Chamomile "German" (Matricaria recutita)
There are two basic types of chamomiles: German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile). Most research has been conducted on German chamomile, and this article will focus on that species.
Matricaria chamomilla (chamomile) was described in ancient medical writings and was an important medicinal herb in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Matricaria chamomilla is a well-known medicinal plant species from the Asteraceae family often referred to as the “star among medicinal species.” Nowadays it is a highly favored and much used medicinal plant in folk and traditional medicine. Its multitherapeutic, cosmetic, and nutritional values have been established through years of traditional and scientific use and research.
Usos
Chamomile has a long history of use in traditional medicine to treat muscle spasms, menstrual disorders, insomnia, ulcers, wounds, stomach disorders, rheumatic pain, hay fever, and hemorrhoids. Today, chamomile is promoted for sleeplessness, anxiety, and gastrointestinal conditions such as upset stomach, gas, and diarrhea. It is also used topically for skin conditions and mouth sores resulting from cancer treatment.
M. chamomilla belongs to a major group of cultivated medicinal
plants. It contains a large group of therapeutically interesting
and active compound classes. Sesquiterpenes, flavonoids,
coumarins, and polyacetylenes are considered the most important
such as herniarin and umbelliferone (coumarin), chlorogenic
acid and caffeic acid (phenylpropanoids), apigenin, apigenin-
7-O-glucoside, luteolin and luteolin-7-O-glucoside (avones),
quercetin and rutin (avonols), and naringenin (avanone) are
found in chamomile extract
It contains a large group of therapeutically interesting
and active compound classes. Sesquiterpenes, flavonoids,
coumarins, and polyacetylenes are considered the most important
constituents [Figure 1] of the chamomile drug.
Química/Farmacología
German chamomile flowers contain 0.24- to 2.0-percent volatile oil that is blue. The two key constituents, (-)-alpha-bisabolol and chamazulene, account for 50-65 percent of total volatile oil content. Other components of the oil include (-)-alpha-bisabolol oxide A and B, (-)-alpha-bisabolone oxide A, spiroethers (cis- and trans- enyndicycloether), sesquiterpenes (anthecotulid), cadinene, farnesene, furfural, spathulenol, and proazulene (matricarin and matricin). Chamazulene is formed from matricin during steam distillation of the oil. Yield varies depending on the origin and age of the flowers. European Pharmacopoeia recommends chamomile contain no less than 4 mL/kg of blue essential oil. Chamomile also contains up to eight-percent flavone glycosides (apigenin 7- glycoside and its 6’-acetylated derivative) and flavonols (luteolin glucosides, quercetin glycosides, and isohamnetin); up to 10-percent mucilage polysaccharides; up to 0.3-percent choline; and approximately 0.1-percent coumarins (umbelliferone and its methyl ether, herniarin). The tannin level in chamomile is less than one percent.
Estudios clínicos
In vitro and animal studies indicate that chamomile extracts have anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperglycemic, antigenotoxic, and anticancer properties. Clinical data suggest modest benefits with oral chamomile in chronic insomnia and for moderate cyclic mastalgia. Chamomile tea had positive effects on glycemic control in patients with diabetes. Several studies have reported that chamomile extracts are effective against mild-to-moderate and moderate-to-severe generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Chamomile may also affect a substantial reduction in depressive symptoms in subjects with comorbid GAD plus depression and improve biological markers of stress in people with chronic anxiety. In other controlled trials, application of a chamomile compress was effective and superior to hydrocortisone ointment in facilitating healing of peristomal skin lesions following colostomy, and a chamomile oleogel affected pain relief in patients who had migraine without aura.
In an animal study, chamomile extract showed some protective effects against radiation‐induced intestinal mucositis. A chamomile mouthwash reduced 5-fluorouracil-induced mucositis in hamsters, but data from human studies are conflicting. Preliminary findings suggest some benefit of a chamomile gel in preventing acute radiation dermatitis.
Mecanismo biomecánico
The anti-inflammatory activity of chamomile involves the release of LPS-induced prostaglandin E(2) in RAW 264.7 macrophages via inhibition of COX-2 enzyme activity. Methanol extracts of chamomile exert anti-allergic effects by inhibiting histamine release from mast cells. Neuroprotective activity has occurred via decreased lipid peroxidation and increased superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione, and total thiol levels.
Topical chamomile reduced the tissue levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in hamsters with oral mucositis. In another study, a chamomile extract provided gastroprotection against ethanol-induced ulceration by increasing glutathione levels. In an animal model of radiation‐induced intestinal mucositis, apoptotic effects from chamomile occurred via increases in cytosolic cytochrome c, caspase‐3, and depletion of mitochondrial B‐cell lymphoma‐2/ Bax ratio.
Apigenin, a flavone component of chamomile, interacts with GABA(A)-benzodiazepine receptors in vitro and inhibits locomotor behavior in rats. It also affected alternative splicing of key mRNAs by inhibiting dimerization of hnRNPA2, a factor associated with many cellular malignancies and in mRNA metabolism and splicing. Apigenin also has chemopreventive effects. Bisabololoxide A, another constituent, had additive inhibitory effects in some instances when used with 5-fluorouracil against leukemic cells.
