PubMed-compiled information sheet
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Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Viburnum opulus, also known as Guelder rose or Gilaburu, is a deciduous shrub with antioxidant and medicinal properties used in traditional medicine [PMID:33167421, PMID:38280176].
Background
Viburnum opulus is a deciduous shrub found in Europe, Russia, North Africa, and North Asia [PMID:33167421]. It is utilized as a decorative, food, and medicinal plant [PMID:33167421].
Traditional uses
Traditionally used to treat cough, colds, tuberculosis, rheumatic aches, ulcers, stomach and kidney problems [PMID:33167421]. In Türkiye, it is used ethnobotanically for kidney stones, stomach, heart, liver diseases, hemorrhages, hypertension, ulcers, common cold, tuberculosis, rheumatic and menstrual pain, and diabetes [PMID:38128893].
Active compounds
The plant contains phenolic compounds, including flavonoids and phenolic acids (notably chlorogenic acid, gallic acid, vanillic acid, protocatechuic acid, and ferulic acid) [PMID:33167421, PMID:36903530, PMID:37893661, PMID:35630596]. Other components include carotenoids, organic acids (acetic, citric, succinic, and malic), iridoids, quercetin and (epi)catechin derivatives, flavalignans, procyanidins, and anthocyanins [PMID:31321622, PMID:37893661, PMID:33036189].
Mechanism of action
V. opulus exhibits antioxidant activity and inhibits $\alpha$-amylase and $\alpha$-glucosidase enzymes [PMID:33167421, PMID:35630596]. It has demonstrated the ability to inhibit arginase activity and induce endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in rat aortic rings [PMID:31437471]. In cell studies, it downregulates PPAR$\gamma$, C/EBP$\alpha$, and SREBP-1c to inhibit adipogenesis [PMID:32640537].
Clinical evidence
Evidence BDistal ureteral calculi ($\le$10 mm)
Viburnum opulus extract (1000 mg peroral 3 $\times$ 2) was found to be as effective as Tamsulosin (0.4 mg peroral 1 $\times$ 1) in terms of stone expulsion rates and time until expulsion [PMID:34610178].
Evidence CPremenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Used as a botanical supplement, though rigorous clinical trials have not been performed [PMID:27677719].
Safety & adverse effects
In subacute oral toxicity tests in mice, doses of 2000 mg/kg for 28 days resulted in significantly high platelet counts and toxicity to the kidney, liver, and adipose tissue [PMID:37783419]. Acute tests in rats showed no clinical signs of toxicity or mortality at a single dose of 2000 mg/kg [PMID:37783419].
Evidence summary
Evidence is primarily based on in vitro and in vivo animal studies (Level D) and reviews (Level C), with one randomized controlled trial (Level B) supporting its use in medical expulsive therapy for ureteral stones.
PubMed sources
- 1.PMID: 27677719 (2016) — Botanicals and Their Bioactive Phytochemicals for Women's Health. · Pharmacological reviews
- 2.PMID: 33167421 (2020) — Viburnum opulus L.-A Review of Phytochemistry and Biological Effects. · Nutrients
- 3.PMID: 38280176 (2024) — Fruits of Wild-Grown Shrubs for Health Nutrition. · Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
- 4.PMID: 36903530 (2023) — Flavonoids and Phenolic Acids Content in Cultivation and Wild Collection of European Cranberry Bush Viburnum opulus L. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
- 5.PMID: 32640537 (2020) — Viburnum opulus L. Juice Phenolics Inhibit Mouse 3T3-L1 Cells Adipogenesis and Pancreatic Lipase Activity. · Nutrients