PMID: 

Int J Med Sci. 2016 ;13(2):139-46. Epub 2016 Feb 3. PMID: 26941573

Abstract Title: 

Melissa Officinalis L. Extracts Protect Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells against Oxidative Stress-Induced Apoptosis.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the protective effect of ALS-L1023, an extract of Melissa officinalis L. (Labiatae; lemon balm) against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in human retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19 cells).METHODS: ARPE-19 cells were incubated with ALS-L1023 for 24 h and then treated with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Oxidative stress-induced apoptosis and intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were assessed by flow cytometry. Caspase-3/7 activation and cleaved poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) were measured to investigate the protective role of ALS-L1023 against apoptosis. The protective effect of ALS-L1023 against oxidative stress through activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) was evaluated by Western blot analysis.RESULTS: ALS-L1023 clearly reduced H2O2-induced cell apoptosis and intracellular production of ROS. H2O2-induced oxidative stress increased caspase-3/7 activity and apoptotic PARP cleavage, which were significantly inhibited by ALS-L1023. Activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway was associated with the protective effect of ALS-L1023 on ARPE-19 cells.CONCLUSIONS: ALS-L1023 protected human RPE cells against oxidative damage. This suggests that ALS-L1023 has therapeutic potential for the prevention of dry age-related macular degeneration.

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PMID: 

Andrologia. 2018 Oct ;50(8):e13058. Epub 2018 Jun 6. PMID: 29876952

Abstract Title: 

Can Melissa officinalis improve chromatin structure and sperm parameters in a rat model of varicocele?

Abstract: 

Excessive production of reactive oxygen species is a central mechanism in the pathology of varicocele; Melissa officinalis (MO) is a medicinal plant from the Lamiaceae family that has antioxidant activity. In this study, we have investigated the potential therapeutic effect of MO on sperm parameters and chromatin structure in varicocelised rat. Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to control, sham, varicocele, MO treatment and placebo groups. Rats in varicocele, MO treatment and placebo groups underwent left varicocele induction. Following the operation, rats in placebo and MO treatment groups received normal saline or MO extract, daily for 10 weeks respectively. At 10 weeks after varicocele induction, sperm chromatin and parameters were evaluated in all groups. Chromatin structure was evaluated by aniline blue, acridine orange and toluidine blue staining. All three staining outcomes were increased in varicocele and placebo compared control (and sham) groups (p 

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PMID: 

Phytomedicine. 2006 Jun ;13(6):383-7. Epub 2006 Feb 17. PMID: 16487692

Abstract Title: 

A combination of valerian and lemon balm is effective in the treatment of restlessness and dyssomnia in children.

Abstract: 

Efficacy and tolerability of a combined valerian/lemon balm preparation were investigated in an open, multicentre study in children less than 12 years suffering from restlessness and nervous dyskoimesis. Patients were dosed individually by the investigators. In total, 918 children were evaluated for therapeutic efficacy and tolerability. A distinct and convincing reduction in severity was found for all symptoms in the investigators' and parents' ratings. The core symptoms dyssomnia and restlessness were reduced from"moderate/severe"to"mild"or"absent"in most of the patients. In total, 80.9% of the patients who suffered from dyssomnia experienced an improvement for this symptom and 70.4% of the patients with restlessness improved clearly. For the other listed symptoms the total improvement was 37.8% on average. Both, parents and investigators assessed efficacy as to be"very good"or"good"(60.5% and 67.7%, respectively). The tolerability of Euvegal forte was considered as"good"(in 96.7% of the patients it was judged to be"very good"or"good"). No study medication-related adverse events occurred. In conclusion, Euvegal forte was effective in the treatment of younger children with restlessness and dyssomnia and it was very well tolerated.

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PMID: 

Nat Prod Commun. 2017 Jan ;12(1):93-94. PMID: 30549835

Abstract Title: 

Quantitative Analysis of Phenolic Acids and Antiplatelet Activity of Melissa officinalis Leaf Extracts.

Abstract: 

The contents of total phenolic acids and rosmarinic acid were determined and the antiplatelet potential assessed of extracts of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L., Lamiaceae) leaf samples collected during 2014 and 2015. The quantity of total phenolic acids ranged from 4.8 to 8.5%, while the rosmarinic acid content ranged from 1.78 to 4.35%. Results of statistical analysis showed that the undiluted extracts have antiplatelet activity in the ADP test (final concentration 31.25 mg/L). While there are reports on antiplatelet activity of lemon balm essential oil, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on antiplatelet activity of lemon balm leaf extracts.

