Ethanol in herbal medicinal products for children : Data from pediatric studies and pharmacovigilance programs.

Herbal medicinal products are indispensable in children, e. g., in functional gastrointestinal diseases and coughs and colds, especially when available in liquid dosing forms for which dosing can be adapted ideally to different age groups.

Mechanisms involved in the anti-inflammatory effect of a standardized willow bark extract.

A standardized willow bark extract (STW 33-I) has been examined to clarify its possible mechanism of action as an anti-inflammatory agent. Various facets have been investigated in two inflammation models: the 6-day air pouch model in rats, representing the acute state and the adjuvant induced arthritis representing the chronic one. Parameters included leukocytic infiltration, levels of cytokines and prostanoids in blood, and effects on cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-1 and/or COX-2 enzymes as well as effects involving free radical production.

Blood pressure lowering effect of an olive leaf extract (Olea europaea) in L-NAME induced hypertension in rats.

A specially prepared olive leaf extract (EFLA 943) has been tested for its blood pressure lowering activity in rats rendered hypertensive by daily oral doses of L-NAME (NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, 50 mg/kg) for at least 4 weeks. Oral administration of the extract at different dose levels at the same time as L-NAME for a period of 8 weeks showed a dose dependent prophylactic effect against the rise in blood pressure induced by L-NAME, best effects being induced by a dose of 100 mg/kg of the extract. In rats previously rendered hypertensive by L-NAME for 6 weeks and then treated with that dose of the extract for a further 6 weeks without discontinuation of L-NAME, normalisation of the blood pressure was observed.