Pelargonium sidoides

The direct 5-magnesiation of 2,2-dimethylbenzo-l,3-dioxin-4-one features in the synthesis of 6-hexylsalicylic acid, a component of the essential oil of Pelargonium sidoides DC <07AG(E)7681>. 

Godecke, T., Kaloga, M. and Kolodziej, H. (2005) A phenol glucoside, uncommon coumarins and flavonoids from Pelargonium sidoides DC. Z. Naturforsch., 60b, 677-82. 

Kayser, O. and Kolodziej, H. (1995) Hi ly oxygenated coumarins from Pelargonium sidoides. Phytochemistry, 39,1181-85. 

Umckaloabo From a Patent Remedy to a Modern Herbal Pharmaceutical based on Pelargonium sidoides with Clinically Proven... 

Proprietary extracts of Pelargonium sidoides and their preparations, as well as the use thereof, are to date protected by a total of seven patents in various countries (83-89). 

Table I. Main constituents of Pelargonium sidoides root, herb and of EPs...

Pelargonium sidoides has a long-standing tradition in the treatment of diseases, starting with ethnobotanical records from the mid 19th century and followed by the enthnsiastic perseverance of Charles Hemy Stevens and Adrien Sechehaye in the first half of the 20th centnry. 

Allergic reactions, including anaphylactic reactions, to Pelargonium sidoides have been reported (de Boer et al. 2007 dimmer et al. 2008). 

No significant changes in serum levels of penicillin V were observed in healthy volunteers orally administered 30 drops of a Pelargonium sidoides extract three times daily and penicillin V at a dosage of 1,200,000 lU three times over 8 days (Roots et al. 2004). 

An animal test indicated no interaction between Pelargonium sidoides and warfarin (Koch and Biber 2007). A human study indicated no interaction between Pelargonium sidoides and penicillin V (Roots et al. 2004). 

A systematic review of clinical trials with Pelargonium sidoides in adults and children indicated that adverse events were rarely reported but were slightly more common with Pelargonium sidoides than control groups. Adverse events were generally gastrointestinal in nature, and none were severe (Timmer et al. 2008). 

No information on the safety of Pelargonium sidoides in pregnancy or lactation was identified in the scientific or traditional literature. Although this review did not identify any concerns for use while pregnant or nursing, safety has not been conclusively established. 

No changes in the anticoagulant activity (thromboplastin time or partial thromboplastin time) of warfarin was observed in rats orally coadministered single doses of 500 mg/kg of Pelargonium sidoides and 0.05 mg/kg of warfarin or in rats orally administered 500 mg/kg daily for 2 weeks prior to administration of a single dose of warfarin. The authors noted that coumarin-type anticoagulants inhibit the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors via identical mechanisms in rats and humans, and have a similar pattern of metabolism in both species (Koch and Biber 2007). 

No effects on thromboplastin time, partial thromboplastin time, or thrombin time were observed in rats orally administered 10,75, or 500 mg/kg of Pelargonium sidoides daily for 2 weeks. The authors noted that the coumarins identified in Pelargonium sidoides do not posses the structural characteristics needed for anticoagulant activity, and that it is unlikely that Pelargonium sidoides would increase the tendency for hemorrhage in persons taking this herb (Koch and Biber 2007). 

No information on the safety of Pelargonium sidoides during pregnancy or lactation was identified. 

A review of Pelargonium sidoides indicated that a full set of toxicity studies had been completed, including acute short-term toxicity studies in rats, 2-week dose finding and 13-week toxicity studies in dogs, the Ames test for mutagenicity, the chromosomal aberration test, the mouse micronucleus test, tumor promotion studies, immuno-toxicity studies, and reproductive toxicology studies. The review reported that all studies yielded unremarkable results. Information on products and doses used were not reported in the review (Conrad et al. 2007). 

Koch, E., and A. Biber. 2007. Treatment of rats with the Pelargonium sidoides extract EPs 7630 has no effect on blood coagulation parameters or on the pharmacokinetics of warfarin. Phytomedicine 14(Suppl. 6) 40-45. 

Roots, I., G. Arold, A. Dienel, et al. 2004. PlacebokontroUierte doppelblinde Interaktionsstudie mit Pelargonium-sidoides-Extrakt und Penicillin V bei gesunden Probanden [abstract]. 

Timmer, A., J. Gunther, G. Rucker, et al. 2008. Pelargonium sidoides extract for acute respiratory tract infections. Cochrane Database Syst. Rev. 3 CD006323. 

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