PD Dr. Verena Spiegler
Institute for Pharmaceutical Biology and Phytochemistry, Corrensstraße 48, 48149 Münster
Tel.: +49 251 83 33376
E-Mail: Address Room: BC 120.282
Teaching
• Praktikum Pharmazeutische Biologie III (Biologische und Phytochemische Untersuchungen) für Pharmazeuten
• Vorlesung Pharmazeutische Biologie: Arzneipflanzen, Biogene Arzneistoffe, Biotechnologie
Research
• Isolation and structure elucidation of plant secondary metabolites
• Bioactivity of plant extracts and natural products
The development of resistances to anti-infectives remains a major challenge. Plant secondary metabolites from plants often exert their activity against diverse organisms through unspecific mechanisms. One focus of our work is, therefore, to find out to what extent plant extracts and plant-dervied natural products can contribute to the control of resistant pathogens. In particular, we are interested in natural products with anthelmintic activity as well as metabolites that may attenuate virulence in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In addition, we employ the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans to gain insights into possible modes of action of interesting compound classes. Frequently, the plants used for isolation of these natural products are employed as herbal medicines. Phytochemical investigations aimed at identifying new natural compounds constitute another major pillar of our research activities. For isolation, we apply various chromatographic separation techniques, whereas structural elucidation is usually performed by mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
Current projects
• Anthelmintic activities of proanthocyanidins
• Natural products against virulence factors of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Structure elucidation and bioactivity of indole alkaloids isolated from traditionally used plant extracts
Honors
- Goldener Spatel – Studierende der Pharmazie und des Masters Arzneimittelwissenschaften der Universität Münster
- Phytotherapie-Preis zur Förderung des wissenschaftlichen Nachwuchses – Gesellschaft für Phytotherapie (GPT)
Publications
Articles in Scientific Journals, Newspapers or Magazines
Research Articles (Journals)
- Jacobtorweihen, Joshua, Obaidi, Ismael, Sherlock, Lee, Sheridan, Helen, and Spiegler, Verena. . “A new lanosyl guanidine from Vertebrata lanosa with anti-inflammatory activity.” Natural Product Research 39 (9): 2543–2549. doi: 10.1080/14786419.2024.2301759.
- Greiffer, Luise, Ressmann, Luka, Kaiser, Charlotte Sophia, Liebau, Eva, and Spiegler, Verena. . “Induction of proline-rich proteins in response to tannin treatment in Caenorhabditis elegans.” Scientific Reports 15 29399. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-11651-1.
- Grimm, Manuel, Börner, Ramona, Addotey, John N., Schmidt, Thomas J., and Spiegler, Verena. . “Alstoboonine, an Ulean-Type Indole Alkaloid from Alstonia boonei Leaves.” Journal of Natural Products 87: 514–519. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.3c00832.
- Apolinário Chibli, Lucas, Ribeiro de Lima, Bruna, Magalhães Carneiro, Ariadne, Cardoso Figueiró, Harley, Cicek, Serhat Sezai, Spiegler, Verena, and Soleo Funari, Cristiano. . “Toward a More Sustainable Sample Preparation in Phytochemistry: Case Studies in Four Subclasses of Alkaloids.” Journal of Natural Products 87: 470–479. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.3c01048.
- Belga, François Ngnodandi, Waindok, Patrick, Raulf, Marie-Kristin, Jato, Jonathan, Orman, Emmanuel, Rehbein, Steffen, Spiegler, Verena, Liebau, Eva, Hensel, Andreas, Ndjonka, Dieudonné, and Strube, Christina. . “Phytochemical analysis and anthelmintic activity of Combretum mucronatum leaf extract against infective larvae of soil-transmitted helminths including ruminant gastrointestinal nematodes.” Parasites and Vectors 17 99. doi: 10.1186/s13071-024-06194-9.
- Jacobtorweihen, Joshua, Hartmann, Anja, Hofer, Stefanie, and Spiegler, Verena. . “Antibacterial Activities of the Algal Bromophenol Methylrhodomelol Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.” Planta Medica 90 (06): 469–481. doi: 10.1055/a-2289-2423.
- Jato, Jonathan, Orman, Emmanuel, Boakye, Yaw Duah, Belga, François Ngnodandi Ndjonka Dieudonné, Oppong Bekoe, Emelia, Liebau, Eva, Spiegler, Verena, Hensel, Andreas, and Agyare, Christian. . “Influence of fecal fermentation on the anthelmintic activity of proanthocyanidins and ellagitannins against human intestinal nematodes and Caenorhabditis elegans.” Frontiers in Pharmacology 15 1390500. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1390500.
- Belga, François Ngnodandi, Marie-Kristin, Raulf, Spiegler, Verena, Liebau, Eva, Hensel, Andreas, Strube, Christina, and Ndjonka, Dieudonné. . “In vivo anthelmintic activity of Combretum mucronatum Schumach & Thonn leaf extract against Haemonchus contortus in goats.” Veterinary Parasitology 331 110288.
