POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
Please note: All posters will be displayed in
Salons 10-12.
THURSDAY, 10:15-11:00 AM
Kšhnke, D.
Effects of the homeopathic preparation Vertigoheel on
pharmacological targets related to the regulation of blood flow—an
in vitro analysis.
Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH koehnke.detlef@heel.de
Vertigoheel is a homeopathic complex remedy commonly
used in the treatment of vertigo of various origins. Several clinical
studies, as well as a recently conducted meta-analysis1 confirm the
efficacy of the preparation. In addition, an intravital microscopic
study revealed distinct effects of Vertigoheel on functional variables
of microcirculation2. In order to elucidate the background of these
results, the effect of Vertigoheel on adenosine A2A- and adrenergic
_2-receptors, the activity of phosphodiesterase-V and the release of
nitric monoxide were measured.
The affinity of Vertigoheel to A2A- and _2-receptors
was determined via displacement of specific tritium-labeled ligands
from human recombinant receptor proteins. Activity studies on phosphodiesterase-V
were performed by means of human platelet derived enzyme and tritium-labeled
cyclic guanosylmonophosphate as the substrate. Concentration of nitric
monoxide was detected in human umbilical vein endothelial cells on the
basis of its stable degradation products nitrite and nitrate.
All tested enzyme and receptor systems were affected
by Vertigoheel. Distinct dose-response relationships were found for
the inhibition of phosphodiesterase-V and β-receptor
binding. Half-maximal effect concentrations occurred at 25 µg/ml and
at 80 µg/ml Vertigoheel, respectively. The adenosine receptor binding
curve was dose dependent, but failed to show sharp slope alterations.
The half-maximal effect concentration was 80 µg/ml. In endothelial cells
Vertigoheel enhanced the release of nitric monoxide by 20%.
The results show that Vertigoheel is capable to affect different pharmacological
targets, which play an important role in the regulation of vessel diameter
and therefore on (microvascular) blood flow. Although the agonist/antagonist
character of AA- and β-receptor
bindings remains to be clarified, a multiple targeting approach seems
to be the most likely explanation for the documented efficacy and favourable
tolerability of Vertigoheel. However, further studies are needed to
complete the network of targets and interactions and to identify the
role of the constituents.
Back