Holistic Health Articles and Research Related to Herbal Medicines, Foods and Phytochemicals

Saturday, 2 November 2013

Chinese Herbs – Shi Hu (Herba Dendrobii)

Shi Hu is also known as dendrobium. The sweet, bland and slightly cold herb has been used in TCM to treat thirsty, thromboangitis obliterans, chronic throat infection, blurry vision, weak lower back, etc., as it nourishes the Stomach and Yin, promotes generation of Body Fluids, clears Heat, etc., by enhancing the functions of lung and stomach channels.

Ingredients
1. Ophiopogonin
2. Ruscogenin
3. β-sitosterol
4. Stigmastero
6. Nobilonine
7. 6-hydroxydendrobine
8. Etc.

Health Benefits
1. Stomach-heat syndrome
In the study to observe the effects of Herba dendrobii on rats with stomach-heat syndrome and to explore the mechanisms, showed that HD relieves the general symptom and sign the gastric mucosa of rats with stomach-heat syndrome is that HD can increase 6-keto-PGF1alpha and decrease IL-8, Gas, TXB2 in their blood(1)
2. Novel neuronal therapeutic agent
In the study of the effect of PJBH extracts on H2O2-induced toxicity in the rat pheochromocytoma line PC12 was examined by measurements of cell lesion, level of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities of Paeng-Jo-Yeon-Nyeon-Baek-Ja-In-Hwan (PJBH) prescription, a dried decoctum consisting of a mixture of 18 medicinal herbs that include Semen Biotae, Fructus Torilis seu cnidii, Fructus Rubi, Herba Dendrobii, Radix Morindae officinalis, Cortex Eucommiae, Radix Aspragi, Radix Polygalae, Radix Dipsaci, Ramulus Cinnamomi, Rhizoma Acori graminei, Rhizoma Alismatis, Rhizoma Dioscoreae, Radix Ginseng, Radix Rehmanniae preparata, Fructus corni, Fructus Schisandrae and Herba Cistanches.
Indicated that the effects of the PJBH on hydrogen peroxide-induced injury in PC12 cells were also examined. PJBH had a remarkable elevating effect on catalase and GSH-Px activities as well as cell survival, suggesting that cytoprotective effects of the PJBH are involved in stimulation against intermediate concentrations of H2O2-induced PC12 cell injury. The above-mentioned neuroprotective effects were also compared with the effect of tacrine. The results suggest that PJBH has potential for use as a novel neuronal therapeutic agent(2).
3. Etc.

Side Effects
1. Over dose can cause convulsion
2. Do not use the herb in newborn, children or if you are pregnant or breast feeding without first consulting with the related field specialist.
3. Etc.

Chinese Secrets To Fatty Liver And Obesity Reversal
Use The Revolutionary Findings To Achieve
Optimal Health And Loose Weight

Back to Popular Chinese Herbs http://kylejnorton.blogspot.ca/p/chinese-herbs.html

Back to Kyle J. Norton Home page http://kylejnorton.blogspot.ca

Sources
(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20545202
(2) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15287076

Chinese Herbs – Shi Jue Ming (Concha Haliotidis)

Shi Jue Ming is also known as Haliotis Shell. The salty and cold herb has been used in TCM as Antipyretic, sedative, anti-hypertensive, Antibiotic agent and to treat blurry vision, optic atrophy, night blindness, glaucoma, hot flashes, etc. as its soothes the Liver, controls ascending Yang due to Yin Deficiency, clears Liver-Heat, improves vision, etc. by enhancing the functions of liver and lung channels.

Ingredients
1. Calcium carbonate
2. Serine
3. Choline
4. Conchiolin
5. Gydrochloric acid
6. Lycine
7. Aspartic acid
8. Alanine
9. Glutamic acid
10. Etc.

Health Benefits
1. Aeute liver injury
In the study to investigate the effects of Haliotis ruber (Leach), Haliotis disus hannai Ino and Haliotis lacvigata (Donovan) in The liver injury mice model, found that comparision of reduced serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminass (SGPT) activity showed Halitis disacus hannai Ino > Haliotis Lacvigata (Donovan) > Haliotis ruber (Leach). The Liver starch was determined. It is suggested protection liver effect of Haliotis discus hannai Ino and Haliotis lacvigata (Donovan) are most powerful(1).
2. Anticoagulant activity
In the study of a novel glycosaminoglycan-like sulfated polysaccharide (AAP) from the pleopods of Haliotis discus hannai Ino was purified by DEAE ion exchange chromatography followed with S-300 HR geltrion chromatography, showed that the anticoagulant property of AAP was mainly attributed to powerful potentiation thrombin by anti-thrombin III(2).
3. Immunostimulants
In the study of a feeding experiment was conducted to determine the effects of TCM on innate immunity of abalone, Haliotis discus hannai Ino. Artificial diets containing 1%, 3%, 5% TCM preparation, 1% hawthorn or 1% astragalus, respectively, were fed to juvenile abalone (initial weight 10.38+/-2.51 g; initial shell length 44.15+/-4.15 mm) for 80 days, found that TCM preparation can modulate the immunity of H. discus hannai, and it is very possible that TCM might be used as immunostimulants in abalone farming(3).
4. Etc.

