Herbal Science Research Abstracts

Effects of high-dose isoflavones on metabolic and inflammatory markers in healthy postmenopausal women.

Menopause. 2008 Oct 31;

Authors: Charles C, Yuskavage J, Carlson O, John M, Tagalicud AS, Maggio M, Muller DC, Egan J, Basaria S

OBJECTIVE:: After menopause, women experience changes in body composition, especially an increase in fat mass. In addition, advancing age, decreased physical activity, and increased inflammation may predispose them to develop type 2 diabetes. Isoflavones have been shown to improve metabolic parameters in postmenopausal women. However, the effect of isoflavones on adipokines/cytokines remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of high-dose isoflavones on inflammatory and metabolic markers in postmenopausal women. DESIGN:: We measured glucose, insulin, and adipokines/cytokines in 75 healthy postmenopausal women who were randomized to receive 20 g of soy protein with 160 mg of total isoflavones (64 mg genistein, 63 mg daidzein, and 34 mg glycitein) or 20 g of soy protein placebo for 12 weeks. Women taking estrogen discontinued therapy at least 3 months before the study. The supplements were given in a powder form and consumed once daily with milk or other beverages. RESULTS:: Mean ages in the placebo and active groups were similar (P = 0.4). Average time since menopause was 9 years, and two thirds of the women underwent natural menopause. There was no significant difference in body mass index at baseline between the groups (placebo, 25.1 kg/m; active, 26 kg/m) and it did not change significantly during the study. At baseline, the placebo group had significantly higher levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (P < 0.0001); otherwise, there was no difference in any other parameter. After 12 weeks of treatment, there were significant positive changes in tumor necrosis factor alpha levels within the placebo group (P < 0.0001) and adiponectin levels within the isoflavone group (P = 0.03). Comparison of pre-post change between the groups showed a small but significant increase in serum adiponectin levels in the isoflavone group (P = 0.03) compared with the placebo group. No significant changes were seen in any other parameter between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS:: Healthy, normal-weight postmenopausal women may not experience improvement in metabolic parameters when given high-dose isoflavones despite an increase in serum adiponectin levels. The role of isoflavones in obese and insulin-resistant postmenopausal women needs exploration.

PMID: 18981951 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Homeopathic ethanol.

Med Sci Monit. 2008 Sep;14(9):SC11-3

Authors: Kream RM, Stefano GB

Ethanol has had a long and deep association with the historical development of world culture. Ostensibly, its consumption has both short and long term positive and negative effects, based on moderate or excessive intake, respectively. The predominant thrust of empirical research, however, into the multiple biological effects of ethanol has led to its negative designation as a major addictive substance. Multiple lines of research have elucidated functional interactions of ethanol in opioid modulation of dopaminergic transmission in CNS reward systems. In parallel, recent work has demonstrated that animal cells have the ability to effect de novo synthesis of chemically authentic morphine from dopamine (DA) and DA-related aromatic precursor molecules. Interestingly, we have observed that sub-threshold concentrations of ethanol alter cellular distributions of endogenously expressed morphine. Reciprocal autocrine/paracrine modulatory effects of very low concentrations of morphine in concert with ethanol also suggest the potential for endogenous expression and action of homeopathic concentrations of ethanol within discrete cellular microdomains. Perturbation of this subtle regulatory relationship by exogenous intake of ethanol may shed light on the biochemical and molecular bases of reward and addictive states.

PMID: 18758432 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Tea, Coffee and Prostate Cancer.

