Document Type
Oral Presentation
Location
Oxford Conference Center
Event Website
https://oxfordicsb.org/
Start Date
23-4-2026 8:30 AM
End Date
23-4-2026 10:00 AM
Description
In the two decades since the mode of action of herbal medicinal products has been characterized as the Multi Target action of Multi Drug combinations [1,2, 3], the body of evidence supporting the general applicability of this principle to herbal health products has been exponentially increasing. Key studies describing this principle, based on a wide range of pharmacological models, have been conducted in STW 5 and STW 5-II, herbal combinations used in the treatment of disturbances of the gut-brain interaction (DGBIs) as e.g. upset stomach and irritable bowel syndrome [2, 4]. They allow to characterize the contribution of each combination partner of this product to its pharmacological action and suggest the involvement of synergistic effects [5]. Subsequently also for further combination products, and then for the components of single extracts like that of willow bark [6] or St John´s wort [7], a Multi Target effect could be shown. While 20 years ago, the annual number of publications on the topic was in the single digit range, in 2025 it was more than 700, up from about 200 in 2024 – an impressing success story. While the pharmacology of Multi Drug products with a Multi Target effect has been widely studied, for quantitative quality control of extract based herbal medicinal products still the analytics of markers is the dominant approach, despite that this covers only a small fraction of the constituents involved in their action [8]. The reason was the lack of quantitative fingerprinting methods. Modern methods for multivariate data analysis can now close this gap. First studies have shown, that combining analytical fingerprinting with the analysis of extent similarity is a comprehensive and robust analytical approach for quantification of herbal products [9], e.g. in stability studies or when developing new formulations, as e.g. softgel capsules or gummies from liquid formulations like STW 5-II. There is hope that this approach will become an established option for quantitative quality control analytics in the regulatory approaches for complex herbal health products in the future. Dedication: This contribution is dedicated to Prof. Dr. Hildebert Wagner, the father of the concept of the Multi Drug-Multi Target action of phytomedicines, whose day of passing will be commemorated for the fifth time this autumn.
References: 1. Panossian A, Wikman G, Wagner H. Plant adaptogens. III. Earlier and more recent aspects and concepts on their mode of action. Phytomedicine 1999;6:287-300. 2. Wegener T, Wagner H. The active components and the pharmacological multi-target principle of STW 5 (Iberogast). Phytomedicine 2006;13 Suppl 1:20-35 3. Wagner H, Ulrich-Merzenich G. Synergy research: approaching a new generation of phytopharmaceuticals. Phytomedicine 2009;16:97-110 4. Wagner H. Multitarget therapy – The future of treatment for more than just functional dyspepsia. Phytomedicine 2006; 13, Suppl 1:122-129 5. Lambiase C, Usai Satta P, Bassotti G et al. Iberogast in functional dyspepsia: yesterday, today, and tomorrow - a narrative review of a multitarget phytomedicine. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2025;26:1867-1876 6. Ulrich-Merzenich G, Kelber O et al. Novel neurological and immunological targets for salicylate-based phytopharmaceuticals and for the anti-depressant imipramine. Phytomedicine 2012;19:930-9 7. Fernandes F, Barroso MF, De Simone A et al. Multi-target neuroprotective effects of herbal medicines for Alzheimer's disease. J Ethnopharmacol 2022;290:115107 8. Kroll U, Cordes C. Pharmaceutical prerequisites for a multi-target therapy. Phytomedicine 2006;13 Suppl 1:12-19 9. Wu X, Bauer A, Kelber O, Bauer R. Advancing herbal medicine: Extent similarity assessment for a quantitative fingerprinting approach. Planta Med 2026; 92: 377
Recommended Citation
Kelber, Olaf, "Natural products as Multi Drug-Multi Target therapeutics - from the pharmacological proof to new approaches for quantitative quality control" (2026). Oxford ICSB. 39.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/icsb/2026_ICSB/Schedule/39
Publication Date
April 2026
Accessibility Status
Screen reader accessible, Searchable text
Included in
Natural products as Multi Drug-Multi Target therapeutics - from the pharmacological proof to new approaches for quantitative quality control
Oxford Conference Center