Side Effects
1. Do not use the herb in newborn, children or if you are pregnant or breast feeding without first consulting with the related field specialist.
2. Do not use the herb in case of spleen deficiency or yin deficiency
3. Etc.

Sources
(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=Concha%20Haliotidis
(2) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21968010
(3) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18378466

Phytochemicals in Foods - 16 Health Benefits of Astaxanthin

Astaxanthin is a phytochemincal in the class of Xanthophylls , belonging to the group of Carotenoids (tetraterpenoids), found abundantly in yeast, krill, shrimp, salmon, lobsters, etc.

Health Benefits
1. Male infertility
In the investigation of the effects of Astaxanthin 16 mg/day (AstaCarox, AstaReal AB, Gustavsberg, Sweden) or placebo for 3 months treatment on semen parameters, reactive oxygen species (ROS), zona-free hamster oocyte test, serum hormones including testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and Inhibin B, and spontaneous or intrauterine insemination (IUI)-induced pregnancies, found that ROS and Inhibin B decreased significantly and sperm linear velocity increased in the Astaxanthin group (n = 11), but not in the placebo group (n = 19). The results of the zona-free hamster oocyte test tended to improve in the Astaxanthin group in contrast with the placebo group, though not reaching statistical significance. The total and per cycle pregnancy rates among the placebo cases (10.5 % and 3.6 %) were lower compared with 54.5 % and 23.1 % respectively in the Astaxanthin group (P = 0.028; P = 0.036), according to "Combined conventional/antioxidant "Astaxanthin" treatment for male infertility: a double blind, randomized trial" by Comhaire FH, El Garem Y, Mahmoud A, Eertmans F, Schoonjans F.(1)

2. Functional dyspepsia
In the evaluation of the efficacy of the natural antioxidant astaxanthin in functional dyspepsia in different doses and compared with placebo, found that at the end of therapy (week 4) no difference between the three treatment groups was observed regarding mean Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) scores of abdominal pain, indigestion and reflux syndromes. The same results were observed at the end of follow-up. However reduction of reflux syndrome before treatment to week 4 was significantly pronounced in the higher (40mg) dose compared to the other treatment groups (16mg and placebo, p=0.04), according to "Efficacy of the natural antioxidant astaxanthin in the treatment of functional dyspepsia in patients with or without Helicobacter pylori infection: A prospective, randomized, double blind, and placebo-controlled study" by Kupcinskas L, Lafolie P, Lignell A, Kiudelis G, Jonaitis L, Adamonis K, Andersen LP, Wadström T.(2)

3. Anti-aging
In the review of the effects of Astaxanthin, a xanthophyll carotenoid, cell membrane nutrient with diverse clinical benefits indicated that in preliminary trials it showed promise for sports performance (soccer). In cultured cells, astaxanthin protected the mitochondria against endogenous oxygen radicals, conserved their redox (antioxidant) capacity, and enhanced their energy production efficiency. The concentrations used in these cells would be attainable in humans by modest dietary intakes. Astaxanthin's clinical success extends beyond protection against oxidative stress and inflammation, to demonstrable promise for slowing age-related functional decline, according to "Astaxanthin, cell membrane nutrient with diverse clinical benefits and anti-aging potential" by Kidd P.(3)

4. Cardiovascular health
In the evualation of the an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties effects and as such has potential as a therapeutic agent in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease of Astaxanthin, a xanthophyll carotenoid present in microalgae, fungi, complex plants, seafood, flamingos and quail, found that No adverse events have been reported and there is evidence of a reduction in biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation with astaxanthin administration. Experimental studies in several species using an ischaemia-reperfusion myocardial model demonstrated that astaxanthin protects the myocardium when administered both orally or intravenously prior to the induction of the ischaemic event, according to "Astaxanthin: a potential therapeutic agent in cardiovascular disease" by Fassett RG, Coombes JS.(4)

5. Antithrombotic and antihypertensive effects
In the examination of the hypothesis that astaxanthin, a red pigment carotenoid found in salmonid and crustacean aquaculture, for its protect on stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) from vascular oxidative damage, hypertension, and cerebral thrombosis, found that the results supported our hypothesis and strongly suggested that the antithrombotic and antihypertensive effects of astaxanthin or vitamin E may be related to an increase in bioavailable NO, possibly mediated by decreased inactivation of NO by reactive oxygen species, according to "Astaxanthin inhibits thrombosis in cerebral vessels of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats" by Sasaki Y, Kobara N, Higashino S, Giddings JC, Yamamoto J.(5)