- Orman, Emmanuel, Bekoe, Samuel Oppong, Asare-Nkansah, Samuel, Kralisch, Ina, Jato, Jonathan, Spiegler, Verena, Agyare, Christian, Bekoe, Emelia Oppong, and Hensel, Andreas. . “Development of an analytical workflow to support the establishment of monographs in African pharmacopoeias – Combretum mucronatum leaves as example.” Planta Medica 89 (09): 860–878. doi: 10.1055/a-2002-2260.
- Jato, Jonathan, Waindok, Patrick, Belga François Ngnodandi, François Ngnodandi, Orman, Emmanuel, Agyare, Christian, Oppong Bekoe, Emelia, Strube, Christina, Hensel, Andreas, Liebau, Eva, and Spiegler, Verena . . “Anthelmintic Activities of Extract and Ellagitannins from Phyllanthus urinaria against Caenorhabditis elegans and Zoonotic or Animal Parasitic Nematodes.” Planta Medica 89: 1215–1228. doi: 10.1055/a-2117-9426.
- Orman, Emmanuel, Kralisch, Ina, Jato, Jonathan, Agyare, Christian, Spiegler, Verena, Oppong Bekoe, Emelia, and Hensel, Andreas. . “Towards the Development of Analytical Monograph Specifications for the Quality Assessment of the Medicinal Plant Phyllanthus urinaria.” Phytochemistry 215. doi: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2023.113854.
- Grimm, M, Börner, R, Addotey, J.N., Schmidt, T.J., and V., Spiegler. . “Alstoboonine, an ulean-type indole alkaloid from Alstonia boonei leaves.” Journal of Natural Products 87 (3): 514–519. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.3c00832.
- Jacobtorweihen, Joshua, Schmitt, Marthe, and Spiegler, Verena. . “Amino Acid-Coupled Bromophenols and a Sulfated Dimethylsulfonium Lanosol from the Red Alga Vertebrata lanosa.” Marine Drugs 20 (7). doi: 10.3390/md20070420.
- Codo Toafode, Nonvignon Murielle, Marquardt, Peter, Ahyi, Virgile, Fester, Karin, Spiegler, Verena, and Vissiennon, Cica. . “Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Phenolic Compounds Isolated From Entada africana Guill. & Perr. Used in the Republic of Benin.” Frontiers in Pharmacology 13. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2022.931240.
- Hake, Alexander, Begrow, Frank, Spiegler, Verena, Symma, Nico, Andreas, Hensel, and Düfer, Martina. . “Effects of Extracts and Flavonoids from Drosera rotundifolia L. on Ciliary Beat Frequency and Murine Airway Smooth Muscle.” Molecules 27 6622. doi: 10.3390/molecules27196622.
- Greiffer, Luise, Liebau, Eva, Herrmann, Fabian C., and Spiegler, Verena. . “Condensed tannins act as anthelmintics by increasing the rigidity of the nematode cuticle.” Scientific Reports 12 18850. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-23566-2.
- Baumeister, A, Gardemann, J, Fobker, M, Spiegler, V, and Fischer, T. . “Short-Term Influence of Caffeine and Medium-Chain Triglycerides on Ketogenesis: A Controlled Double-Blind Intervention Study.” Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism 2021. doi: 10.1155/2021/1861567.
- Spiegler, V, Greiffer, L, Jacobtorweihen, J, Asase, A, Lanvers-Kaminsky, C, Hempel, G, Agyare, C, and Hensel, A. . “In vitro screening of plant extracts traditionally used as cancer remedies in Ghana - 15-Hydroxyangustilobine A as the active principle in Alstonia boonei leaves.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology 265. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.113359.
- Spiegler, V. . “Anthelmintic A-Type Procyanidins and Further Characterization of the Phenolic Composition of a Root Extract from Paullinia pinnata.” Molecules 25 (10). doi: 10.3390/molecules25102287.
- Spiegler, V, Gierlikowska, B, Saenger, T, Addotey, JN, Sendker, J, Jose, J, Kiss, AK, and Hensel, A. . “Root Extracts From Ononis spinosa Inhibit IL-8 Release via Interactions With Toll-Like Receptor 4 and Lipopolysaccharide.” Frontiers in Pharmacology 2020. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00889.
- Hensel, A, Bauer, R, Heinrich, M, Spiegler, V, Kayser, O, Hempel, G, and Kraft, K. . “Challenges at the Time of COVID-19: Opportunities and Innovations in Antivirals From Nature.” Planta Medica 86. doi: 10.1055/a-1177-4396.
