WILLOW BARK (Salix spp., bark)
EFFICACY AND USES www.euromed.es
Willow bark extracts (Salix spp.) have a long history as an herbal remedy against fever, pain and inflammation, and the characteristic constituents are derivatives of salicin. Willow bark has had a long tradition as antipyretic dating back to the 18th century, an also has been used as anti-inflammatory and analgesic. Although, the Egyptians already used it as a topical poultice that may have been effective for fever and swelling. Hippocrates hailed its antipyretic and analgesic properties and recommended its use to relieve pain during childbirth.
In 1763, Edward Stone wrote to the Earl of Macclesfield, then President of the Royal Society, with “An account of the success of the bark of the willow in Willow bark has traditionally been used for the cure of agues” (fever). This paper is considered a muscular and arthroidal rheumatism with rigorous scientific approach and demonstration of the inflammation and pain, influenza, respiratory utility of willow bark and it is the basis for the discovery catarrh, gouty arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, of the actions and chemical structure of aspirin (acetyl and specifically for rheumatoid arthritis and other systemic connective tissue disorders salicylic acid), that it is still count among the most characterised by inflammatory changes. important non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Willow bark is used for the treatment of rheumatic pain, mainly low back and osteoarthritis pain, for relief fever associated with common cold, and headache.
It is important to mention that, although salicin metabolized into various salicylate derivatives, willow bark and acetylsalicylic acid have a different mode of action and different efficacy and adverse event profiles. Salicin was already discovered in 1831 and Adverse effects of willow bark preparations has always been traditionally used as a appear to be minimal as compared to non- biological marker for the activity of willow steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs including bark, and was even considered the major aspirin. Willow bark does not damage the active constituent in the past. However gastrointestinal mucosa. Since salicylic acid clinical data supports that other compounds concentrations after 100 mg aspirin impair (polyphenols and flavonoids) strongly platelet aggregation but those after willow contributes to efficacy of willow bark bark with 240 mg salicin almost not, it preparations. Willow bark contains up to remains to be established if salicylic acid 20% flavonoids and condensed tannins. derivatives have a different effect on blood For this reason, mixture of ingredients may clotting, if other constituents in bark extract explain why the typical dose of willow bark may counteract the salicylate effect and if extract is in the range of 120- 40mg salicin higher doses of willow bark extract can safely as compared with a typical dose of 500mg be used peri‐operatively or together with for aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid). platelet aggregation inhibiting drugs. EUROMED S.A. C/Rec de Dalt 21-23 Pol.Ind. "Can Magarola" E-08100 Mollet del Vallès
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EFFICACY AND USES www.euromed.es
MECHANISM OF ACTION The anti-inflammatory activity of willow bark extract is associated with down regulation of the COX-2 and inflammatory mediators: tumour necrosis factor-α, and nuclear factor- kappa B, and NO.
OTHER POTENTIALS USES Willow bark extracts also are widely used in sports performance, to increase resistance training performance, and weight loss products. Their beneficial effects may be due to an increase in pain tolerance as well as antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties because obesity and intense exercise involve inflammatory processes and in addition, pain relief increases mobility, exercise performance, and energy consumption.
References Uehleke B, Müller J, Stange R, Kelber O, Melzer J. Willow bark extract STW 33-I in the long-term treatment of Desborough MJR, Keeling DM. The aspirin story – outpatients with rheumatic pain, mainly osteoarthritis or from willow to wonder drug. Br J Haematol 2017; back pain. Phytomedicine 2013; 20 (11): 980-984. 177 (5): 674-683. Vlachojannis J, Magora F, Chrubasik S. Willow species EMA. Assessment report on Salix [various and aspirin: different mechanism of actions. Phytother species including S. purpurea L., S. daphnoides Res 2011; 25 (7): 1102-1104. Vill, S. fragilis L.], cortex. 2017. Document: EMA/HMPC/80628/2016. Wood JN. From plant extract to molecular panacea: a commentary on Stone (1763) “An account of the Shara M, Stohs SJ. Efficacy and safety of white success of the bark of the willow in the cure of the willow bark (Salix alba) extracts. Phytother Res agues”. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2015; 370 2015; 29 (8): 1112-1116. (1666): 20140317.
EUROMED S.A. C/Rec de Dalt 21-23 Pol.Ind. "Can Magarola" E-08100 Mollet del Vallès
All information given in this documentation reflects published current knowledge. EUROMED disclaims any responsibility for the suitability of Barcelona (SPAIN) this information for products intended by the user. The suggestions given do not release EUROMED’s customers and the user of the Tel: +34 93 5440110 products from evaluating the individual products as to their legal compliance. The user of the product is solely responsible for compliance Fax: +34 93 5440111 with all laws and regulations applying to the use of the products.