pinnatum leaf press juice, fractions enriched in flavonoids and bufadienolides, and a flavonoid aglycon mixture and individual aglycons on detrusor contractility as a major target in overactive bladder treatment. The strength of the detrusor contractions was investigated using porcine muscle strips stimulated with KCl. B. pinnatum leaf press juice increased the contraction force of muscle strips. Treatment with the flavonoid-enriched fraction had almost no effect on contractility, while the bufadienolide-enriched fraction and flavonoid aglycons led to a concentration-dependent lowering of the contraction force. The data indicate that several components of B. pinnatum leaf press juice may contribute to the inhibitory effect on detrusor contractility, which in turn provides support to overactive bladder treatment with B. pinnatum.

Key words

Bryophyllum pinnatum - Kalanchoe pinnata - Crassulaceae - overactive bladder - bufadienolides - flavonoids - flavonoid aglycons

Supporting Information

    A chromatogram of flavonoid aglycons in the hydrolysed FEF, and the contents in individual bufadienolides in BEF and original bufadienolide fraction are available as Supporting Information.

  • Supporting Information
 

  • References

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