Phytotheraphy of urinary tract infections- Uvae ursi folium i Equiseti herba

Urinarna infekcija predstavlja odgovor epitela urotrakta na invaziju mikroorganizama. Pojavljuje se u svim dobnim skupinama, često recidivira te je razlog učestalog propisivanja antibiotske terapije. Nesvjesnim propisivanjem antibiotika i njihovom nepravilnom uporabom raste broj rezistentnih mikroorganizama te nastaje veliki javnozdravstveni problem. List medvjetke kao biljna droga treba sadržavati minimum 7% bezvodnog arbutina. Ova biljna vrsta sadrži derivate hidrokinona, polifenole (tanine), fenolne kiseline te iridoide. Znanstvenim istraživanjima dokazano je da se antibakterijsko svojstvo medvjetke može pripisati derivatima hidrokinona. Biljni lijek medvjetke indiciran je za liječenje blagih rekurentnih upala donjih mokraćnih puteva u žena. Zelen preslice, zahvaljujući kremenoj kiselini, flavonskim heterozidima, derivatima kavene kiseline, kaliju i kalciju, djeluje diuretski. Zelen poljske preslice kao biljna droga treba sadržavati minimum 0.3% ukupnih flavonoida, izraženih kao izokvercitrozid. Poljska preslica je indicirana kao pomoćno terapijsko sredstvo za pospješivanje mokrenja kod blažih urinarnih tegoba. Ove dvije biljne droge imaju značajni potencijal za efektivnu pomoć u liječenju nekompliciranih urinarnih infekcija, te njihovi standardizirani pripravci spadaju u odobrene biljne lijekove na području Europske Unije.Urinary infection represents the response of the urinary epithelium to the invasion of microorganisms. Urinary infections effect every age group, they are often recurrent and pose as a leading cause for use of antibiotics. Irrational perscribing of antibiotics as well as their improper use lead to an increase in resistance of uropathogenic bacteria, which causes a major public health problem. Uvae ursi folium as herbal drug should contain not less than 7% of anhydrous arbutin. This herbal drug also contains hydroquinone derivates, polyphenols (tannins), phenolic acids and iridoids. Scientific research has proven that the antibacterial properties can be attributed to hydroquinone. Bearberry medicinal product is indicated for relief of symptoms of mild recurrent lower urinary tract infections in women. Equiseti herba as herbal drug should contain at least 0.3% of total flavonoids, expressed as isoquercitroside. Equiseti herba contains metasilicic acid, flavonic heterosides, caffeic acid derivatives, potassium and calcium and based on these components exhibits diuretic effects. Horsetail herbal medicinal product is used for increasing the amount of urine to achieve flushing of the urinary tract as an adjuvant in minor urinary complaints. These two herbal medicinal products have a significant potential in treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections and their standardised pharmaceutical forms have been approved as herbal medicinal products on the territory of the European Union