enciclopedia naturale testata desktop

Cardiospermum halicacabum

FAMILY: The climbing herbaceous plant Cardiospermum halicacabum (called 'Herzsamen', heart-shaped seed, in German) belongs to the Saponifera family, so called because of its property of causing foam when mixed with water as it contains saponins. This family comprises some 1200 species, mainly woody plants, trees or shrubs.

HABITAT: Saponiferae are tropical plants widespread in India, South America and Africa. 

USED PART: Cardiospermum halicacabum has small, white flowers.  The 'drug', i.e. the part used for medicinal purposes, consists of the fresh aerial parts of the flowering plant.The specific name of the genus 'Cardiospermum' derives from the appearance of the seeds, which are the size of a peppercorn, dark brown in colour, with an easily recognisable white heart.The name 'halicacabum' comes from the Greek and means 'barrel of salt'.

RECOMMENDED PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS: Ointment based on Cardiospermum, concentrated to at least 5-10%, offering physiological support for manifestations of an allergic and inflammatory nature, also accompanied by itching

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION:The main active constituents of the plant are extracted from the flowering aerial parts; they consist of a large group of saponins such as glycosidic triterpenes; tannins of the hydrolysable type; traces of alkaloids; quebrachitol, a particular alcohol with a basic structure similar to that of inositol

THERAPEUTIC PROPERTIES: 
The plant extract of Cardiospermum halicacabum (1) boasts anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties by virtue of a cortisone-like effect.

It is known to reduce skin inflammatory mediators by inhibiting the release of TNF-alpha and nitric oxide by macrophages and human mononuclear cells after pro-inflammatory stimulation.

The key advantage of this natural extract is its high safety and tolerability profile, even with long-term use. Indeed, as confirmed by clinical studies, topical application of Cardiospermum halicacabum provides good antiphlogistic activity without the side effects that can result from prolonged use of cortisone drugs.

Studies (Short-term test 2 ) were conducted to assess whether the cosmetic product Cutamir, a cardiospermum-based cream, exerts a soothing action on irritated skin. Twenty healthy female and male subjects were selected, to whom 20% SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) was applied in occlusion using 3 finn chambers for 4 hours to induce irritation. 15 minutes after removal of the finn chambers, transcutaneous water loss (TEWL) and erythema index were measured on the three skin areas; then one area was treated with Cutamir, another with no product, the third with placebo.

In this study, cardiospermum cream was shown to be significantly effective in reducing both parameters assessed, erythema index and transcutaneous water loss, with a soothing effect on the irritative reaction experimentally induced by a chemical agent (surfactant) on the forearm skin of the subjects enrolled. Cutamir also helped restore the integrity of the irritated skin barrier.

The properties of Cardiospermum halicacabum were evaluated in a multicentre observational study conducted over four weeks on 833 patients from 140 centres in Germany, Spain and the Netherlands suffering from various forms of dermatitis. (3)

The plant extracts were used for topical use on patients suffering from endogenous dermatitis in 28.8%, allergic dermatitis in 23%, and seborrhoeic dermatitis in 18.7%; the disease presented an acute or subacute state in 42.5% of the cases, while in the remainder a chronic or chronic relapsing state was evidenced.

At the end of this study, both remission and improvement of the typical symptoms of the various dermatitis were evaluated, with an average success rate of 80%; very interesting is the data concerning the treatment of lichenisation (identifying chronicisation) with a success rate of 72%.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: none known. Use is topical and generally safe

It can be found in cutamir®

1) Venkatesh BKC, Krishnakumari S., Cardiospermum halicacabum suppresses the production of TNF-alpha and Nitric oxide by human peripheral bood mononuclear cells. Afr J. Biomed Res 9:95-99,2006

2) Fulvio Marzatico, Short term test: clinical evaluation of the soothing and repairing effect for the skin of a product for topic use. Excerpt from the journal Farmaci Vol. 9/4/2004 no. 1/2009)

3) Carloni D., Cardiospermum halicacabum for the treatment of dermatitis Cardiospermum halicacabum - Sapindaceae family: a plant with a cortison-like action as a valid alternative to traditional dermatological applications, H adn PC Vol. 7(4) October/December 2012, 32-37