6. Cholesterol
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to investigate the effects of astaxanthin on lipid profiles and oxidative stress in overweight and obese adults in Korea, found that all four biomarkers were not significantly different between the two groups. Compared with the placebo group, MDA and ISP were significantly lower, but TAC was significantly higher in the astaxanthin group at 12 weeks. These results suggest that supplementary astaxanthin has positive effects by improving the LDL cholesterol, ApoB, and oxidative stress biomarkers, according to "Positive effects of astaxanthin on lipid profiles and oxidative stress in overweight subjects" by Choi HD, Youn YK, Shin WG.(6)

7. Immune system
In the testing astaxanthin, a potent antioxidant carotenoid and its role in modulating immune response in cats, found that there was a dose-related increase in plasma astaxanthin concentrations, with maximum concentrations observed on wk 12. Dietary astaxanthin enhanced DTH response to both the specific (vaccine) and nonspecific (concanavalin A) antigens. In addition, cats fed astaxanthin had heightened PBMC proliferation and NK cell cytotoxic activity. The population of CD3(+) total T and CD4(+) T helper cells were also higher in astaxanthin-fed cats; however, no treatment difference was found with the CD8(+) T cytotoxic and MHC II(+) activated lymphocyte cell populations. Dietary astaxanthin increased concentrations of plasma IgG and IgM. Therefore, dietary astaxanthin heightened cell-mediated and humoral immune responses in cats, according to "Astaxanthin stimulates cell-mediated and humoral immune responses in cats" by Park JS, Mathison BD, Hayek MG, Massimino S, Reinhart GA, Chew BP.(7)

8. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
In the management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in full-spectrum antioxidant therapy featuring astaxanthin coupled with lipoprivic strategies and salsalate, indicated that Astaxanthin and spirulina appear to have considerable potential for controlling the oxidative stress associated with NAFLD - the former because it may help to prevent the mitochondrial damage that renders mitochondria a key source of superoxide in this syndrome, the latter because it is exceptionally rich in phycocyanobilin, a phytochemical inhibitor of NAPDH oxidase, according to "Full-spectrum antioxidant therapy featuring astaxanthin coupled with lipoprivic strategies and salsalate for management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease" by McCarty MF.(8)

9. Diabetic complications
In the examination of whether astaxanthin (ASX, 3,3-dihydroxybeta, beta-carotene-4,4-dione, CAS 472-61-7), a dietary antioxidant carotenoid that is naturally present in algae, crustaceans, and fish, has a protective effect on endothelial dysfunction of aortas in diabetic rats and the possible molecular mechanism involved, indicated that ASX could ameliorate diabetic endothelial dysfunction by inhibiting the ox-LDLLOX-1-eNOS pathway. Treatment with ASX might be clinically useful for diabetic complications associated with endothelial dysfunction, according to "Ameliorative effect of astaxanthin on endothelial dysfunction in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in male rats" by Zhao ZW, Cai W, Lin YL, Lin QF, Jiang Q, Lin Z, Chen LL.(9)

10. Colon Health
In the investigation of the possible inhibitory effect of AX against inflammation-related mouse colon carcinogenesis and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in male ICR mice, found that the dietary AX suppresses the colitis and colitis-related colon carcinogenesis in mice, partly through inhibition of the expression of inflammatory cytokine and proliferation. Our findings suggest that AX is one of the candidates for prevention of colitis and inflammation-associated colon carcinogenesis in humans, according to "Dietary astaxanthin inhibits colitis and colitis-associated colon carcinogenesis in mice via modulation of the inflammatory cytokines" by Yasui Y, Hosokawa M, Mikami N, Miyashita K, Tanaka T.(10)

11. Anti cancers
In the investigation of the pharmacological roles of carotenoids in the prevention and reduction of cancer incidence, found that carotenoids up-regulated the expression of PPARγ and p21 and down-regulated the expression of cyclin D1 in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, β-carotene, astaxanthin, capsanthin and bixin also up-regulated the expression of Nrf2, an important transcription factor in Keap1-Nrf2/EpRE/ARE signaling pathway. It appears to us that PPARγ signaling pathways and Keap1-Nrf2/EpRE/ARE signaling pathway were involved in the inhibition of K562 cell proliferation by carotenoids and the up-regulation of PPARγ expression at least partly contributed to the antiproliferative effects of β-carotene, astaxanthin, capsanthin, and bixin on K562 cells, according to "Carotenoids inhibit proliferation and regulate expression of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) in K562 cancer cells" by Zhang X, Zhao WE, Hu L, Zhao L, Huang J.(11)

