Planta Med 2007; 73 - P_542
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-987322

Pharmacological evidence for the anti-inflammatory effect of STW 5 in colonic inflammation in vivo

H Abdel-Aziz 1, W Wadie 2, MT Khayyal 2, O Kelber 3, S Okpanyi 3, D Weiser 3
  • 1Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Faculty of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Al Salt Road, P.O.Box 183, 19328 Amman, Jordan
  • 2Depts. of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr-El-Aini Street, 11562 Cairo, Egypt
  • 3Scientific Department, Steigerwald Arzneimittelwerk GmbH, Havelstr. 5, 64295 Darmstadt, Germany

STW 5 (Iberogast®) is a fixed combination consisting of 9 herbal components. Earlier evidence has shown it to be a multi-target preparation for gastrointestinal disorders, as functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome [1,2], which are in many cases triggered by a previous gastro-intestinal inflammation. Earlier in vitro studies point to an anti-inflammatory action of STW 5 [3,4].

The present study was undertaken to explore the anti-inflammatory activity of the drug in vivo. In an experimental model for inflammatory bowel disease, male rats were injected intra-colonically with 10mg/kg trinitro benzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) in 50% ethanol under light ether anaesthesia. This induced the development of lesions, which were then examined macroscopically 4 days later. STW 5 was given orally in different dose levels (0.5–5ml/kg) for 1 week before TNBS and for the 4 days to follow.

It markedly reduced the area of lesions, colonic mass index, as well as prevented changes in myeloperoxidase and reduced glutathione. The effect was comparable to sulfasalazine, 300mg/kg, which was used as reference drug in the same manner as STW 5. The beneficial effect of STW 5 was dose dependent. Furthermore, relevant pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNFα, IL-1β, and ICAM-1, as well as prostaglandin E2 and leukotriene B4, were measured in both colonic tissue and blood in order to gain more insight into the mechanism of action of the drug. A positive correlation was observed between the therapeutic efficacy of STW 5 and the measured mediators.

The findings point to a new evidence-based potential therapeutic usefulness of STW 5 (Iberogast®) potentially relevant also for its therapeutic effect in functional gastrointestinal diseases.

References: [1] Holtmann G et al. (2004) Wien Med Wochenschr 154: 528–534. [2] Wagner H (2006) Phytomedicine 13: 122–129. [3] Schempp H (2004) Arzneim Forsch 54: 389–395. [4] Michael S et al. (2006) Gut 55 S V:A 206