A Detailed View on the Constituents of EPs® 7630

Abstract

Extracts of PELARGONIUM SIDOIDES, commonly known as EPs 7630, are produced by extraction of milled roots with 11 % (w/w) ethanol in water. This solvent leads to a spectrum of constituents which differs significantly from extracts obtained by extraction with non-polar solvents. EPs 7630 is composed of six main groups of constituents, namely unsubstituted and substituted oligomeric prodelphinidins, monomeric and oligomeric carbohydrates, minerals, peptides, purine derivatives and highly substituted benzopyranones. The oligoprodelphinidins, frequently supposed to be compounds with unspecific tanning interactions, show, in contrast to other polyphenols, an amazing variety of substructures and connectivities which results in an uncommon diversity even at a low degree of polymerization. Three distinct purine derivatives, second messengers and probably intermediates of DNA synthesis, were identified and characterized by phytochemical means. The main benzopyranones of EPs 7630 are highly oxygenated at the phenyl moiety (three to four oxygens) and in addition sulfated at distinct positions. A disulfate of 6,7,8-trihydoxybenzopyranone has been identified for the first time in plants. Taken together, these constituents amount to about 70 to 80 % of the total weight of EPs 7630, the active ingredient of the phytopharmaceutical Umckaloabo (Iso Arzneimittel Ettlingen).

Evaluation of an aqueous-ethanolic extract from Pelargonium sidoides (EPs® 7630) for its activity against group A-streptococci adhesion to human HEp-2 epithelial cells

“…To get a clue regarding the specificity/non-specificity of the proanthocyanidins present in EPs ® 7630, a series of highly purified and chemically defined proanthocyanidins was tested for activity against the bacterial adhesion of GAS to HEp-2 cells ( Table 1). Selection of polyphenols was based on compositional information about EPs ® 7630 (Schötz et al, 2008). According to present evidence (epi)gallocatechin flavanyl constituent units are the dominating chain extender entities of the proanthocyanidins of this herbal medicine.…”

“…For this, infusions and decoctions of the root material have been used by generations of several ethnic groups (Watt metabolites have been encountered in relatively low yields. The metabolic pool contains a high proportion of phenolic compounds with proanthocyanidins as the dominating representatives (Kolodziej, 2007;Schötz et al, 2008). Numerous in vitro studies have provided evidence for an anti-infective principle associated with activation of the non-specific immune system (Kolodziej and Kiderlen, 2007;Kolodziej, 2008).…”

Antimicrobial activity of Pelargonium endlicherianum Fenzl. (Geraniaceae) roots against some microorganisms

“…It had been shown that aqueous alcohol is a better extraction solvent for plant than water to extraction phenolic compounds (Ahmad et al, 1998). Standardized extract of P. sidoides, commonly known as EPs 7630, is produced by the extraction of milled roots with 11% (w/w) aqueous ethanol (Schoetz et al, 2008). However, in this study, we also used 11% ethanol extract and 70% methanol extract which is a standard method (Naczk and Shahidi, 2004).…”

Phenolic acid profiles and antioxidant potential of Pelargonium sidoides callus cultures

“…Recently, P. sidoides has been shown to possess immunomodulatory properties and bioactivity against respiratory viral infections (Schnitzler et al, 2008;Michaelis et al, 2011;Tahan and Yaman, 2013). Based on its traditional use in South Africa and Lesotho and many years of extensive scientific research into its phytochemistry (Kolodziej, 2007;Schoetz et al, 2008) and pharmacological properties , P. sidoides root extracts have been formulated into several international phytomedicine products, including EPs ® 7630 (Umckaloabo ® , Dr. Willmar Schwabe GmbH & Co. KG Pharmaceuticals, Germany) and Linctagon ® (Nativa, South Africa). The evaluation of pharmacological activity of P. sidoides phytomedicines has included in vitro, in vivo and randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical model systems.…”