12. Anxiolytic effects
In the study of study of the combined effect of ASTA and fish oil on the redox status in plasma and in the monoaminergic-rich anterior forebrain region of Wistar rats with possible correlations with the anxiolytic behavior, found that ASTA properly crosses the brain-blood barrier, our data also address a possible indirect role of ASTA in restoring basal oxidative conditions in anterior forebrain of animals: by improving GSH-based antioxidant capacity of plasma. Preliminary anxiolytic tests performed in the elevated plus maze are in alignment with our biochemical observations, according to "Astaxanthin limits fish oil-related oxidative insult in the anterior forebrain of Wistar rats: putative anxiolytic effects?" by Mattei R, Polotow TG, Vardaris CV, Guerra BA, Leite JR, Otton R, Barros MP.(12)

13. Antioxidants
In a randomized, double-blind study was performed to investigate the effect of astaxanthin (ASX), which is known to be a potent antioxidant, on oxidative stress in overweight and obese adults in Korea, found that compared with baseline, the MDA (by 34.6% and 35.2%) and ISP (by 64.9% and 64.7%) levels were significantly lowered, whereas SOD (by 193% and 194%) and TAC (by 121% and 125%) levels were significantly increased in two dose groups after the 3 week intervention. This study revealed that supplemental ASX for 3 weeks improved oxidative stress biomarkers by suppressing lipid peroxidation and stimulating the activity of the antioxidant defense system, according to "Effects of astaxanthin on oxidative stress in overweight and obese adults" by Choi HD, Kim JH, Chang MJ, Kyu-Youn Y, Shin WG.(13)

14. Anti inflammatory effects
In the examination focused on the antioxidant effect of Astaxanthin (AST) and investigation of the efficacy of AST in endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) in rats, found that AST suppressed the development of EIU in a dose-dependent fashion. The anti-inflammatory effect of 100 mg/kg AST was as strong as that of 10 mg/kg prednisolone. AST also decreased production of NO, activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and production of PGE2 and TNF-alpha in RAW264.7 cells in vitro in a dose-dependent manner, according to "Effects of astaxanthin on lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in vitro and in vivo" by Ohgami K, Shiratori K, Kotake S, Nishida T, Mizuki N, Yazawa K, Ohno S.(14)

15. Neuroprotective effect
In the study, carried out to further investigate the neuroprotective effect of AST on oxidative stress induced toxicity in primary culture of cortical neurons and on focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion induced brain damage in rats, found that the neuronal injury was significantly improved by pretreatment of AST at 80mg/kg. Taken together, these results suggest that pretreatment with AST exhibits noticeable neuroprotection against brain damage induced by ischemia-reperfusion and the antioxidant activity of AST maybe partly responsible for it, according to "Neuroprotective effect of astaxanthin on H(2)O(2)-induced neurotoxicity in vitro and on focal cerebral ischemia in vivo" by Lu YP, Liu SY, Sun H, Wu XM, Li JJ, Zhu L.(15)

16. Dihydrotestosterone, testosterone and estradiol levels
In a clinical study of clinically, 42 healthy males ages 37 to 70 years were divided into two groups of twenty-one and dosed with either 800 mg/day or 2000 mg/day of Alphastat(R) (Mytosterone(trade mark)) for fourteen days, found that both dose groups showed significant (p = 0.05) increases in T and decreases in DHT within three days of treatment with Alphastat(R) (Mytosterone(trade mark)). Between group statistical analysis showed no significant (p = 0.05) difference, indicating the effect was not dose dependent and that 800 mg/per day is equally effective as 2000 mg/day for increasing T and lowering DHT. Blood levels of ES however, decreased significantly (p = 0.05) in the 2000 mg/day dose group but not in the 800 mg/day dose group indicating a dose dependant decrease in E levels, according to "An open label, dose response study to determine the effect of a dietary supplement on dihydrotestosterone, testosterone and estradiol levels in healthy males" by Angwafor F 3rd, Anderson ML.(16)

Phytochemicals in Foods - 9 Health Benefits of Perillyl alcohol

Perillyl alcohol is a phytochemicals in the class of Monoterpenes, found abundantly in citrus oils, caraway, mints, etc.

Health Benefits
1. Breast cancer
In the searching the effective way in treating breast cancer by investigating the activity of a combination of perillyl alcohol (POH), methyl jasmonate (MJ) with cisplatin, found that Combination treatment of POH and MJ blocked cells at the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle and the addition of cisplatin forced the cells to progress through the cell cycle and induced apoptosis. Apoptotic mechanistic studies indicated that POH and MJ treatment activated tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 and this was further increased by the addition of cisplatin. It was also found that mitochondrial membrane potential decreased with POH and MJ treatment; this effect was further enhanced by cisplatin treatment, according to "Perillyl alcohol and methyl jasmonate sensitize cancer cells to cisplatin" by Yeruva L, Hall C, Elegbede JA, Carper SW.(1)

