Dissertation: Myrrhe, Kamille und Kaffeekohle Eine Studie der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) München [1] hat erneut bestätigt, dass die Arzneipflanzen Myrrhe, Kamille und Kaffeekohle Darmkrämpfe lindern können.

Aus der Medizinischen Klinik und Poliklinik II Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

Vorstand Prof. Dr. med. Julia Mayerle

Die pflanzlichen Extrakte aus Myrrhe, Kamille und Kaffeekohle modulieren die intestinale Neurotransmission und Motilität in einem  tierexperimentellen Modell.

Dissertation

zum Erwerb des Doktorgrades der Medizin an der Medizinischen Fakultät der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität zu München Vorgelegt von Teodora Pumnea aus Sibiu, Rumänien 2022

Abstract

A combination of myrrh, chamomile flower and coffee charcoal has been used for decades in the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders and inflammatory bowel disease. However, the mechanism of action of neither the combination nor the individual components has been completely characterized.

The present study aims to investigate whether the herbal extracts have an effect on electrophysiological properties and muscular function of the smooth muscle cells of murine intestine.

Small intestinal muscular activity was elicited using electrical field stimulation (EFS). 

The effects of diluted herbal extracts on basal activity and EFS-induced contractility were tested in concentrations from 0.002 mg/ml – 2 mg/ml (10 mg/ml for Coffee charcoal). Intracellular electrical recordings from smooth muscular cells were performed to characterize possible effects on excitatory junction potentials (EJP) and on inhibitory junction potentials (IJP).

Myrrh, Chamomile and Coffee charcoal significantly reduced the amplitudes of spontaneous contractile activity: Myrrh-ethanolic extract: 0.2 mg/mL: -50.6%±3.5; Myrrh-water-soluble extract: 0,1 mg/mL: -67.7%±3.6 Chamomile: 0.2 mg/mL: -70.3%±2.7; and significantly reduced EFS-induced contractile responses: Myrrh-ethanolic extract: 0.2 mg/mL: -62.9%±4.8; Myrrh- water-soluble extract: 2 mg/mL: -87.9%±2.6; Chamomile: 1 mg/mL: -53.4%±4.7; Coffee charcoal: 0.1 mg/mL: -89.1%±2.0. Chamomile: 1 mg/mL: significantly reduced sIJP (-4,4%±0.8), Coffee charcoal: 2 mg/mL: reduced the fIJP (-7.0%±1.8).

Myrrh, chamomile flower and coffee charcoal extracts reduce spontaneous contractility and EFS-induced contractility in the mouse small intestine in a dose-dependent manner. They also have a reducing effect on the underlying neurotransmission. Thus, the combination of myrrh, chamomile and coffee charcoal is of therapeutic use for conditions that involve intestinal hyperactivity.