Mol Nutr Food Res. 2008 Nov 4;

Authors: Lee AH, Fraser ML, Binns CW

Worldwide, prostate cancer has the second highest incidence of all cancers in males with incidence and mortality being much higher in affluent developed countries. Risk and progression of the disease may be linked to both genetic and environmental factors, especially dietary factors. Tea and coffee are two of the most popular beverages in the world and have been investigated for possible effects on health outcomes, including cancer. However, very little dietary advice for their consumption exists. The evidence for a relationship between coffee or tea consumption and prostate cancer is reviewed in this paper. While current evidence indicates that coffee is a safe beverage, its consumption probably has no relationship with prostate cancer. Tea, especially green tea, has shown some potential in the prevention of prostate cancer. While evidence from epidemiologic studies is currently inconclusive, strong evidence has emerged from animal and in vitro studies. We also consider what level of evidence is required to make recommendations for preventive measures to the public. Although evidence on the relationship between coffee, tea and prostate cancer is not complete, we consider it strong enough to recommend tea as a healthier alternative to coffee.

PMID: 18985656 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Withania somnifera: an Indian ginseng.

Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2008 Jul 1;32(5):1093-105

Authors: Kulkarni SK, Dhir A

Withania somnifera, popularly known as Ashwagandha is widely considered as the Indian ginseng. In Ayurveda, it is classified as a rasayana (rejuvenation) and expected to promote physical and mental health, rejuvenate the body in debilitated conditions and increase longevity. Having wide range of activity, it is used to treat almost all disorders that affect the human health. The present review discusses the pharmacological basis of the use of W. somnifera in various central nervous system (CNS) disorders, particularly its indication in epilepsy, stress and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disorders, tardive dyskinesia, cerebral ischemia, and even in the management of drug addiction.

PMID: 17959291 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Considerations for determining if a natural product is an effective wound-healing agent.

Int J Low Extrem Wounds. 2008 Jun;7(2):75-81

Authors: Lindblad WJ

Many research groups are examining natural products for their vulnerary activity. On the basis of the countless years of folklore and clinical observations, these preparations are being fractionated and applied to wounds in a variety of animal species. Despite this work, the number of agents that have documented ability to enhance wound healing is minimal. This article provides a brief review of some of the major historical milestones in wound care and provides a framework for studying plant products so as to achieve statistically significant results in biologically important models of healing. Only with the use of reference standards, data from appropriate animal models, and human trials can we begin to mine the great potential of these natural products.

PMID: 18483011 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Acute coronary syndrome presenting after pseudoephedrine use and regression with beta-blocker therapy.

Can J Cardiol. 2008 Nov;24(11):e86-8

Authors: Akay S, Ozdemir M

Pseudoephedrine, a common ingredient in cold relief drugs, dietary supplements and Chinese herbal tea, has potent sympathomimetic effects, impacting the cardiovascular system. The chemical properties and clinical effects of pseudoephedrine are similar to those of ephedrine, and its main effect is caused by the release of endogenous norepinephrine. A 45-year-old man who presented with chest pain following ingestion of pseudoephedrine--containing prescription medication is described. The patient was initially diagnosed with inferior myocardial infarction based on an electrocardiogram, and intravenous metoprolol was started pending coronary artery angiography. Metoprolol reversed the ST segment elevation and relieved the symptoms, and coronary angiography showed normal coronary arteries. The present case highlights beta-blocker therapy as part of an initial intervention of pseudoephedrine-related cardiac symptoms.

PMID: 18987767 [PubMed - in process]

Blocking Effect of an Immuno-Suppressive Agent, Cynarin, on CD28 of T-Cell Receptor.

Pharm Res. 2008 Nov 7;

Authors: Dong GC, Chuang PH, Chang KC, Jan PS, Hwang PI, Wu HB, Yi M, Zhou HX, Chen HM