2. Pancreatic cancer
In the development of enhanced single or combinatorial therapies to decrease the pathogenesis of this invariably fatal disease. Melanoma differentiation-associated gene-7/interleukin-24 (mda-7/IL-24) is a potent cancer gene therapeutic because of its broad-spectrum cancer-specific apoptosis-inducing properties as well as its multipronged indirect antitumor activities,
found that a dietary agent perillyl alcohol (POH) in combination with Ad.mda-7 efficiently reverses the mda-7/IL-24 "protein translational block" by inducing reactive oxygen species, thereby resulting in mda-7/IL-24 protein production, growth suppression, and apoptosis. Pharmacologic inhibitor and small interfering RNA studies identify xanthine oxidase as a major source of superoxide radical production causing these toxic effects, according to " Mechanism of in vitro pancreatic cancer cell growth inhibition by melanoma differentiation-associated gene-7/interleukin-24 and perillyl alcohol" by Lebedeva IV, Su ZZ, Vozhilla N, Chatman L, Sarkar D, Dent P, Athar M, Fisher PB.(2)

3. Skin cancer
in the evaluation of preparation and characterization ofa novel poly-lactic glycolic acid (PLGA)-based microparticle formulation of perillyl alcohol (POH) and its efficacy against di-methyl benzo anthracene-induced skin papilloma in Swiss albino mice, found that in vitro efficacy of POH-bearing PLGA microparticles was evaluated by examining their differential cytotoxicity and assessing their ability to inhibit epidermoid carcinoma cell line (A253). The POH-based microparticles when administered to tumor-bearing animals caused greater tumor regression and increased survival rate (∼80%) as compared with the group receiving free form of POH (survival rate 40%), according to "Anticancer efficacy of perillyl alcohol-bearing PLGA microparticles" by Farazuddin M, Sharma B, Khan AA, Joshi B, Owais M.(3)

4. Lipid Membranes
In the assessment of the possible biophysical effects of these compounds on membranes quantitatively, the influence of limonene and its bio-oxidation products on a membrane model composed of 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR), found that limonene (1), perillyl alcohol (2), and perillaldehyde (3) partitioned into the DMPC membrane, whereas perillic acid (4) did not. The DSC results demonstrated that all the partitioning compounds strongly perturbed the phase transition of DMPC, whereas no perturbation of the local membrane order was detected by EPR spectroscopy, according to "Influence of the Active Compounds of Perilla frutescens Leaves on Lipid Membranes" by Duelund L, Amiot A, Fillon A, Mouritsen OG.(4)

5. Antioxidant and antiproliferative effects
In the investigation of antioxidant potential of three monoterpenoids (carvone, perillyl alcohol, and α-terpineol), using two methods: DPPH and ORAC and the antiproliferative effect of these monoterpenoids against nine cancerous cell lines performed and compared to limonene and doxorubicin, found that all samples tested had very low antioxidant activity in the DPPH assay, but α-terpineol (2.72μmolTrolox equiv./μmol) could be compared to commercial antioxidants in the ORAC assay. The antiproliferative results obtained encourage future in vivo studies for α-terpineol, since this monoterpenoid presented cytostatic effect against six cell lines, especially for breast adenocarcinoma and chronic myeloid leukemia, in a range of 181-588μM, according to "Evaluation of the antioxidant and antiproliferative potential of bioflavors" by Bicas JL, Neri-Numa IA, Ruiz AL, De Carvalho JE, Pastore GM.(5)

6. Transplant coronary artery disease TCAD prevention
In the study of whether systematical dissection of the prenylation pathway to better define the mechanism behind statin inhibition in chronic allograft rejection in heart transplants, or transplant coronary artery disease (TCAD), found that FPT and GGPT-2 (inhibition) are the key enzymes in the HGM-CoA reductase pathway and most influential in TCAD prevention. TCAD reduction is most closely related to smooth muscle cell migration, but not its anti-inflammatory properties, according to "Prevention of transplant coronary artery disease by prenylation inhibitors" by Stein W, Schrepfer S, Itoh S, Kimura N, Velotta J, Palmer O, Bartos J, Wang X, Robbins RC, Fischbein MP.(6)

7. Oxidative stress
In the investigation of the protective effects of perillyl alcohol (POH) on ethanol-induced acute liver injury in Wistar rats and its probable mechanism, ethanol administration decreased hepatic reduced glutathione content and various antioxidant enzymes activity. TNF-α production and NFκ-B activation was also found to be increased after ethanol administration. POH pre-treatment significantly ameliorates ethanol induced acute liver injury possibly by inhibition of lipid peroxidation, replenishment of endogenous enzymatic and non-enzymatic defense system, downregulation of TNF-α as well as NFκ-B, according to "Perillyl alcohol protects against ethanol induced acute liver injury in Wistar rats by inhibiting oxidative stress, NFκ-B activation and proinflammatory cytokine production" by Khan AQ, Nafees S, Sultana S.(7)

