Phytotherapy is one of the most utilized non conventional medicines (NCM) both in human and veterinary medicine. It can be used to mitigate and prevent slight diseases and to support conventional medicine using allopathic drugs. In this paper the Authors report the phytoterapeutics most utilized in both dogs and cats, in which the use of phytotherapics is increasing, despite the prejudices of the academic world and of the veterinary practitioners. Laws regarding the use of non conventional medicines in veterinary practises are lacking in Italy, despite many other countries in Europe; yet National Federation of Italian Veterinaries (F.N.O.V.I.) asserted that the use of NCM has to be considered a veterinary practise at all. At the end of this paper, the Authors provided many examples of phytotheapic prescriptions to control different illness in both dogs and cats

AUTORE G.

DE TOMMASI N.

MARZOCCO S.

RUSSO, ROSARIO

SEVERINO, LORELLA

English

Archivio della ricerca - Università degli studi di Napoli Federico II

Pharmacologyonline 2: 12-21 (2008)        Newsletter       Severino et al.  12 USE OF PHYTOTHERAPICS IN DOGS AND CATS.   Severino L.1*, Russo R.1, Autore G2., Marzocco S2.,  De Tommasi N2.    1Department of Pathology and Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, University Federico II of Naples, Italy. 2Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Salerno, Italy.      Summary   Phytotherapy is one of the most utilized non conventional medicines (NCM) both in human and veterinary medicine. It can be used to mitigate and prevent slight diseases and to support conventional medicine using allopathic drugs. In this paper the Authors report the phytoterapeutics most utilized in both dogs and cats, in which the use of phytotherapics is increasing, despite the prejudices of the academic world and of the veterinary practitioners.   Laws regarding the use of non conventional medicines in veterinary practises are lacking in Italy, despite many other countries in Europe; yet National Federation of Italian Veterinaries (F.N.O.V.I.) asserted that the use of NCM has to be considered a veterinary practise at all.  At the end of this paper, the Authors provided many examples of phytotheapic prescriptions to control different illness in both dogs and cats.  Key words: phytotherapy, dog, cat.    *Correspondence: Prof. Lorella Severino, Dipartimento di Patologia e Sanità Animale, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via F. Delpino 1, 80137, Napoli, Italy E-mail: lorella.severino@unina.it    Pharmacologyonline 2: 12-21 (2008)        Newsletter       Severino et al.  13 Introduction  Phytotherapy represents the non conventional medicine (NCM) most utilized in humans; it utilizes plants or plants  extracts for the treatment of different slight diseases. Phytotherapy is also very useful to support traditional treatment with synthetic drugs.   Medicinal plants or plant extracts of vegetable origin have been utilized by Asian populations for many centuries as natural remedies for the treatment of several illnesses. In recent years, the use of non conventional medicines is increasing also in Europe, particularly in Northern Countries, Great Britain, France, Germany and Switzerland. It has been evaluated that a percentage variable from 70 to 80 per cent of world population uses NCM for treatment of many different diseases [1]. Also in Italy, is increasing the number of both practitioners using NCM and people requesting phytotherapics practices for themselves or for their pets. National Federation of Italian Veterinaries (F.N.O.V.I.) established that the use of NCM in veterinary medicine has to be considered a medical act at all and, as a consequence, only vet can used and prescribe it. Yet, laws regarding the use of non conventional medicines in veterinary practises are lacking in Italy, despite many other countries in Europe and there are many prejudices of the academic world and of the veterinary practitioners. In the recent years, a regulation regarding veterinary drugs was promulgated in which homeopathic remedies have been defined but there is nothing about phytotherapeutics (D.L.vo n. 193/2006).  Therapeutic properties of plant extracts  are due to great varieties of active compounds such as alkaloids, enzymes and emollient substances; for example, chamomile is used for a long time as tranquilizer and for its antispasmotic properties while echinacea is used as immune-stimulator in prevention of flu and it was known already by Indians which used the infusion prepared with the plant to treat skin lesions, burns and insects or snakes bites [2]. Many plants are traditionally used in phytotherapy by humans (e.g. hypericum, arnica and salvia are been used for a long time for their therapeutic properties) [3, 4]. Phytotherapis are also used in veterinary medicine more and more frequently: botanical species and parts of them (leaves, flowers, roots) more commonly used for galenical  preparations in pet therapies are indicated in table 1. Many studies report the effects of phytotherapics in dogs while only few reports their effects on cats. Phytotherapic remedies can be useful for respiratory [5],  digestive [6, 7, 8] (table 2) and skin [9] (table 3) pathologies; urinary [10] and cardiac diseases [11], in the control of stress and chronic diseases, as idiopatic epilexy [12], and to avoid risks of possible side effects derived from a Pharmacologyonline 2: 12-21 (2008)        Newsletter       Severino et al.  14 prolonged ingestion of synthetic drugs. Significant reductions of severity and resolution of clinical symptoms, of clear nasal secretions, enlargement of lymph nodes, dry cough, dyspnea and dry lung sounds, are evident after 4 weeks of treatment with Echinacea powder suggesting this preparation as alternative remedy of canine upper respiratory tract infections [5]. Moreover garlic (Allium sativum) and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globules), often used also as vermifuges, could be helpful in the treatment of the upper respiratory tract [13] as well as sage (Salvia officinalis), thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and elder (Sambucus nigra) [14] (table 4).  Pyrethrins contained in Crisanthemum cinerariaefolium are useful to treat ectoparasites; other plants rich in essential oils and terpenes utilized for this purpose such as Anethum graveolens,  Carum carvi, Coriandrum sativum, Laurus nobilis, Mentha piperita and Eucalyptus globulus. Lotions prepared with garlic, lemon and clover (Trifolium pratense) could be used to treat scab [15]. Cream prepared with plantain (Plantago major) are able to reduce skin inflammation because of calmative, refreshing and emollient properties of this plant [16]. Moreover it has been reported the use of tea tree oil, a volatile oil well known for its broad antibacterial and antifungal activity, as a fast-acting safe alternative to conventional therapy foe symptomatic treatment of canine localised dermatitis with pruritis [17]. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study it has been reported that PYM00217, a proprietary blend of plant extracts, is an effective and well tolerated treatment for canine atopic dermatitis [18].  Crataegus oxyacantha sems to be useful to treat cardiac disorders because of its tannins and flavonoids with a slight inotropic, peripheral and coronary vasodilatative actions [19, 20]. It has been also demonstrated, in canines, that total flavones from Elsholtzia blanda, a traditional Chinese medicine induces a reduction of infarct size and improvement in heart function by inhibiting apoptosis during coronary occlusion [21].   In human phytotherapy Valeriana officinalis, Melissa officinalis and Bach flowers are commonly used for their tranquillizer properties, and are often utilized to control behavioural or psychological problems in animals without collateral effects and dependence derived from the use of shynthetic psychoactive drugs [22].  Recently it has been reported the stimulatory effects of Panax ginseng in combination with brewers’ yeast (Gerivet) as a stimulant for geriatric dogs [23] and the reduction of behavioural disturbances in elderly dogs supplemented with a standardized Ginkgo leaf extract [24]. Also epilexy is an important neurological disorder in dog and homeopathic Belladonna it has been shown to reduce number of fits in dogs affected by idiopatic epilexy [12]. Pharmacologyonline 2: 12-21 (2008)        Newsletter       Severino et al.  15 Calendula officinalis, Centella asiatica and Commiphora myrrha can be useful in case of gingivitis; Euphrasia officinalis are commonly used in the treatment of conjunctivitis [25] (table 5). Pseudopregnancy of dog could be treat using substances with hormonal properties present in some vegetables which are able to stimulate ovarian activity and oppose progesterone secretion while  estrogens production is enhanced. In these cases several plants are indicated such as Artemisia vulgaris, Calendula officinalis,  Senecium vulgaris [26]. Phytotherapics could be useful to reduce side effects of conventional therapies too. Drug-induced nephrotoxicity is an important cause of renal failure in dogs and aminoglycoside antibiotics, as gentamicin, can produce nephrotoxicity due in part by oxidative stress. Sylimarin, the mixure of flavonoligans extracted from Silybum marinum, with beneficial antioxidant properties, in addition to vitamin E seem able to decrease gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in dogs [27]. Moreover, in case of a serious illness phytotherapy represents only an useful backing to the therapy with chemicals. Many vegetables are used frequently both in dogs and cats to mitigate and/or prevent slight illness or as therapeutic remedies to be utilized together with drugs in a classical therapy.    Conclusion  Although recent studies conducted to isolate and characterize active principles present in many medical plants confirmed multiple properties attributed to such plants for centuries, it seem to be fundamental and desirable a larger contribute of scientific research in this field; above all clinical trials are necessary to highlight the efficacy and posology schemes of phytotherapeutic products in domestic animals to treat slight diseases and as therapeutic remedies to be utilized together with drugs in a classical therapy.   