Fuentes/Artículos
Adib-Hajbaghery M, Mousavi SN. The effects of chamomile extract on sleep quality among elderly people: A clinical trial.Complement Ther Med. 2017 Dec;35:109-114.
Al-Hashem FH. Gastroprotective effects of aqueous extract of Chamomilla recutita against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers. Saudi Med J. 2010 Nov;31(11):1211-6.
Amsterdam JD, Li Y, Soeller I, et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral Matricaria recutita (chamomile) extract therapy for generalized anxiety disorder. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2009 Aug;29(4):378-82.
Amsterdam JD, Shults J, Soeller I, et al. Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) may provide antidepressant activity in anxious, depressed humans: an exploratory study. Altern Ther Health Med. 2012 Sep-Oct;18(5):44-9.
Amsterdam JD, Li QS, Xie SX, Mao JJ. Putative Antidepressant Effect of Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) Oral Extract in Subjects with Comorbid Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Depression. J Altern Complement Med. 2020 Sep;26(9):813-819.
Avallone R, et al. Pharmacological profile of apigenin, a flavonoid isolated from Matricaria chamomilla. Biochem Pharmacol 2000;59:1387-94.
Cemek M, Kaða S, Simþek N, Büyükokuroðlu ME, Konuk M. Antihyperglycemic and antioxidative potential of Matricaria chamomilla L. in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. J Nat Med. 2008 Jul;62(3):284-93.
Chandrashekhar, V. M., V. L. Ranpariya, S. Ganapaty, A. Parashar, and A. A. Muchandi. "Neuroprotective activity of Matricaria recutita Linn against global model of ischemia in rats." Journal of ethnopharmacology 127, no. 3 (2010): 645-651.
https://pdfs.nutramedix.ec/Babuna%20-%20neuroprotective%20activity.pdf
Chandrashekhar VM, Halagali KS, Nidavani RB, et al. Anti-allergic activity of German chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) in mast cell mediated allergy model. J Ethnopharmacol. 2011 Sep 1;137(1):336-40.
Charousaei F, Dabirian A, Mojab F. Using chamomile solution or a 1% topical hydrocortisone ointment in the management of peristomal skin lesions in colostomy patients: results of a controlled clinical study. Ostomy Wound Manage. 2011 May;57(5):28-36.
Curra M, Martins MA, Lauxen IS, et al. Effect of topical chamomile on immunohistochemical levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in 5-fluorouracil-induced oral mucositis in hamsters Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 2013 Feb;71(2):293-9.
Ferreira EB, Ciol MA, de Meneses AG, et al. Chamomile Gel versus Urea Cream to Prevent Acute Radiation Dermatitis in Head and Neck Cancer Patients: Results from a Preliminary Clinical Trial. Integr Cancer Ther. 2020 Jan-Dec;19:1534735420962174.
Fidler P, et al. Prospective evaluation of a chamomile mouthwash for prevention of 5-FU-induced oral mucositis. Cancer 1996;77: 522-5.
Guimarães, Rafaela, Lillian Barros, Montserrat Dueñas, Ricardo C. Calhelha, Ana Maria Carvalho, Celestino Santos-Buelga, Maria João RP Queiroz, and Isabel CFR Ferreira. "Infusion and decoction of wild German chamomile: Bioactivity and characterization of organic acids and phenolic compounds." Food Chemistry 136, no. 2 (2013): 947-954. http://repositorium.uminho.pt/bitstream/1822/63924/1/Guimaraes%20et%20al.%20M.recutita_FC%20Revised.pdf
Gupta, Vikas, Payal Mittal, Parveen Bansal, Sukhbir L. Khokra, and Dhirender Kaushik. "Pharmacological potential of Matricaria recutita-A review." Int J Pharm Sci Drug Res 2, no. 1 (2010): 12-6. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Parveen-Bansal/publication/311913879_Pharmacological_Potential_of_Matricaria_recutita-A_Review/links/5862532808ae8fce4909702a/Pharmacological-Potential-of-Matricaria-recutita-A-Review.pdf
Heidari, M. R., Z. Dadollahi, M. Mehrabani, H. Mehrabi, M. Pourzadeh-Hosseini, E. Behravan, and L. Etemad. "Study of antiseizure effects of Matricaria recutita extract in mice." Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 1171, no. 1 (2009): 300.
Hernández-Ceruelos A, Madrigal-Bujaidar E, de la Cruz C. Inhibitory effect of chamomile essential oil on the sister chromatid exchanges induced by daunorubicin and methyl methanesulfonate in mouse bone marrow. Toxicol Lett. 2002 Sep 5;135(1-2):103-110.
Keefe JR, Mao JJ, Soeller I, Li QS, Amsterdam JD. Short-term open-label chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) therapy of moderate to severe generalized anxiety disorder. Phytomedicine. 2016 Dec 15;23(14):1699-1705.
