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CM-38

From herbal teas to antiviral agents: Exploring the pharmaceutical prospects

of Epilobium species

3
1
Olha Mykhailenko,* ,1,2,3 Thomas Stegemann, Victoriya Georgiyants, Kateryna
4

2,8
5
Uminska, Banaz Jalil, Y u -Li Chen, Tsong-Long Hwang, 5,6,7 Michael Heinrich, Michal
2

Korinek #,6,9

1 Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National University of Pharmacy, Kharkiv, Ukraine
2 Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy Group, UCL School of Pharmacy, London, UK
3 Department of Pharmaceutical Biology, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
4 Zhytomyr Basic Pharmaceutical Professional College, Zhytomyr, Ukraine
5 Graduate Institute of Health Industry Technology and Research Center for Chinese Herbal
Medicine, College of Human Ecology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology,
Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
6 Graduate Institute of Natural Products, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University,
Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
7 Department of Anesthesiology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan
8 Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chinese Medicine Resources, Chinese Medicine
Research Center, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
9 Graduate Institute of Natural Products, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung Medical University,
Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
* E-mail: o.mykhailenko@nuph.edu.ua

Abstract
Epilobium species (Onagraceae) have been traditionally used in European traditional herbal
medicine for their anti-inflammatory and urological properties. The plants represent a
promising source for pharmaceutical development. However, their phytochemical variability,
quality control, and sustainable supply remain poorly understood. In addition, the plant has not
been sufficiently tested as an antiviral agent, although daily consumption as a tea could be
beneficial in the treatment of infectious diseases. Therefore, our comprehensive study included
several steps, namely (1) assessing the optimal phenological stage of harvesting E. hirsutum
and E. angustifolium under different growing conditions, (2) metabolomic profiling of more
than ten Epilobium species from European countries, (3) assessing the quality of commercial
willowherb teas available throughout Europe market, (4) investigating the antiviral potential of
Epilobium species-based extracts. The study found that environmental factors (shade and
humidity) significantly increased the levels of key metabolites (chlorogenic acid, isoquercitrin,
hyperoside, oenothein B). QTOF-LC/MS metabolite profiling revealed high inter- and intra-
species diversity, as well as new chemotypes and potential new marker compounds. Variability
was also found among commercial tea samples, which may explain the different therapeutic
uses of willowherb teas. Finally, E. hirsutum extract was shown to block the COVID-19 virus
by preventing its attachment to cells. Water extracts were more effective than ethanolic extracts,
with oenothein B being the most effective. Willowherb extracts significantly reduced
inflammation in immune cells and acted as potent antioxidants. These results highlight the
importance of integrating phenological, geographical, and metabolomic aspects to ensure the
authenticity, safety, and efficacy of herbal medicines derived from Epilobium species.

Keywords: Epilobium species; Metabolomics; Quality control; Pharmacological assay;
Coronavirus