Acker-Gauchheil

Acker-Gauchheil (Anagallis arvensis), also known as red-flowering pimpernel or simply pimpernel, is a small, herbaceous plant from the primrose family (Primulaceae). Originally native to Europe and the Mediterranean region, Acker-Gauchheil now grows worldwide in temperate zones. The plant is often regarded as a weed, although it has a long history in folk medicine.

Traditional areas of application

Acker-Gauchheil was historically used in naturopathy for a whole range of ailments. In folk medicine, it was often regarded as a cure-all and applied to treat a wide variety of diseases and symptoms. These included not only skin diseases and inflammation but also psychological abnormalities. The juice or tea made from the leaves, for example, was used as a remedy for melancholy and "madness". Here are some of the most important applications from traditional medicine:

  • Wound healing and skin diseases: In traditional medicine, Acker-Gauchheil was used externally to treat skin conditions such as ulcers, eczema, and wounds. It was also used to treat warts, as it is said to have an antiseptic effect.
  • Anti-inflammatory properties: The plant was used to relieve inflammatory conditions such as rheumatism and gout. The anti-inflammatory properties could possibly be attributed to the flavonoids it contains (2,3).
  • Calming and antispasmodic effects: Acker-Gauchheil was traditionally used for nervous conditions and psychological abnormalities. It was assumed that the plant has a calming effect on the nervous system.
  • Diuretic effect: In folk medicine, Acker-Gauchheil was used as a diuretic (an agent that promotes urination) to promote the excretion of fluid and support the balance of body fluids.

Scientific evaluation 

Although Acker-Gauchheil has a long tradition in folk medicine, there are only a few scientific studies that support its effectiveness. However, some of the compounds contained in the plant, such as the saponins and triterpenes, show potentially therapeutic properties. Further studies are necessary to investigate the exact effects and safety of the plant.

Active compounds

 Acker-Gauchheil contains a number of bioactive compounds that could explain its medicinal properties. Saponins have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties (4,5). They are also known to stimulate the immune system and to have antimicrobial effects (6,7,8). Triterpenes are known for their anti-inflammatory (9,10) effects and could thus contribute to the healing effect of Acker-Gauchheil. Flavonoids are secondary plant compounds that have strong antioxidant effects and can therefore play a role in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation (11,12). Furthermore, triterpenes and flavonoids have been linked in studies to a synergistic effect that showed antimicrobial effects (13).

Safety and side effects Acker-Gauchheil contains some potentially toxic compounds, which is why it should be used with caution:

  • Toxicity: The plant contains toxic saponins and other substances that can be harmful in higher doses. Consuming large amounts can lead to gastrointestinal complaints such as vomiting and diarrhea.
  • Skin irritation: Direct contact with fresh plant parts can trigger skin irritation and allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
  • Pregnant and breastfeeding women: Since Acker-Gauchheil can be toxic in large amounts, pregnant and breastfeeding women are advised against using it.

Conclusion Acker-Gauchheil (Anagallis arvensis) is a small plant with a long history in folk medicine. It was traditionally used to treat skin diseases, inflammation, and psychological complaints. Although some of the active compounds it contains possess anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, the plant should be used with caution due to its potential toxicity.

Sources:

  1. Hiller K, Bader G. Heilpflanzenpraxis heute. Urban & Fischer, 2012.
  2. Maleki, S. J., Crespo, J. F., & Cabanillas, B. (2019). Anti-inflammatory effects of flavonoids. Food chemistry, 299, 125124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2019.125124
  3. Ferraz, C. R., Carvalho, T. T., Manchope, M. F., Artero, N. A., Rasquel-Oliveira, F. S., Fattori, V., Casagrande, R., & Verri, W. A., Jr (2020). Therapeutic Potential of Flavonoids in Pain and Inflammation: Mechanisms of Action, Pre-Clinical and Clinical Data, and Pharmaceutical Development. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 25(3), 762. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25030762
  4. Wijesekara, T., Luo, J., & Xu, B. (2024). Critical review on anti-inflammation effects of saponins and their molecular mechanisms. Phytotherapy research : PTR, 38(4), 2007–2022. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.8164
  5. Petrovic, Bojana & Vukomanovic, Predrag & Popovic, Vera & Ljubica, Šarčević & Buric, Marko & Nikolic, Milica & Đorđević, Snežana. (2022). Significance and efficacy of triterpene saponin herbal drugs with expectorant action in cough therapy. 68. 221-239. 10.17707/AgricultForest.68.3.17.
  6. Shen L, Luo H, Fan L, Tian X, Tang A, Wu X, Dong K, Su Z. Potential Immunoregulatory Mechanism of Plant Saponins: A Review. Molecules. 2023 Dec 23;29(1):113. doi: 10.3390/molecules29010113. PMID: 38202696; PMCID: PMC10780299.
  7. Pikhtirova A, Pecka-Kiełb E, Zigo F. Antimicrobial activity of saponin-containing plants: review. J Dairy Vet Anim Res. 2023;12(2):121-127 DOI: 10.15406/jdvar.2023.12.00336
  8. Tagousop, C.N., Tamokou, JdD., Kengne, I.C. et al. Antimicrobial activities of saponins from Melanthera elliptica and their synergistic effects with antibiotics against pathogenic phenotypes. Chemistry Central Journal 12, 97 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13065-018-0466-6
  9. Nguyen TD, Nguyen TH, Do TH, Tran VT, Nguyen HA, Pham DV. Anti-inflammatory effect of a triterpenoid from Balanophora laxiflora: results of bioactivity-guided isolation. Heliyon. 2022 Mar 5;8(3):e09070. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09070. PMID: 35287327; PMCID: PMC8917289.
  10. Jeong, Gil-Saeng & Bae, Jong-Sup. (2014). Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Triterpenoids; Naturally Occurring and Synthetic Agents. Mini-Reviews in Organic Chemistry. 11. 316-329. 10.2174/1570193X1103140915111703.
  11. Hassanpour SH, Doroudi A. Review of the antioxidant potential of flavonoids as a subgroup of polyphenols and partial substitute for synthetic antioxidants. Avicenna J Phytomed. 2023 Jul-Aug;13(4):354-376. doi: 10.22038/AJP.2023.21774. PMID: 37663389; PMCID: PMC10474916.
  12. Ullah A, Munir S, Badshah SL, Khan N, Ghani L, Poulson BG, Emwas AH, Jaremko M. Important Flavonoids and Their Role as a Therapeutic Agent. Molecules. 2020 Nov 11;25(22):5243. doi: 10.3390/molecules25225243. PMID: 33187049; PMCID: PMC7697716.
  13. Wrońska N, Szlaur M, Zawadzka K, Lisowska K. The Synergistic Effect of Triterpenoids and Flavonoids-New Approaches for Treating Bacterial Infections? Molecules. 2022 Jan 27;27(3):847. doi: 10.3390/molecules27030847. PMID: 35164112; PMCID: PMC8838219.