Comfrey leaf,Information About Comfrey leaf Extract.

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Actions and Indications:Comfrey Leaf.

Comfrey Leaf Extract INCI Name Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract CAS 84696-05-9 EINECS ELINCS No 283-625-3 Comfrey extract photo picture image Traditional Uses: Ulcers, fractures, bruises, diarrhea, cough, bronchitis, gum disease.

 Actions: Leaf - Vulnerary, demulcent, antihaemorrhagic, antirheumatic, anti-inflammatory. Root - Vulnerary, demulcent, cell proliferant, astringent, antihaemorrhagic, expectorant. Symphytum is an effective stimulant to fibroblast, chondroblast and osteoblast activity.

 Indications: Leaf - Gastric and duodenal ulcer, rheumatic pain, arthritis. Topically as a poultice or fomentation in bruises, sprains, athlete's foot, crural ulcers and mastitis. Specifically indicated in gastric ulceration, and topically for varicose ulcers. Root - Gastric and duodenal ulcers, haematemesis, colitis; topically for ulcers, wounds, fractures and herniae by application of the fresh root preparation. Specifically indicated in gastric ulcer and topically for chronic varicose ulcer.

 Therapeutics and Pharmacology:

 The impressive wound-healing properties of Symphytum are partially due to the presence of allantoin which stimulates cell proliferation, thereby accelerating wound-healing both internally and externally. In superficial wounds this acceleration of the healing process can prevent scar formation, but one must take care when dealing with infected wounds to ensure that the infection is addressed first. Allantoin is able to diffuse through the skin and tissues, hence its traditional use as an external application for the treatment of bone fractures. On the surface of the skin its action is aided by the contracting 'plaster' effect of the mucilage, tannins and resins as they dry. Symphytum is an excellent remedy in the treatment of chronic and varicose ulcers, and it has been used topically with some success in the treatment of psoriasis (allantoin promotes keratin dispersal).

 Allantoin is also effective when taken internally as it absorbed directly from the gut, so is of use in gastrointestinal disorders. In addition, Symphytum is rich in demulcent mucilage which augments allantoin's powerful healing action in gastric and duodenal ulcers, hiatus hernia and ulcerative colitis. The aqueous extract of the plant increases the release of prostaglandins of the F series from the stomach wall, pointing to a direct action in protecting the gastric mucosa from damage. An Italian study has demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory activity in vivo. Symphytum's astringency, due to its tannin content, will help arrest bleeding wherever it occurs. The mucilage also ensures Symphytum's usefulness as a bulk laxative and as a soothing remedy for the lower gut, and this may in turn operate by reflex to account for its usefulness in excessive menstrual bleeding, haematuria, and urinary spasm.

 Symphytum has been used with success in cases of bronchitis and irritable cough, where it soothes and reduces irritation whilst helping expectoration. It also has a reputed anti-cancer action.

 Effects on musculoskeletal disorders,Clinical data:

 In a prospective, open, multicenter, observational study, comfrey was applied topically 1 to 3 times/day over a 2-week period. The duration of morning joint stiffness decreased from 20 minutes initially to 3 minutes, and many of the patients eventually discontinued their use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy.

 In an open and uncontrolled study of 105 patients, a comfrey ointment was effective in alleviating symptoms associated with muscle pain but not for muscle pain associated with degenerative diseases. The ointment was most effective in treating muscle swelling, strains, pain, vertebral syndrome, arthralgia, and enthesopathy.

 Inflammation In vitro data:

 Symphytum extracts inhibited platelet activating factor exocytosis 90% to 100% in one study of anti-inflammatory actions.An aqueous extract from the roots of S. officinale initially activated the respiratory burst of mouse peritoneal macrophages and later inhibited it, thus activating synthesis of the enzymes catalase and superoxide dimutase.

 Inflammation Clinical data:

 Forty-one patients were treated topically over 4 weeks for musculoskeletal rheumatism with a PA-free ointment (n = 20) or placebo (n = 21). The musculoskeletal symptoms included epicondylitis, tendovaginitis, and peri-arthritis. Outcome measurements included evaluation of tenderness on pressure, pain at rest, and pain on exercise. Patients treated for periarthritis reported no improvement. Patients treated for epicondylitis reported improvement versus controls for weeks 1, 2, and 4. Patients treated for tendovaginitis reported improvement versus controls for weeks 1 and 2, but not at week 4.

 Cancer In vitro data:

 Symphytum was active against Lewis lung carcinoma, adenocarcinoma 755, and Walker carcinosarcoma 256.An aqueous extract and protein fraction of S. officinale stimulated the in vivo proliferation of Ehrlich ascites cells. The extract also exerted an antimitotic effect on stimulated human T lymphocytes.

 Wound healing:

 Efficacy in wound healing may be related to the presence of allantoin, rosmarinic acid, or to another hydrocolloid polysaccharide.Although the details of the study are limited, the antiphlogistic efficacy of 10 different ointments containing comfrey were evaluated. The various ointments were used to treat circular erythema created by UV-B radiation. The ratios of ingredients were not provided, but each ointment was measured for its content of allantoin, caffeic acid derivatives, PAs, and carbohydrates. Outcomes measured included changes in pain and erythema; topical application of the various ointments provided relief of these symptoms.Lithospermic acid isolated from the root appears to have antigonadotropic activity.

 Antifungal activity:

 Aqueous extracts from the leaves of comfrey strongly inhibited the rate of germination of Erysiphe graminis conidia and Puccinia graminis ureidospores of plant pathogenic fungi likely because of the plant's phenolic compounds.

 Other pharmacological effects:

 The percutaneous efficacy of an ointment of S. officinale extract was examined in 140 patients in a double-blind, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled study of ankle sprains. Patients received 4 topical treatments daily for 8 days.The primary outcome measure was tonometrically recorded pressure pain. Secondary outcome measures included ankle-swelling, limitation of movement, physician and patient assessment of efficacy, improved visual appearance, pain-scaling using a visual analog scale, and emergency medication (acetaminophen). Statistically significant reducations in pain, ankle edema, ankle mobility, and global efficacy were observed. No adverse drug reactions were reported in patients receiving active treatment.

 A Cochrane review evaluated a randomized controlled trial on the efficacy of topical application of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, 1 g of piroxicam gel 0.5%, and topical homeopathic gel mixture of Symphytum officinale , Rhus toxicodendron (poison ivy), and Ledum palustre (marsh tea). The results indicated that topically applied homeopathic gel was as effective as piroxicam gel.

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citations1.Comfrey leaf,Information About Comfrey leaf Extract.

last edit date:29th,June.2009.