8. Non small cell lung cancer
In the investigation of the effects of perillyl alcohol (POH) and its metabolite perillic acid (PA) on the proliferation of non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC, A549, and H520) cells, found that exposing the cells to an IC50 concentration of POH or PA sensitized the cells to cisplatin and radiation in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that POH and PA in combination therapy may have chemotherapeutic value against NSCLC, according to "Perillyl alcohol and perillic acid induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in non small cell lung cancer cells" by Yeruva L, Pierre KJ, Elegbede A, Wang RC, Carper SW.(8)

9. Etc.
Chinese Secrets To Fatty Liver And Obesity Reversal
Use The Revolutionary Findings To Achieve
Optimal Health And Loose Weight

Super foods Library, Eat Yourself Healthy With The Best of the Best Nature Has to Offer

Back to Popular Herbs http://kylejnorton.blogspot.ca/p/popular-herbs.html
Back to Kyle J. Norton Home page http://kylejnorton.blogspot.ca
Sources
(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19820395
(2) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18768668
(3) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22275821
(4) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22272932
(5) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21540069
(6) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21458297
(7) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20923693
(8) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17888568

Phytochemicals in Foods - 10 Health Benefits of Limonene

Limonene is a phytochemicals in the class of Monoterpenes, found abundantly in
cherries, citrus essential oils, spearmint, dill, garlic, celery, maize, rosemary, ginger, basil, etc.

Health benefits
1. Anti-inflammatory
In the investigation of the monoterpene D-limonene and its metabolites have been shown to exert chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic effects against different tumours in animal models and clinical trials, found that D-limonene is an effective inhibitor of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO and prostaglandin E(2) production in RAW 264.7 cells. These inhibitory effects of D-limonene included dose-dependent decreases in the expression of iNOS and COX-2 proteins, according to "Limonene suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced production of nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2, and pro-inflammatory cytokines in RAW 264.7 macrophages" by Yoon WJ, Lee NH, Hyun CG.(1)

2. Antibacterial effect
In the assessment that GC and MS were used for the analysis of Croatian Centaurium erythraea Rafn essential oil (obtained by hydrodistillation) and headspace (applying headspace solid-phase microextraction). The headspace contained numerous monoterpene hydrocarbons (the major ones were terpinene-4-ol, methone, p-cymene, γ-terpinene and limonene), found that the oil fractionation enabled identification of other minor compounds not found in total oil such as norisoprenoides, alk-1-enes or chromolaenin. The essential oil showed antimicrobial potential on Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteritidis, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus. On the other hand, no antibacterial activity of the oil was observed on Pseudomonas fluorescens and Lysteria monocytogenes, according to "Volatile Organic Compounds from Centaurium erythraea Rafn (Croatia) and the Antimicrobial Potential of Its Essential Oil" by Jerković I, Gašo-Sokač D, Pavlović H, Marijanović Z, Gugić M, Petrović I, Kovač S(2)

3. Skin tumorigenesis
In the investigation of the effects of limonene on the growth of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-initiated and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-promoted skin tumor development, found that -limonene (50 and 100 mg/kg body weight) treatments to the mouse skin significantly reduced the TPA-induced (a) edema and hyperplasia (p < 0.001); (b) expression of cyclooxygenase-2; (c) ornithine decarboxylase activity (p < 0.001); and (d) [(3)H] thymidine incorporation into DNA (p < 0.001), In addition, treatment of -limonene effectively restored the level of reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase, catalase and malondialdehyde production in TPA-treated mouse skin. In a two-stage skin tumorigenesis study, limonene significantly reduced the tumor burden (p < 0.005) and tumor incidence as compared to DMBA/TPA-treated mice. -Limonene treatment also extended the latency period of tumor development from 4 to 9 weeks. Limonene treatment decreased the expression level of Ras, Raf and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 in DMBA/TPA-induced tumors.according to "D-Limonene modulates inflammation, oxidative stress and Ras-ERK pathway to inhibit murine skin tumorigenesis" by Chaudhary SC, Siddiqui MS, Athar M, Alam MS.(3)

4. Antihyperlipidemic Effects
In the investigation of the antihyperlipidemic activities of the essential oil from the leaves of Pinus koraiensis SIEB (EOPK) that has been used as a folk remedy for heart disease, found that
EOPK up-regulated low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) at the mRNA level as well as negatively suppressed the expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-1c, SREBP-2, 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) involved in lipid metabolism in HepG2 cells. Also, western blotting showed that EOPK activated LDLR and attenuated the expression of FAS at the protein level in the cells. Consistently, EOPK significantly inhibited the level of human acylcoenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferase (hACAT)1 and 2 and reduced the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation activity. Furthermore, chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis showed that EOPK, an essential oil mixture, contained camphene (21.11%), d-limonene (21.01%), α-pinene (16.74%) and borneol (11.52%), according to "Essential Oil of Pinus koraiensis Leaves Exerts Antihyperlipidemic Effects via Up-regulation of Low-density Lipoprotein Receptor and Inhibition of Acyl-coenzyme A: Cholesterol Acyltransferase" by Kim JH, Lee HJ, Jeong SJ, Lee MH, Kim SH.(4)

