title: Comparative Study of the Biological Activity of Allantoin and Aqueous Extract of the Comfrey Root.
abstract: This study investigates the biological activity of pure allantoin (PA) and aqueous extract of the comfrey (Symphytum officinale L.) root (AECR) standardized to the allantoin content. Cell viability and proliferation of epithelial (MDCK) and fibroblastic (L929) cell line were studied by using MTT test. Anti-irritant potential was determined by measuring electrical capacitance, erythema index (EI) and transepidermal water loss of artificially irritated skin of young healthy volunteers, 3 and 7 days after application of creams and gels with PA or AECR. Pure allantoin showed mild inhibitory effect on proliferation of both cell lines at concentrations 40 and 100 µg/ml, but more pronounced on MDCK cells. Aqueous extract of the comfrey root effect on cell proliferation in concentrations higher than 40 µg/ml was significantly stimulatory for L929 but inhibitory for MDCK cells. Pharmaceutical preparations that contained AECR showed better anti-irritant potential compared with PA. Creams showed better effect on hydration and EI compared with the gels that contained the same components. Our results indicate that the biological activity of the comfrey root extract cannot be attributed only to allantoin but is also likely the result of the interaction of different compounds present in AECR. Topical preparations that contain comfrey extract may have a great application in the treatment of skin irritation.
authors.affiliation: University of Niš, Department for Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Blvd. Dr Zoran Djindjić 81, 18000 Niš, Serbia.
authors.forename: Vesna Lj
authors.initials: VLj
authors.lastname: Savić
authors.affiliation: University of Niš, Faculty of Technology, Bulevar oslobodjenja 124, Leskovac, Serbia.
authors.forename: Vesna D
authors.initials: VD
authors.lastname: Nikolić
authors.affiliation: University of Niš, Department for Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Blvd. Dr Zoran Djindjić 81, 18000 Niš, Serbia.
authors.forename: Ivana A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Arsić
authors.affiliation: University of Niš, Faculty of Technology, Bulevar oslobodjenja 124, Leskovac, Serbia.
authors.forename: Ljiljana P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Stanojević
authors.affiliation: University of Niš, Department for Cell and Tissue Engineering, Institute of Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Blvd. Dr Zoran Djindjić 81, 18000 Niš, Serbia.
authors.forename: Stevo J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Najman
authors.affiliation: University of Niš, Department for Cell and Tissue Engineering, Institute of Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Blvd. Dr Zoran Djindjić 81, 18000 Niš, Serbia.
authors.forename: Sanja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stojanović
authors.affiliation: University of Niš, Faculty of Technology, Bulevar oslobodjenja 124, Leskovac, Serbia.
authors.forename: Ivana I
authors.initials: II
authors.lastname: Mladenović-Ranisavljević
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000481:Allantoin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D020844:Comfrey / Q000737:chemistry*; D004285:Dogs; D004890:Erythema / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D061985:Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry*; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects*; D063465:Skin Cream
chemical_list: D005782:Gels; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000481:Allantoin
keywords: allantoin; anti-irritant potential; comfrey; extract; proliferation; viability