Broadleaf Plantain and Ribwort Plantain May Help Treat Chronic Lyme Disease

In Estonia, many people learnt a lesson from ethnomedicine as children – that placing a plantain leaf on a scraped knee would help to heal the skin faster. This practice has been a common way to aid skin recovery for generations. Today, scientific studies have confirmed that plantain plants do indeed accelerate wound healing and possess anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. A study by researchers at Tallinn University of Technology indicates that compounds found in the plants may also be helpful against the bacteria causing Lyme disease.

The bacteria from Borrelia burgdorferi s. l. group, which cause Lyme disease in humans, are found in an increasing proportion of ticks in Estonia. The likelihood of contracting Lyme disease through a tick bite is growing in both rural and urban areas. A study conducted by the National Institute for Health Development in 2020 found that an average of 28% of Estonian ticks carried B. burgdorferi s. l. bacteria [1]. In 2023, research focused on urban ticks revealed that one-third of ticks in green urban areas were infected [2].

A typical early sign of Lyme disease is a red circular rash around the tick bite site. However, in about one-third of cases, this rash does not appear, meaning an infected person may not realize they have been exposed. Over time, the bacteria spread throughout the body, leading to symptoms such as fever, headaches, neck stiffness, and joint pain. Lyme disease can be effectively treated with antibiotics in its early stages, making early diagnosis and treatment crucial. If left untreated, the disease can progress to a chronic inflammatory condition.

It is known that 10 to 30 % of patients do not fully recover using antibiotics, resulting in chronic Lyme disease. Symptoms of chronic Lyme disease include fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, cognitive impairment, and issues concerning sleep, vision, and neurological function. The exact causes of chronic Lyme disease are still unclear, but potential factors include autoimmune reactions, previous infections, or a persistent bacterial infection. For infection to last, some bacteria must survive treatment. Bacteria have various survival mechanisms, including the formation of biofilm, a robust bacterial formation that helps them evade the immune system.

Previous scientific studies have shown that plantain extracts can inhibit the growth of various bacterial species. Researchers at Tallinn University of Technology led by Merike Vaher were the first to investigate whether compounds in plantain could be effective against B. burgdorferi. The study analysed two plantain species commonly found in Estonia – broadleaf plantain (Plantago major) and ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata). Freshly collected and self-dried plants were compared with commercially sold dried plantain samples. In their recent study researchers Pille-Riin Laanet, Olga Bragina, Piia Jõul, and Merike Vaher demonstrated that plantain extracts inhibit the viability of B. burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease [3].

Chemical analysis of the plantain samples revealed high levels of polyphenols, which are known antioxidants. Freshly collected plants contained significantly more polyphenols and had stronger antioxidant properties than commercially available dried plant material. It was also found that the dominant bioactive compound varied between species: P. major contained more plantamajoside, while P. lanceolata had higher levels of acteoside. Both compounds are known for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties.

The researchers then tested the effects of plantain extracts on B. burgdorferi bacteria. The results showed that extracts from both plantain species inhibited bacterial growth, reducing the number of viable bacteria by up to 85%. When plantamajoside and acteoside were tested separately, their effects were weaker than those of the whole extract, suggesting that the combination of phytochemicals in the extract has enhanced antimicrobial activity.

The study also examined whether plantain extracts could prevent B. burgdorferi from forming a biofilm, a resistant bacterial form that helps them survive in harsh conditions. The findings showed that plantain extracts reduced B. burgdorferi biofilm formation by up to 30%. This discovery was particularly interesting as the mechanisms of inhibiting the growth of individual bacteria and preventing the formation of biofilm are different, indicating that plantain extracts contain active compounds capable of both actions.

These results suggest that the humble plantain plants contain promising bioactive compounds, warranting further research. With continued study, plantain could potentially play a role in future treatments for chronic Lyme disease. This discovery represents another success for the research group, which has been investigating medicinal plants used in folk medicine to identify bioactive compounds that could be used in future treatment options for chronic Lyme disease. Previously, they have discovered such promising compounds in wild teasel (Dispsacus fullonum) [4].

This article was sent to us from Tallinn University of Technology, department of Chemistry and Biotechnology.

If this bite-sized look at Lyme disease has you itching for more, don’t brush it off! Crawl over to our next article for deeper insights into this sneaky tick-borne troublemaker! Read about “Are you at increased risk for Lyme Disease? Genetics will show“!