Combination of Primula veris, Onopordum acanthium and Hyascyamus niger extracts and their effects on the activity of cardiac ion channels

Cardiovascular diseases are common chronic diseases which are often associated with regulatory dysfunction such as hypertension, chronic heart failure and cardiac arrhythmias. In this context, ion channels are important therapeutic targets for all aspects of cardiac function. Here we show in vitro cardiac ion channel activity investigations of Primula veris, Onopordum acanthium and Hyascyamus niger extracts that are components of the herbal medicinal product Cardiodoron^®, traditionally used in the treatment of cardiovascular problems.

Dry extracts of P. veris, O. acanthium and H. niger were prepared according to V.2a HAB and applied to stably transfected CHO and HEK293 cells to measure currents of human sodium, potassium and calcium ion channels with the patch clamp technique.

P. veris and H. niger significantly inhibited late current of NaV1.5 ion channels (35% relative remaining current (RRC)) to a similar extent as the positive reference Ranolazine (32% RRC), that is associated to a diastolic relaxation of the heart muscle for improved blood supply and alleviation of angina pectoris symptoms. Another finding was the selective inhibition of HCN4 channels by P. veris and H. niger (22% RRC) compared to the inhibition by Ivabradine (16% RRC), which is associated to a reduction of heart rate in tachycardia. Furthermore, we could show the inhibition of calcium ion channels CaV1.2 (18% RRC) and CaV3.2 (22% RRC) by cowslip and henbane. In conclusion, these findings may indicate antiarrhytmic and anti-hypertensive effects of the herbal extracts. However, functional studies are needed to determine the potential therapeutic benefits of the proposed combination.

Publication History

Article published online:
12 December 2022