5. Antioxidant effects
In the evaluation of evaluate the antioxidant capacity and the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activity of the peel essential oils from three Citrus species, C. aurantifolia Swingle, C. aurantium L., and C. bergamia Risso & Poit, found that the demonstrated antioxidant activity and procholinesterase properties of Citrus essential oils suggested their use as a new potential source of natural antioxidant to added as extra-nutrient for using in food industries as a valuable new flavor with functional properties for food or nutraceutical products with particular relevance to supplements for the elderly, according to "Comparative study on the antioxidant capacity and cholinesterase inhibitory activity of Citrus aurantifolia Swingle, C. aurantium L., and C. bergamia Risso and Poit. peel essential oils" by Tundis R, Loizzo MR, Bonesi M, Menichini F, Mastellone V, Colica C, Menichini F.(5)

6. Anti cancers
In the review attempted to collect all available published scientific literature of eight naturally occurring terpenoids and their effect on inhibition of tumor progression, found that literature survey revealed that triterpenoids, such as glycyrrhizic acid, ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, and nomilin, the diterpene andrographolide, and the monoterpenoids like limonene and perillic acid had shown immunomodulatory and antitumor activities. All of them could induce apoptosis in various cancer cells by activating various proapoptotic signaling cascades. Many of these terpenoids found to inhibit metastatic progression and tumor-induced angiogenesis, according to "Inhibition of tumor progression by naturally occurring terpenoids" by Kuttan G, Pratheeshkumar P, Manu KA, Kuttan R.(6)

7. Antigenotoxic properties
In the evaluation of the chemical composition and the DNA protective effect of the essential oils (EOs) from Lippia alba against bleomycin-induced genotoxicity, found that the EOs were not genotoxic in the SOS chromotest, but one of the major compound (limonene) showed genotoxicity at doses between 97 and 1549 mM. Both EOs protected bacterial cells against bleomycin-induced genotoxicity. Antigenotoxicity in the two L. alba chemotypes was related to the major compounds, citral and carvone, respectively. The results were discussed in relation to the chemopreventive potential of L. alba EOs and its major compounds, according to "Chemical composition and antigenotoxic properties of Lippia alba essential oils" by López MA, Stashenko EE, Fuentes JL.(7)

8. Microbial Effects
In the assessment of the composition of hydro-distilled and SC-CO(2) extracted oils. Nineteen constituents, which accounted for 89.32% of total constituents in HD oil, represented by limonene (4.31%), (Z)-β-ocimene (3.69%), terpinolene (22.24%), neryl acetate (36.19%), nerol (9.51%) and p-cymene-8-ol (2.61%) were identified. In SC-CO(2) extracted oil, 24 constituents representing 89.95% of total constituents were identified. Terpinolene (5.08%), germacrene D (2.17%), neryl acetate (51.62%), nerol (9.78%), geranyl acetate (2.06%), α-bisabolol (2.48%) and 1-nonadecanol (4.96%) were the dominating constituents anf their anti microbial effects, found that the oil exhibited moderate to high antimicrobial activity against fungi C. albicans (MIC 625 µg ml(-1)), A. parasiticus (MIC 312.5 µg ml(-1)), A. sydowii (MIC 312.5 µg ml(-1)), T. rubrum (MIC 625 µg ml(-1)), Gram-positive bacteria B. subtilis (MIC 625 µg ml(-1)) and Gram-negative bacteria P. aeruginosa (MIC 312.5 µg ml(-1)), according to "Composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Heracleum thomsonii (Clarke) from the cold desert of the western Himalayas" by Guleria S, Saini R, Jaitak V, Kaul VK, Lal B, Rahi P, Gulati A, Singh B.(8)

9. Antioxidant and anticarcinogenic effects
In the evaluation of the efficacy of fennel seed methanolic extract (FSME), such as flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, phenols, and sterols; estragole (71.099%), gallic acid (18.895%), and L-limonene was the most prevalent monoterpene hydrocarbon (11.967%). for its antioxidant, cytotoxic, and antitumor activities and for its capacity to serve as a nontoxic radioprotector in Swiss albino mice, found that FSME may have remarkable anticancer potential against a breast cancer cell line (MCF7) and liver cancer cell line (Hepg-2). It also showed strong free radical-scavenging activity (100%). Thus, FSME may reduce oxidative stress and protect mouse cells from damage caused by reactive oxygen species. In addition, it could be used as a safe, effective, and easily accessible source of natural antioxidants to improve the oxidative stability of fatty foods during storage. FSME also exhibited an antitumor effect by modulating lipid peroxidation and augmenting the antioxidant defense system in EAC-bearing mice with or without exposure to radiation, according to "Antioxidant and anticarcinogenic effects of methanolic extract and volatile oil of fennel seeds (Foeniculum vulgare)" by Mohamad RH, El-Bastawesy AM, Abdel-Monem MG, Noor AM, Al-Mehdar HA, Sharawy SM, El-Merzabani MM.(9)