- Hensel, A, Spiegler, V, and Kraft, K. . “Pflanzliche Extrakte gegen virale Infektionen des oberen Rachenraumes.” Zeitschrift für Phytotherapie 41 (02): 52–54. doi: 10.1055/a-1102-1662.
- Lehmann, S, Herrmann, F, Kleemann, K, Spiegler, V, Liebau, E, and Hensel, A. . “Extract and the quassinoid ailanthone from Ailanthus altissima inhibit nematode reproduction by damaging germ cells and rachis in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans.” Fitoterapia 146. doi: 10.1016/j.fitote.2020/104651.
- Herrmann, FC, and Spiegler, V. . “Caenorhabditis elegans revisited by atomic force microscopy - Ultra-structural changes of the cuticle, but not in the intestine after treatment with Combretum mucronatum extract.” Journal of Structural Biology 208: 174–181. doi: 10.1016/j.jsb.2019.08.013.
- Grube, K, Spiegler, V, and Hensel, A. . “Antiadhesive phthalides from Apium graveolens fruits against uropathogenic E. coli.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology 237: 300–306. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.03.024.
- Agyare, C, Spiegler, V, Asase, A, Scholz, M, Hempel, G, and Hensel, A. . “An ethnopharmacological survey of medicinal plants traditionally used for cancer treatment in the Ashanti region, Ghana.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology 212: 137–152. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2017.10.019.
- Spiegler, V., Hensel, A., Seggewiß, J., Lubisch, M., and Liebau, E. . “Transcriptome analysis reveals molecular anthelmintic effects of procyanidins in C. elegans.” PloS one 12 (9). doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184656.
- Spiegler, V., Liebau, E., Peppler, C., Raue, K., Werne, S., Strube, C., Heckendorn, F., Agyare, C., Stark, T., Hofmann, T., and Hensel, A. . “A Hydroalcoholic Extract from Paullinia pinnata LRoots Exerts Anthelmintic Activity against Free-Living and Parasitic Nematodes.” Planta Medica 82 (13): 1173–1179. doi: 10.1055/s-0042-108209.
- Spiegler, V, Sendker, J, Petereit, F, Liebau, E, and Hensel, A. . “Bioassay-Guided Fractionation of a Leaf Extract from Combretum mucronatum with Anthelmintic Activity: Oligomeric Procyanidins as the Active Principle.” Molecules 20 (8): 14810–14832. doi: 10.3390/molecules200814810.
- C., Agyare, V., Spiegler, H., Sarkodie, Asase, A., Alex, E., Liebau, and A., Hensel. . “An ethnopharmacological survey and in vitro confirmation of the ethnopharmacological use of medicinal plants as anthelmintic remedies in the Ashanti region, in the central part of Ghana.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology 158 (PA): 263. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2014.10.029.
Review Articles (Journals)
- Spiegler, Verena. . “Assessing biological activities of polyphenols in the context of 4R – challenges of a ubiquitous compound class with complex modes of action.” Frontiers in Pharmacology 17 1817679. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2026.1817679.
- Jacobtorweihen, Joshua, and Spiegler, Verena. . “Phylogenetic distribution of bromophenols in marine algae and the generation of a comprehensive bromophenol database.” Phytochemistry Reviews 22: 505–554. doi: 10.1007/s11101-022-09847-8.
- Orman, Emmanuel, Oppong Bekoe, Samuel, Jato, Jonathan, Spiegler, Verena, Asare-Nkansah, Samuel, Agyare, Christian, Hensel, Andreas, and Oppong Bekoe, Emelia. . “Quality assessment of African herbal medicine: A systematic review and the way forward.” Fitoterapia 162 105287. doi: 10.1016/j.fitote.2022.105287.
- Jato, Jonathan, Orman, Emmanuel, Duah Boakye, Yaw, Oppong Bekoe, Emelia, Oppong Bekoe, Samuel, Asare-Nkansah, Samuel Spiegler Verena, Hensel, Andreas, Liebau, Eva, and Agyare, Christian. . “Anthelmintic Agents from African Medicinal Plants: Review and Prospects.” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2022 8023866. doi: 10.1155/2022/8023866.
- Verena, Spiegler, Eva, Liebau, and Andreas, Hensel. . “Medicinal plant extracts and plant-derived polyphenols with anthelmintic activity against intestinal nematodes.” Natural Product Reports 34 (6): 627–643. doi: 10.1039/c6np00126b.
Theses (Doctoral or Postdoctoral)
- Spiegler, Verena. . “Plant-Derived Natural Products and their Potential against Infectious Disease Pathogens – Examples from Terrestrial and Marine Origin with Antibacterial and Anthelmintic Activities.” Habilitation thesis, Universität Münster.
- Spiegler, Verena. . “Anthelmintic activity of procyanidins from West African plants. From traditional medicine to phytochemistry and molecular investigations.” Dissertation thesis, Universität Münster.