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PMID: 

Virusdisease. 2016 Jun ;27(2):170-8. Epub 2016 May 21. PMID: 27366768

Abstract Title: 

Antiviral activity of the oseltamivir and Melissa officinalis L. essential oil against avian influenza A virus (H9N2).

Abstract: 

Lemon balm derivatives are going to acquire a novelty as natural and potent remedy for treatment of viral infections since the influenza viruses are developing resistance to the current antivirals widely. Oseltamivir, Melissa officinalis essential oil (MOEO) and their synergistic efficacy against avian influenza virus (AIV) subtype H9N2 were evaluated in vitro in MDCK cells at different time exposure by using TCID50, HA, Real Time PCR and HI assay. The results showed that MOEO could inhibit replication of AVI through the different virus replication phase (P ≤ 0.05). Also the highest antiviral activity of MOEO was seen when AIV incubated with MOEO before cell infection. The TCID50/ml was reduced 1.3-2.1, 2.3-2.8, 3.7-4.5 log 10 than control group (5.6 log 10), HAU/50 µl was decreased 85-94, 71.4-94, 71.4-94 % and viral genome copy number/µl wasbrought down 68-95, 90-100, 89.6-99.9 % at pre-infection, post-infection and simultaneous stage, respectively. Hemagglutination inhibition result showed the MOEO was not able to inhibit agglutination of the chicken red blood cell (cRBC). Replication of the AVI was suppressed by the different concentration of oseltamivir completely or near 100 %. Also oseltamivir showed a synergistic activity with MOEO especially when oseltamivir concentration reduced under 0.005 mg/ml. The chemical composition was examined by GC-MS analysis and Its main constituents were identified as monoterpenaldehydes citral a, citral b. In conclusion, the findings of the study showed that lemon balm essential oil could inhibit influenza virus replication through different replication cycle steps especially throughout the direct interaction with the virus particles.

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PMID: 

J Med Food. 2019 Jul ;22(7):653-662. Epub 2019 Apr 16. PMID: 30990736

Abstract Title: 

Basal and Spasmolytic Effects of a Hydroethanolic Leaf Extract ofL. on Intestinal Motility: AnStudy.

Abstract: 

L. (lemon balm) has been used for decades with symptomatic benefits in patients with digestive disorders. However, very little is known on the effects ofon the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. In this study, the basal and spasmolytic properties of a hydroethanolic leaf extract (HLE) ofwere assessedon different segments of the GI tract of mice after phytochemical characterization of the extract.HLE had site- and dose-dependent effects on the contractile activity of the GI tract, the motility response being impacted in the jejunum and ileum but not in the antrum and colon. The observed effects could be caused by the phenolic compounds (mainly rosmarinic acid) detected in the extract.

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PMID: 

Food Chem. 2011 Nov 15 ;129(2):267-271. Epub 2011 Apr 20. PMID: 30634225

Abstract Title: 

Inhibitory effects of Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis, L.) extract on the formation of advanced glycation end products.

Abstract: 

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a medicinal herb possessing functional compounds with unexplored anti-glycative action. The anti-glycative activity of Lemon balm extract was evaluated in the bovine serum albumin (BSA)/glucose system. The level of glycation, conformational alterations and protein binding to RAGE receptors were assessed by specific fluorescence, Congo red binding assay, circular dichroism, ligand and Western blotting. Ethanol fractions of Melissa leaf exhibited the highest inhibitory effects on the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and the late stage of glycation process. Significant alteration in the secondary structure of albumin was observed upon glycation, which was mitigated by applying the herb extract. Moreover, upon treatment with balm extract, glycated albumin adopts a secondary structure impeding its detection by RAGE receptors of microglial cells. Our results represent the anti-glycative properties of Melissa extract and its application for possible treatment of AGE-associated diseases.

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PMID: 

Pharm Biol. 2016 ;54(6):1005-13. Epub 2015 Oct 12. PMID: 26457827

Abstract Title: 

The effects of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) pretreatment on the resistance of the heart to myocardial injury.

