Compendium of the most significant studies with reference to properties, intake, effects.

Barragan-Jason G, Atance CM, Hopfensitz A, Stieglitz J, Cauchoix M. Commentary: Revisiting the Marshmallow Test: A Conceptual Replication Investigating Links Between Early Delay of Gratification and Later Outcomes. Front Psychol. 2019 Jan 10;9:2719. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02719. 

Abstract. Given that “patience” is a recommended means to attain academic, social, and economic success (Mischel et al., 2010), efforts to promote the cognitive and behavioral traits underlying this ability early in life are warranted. While children's ability to be patient predicts future success (Mischel et al., 2010), a recent paper by Watts et al. (2018) suggests that the relationship between patience and success is not straightforward. Using a larger sample and a more sophisticated statistical approach than previous studies, they show that correlations between patience and future outcomes are not as strong as previously assumed, and that this association disappears after controlling for confounding factors (i.e., early social environment and demographic characteristics). Thus, to develop effective interventions, Watts et al. recommend reconsidering the actual measure of patience and its “broader cognitive and behavioral abilities” (in Watts et al., 2018, p. 17). We agree with Watts et al. and, to further this discussion, we raise two key questions regarding research on patience: (1) What, exactly, is patience? and (2) By what mechanisms does patience lead to successful outcomes?

Popovych V, Koshel I, Malofiichuk A, Pyletska L, Semeniuk A, Filippova O, Orlovska R. A randomized, open-label, multicenter, comparative study of therapeutic efficacy, safety and tolerability of BNO 1030 extract, containing marshmallow root, chamomile flowers, horsetail herb, walnut leaves, yarrow herb, oak bark, dandelion herb in the treatment of acute non-bacterial tonsillitis in children aged 6 to 18 years. Am J Otolaryngol. 2019 Mar-Apr;40(2):265-273. doi: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2018.10.012. 

Abstract. Seventy to 95% of acute tonsillitis episodes are caused by viral infection, therefore why antibiotic therapy is not indicated in majority of cases. In such cases, acetaminophen or ibuprofen are used to alleviate the symptoms. The objective of this study was assessment of efficacy of phytoneering extract BNO 1030 (Imupret®) in patients with acute non-bacterial tonsillitis....Conclusion: BNO 1030 (Imupret®) is a safe and effective product for treatment of acute non-bacterial tonsillitis in children aged 6-18 years, assuring therapeutic benefit when prescribed additionally to the standard symptomatic therapy. Copyright © 2018 The Authors.

Rheder DT, Guilger M, Bilesky-José N, Germano-Costa T, Pasquoto-Stigliani T, Gallep TBB, Grillo R, Carvalho CDS, Fraceto LF, Lima R. Synthesis of biogenic silver nanoparticles using Althaea officinalis as reducing agent: evaluation of toxicity and ecotoxicity. Sci Rep. 2018 Aug 17;8(1):12397. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-30317-9. 

Abstract. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are known mainly because of their bactericidal properties. Among the different types of synthesis, there is the biogenic synthesis, which allows the synergy between the nanocomposites and substances from the organism employed for the synthesis. This study describes the synthesis of AgNPs using infusion of roots (AgNpR) and extract (AgNpE) of the plant Althaea officinalis. After the synthesis through reduction of silver nitrate with compounds of A. officinalis, physico-chemical analyzes were performed by UV-Vis spectroscopy, nanoparticles tracking analysis (NTA), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Toxicity was evaluated through Allium cepa assay, comet test with cell lines, cell viability by mitochondrial activity and image cytometry and minimal inhibitory concentration on pathogenic microorganisms. Biochemical analyzes (CAT - catalase, GPx - glutathione peroxidase e GST - glutationa S-transferase) and genotoxicity evaluation in vivo on Zebrafish were also performed. AgNpE and AgNpR showed size of 157 ± 11 nm and 293 ± 12 nm, polydispersity of 0.47 ± 0.08 and 0.25 ± 0.01, and zeta potential of 20.4 ± 1.4 and 26.5 ± 1.2 mV, respectively. With regard to toxicity, the AgNpE were the most toxic when compared with AgNpR. Biochemical analyzes on fish showed increase of CAT activity in most of the organs, whereas GPx showed few changes and the activity of GST decreased. Also regarding to bactericidal activity, both nanoparticles were effective, however AgNpR showed greater activity. Althaea officinalis can be employed as reducing agent for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles, although it is necessary to consider its potential toxicity and ecotoxicity.

Tavassoli P, Safipour Afshar A. Influence of different Agrobacterium rhizogenes strains on hairy root induction and analysis of phenolic and flavonoid compounds in marshmallow (Althaea officinalis L.). 3 Biotech. 2018 Aug;8(8):351. doi: 10.1007/s13205-018-1375-z. 

Abstract. Hairy roots were induced in Althea officinalis using Agrobacterium rhizogenes, strains A4, A13, ATCC15834, and ATCC15834(GUS). The leaf, petiole and shoot explants of marshmallow were used for the hairy roots induction. When hairy roots appeared, cultures were established in MS (Murashige and Skoog) liquid medium without growth regulators. Hairy roots in explants appeared 5-12 days after inoculation. Maximum transformation frequency of 83% was observed on shoot explants with ATCC15834 strain. Among the strains, ATCC15834(GUS) strain showed better potential in the mass production of hairy roots in the hormone-free liquid medium after 50 days of culturing. The highest total phenolic and flavonoids content was found at 1.57 ± 0.1 mg/g dry weight in A13 strain and 3.47 ± 0.3 mg/g in A4 strain, respectively. Secondary metabolite content of hairy roots was found to be strain-specific.

