Linden

Generic name: Tilia Cordata Mill., Tilia Platyphyllos Scop.
Brand names: Basswood, European Linden, Lime Flower, Lime Tree, Linden

Usage of Linden

Antioxidant activity

Animal and in vitro data

Antioxidant effects have been documented in vitro.(29, 30, 42, 43) Water extracts of various Tilia species have antioxidant activity. One study documents a dose-dependent antioxidant activity for Tilia argentea water extract.(29, 30)

Chemotherapeutic effects

Animal/in vitro data

Antiproliferative effects of T. cordata flower extracts have been evaluated.(16) An aqueous extract of T. cordata flowers exhibited a stimulatory action on the proliferation of lymphocytes at concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 20 mg/mL. The Tilia extract exerted its stimulatory action on cell proliferation by acting as a partial agonist through peripheral benzodiazepine receptors.(17) The immunomodulatory activity of coumarin scopoletin exhibits a cytostatic and cytotoxic effect on tumor lymphocytes.(18, 19)

Relaxant/Antispasmodic

Animal data

Linden has sedative effects in animal models. A report documents isolation of a pharmacologically active benzodiazepine receptor ligand from Tilia tomentosa. Peritoneal administration of a flavonoid complex in mice produced an anxiolytic effect. Kaemferol binds to the benzodiazepine receptor but does not have any sedative or anxiolytic activity.(11, 20, 21) Another study documented how freeze-dried aqueous extracts of linden, at doses ranging from 10 to 100 mg/kg, produced sedative effects in mice.(22) In another study, both the hexane and methanol extracts of Tilia americana var. mexicana demonstrated anxiolytic and sedative effects in mice.(23)

Sedative properties may be associated with the volatile oil components citral, citronellal, citronellol, eugenol, and limonene.(21) These effects were evident when mice inhaled oil from Tilia species.(24) Other sedative effects include relief of sinus headache and migraines, as well as remedies for insomnia, stress, and panic disorder.

Linden has been used to treat nervous palpitations and has lowered high blood pressure brought on by stress and nervous tension in animal models.(2) Linden extracts injected into rabbits caused vasodilation, which resulted in decreased diastolic arterial pressure leading to a hypotensive effect.(25)

Folk medicine has employed linden as an antispasmodic.(4) Animal studies in vitro using rat duodenum have supported this claim. The activity was inhibited by atropine and papaverine and increased by acetylcholine. The antispasmodic properties are attributed to p-coumaric acids and flavonoids in the plant.

Other uses

Bioadhesion was demonstrated in an assay on buccal membranes, which may account for linden's therapeutic use in relieving throat irritation and cough.(26)

An extract of Tilia species possessed in vitro antibacterial activity against organisms associated with stomatologic infections, and these extracts have been clinically useful.(27) Lime flower has been reported to have antifungal activity.(4) Linden may also have inhibitory activity against the growth of foodborne pathogens.(28)

Two main flavonoids, kaempferol and quercetin, in related T. argentea have potent anti-inflammatory activity at 50 mg/kg in a carrageenan-induced hind paw edema model in mice.(31)

The methanolic extract from the flowers of T. argentea exhibited hepatoprotective effects against d-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide-induced liver injury in mice. Six flavonol glycosides were isolated from the methanolic extract through bioassay-guided separation procedures. Tiliroside was the principle flavonol glycoside and showed the most potent activity. Astragalin and isoquercitrin also possessed strong activity.(32)

Tilia has also promoted iron absorption in rats, which may be helpful in iron deficiency anemia.(33)

In human neutrophils, several compounds extracted from T. cordata flowers were found to exhibit antioxidant activity as well as interleukin (IL)-8 inhibitory activity at lower concentrations and MIP-1beta inhibitory activity similar to that of Dexamethasone at higher concentrations. In contrast, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were stimulated at higher concentrations. No affect on neutrophil viability was observed at lower concentrations; however, slight to severe cytotoxicity was observed at higher concentrations.(42)

Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by linden flowers was observed in vitro with an IC50 of 0.156 mg/mL.(43)

Linden side effects

Many sources list few adverse reactions from linden. However, reports document specific toxicity such as contact urticaria34 allergy from certain Tilia species fruit oils in rats35 seasonal pollinosis36 organochlorine pesticide residues in linden-containing beverages37, 38 and occupational contact dermatitis with rhinoconjunctivitis from soft wood dust exposure.39, 40

Before taking Linden

Avoid use due to the lack of toxicological data.

How to use Linden

Linden is available in several dosage forms, but there are no recent clinical studies to support a specific dosage. No more than 2 to 4 g/day of linden from teas or other preparations for internal use should be consumed.5

Warnings

There is no evidence to support the belief that old linden flowers may induce narcotic intoxication.9 References in the German Commission E document that the frequent use of linden flower teas has been associated with cardiac damage.5 This rare event suggests that linden teas should not be ingested by patients with a history of heart disease.5, 9, 10 Further review of medical literature reveals little toxicological data on linden.41

What other drugs will affect Linden

None well documented. Linden contains vitamin K; however, at typical dosage regimens, linden should not interfere with warfarin or related anticoagulant therapy.25

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.