PURPOSE: Cynarin, a potential immunosuppressant that blocks the interaction between the CD28 of T-cell receptor and CD80 of antigen presenting cells, was found in Echinacea purpurea by a new pharmaceutical screening method: After Flowing Through Immobilized Receptor (AFTIR; Dong et al., J Med Chem, 49: 1845-1854, 2006). This Echinacea component is the first small molecule that is able to specifically block "signal 2" of T-cell activation. METHODS: In this study, we used the AFTIR method to further confirm that cynarin effectively blocked the binding between CD80 of B-cells and CD28 of T-cells, and provide details of its mechanism of action. RESULTS: The experimental results showed that cynarin blocked about 87% of the CD28-dependent "signal 2" pathway of T-cell activation under the condition of one to one ratio of T-cell and B-cell in vitro. Theoretical structure modeling showed that cynarin binds to the "G-pocket" of CD28 (Evans et al., Nat Immunol, 6:271-279, 2005), and thus interrupts the site of interaction between CD28 and CD80. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm both that AFTIR is a promising method for screening selective active compounds from herbal medicine and that cynarin has great potential as an immuno-suppressive agent.

PMID: 18989760 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Suppression of parathyroid hormone and bone resorption by calcium carbonate and calcium citrate in postmenopausal women.

Calcif Tissue Int. 2008 Aug;83(2):81-4

Authors: Thomas SD, Need AG, Tucker G, Slobodian P, O'Loughlin PD, Nordin BE

This study was conducted to compare the suppressive effects of calcium carbonate and calcium citrate on bone resorption in early postmenopause. Calcium citrate is thought to be better absorbed. We therefore tested the hypothesis that calcium as citrate is more effective than calcium as carbonate in suppressing parathyroid hormone (PTH) and C-terminal telopeptide. Twenty-five healthy postmenopausal women were recruited in this double blind crossover study. The subjects were randomly allocated to receive either 1,000 mg of elemental calcium as carbonate or 500 mg of calcium as citrate. They were given the alternate calcium dose 1 week later. Serum measurements of total and ionized calcium, phosphate, PTH, and CrossLaps were repeated 12 hours after each dose. Analysis of variance found no significant difference between measures for the two salts. Tests for equivalence indicated that 500 mg of calcium citrate may be superior to 1,000 mg of calcium carbonate in raising serum total and ionized calcium (P = 0.04 and 0.05, respectively). For all parameters measured, 500 mg of calcium citrate was at least as beneficial as 1,000 mg of calcium carbonate. Calcium citrate is at least as effective as calcium carbonate in suppressing PTH and C-terminal telopeptide cross-links, at half the dose. This may be because calcium as citrate is better absorbed than calcium as carbonate. If calcium citrate can be used in lower doses, it may be better tolerated than calcium carbonate.

PMID: 18553042 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Green tea extracts for the prevention of metachronous colorectal adenomas: a pilot study.

Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2008 Nov;17(11):3020-5

Authors: Shimizu M, Fukutomi Y, Ninomiya M, Nagura K, Kato T, Araki H, Suganuma M, Fujiki H, Moriwaki H

BACKGROUND: Experimental studies indicate the chemopreventive properties of green tea extract (GTE) on colorectal cancer. Epidemiologically, green tea consumption of >10 cups daily reduced colorectal cancer risk in Japanese. Because colorectal adenomas are the precursors to most sporadic colorectal cancers, we conducted a randomized trial to determine the preventive effect of GTE supplements on metachronous colorectal adenomas by raising green tea consumption in the target population from an average of 6 cups (1.5 g GTE) daily to >/=10 cups equivalent (2.5 g GTE) by supplemental GTE tablets. METHODS: We recruited 136 patients, removed their colorectal adenomas by endoscopic polypectomy, and 1 year later confirmed the clean colon (i.e., no polyp) at the second colonoscopy. The patients were then randomized into two groups while maintaining their lifestyle on green tea drinking: 71 patients supplemented with 1.5 g GTE per day for 12 months and 65 control patients without supplementation. Follow-up colonoscopy was conducted 12 months later in 125 patients (65 in the control group and 60 in the GTE group). RESULTS: The incidence of metachronous adenomas at the end-point colonoscopy was 31% (20 of 65) in the control group and 15% (9 of 60) in the GTE group (relative risk, 0.49; 95% confidence interval, 0.24-0.99; P < 0.05). The size of relapsed adenomas was also smaller in the GTE group than in the control group (P < 0.001). No serious adverse events occurred in the GTE group. CONCLUSION: GTE is an effective supplement for the chemoprevention of metachronous colorectal adenomas. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2008;17(11):3020-5).