Fink C, Schmidt M, Kraft K. Marshmallow Root Extract for the Treatment of Irritative Cough: Two Surveys on Users' View on Effectiveness and Tolerability. Complement Med Res. 2018;25(5):299-305. German. doi: 10.1159/000489560.

Abstract. Background: Cough preparations containing aqueous marshmallow root extracts (Althaea officinalis) have a long history as medicinal products in Germany. The aim of the 2 prospective, non-interventional surveys reported here was to create a better documentation of the users' impression of the effectiveness and tolerability, and user satisfaction....Conclusion: The results of the surveys justify the long-established use of both marshmallow preparations for symptomatic treatment of dry cough. © 2018 S. Karger GmbH, Freiburg.

Watts TW, Duncan GJ, Quan H. Revisiting the Marshmallow Test: A Conceptual Replication Investigating Links Between Early Delay of Gratification and Later Outcomes. Psychol Sci. 2018 Jul;29(7):1159-1177. doi: 10.1177/0956797618761661.

Abstract. We replicated and extended Shoda, Mischel, and Peake's (1990) famous marshmallow study, which showed strong bivariate correlations between a child's ability to delay gratification just before entering school and both adolescent achievement and socioemotional behaviors. Concentrating on children whose mothers had not completed college, we found that an additional minute waited at age 4 predicted a gain of approximately one tenth of a standard deviation in achievement at age 15. But this bivariate correlation was only half the size of those reported in the original studies and was reduced by two thirds in the presence of controls for family background, early cognitive ability, and the home environment. Most of the variation in adolescent achievement came from being able to wait at least 20 s. Associations between delay time and measures of behavioral outcomes at age 15 were much smaller and rarely statistically significant.

Haghgoo R, Mehran M, Afshari E, Zadeh HF, Ahmadvand M. Antibacterial Effects of Different Concentrations of Althaea officinalis Root Extract versus 0.2% Chlorhexidine and Penicillin on Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus (In vitro). J Int Soc Prev Community Dent. 2017 Jul-Aug;7(4):180-185. doi: 10.4103/jispcd.JISPCD_150_17. 

Abstract. Aims and objectives: The aims of the present study were to determine and compare the effects of different concentrations of Althaea officinalis extract, 0.2% chlorhexidine (CHX), and penicillin on Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus in vitro....Conclusion: The root extract of A. officinalis exhibited antibacterial effects on S. mutans and L. acidophilus, but this effect was less than those of CHX mouthwash and penicillin. The antibacterial effect increased with an increase in the concentration of the extract.

Sendker J, Böker I, Lengers I, Brandt S, Jose J, Stark T, Hofmann T, Fink C, Abdel-Aziz H, Hensel A. Phytochemical Characterization of Low Molecular Weight Constituents from Marshmallow Roots (Althaea officinalis) and Inhibiting Effects of the Aqueous Extract on Human Hyaluronidase-1. J Nat Prod. 2017 Feb 24;80(2):290-297. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.6b00670. 

Abstract. Extract RE was obtained from the roots of Althaea officinalis in a yield of 8.1%, related to the dried plant material, by extraction with MeOH-H2O (1:1), followed by precipitation with EtOH to remove high molecular weight constituents. Phytochemical investigation of RE revealed the presence of N-phenylpropenoyl-l-amino acid amides 1-5, 8% glycine betaine 6, about 9% total amino acids with proline as the main compound, and about 61% mono- and oligomeric carbohydrates with sucrose as the main compound. Further fractionation revealed the presence of a hypolaetin diglycoside (12) and four hypolaetin glycosides (7-9 and 11) with O-sulfocarbohydrate moieties; additionally, 4'-O-methylisoscutellarein-8-O-β-d-(3″-O-sulfo)glucuronopyranoside (10) and the diglycosylated coumarin haploperoside D (13) were identified. The hypolaetin-O-sulfoglycosides 7-10 are new natural products. RE inhibited the enzymatic activity of surface-displayed human hyaluronidase-1 on Escherichia coli F470 cells with an IC50 of 7.7 mg/mL. RE downregulated mRNA expression of hyal-1 in HaCaT keratinocytes at 125 and 250 μg/mL, respectively. These data contribute to a deeper phytochemical understanding of marshmallow root extracts and to the positive influence of extracts used for therapy of irritated and inflamed buccal tissue and cough.

Curnow A, Owen SJ. An Evaluation of Root Phytochemicals Derived from Althea officinalis (Marshmallow) and Astragalus membranaceus as Potential Natural Components of UV Protecting Dermatological Formulations. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2016;2016:7053897. doi: 10.1155/2016/7053897.

 Abstract. As lifetime exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation has risen, the deleterious effects have also become more apparent. Numerous sunscreen and skincare products have therefore been developed to help reduce the occurrence of sunburn, photoageing, and skin carcinogenesis. This has stimulated research into identifying new natural sources of effective skin protecting compounds. Alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay) was employed to assess aqueous extracts derived from soil or hydroponically glasshouse-grown roots of Althea officinalis (Marshmallow) and Astragalus membranaceus, compared with commercial, field-grown roots. Hydroponically grown root extracts from both plant species were found to significantly reduce UVA-induced DNA damage in cultured human lung and skin fibroblasts, although initial Astragalus experimentation detected some genotoxic effects, indicating that Althea root extracts may be better suited as potential constituents of dermatological formulations. Glasshouse-grown soil and hydroponic Althea root extracts afforded lung fibroblasts with statistically significant protection against UVA irradiation for a greater period of time than the commercial field-grown roots. No significant reduction in DNA damage was observed when total ultraviolet irradiation (including UVB) was employed (data not shown), indicating that the extracted phytochemicals predominantly protected against indirect UVA-induced oxidative stress. Althea phytochemical root extracts may therefore be useful components in dermatological formulations.