Abstract: 

CONTEXT: The antihyperlipidemic, antiarrhythmic, neuroprotective and hepatoprotective effects of Melissa officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) have been reported. However, no study has examined its effects on the resistance of the heart to stressful conditions.OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of aqueous extract of M. officinalis aerial parts on Wistar rat heart with/without cardiac injury.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Animals were grouped as control, isoproterenol (ISO), M. officinalis without (M50, M100, and M200) and with isoproterenol (M50 + ISO, M100 + ISO, and M200 + ISO). The aqueous extract of M. officinalis was orally administered at dosages of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/d, respectively, for 7 consecutive days. On the 6th and 7th day, ISO, M50 + ISO, M100 + ISO, and M200 + ISO groups received 85 mg/kg ofisoproterenol for myocardial injury induction. On day 8, hemodynamic parameters were recorded and samplings were done.RESULTS: The extract (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) significantly reduced the heart rate (264 ± 5, 259 ± 5 and 281 ± 3 versus 377 ± 13 in control group, p 

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PMID: 

Int J Mol Sci. 2017 Apr 17 ;18(4). Epub 2017 Apr 17. PMID: 28420164

Abstract Title: 

The Angiogenesis Inhibitor ALS-L1023 from Lemon-Balm Leaves Attenuates High-Fat Diet-Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease through Regulating the Visceral Adipose-Tissue Function.

Abstract: 

Similar to neoplastic tissues, growth and development of adipose tissue are thought to be angiogenesis-dependent. Since visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is associated with development and progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), we hypothesized that angiogenesis inhibition would attenuate obesity-induced NAFLD. We fed C57BL/6J mice a low-fat diet (LFD, chow 10% kcal fat), a high-fat diet (HFD, 45% kcal fat) or HFD supplemented with the lemon-balm extract ALS-L1023 (HFD-ALS) for 15 weeks. ALS-L1023 reduced endothelial cell-tube formation in vitro. HFD increased VAT angiogenesis and induced weight gains including body weight, VAT mass and visceral adipocyte size compared with LFD. However, HFD-ALS led to weight reductions without affecting calorie intake compared with HFD. HFD-ALS also reduced serum ALT and AST levels and improved lipid metabolism. HFD-ALS suppressed steatosis, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and accumulation of collagen in livers. HFD-ALS modulated hepatic expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism, inflammation, fibrosis, antioxidation, and apoptosis. Concomitantly, analysis of VAT function revealed that HFD-ALS led to fewer CD68-positive macrophage numbers and lower expression of inflammatory cytokines compared with HFD. Our findings show that the anti-angiogenic herbal extract ALS-L1023 attenuates NAFLD by targeting VAT during obesity, suggesting that angiogenesis inhibitors could aid in the treatment and prevention of obesity-induced human NAFLD.

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PMID: 

Phytother Res. 2019 Mar ;33(3):651-659. Epub 2018 Dec 10. PMID: 30548118

Abstract Title: 

Efficacy of Melissa officinalis L. (lemon balm) extract on glycemic control and cardiovascular risk factors in individuals with type 2 diabetes: A randomized, double-blind, clinical trial.

Abstract: 

Melissa officinalis is a plenteous source of antioxidant flavonols and flavonoids that contain health-promoting and antidiabetic properties, so this study was undertaken to provide the first assessment of the antidiabetic properties of hydroalcoholic extract of M. officinalis in type 2 diabetic patients. We did a randomized, placebo-controlled trial which included 62 patients, receiving either M. officinalis capsules (700 mg/d; n = 31) or the placebo (n = 31) twice daily for 12 weeks. There were significant differences in serum FBS (P = 0.007), HbA(P = 0.002), β-cell activity (P = 0.05), TG (P = 0.04), HDL-c (P = 0.05), hs-CRP (P = 0.001), and systolic blood pressure (P = 0.04) between the two groups at the end of the study; but total cholesterol, LDL-c, insulin, and HOMA-IR showed no significant changes between the groups. In M. officinalis group, there was a significant change in HDL-c (P = 0.009) and QUICKI (P = 0.005) compared with baseline values. No adverse effects were observed. It seems that M. officinalis is safe and effective in improvement of lipid profile, glycemic control, and reduction of inflammation.

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