Effects of STW 5 (Iberogast®) and STW 6 (Iberis amara) on gastrointestinal inflammation in vitro

Herbal drugs like STW 5 (Iberogast®) have proved their efficacy in clinical trials offering a therapeutic alternative against functional dyspepsia. STW 5 is a fixed mixture of nine plant extracts whereas Iberis amara (STW 6) forms the main component. It is well established that STW 5 influences gastrointestinal motility and has antiinflammatory effects on blood cells with unclear mechanisms. The study was aimed to compare the effects of STW 5 and STW 6 on inflammatory processes in the isolated rat ileum. Pharmacological (ACh-induced isometric contraction) and molecular biological (q-RT-PCR to detect mRNA of TNF-…