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Planta Med 2020; 86(15): 1050-1057
DOI: 10.1055/a-1129-7214
Biological and Pharmacological Activity
Reviews

Tormentillae rhizoma – Review for an Underestimated European Herbal Drug[ # ]

Matthias F. Melzig
Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
,
Stefan Böttger
Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
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Abstract

Potentilla erecta is a medicinal plant described under its traditional name Tormentil in medieval herbal books and used until today in many European countries. Today monographs for Tormentillae rhizoma in the European pharmacopeia, as well as a monograph of the Herbal Medicinal Product Commission as a drug for traditional use, exist. The present review summarizes published investigations in phytochemistry and pharmacology, together with new findings reflecting the mechanisms of action of ellagitannins as one of the main ingredients of this herbal drug. Taken together all in vitro and in vivo investigations’ data support the traditional use for treatment of diarrhea and mucosal inflammation despite a lack of suffcient clinical studies.

Key words

Potentilla erecta - Tormentil - Rosaceae - phytochemistry - pharmacology - traditional use

# Dedicated to Professor Dr. Wolfgang Kubelka on the occasion of his 85th birthday.




Publication History

Received: 14 January 2020

Accepted: 25 February 2020

Article published online:
10 March 2020

© 2020. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
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