PMID: 18990744 [PubMed - in process]

Kava hepatotoxicity: a clinical survey and critical analysis of 26 suspected cases.

Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2008 Dec;20(12):1182-93

Authors: Teschke R, Schwarzenboeck A, Hennermann KH

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatotoxicity has been previously suspected by national regulatory agencies in 26 patients in causal relationship with the treatment by kava extracts commonly used as herbal anxiolytic drugs. METHODS: A quantitative causality assessment was undertaken using the system of the Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences, scale of objective probability scoring. RESULTS: Causality was unassessable, unrelated, or excluded in 16 patients owing to lack of temporal association and causes independent of kava or comedicated drugs. Low Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences scores additionally resulted in excluded or unlikely causality assessments (n=2), leaving a total of eight patients with various degrees of causality for kava +/- comedicated drugs. Only one out of these eight patients adhered to the regulatory recommendations regarding both daily dose (<or=120 mg kavapyrones) and duration of therapy (<or=3 months) and experienced toxic liver injury with a probable causality for kava. In six cases with kava overdose and/or increased duration of kava treatment causality for kava was possible (n=3) and for kava together with the comedicated drug(s) possible (n=2) or probable (n=1). CONCLUSION: Kava taken as recommended is associated with rare hepatotoxicity, whereas overdose, prolonged treatment, and comedication may carry an increased risk.

PMID: 18989142 [PubMed - in process]

Pharmaco-physio-psychologic effect of Ayurvedic oil-dripping treatment using an essential oil from Lavendula angustifolia.

J Altern Complement Med. 2008 Oct;14(8):947-56

Authors: Xu F, Uebaba K, Ogawa H, Tatsuse T, Wang BH, Hisajima T, Venkatraman S

Ayurvedic oil-dripping treatment, Shirodhara, involves the use of medicated herbal sesame oils. In our previous reports, we found that Shirodhara with plain sesame oil induced anxiolysis and an altered state of consciousness (ASC) in healthy subjects. We studied the pharmaco-physio-psychologic effect of Shirodhara with medicated sesame oil including an essential oil from Lavendula angustifolia (lavender) in the present study. Sixteen (16) healthy females (38 +/- 8 years old) were assigned at random to three treatments applied by a robotic oil-dripping system: plain sesame oil (plain Shirodhara), medicated sesame oil with a 0.3 volume % of lavender essential oil (lavender Shirodhara), or the control supine position. Psychophysiologic parameters including the heart rate, skin temperature of the dorsum of hands and feet, as well as anxiety and ASC were monitored, and the rates of change of these items were calculated to assess the psychophysiologic changes brought about by Shirodhara. Lavender Shirodhara showed potent anxiolytic and ASC-inducing or promoting effects, and induced the largest increase in foot skin temperature. The correlation between anxiolysis and ASC, as well as the correlation between these psychologic effects and the elevated foot skin temperature were larger in the lavender Shirodhara than in the other two conditions. It was speculated that the psycho-physiologic effects of lavender Shirodhara would be brought about by three mechanisms: (1) the well-known relaxing action of essential oils from L. angustifolia mediated by olfactory nerves, (2) the pharmacologic action of substances absorbed through the skin or mucosa in the sesame oil or lavender essential oil, and (3) the physiologic effect of sesame oil dripped on the forehead induced by the somato-autonomic reflex through thermosensors or pressure sensors in the skin or hair follicles via the trigeminal cranial nerve. The complicated pharmaco-physio-psychologic action of Ayurvedic oil treatment may provide a useful model for future pharmaco-physio-psychotherapy.

PMID: 18990044 [PubMed - in process]