In the two decades since the mode of action of herbal medicinal products has been characterized as the Multi Target action of Multi Drug combinations [1,2, 3], the body of evidence supporting the general applicability of this principle to herbal health products has been exponentially increasing. Key studies describing this principle, based on a wide range of pharmacological models, have been conducted in STW 5 and STW 5-II, herbal combinations used in the treatment of disturbances of the gut-brain interaction (DGBIs) as e.g. upset stomach and irritable bowel syndrome [2, 4]. They allow to characterize the contribution of each combination partner of this product to its pharmacological action and suggest the involvement of synergistic effects [5]. Subsequently also for further combination products, and then for the components of single extracts like that of willow bark [6] or St John´s wort [7], a Multi Target effect could be shown. While 20 years ago, the annual number of publications on the topic was in the single digit range, in 2025 it was more than 700, up from about 200 in 2024 – an impressing success story. While the pharmacology of Multi Drug products with a Multi Target effect has been widely studied, for quantitative quality control of extract based herbal medicinal products still the analytics of markers is the dominant approach, despite that this covers only a small fraction of the constituents involved in their action [8]. The reason was the lack of quantitative fingerprinting methods. Modern methods for multivariate data analysis can now close this gap. First studies have shown, that combining analytical fingerprinting with the analysis of extent similarity is a comprehensive and robust analytical approach for quantification of herbal products [9], e.g. in stability studies or when developing new formulations, as e.g. softgel capsules or gummies from liquid formulations like STW 5-II. There is hope that this approach will become an established option for quantitative quality control analytics in the regulatory approaches for complex herbal health products in the future. Dedication: This contribution is dedicated to Prof. Dr. Hildebert Wagner, the father of the concept of the Multi Drug-Multi Target action of phytomedicines, whose day of passing will be commemorated for the fifth time this autumn.
References: 1. Panossian A, Wikman G, Wagner H. Plant adaptogens. III. Earlier and more recent aspects and concepts on their mode of action. Phytomedicine 1999;6:287-300. 2. Wegener T, Wagner H. The active components and the pharmacological multi-target principle of STW 5 (Iberogast). Phytomedicine 2006;13 Suppl 1:20-35 3. Wagner H, Ulrich-Merzenich G. Synergy research: approaching a new generation of phytopharmaceuticals. Phytomedicine 2009;16:97-110 4. Wagner H. Multitarget therapy – The future of treatment for more than just functional dyspepsia. Phytomedicine 2006; 13, Suppl 1:122-129 5. Lambiase C, Usai Satta P, Bassotti G et al. Iberogast in functional dyspepsia: yesterday, today, and tomorrow - a narrative review of a multitarget phytomedicine. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2025;26:1867-1876 6. Ulrich-Merzenich G, Kelber O et al. Novel neurological and immunological targets for salicylate-based phytopharmaceuticals and for the anti-depressant imipramine. Phytomedicine 2012;19:930-9 7. Fernandes F, Barroso MF, De Simone A et al. Multi-target neuroprotective effects of herbal medicines for Alzheimer's disease. J Ethnopharmacol 2022;290:115107 8. Kroll U, Cordes C. Pharmaceutical prerequisites for a multi-target therapy. Phytomedicine 2006;13 Suppl 1:12-19 9. Wu X, Bauer A, Kelber O, Bauer R. Advancing herbal medicine: Extent similarity assessment for a quantitative fingerprinting approach. Planta Med 2026; 92: 377
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/icsb/2026_ICSB/Schedule/39
Comments
Olaf Kelber is research scientist at the Phytomedicines Supply and development Center of Bayer Consumer Health in Darmstadt, Germany. He is biologist with specialization in toxicology and has a master´s degree in pharmaceutical medicine. He was leading the pharmacological laboratory of the site, before he took over the scientific project management for the re-registration of a broad portfolio of herbal medicinal products, building a broad spectrum of academic collaborations in the field. He then took over the leadership of the clinical research and medical information team of the site, before changing to his present functions. He was leading diverse projects in the fields of pharmacovigilance, toxicology, pharmacology and clinics of natural health products and is author or co-author of more than 70 publications in scientific journals and 700 contributions to scientific congresses. He is member of the Q3C working group of ICH, Geneva, the scientific working group of Kooperation Phytopharmaka, Bonn and of the board of the German Society for Phytotherapy, as well as secretary of the Society of Medicinal Plant and Natural Product Research (GA).