Macedonian pharmaceutical bulletin, 68 (Suppl 1) 237 - 238 (2022)

Online ISSN 1857 - 8969

DOI:10.33320/maced.pharm.bull.2022.68.03.113
Short communication

Potential use of Sambucus nigra ointments for skin treatment

in ethnomedicine in Republic of North Macedonia

Viktorija Maksimova1*, Elena Drakalska Sersemova1, Mirela Vasileva2

1
Faculty of Medical Sciences, Goce Delcev University, Krste Misirkov bb, 2000 Shtip, Republic of North Macedonia
2
Clinical Hospital-Stip, Ljuben Ivanov bb, 2000 Shtip, Republic of North Macedonia

Introduction Results and discussion

Sambucus nigra L., is a medicinal aromatic plant Recent studies have shown that black elder or
widely known and often represented in Macedonian flora. Sambucus nigra extracts are traditionally recommended
It is a small flowering tree from Caprifoliaceae family, for treatment of cold, influenza and influenza like
used as edible and medicinal plant. It has been used as illnesses. (Mahbouibi, 2021). Among different parts of
antiviral, anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, and antitussive Sambucus nigra that could be used, its flowers and berries
agent in traditional preparation for a long time ago. But, are considered as medicinal parts. Elder flowers have
beside this commonly known pharmacological effects, been approved by German commission E for colds, while
there are some other aims in which this plant has been berries, leaves and barks are still not approved by WHO,
used in ethnomedicine. It is known that some semisolid ESCOP, and German Commission E (Ulbricht et al.,
forms, prepared from the local citizens have been used for 2014). In folk medicine, elder flowers have been used for
external treatment of wounds and scars. This review aims treatment of conjunctivitis, constipation, diabetes,
to examine the bioactive compounds characteristic for diarrhea, dry skin, headaches, and rheumatism (WHO,
emollient, antioxidant, and vulnerable effects of elder 2004). Often, elder flowers are used for flu and cold in
flower unguentum and types of preparation that could be conventional dosage form as infusion, ethanolic extract or
effective in this kind of skin treatment. tincture, but lately it is incorporated in coated tablets and
fluid dosage forms, as a multicomponent drug. According
Materials and methods to the official monographs there is only per os posology
of a given liquid extracts, but in contrast, there have been
This review aims to collect the data of previously some uses in ethnomedicine that promote its external use
in form of unguentum (ointments). According to Suntar et
known preparations in ethnomedicine and examine their
justification in the treatment of wounds, burns and scars al. (2010) one percent concentration of Sambucus ebulus
based on the scientific literature. As a material we have methanol extract has shown a considerable wound healing
activity in both linear and circular excisions in animal
used scientific papers giving the chemical and therapeutic
properties of elder flower and other parts of the plant, but model. It is assumed that this this pharmacological
property is related to the flavonoid content, especially,
also and some prescription from local citizens they have
used in preparations of a specific elder ointments, and quercetin 3-O-glucoside as highly represented flavonoid
their specific methods of extraction. glycoside. Their results were supported by
histopathological examination of wound models.
There is not systematic assessment in this review.
Search strategy included exploration of PubMed Taking in consideration that S.nigra flowers also contain
high content of quercetin it is expected that its
databases, by using key words related to Sambucus nigra,
elder flower, Sambucus chemical composition, preparations also possess this wound healing properties
ethnomedicine, therapeutic use of sambucus. (Cavero et al., 2013; Süntar et al., 2010).

Type corresponding author e-mail S2 PP 07

238 Pharmaceutical Technology and Biotechnology/Biopharmacy and Cosmetology

Not only quercetin, but many other flavonoids, such scars, and skin disorders, as they have been used in
as: kaempferol, isoquercetin, rutoside (Kaack et al., 2006) ethnomedicine.
astragalin, rutin and hyperoside have been identified in
elder flowers. They also contain phenolic acids in their References
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Cavero, R.Y., Akerreta, S., Calvo, M.I., 2013. Medicinal plants
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Maced. pharm. bull., 68 (Suppl 1) 237 - 238 (2022)
238 Pharmaceutical Technology and Biotechnology/Biopharmacy and Cosmetology

WHO, 2004. WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants,

Flos Sambuci. Geneva

Maced. pharm. bull., 68 (Suppl 1) 237 - 238 (2022)