NIS - libdoc.who.int - World Health Organization

WHO monographs on medicinal plants commonly used in the Newly Independent States (NIS)
skin; for repair of damaged tissue; and to treat fistulae and ulcers (5, 43,
51, 52). It is also used to suppress cough associated with bronchitis, colds
and upper respiratory inflammation, and as an analgesic and diuretic
agent, in the treatment of kidney stones (53–55). It also has a hepatoprotective
action (4, 56). Plantago major leaves have been used as a weak antibiotic,
astringent (57) and as an immunomodulating (58), antihypertensive
(59), hypoglycaemic (60), haemostatic (61), antiallergic, febrifuge and
antipruritic agent (62). It is used in the treatment of eye inflammation, and
as a vermifuge (63–65). It is commonly prescribed for treatment of cystitis
with haematuria and haemorrhoids (38).
Pharmacology
Experimental pharmacology
Antiviral, cytotoxic and immunomodulatory activities
The antiviral activity of an aqueous extract and pure components of
P. major leaves against herpes viruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2) and adenoviruses
(ADV-3, ADV-8 and ADV-11) was studied in vitro. The median
effective concentration (EC 50
) for antiviral activity was defined as the
concentration that achieved 50% cytoprotection against virus infection.
The selectivity index was determined by the ratio of the EC 50
s for cytotoxicity
and cytoprotection, as defined above. The results showed that the
extract had low sensitivity for herpes virus (66).
The antiviral, cytotoxic and immunomodulatory activities of a hot-water
extract of the leaves was investigated in vitro against a series of viruses,
namely herpes viruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2), adenoviruses (ADV-3, ADV-8
and ADV-11), and in various human leukaemia, lymphoma and carcinoma
cells. The activity was measured using XTT, BrdU and interferon-gamma
kits. The results demonstrated that the extract possessed significant inhibitory
activity against the proliferation of lymphoma (U937) and carcinoma
(bladder, bone, cervix, kidney, lung and stomach) cells and against viral infection
(HSV-2 and ADV-11). The extract exhibited both immunostimulant
and immunosuppressive activities; at low concentrations (< 50 µg/ml),
it enhanced lymphocyte proliferation and secretion of gamma-interferon;
however, at a high concentration (> 50 µg/ml), it inhibited these effects. It
was concluded that the extract possesses a broad spectrum of antileukaemia,
anticarcinoma and antiviral activities, as well as activities which modulate
cell-mediated immunity. Immunomodulatory activity of a decoction of
dried leaves of P. major was observed in vitro using the lymphocyte transformation
test and stimulation of gamma-interferon production (at concentrations
of 12.5 µg/ml and 25 µg/ml, respectively) (67).
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