Keefe JR, Guo W, Li QS, Amsterdam JD, Mao JJ. An exploratory study of salivary cortisol changes during chamomile extract therapy of moderate to severe generalized anxiety disorder. J Psychiatr Res. 2018 Jan;96:189-195.
Khayyal MT, Kreuter MH, Kemmler M, et al. Effect of a chamomile extract in protecting against radiation-induced intestinal mucositis. Phytother Res. Jan 10 2019.
Kyokong O, et al. Efficacy of chamomile-extract spray for prevention of post-operative sore throat. J Med Assoc Thai 2002;85(suppl):S180-5.
Mao JJ, Xie SX, Keefe JR, Soeller I, Li QS, Amsterdam JD. Long-term chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) treatment for generalized anxiety disorder: A randomized clinical trial. Phytomedicine. 2016 Dec 15;23(14):1735-1742.
Marucci L, Farneti A, Di Ridolfi P, et al. Double-blind randomized phase III study comparing a mixture of natural agents versus placebo in the prevention of acute mucositis during chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancer. Head Neck. Sep 2017;39(9):1761-1769.
McKay, Diane L., and Jeffrey B. Blumberg. "A review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of chamomile tea (Matricaria recutita L.)." Phytotherapy Research: An International Journal Devoted to Pharmacological and Toxicological Evaluation of Natural Product Derivatives 20, no. 7 (2006): 519-530. https://tahomaclinic.com/Private/Articles1/AGEs/McKay%202006%20-%20Chamomile%20Re.pdf
Niederhofer, H. "Observational study: Matricaria chamomilla may improve some symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder." Phytomedicine 16, no. 4 (2009): 284-286. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0944711308001931
Ogata-Ikeda I, Seo H, Kawanai T, Hashimoto E, Oyama Y. Cytotoxic action of bisabololoxide A of German chamomile on human leukemia K562 cells in combination with 5-fluorouracil. Phytomedicine. 2011 Mar 15;18(5):362-5.
Patel D, Shukla S, Gupta S. Apigenin and cancer chemoprevention: progress, potential and promise (review). Int J Oncol. 2007 Jan;30(1):233-45.
Pavesi VC, Lopez TC, Martins MA, et al. Healing action of topical chamomile on 5-fluouracil induced oral mucositis in hamster. Support Care Cancer. 2011 May;19(5):639-46.
Rabiei, Zahra, and Mahmoud Rafieian. "A review on the pharmacological effects of Matricaria chamomilla." Iranian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2, no. 4 (2018): 248-240. http://ijpp.phypha.ir/files/site1/user_files_92e2e9/eliassi-A-10-166-31-3993310.pdf
Rafraf M, Zemestani M, Asghari-Jafarabadi M. Effectiveness of chamomile tea on glycemic control and serum lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes.J Endocrinol Invest. 2015 Feb;38(2):163-70.
Ranpariya VL, Parmar SK, Sheth NR, Chandrashekhar VM. Neuroprotective activity of Matricaria recutita against fluoride-induced stress in rats. Pharm Biol. 2011 Jul;49(7):696-701.
Ross, Stephanie Maxine. "Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): efficacy of standardized Matricaria recutita (German chamomile) extract in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder." Holistic nursing practice 27, no. 6 (2013): 366-368. https://journals.lww.com/hnpjournal/Citation/2013/11000/Generalized_Anxiety_Disorder__GAD___Efficacy_of.9.aspx
Saghafi N, Rhkhshandeh H, Pourmoghadam N, et al. Effectiveness of Matricaria chamomilla (chamomile) extract on pain control of cyclic mastalgia: a double-blind randomised controlled trial. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2018 Jan;38(1):81-84.
Silva FV, Dias F, Costa G, Campos MDG. Chamomile reveals to be a potent galactogogue: the unexpected effect.J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2018 Jan;31(1):116-118.
Singh, Ompal, Zakia Khanam, Neelam Misra, and Manoj Kumar Srivastava. "Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.): an overview." Pharmacognosy reviews 5, no. 9 (2011): 82. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3210003/
Srivastava JK, Shankar E, Gupta S. Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future. Mol Med Report. 2010 Nov 1;3(6):895-901.
Srivastava JK, Gupta S. Antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of chamomile extract in various human cancer cells. J Agric Food Chem. 2007 Nov 14;55(23):9470-8.
Srivastava JK, Pandey M, Gupta S. Chamomile, a novel and selective COX-2 inhibitor with anti-inflammatory activity. Life Sci. 2009 Nov 4;85(19-20):663-9.
Zargaran A, Borhani-Haghighi A, Salehi-Marzijarani M, et al. Evaluation of the effect of topical chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) oleogel as pain relief in migraine without aura: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Neurol Sci. 2018 Aug;39(8):1345-1353.
Zick SM, Wright BD, Sen A, Arnedt JT. Preliminary examination of the efficacy and safety of a standardized chamomile extract for chronic primary insomnia: a randomized placebo-controlled pilot study. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2011 Sep 22;11:78.