Finally, despite the number of veterinary practitioners using phytotherapy to treat many illnesses of pets is increasing rapidly, laws regarding NCM are still lacking in Italy. Yet different Regions elaborated such laws in recent years. U.M.N.C.V. (Union of Veterinary Non Conventional Medicines) was founded in 2003 and it represents veterinarians expert in phytotherapy, homeopathy, homotoxicology, acupuncture, Chinese traditional medicine. This union underlines the health, social and economic importance of NCM and promotes the legislative recognition of these disciplines wishing regulations to legitimate NCM in veterinary practise Pharmacologyonline 2: 12-21 (2008)        Newsletter       Severino et al.  16 and both identify clearly and protect the practitioners whose training is due to private schools only since official teaching of such subjects is still not present in Italian University. It will be desirable a greater opening of the Academic world, in which strong prejudices are still present, towards non conventional medicines.                Table 1. Plants commonly used in both dogs and cats to mitigate and prevent slight diseases or as therapeutic remedies to be utilized together with drugs in a classical therapy  - Allium sativum (bulb) -  Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (leaves) - Artemisia vulgaris (leaves and flowers) - Calendula officinalis (leaves and flowers) - Capsella bursa pastoris (aereal part) - Chamomilla matricaria (flowers) - Crataegus oxyacantha (flowers and bark) - Cynara scolymus (leaves) - Echinacea angustifolia (whole plant) - Equiseto arvense (aereal part) - Eucaliptus globulus (leaves) - Genziana lutea (root)   - Glycyrrhiza glabra (root) - Juniperus communis (berries) - Melissa officinalis (leaves) - Mentha piperita (leaves) - Plantago major (leaves)   - Rosa canina (berries) - Salvia officinalis (leaves and flowers) - Sylybum marianum (fruits)  -Taraxacum officinalis (root and leaves) - Thymus vulgaris (flowers) - Tilia cordata (flowers) - Valeriana officinalis (root)  Pharmacologyonline 2: 12-21 (2008)        Newsletter       Severino et al.  17 Table 2. Plants used in gastro-enteric diseases  Diarrhoea  • Carrot juice   or  • Chamomile infusion with lemon juice • Vegetable coal 1-4 g per os  or  • Rice decoction (5-10% w.v. ad libitum)  Malabsorbtion syndromes • Horsetail • Dog-rose • Thyme • Echinacea • Dandelion  • Liquorice • Gentian                                                    M.T.*:  2 gtt/kg b.w. a day for 3 weeks  Indigestion  •  Mhenta piperita                                                       M.T.*: 2 gtt/kg b.w. a day until                                                                   remission.              Hepatic illness • Artichoke   • Thistle                                                      M.T.*: 1-2 gtt/kg b.w. for 4 weeks  Enteric parasitosis  • Burdock   • Echinacea • Dog-rose • Liquorice • Plantain                                                 M.T.*: 2 gtt/kg b.w. a day for 2 weeks * Mother tincture.  Pharmacologyonline 2: 12-21 (2008)        Newsletter       Severino et al.  18 Table 3. Plants used to treat skin illness  Eczema • Vaselina: 100 g       Topic use • Juniper oil: 15 g      Topic use                                  Alopecia • Peruvian balsam         1 g    • Camphor    5 g • Menthol  1 g • Alcohol 70°     50 g • Castor oil                   50 g • Olive oil            50 g                              Spreading 2 times a day only on the ill area      Table 4. Plants useful to treat upper respiratory tract diseases   • Infections                    Echinacea (powder): 0.1 g/kg b.w. a day for 8 weeks  • Cough                   Thyme (essential oil): 3 gtt/kg b.w. a day until remission                 Syrup: 2 tea spoons 3-4 times a day until remission or                 Linden (infusum): 2 tea spoons 4 times a day until remission             Table 5. Plants used for other different pathologies.  Anxiety  • Balm-mint  • Valerian  • Hawthorn                      M.T.*: 0.5-1 gtt/kg b.w. 2-3 times a day  Pharmacologyonline 2: 12-21 (2008)        Newsletter       Severino et al.  19  Uterine haemorrhage • Bursa pastoris M.T.*: 2-6 tea spoons a day until remission or  • Bursa pastoris decoction (15% w.v.) 3-6 tea spoons a day until remission  Ascaridiosis  • Garlic                       M.T.*: 3 gtt/kg b.w. in the morning and evening on an                       empty stomach for 3 days                            (If necessary repeat the treatment every l0 days)    Cystitis • Bearberry                       M.T.*: 2 gtt/kg b.w. a day until remission  Gingivitis  • Calendula   • Centella  • Myrrh                      M.T.*: swabbing the wound 2-3 times a day until remission  Conjunctivitis  • Hamamelis  (external use only) 3 times a day until remission    * Mother tincture.    References  1) Hahn I, Zitterl-Eglseer K, Franz C. 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Use of phytotherapics in dogs and cats.

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Use of phytotherapics in dogs and cats.

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Archivio della ricerca - Università degli studi di Napoli Federico II