10. DNA protection and Anti tumors
In the assessment of the nutraceutical value of orange and lemon juices as well as two of their active compounds: hesperidin and limonene performed at three levels to evaluate different biological health promoter activities, found that Life-span experiments revealed that the lower concentrations of orange juice, hesperidin, and limonene exerted a positive influence on the life span of Drosophila. Finally all substances showed cytotoxic activity, with hesperidin being least active. Taking into account the safety, antigenotoxicity, longevity, and cytotoxicity data obtained in the different assays, orange juice may be a candidate as a nutraceutical food as it (1) is not genotoxic, (2) is able to protect DNA against free radicals, and (3) inhibits growth of tumor cells, according to "Role of citrus juices and distinctive components in the modulation of degenerative processes: genotoxicity, antigenotoxicity, cytotoxicity, and longevity in Drosophila" by Fernández-Bedmar Z, Anter J, de La Cruz-Ares S, Muñoz-Serrano A, Alonso-Moraga A, Pérez-Guisado J.(10)

Etc.
Chinese Secrets To Fatty Liver And Obesity Reversal
Use The Revolutionary Findings To Achieve
Optimal Health And Loose Weight

Super foods Library, Eat Yourself Healthy With The Best of the Best Nature Has to Offer

Back to Popular Herbs http://kylejnorton.blogspot.ca/p/popular-herbs.html
Back to Kyle J. Norton Home page http://kylejnorton.blogspot.ca

Sources
(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20625233
(2) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22349896
(3) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22318307
(4) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22275303
(5) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22260108
(6) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21936626
(7) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21931523
(8) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21854172
(9) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21812646
(10) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21707429

Phytochemicals in Foods - 8 Health Benefits of Campesterol

Campesterol is a phytochemincal in the class of Phytosterols, belonging to the group of Lipids, found abundantly in banana, pomegranate, pepper, coffee, grapefruit, cucumber, onion, oat, potato, etc.

Health benefits
1. Cardiovascular diseases
In the review of the studies published between January 1950 and April 2010 that reported either risk ratios (RR) of CVD in relation to serum sterol concentrations (either absolute or expressed as ratios relative to total cholesterol) or serum sterol concentrations in CVD cases and controls separately, indicated that 17 studies using different designs (four case-control, five nested case-control, three cohort, five cross-sectional) involving 11 182 participants. Eight studies reported RR of CVD and 15 studies reported serum concentrations in CVD cases and controls. Funnel plots showed evidence for publication bias indicating small unpublished studies with non-significant findings. Neither of our meta-analyses suggested any relationship between serum concentrations of sitosterol and campesterol (both absolute concentrations and ratios to cholesterol) and risk of CVD. Our systematic review and meta-analysis did not reveal any evidence of an association between serum concentrations of plant sterols and risk of CVD, according to "Plant sterols and cardiovascular disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis" by Genser B, Silbernagel G, De Backer G, Bruckert E, Carmena R, Chapman MJ, Deanfield J, Descamps OS, Rietzschel ER, Dias KC, März W.(1)

2. Cholesterol
In the investigation of Phytosterols (PSs),a group of plant derived steroid alcohols, with wide occurrence in vegetables and fruits, indicated that Structural resemblance of PSs with cholesterol enables them to displace low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the human intestine. Protective effects of PSs against cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), colon and breast cancer developments have been widely documented. Several reports have been published on the potential dietary intake of common PSs, such as β-sitosterol, stigmasterol and campesterol, and their safety concerns. Ability of PSs to reduce cholesterol levels and risks associated with heart problems has made them a class of favorite food supplement, according to "Phytosterols: perspectives in human nutrition and clinical therapy' by Choudhary SP, Tran LS.(2)

3. Weight loss
In the assessment of the effects of 2 y of weight loss achieved with various diet regimens on phytosterols (markers of intestinal cholesterol absorption), lanosterol (marker of de novo cholesterol synthesis), and changes in apolipoprotein concentrations, found that a significant upregulation of the markers of cholesterol absorption (campesterol: +16.8%, P < 0.001) and a downregulation of the markers of cholesterol synthesis (lanosterol: -16.5%, P = 0.008) during the active weight-loss phase (first 6 mo, weight loss of 5%, 6%, and 10% in the 3 diet groups, respectively), followed by a rebound (campesterol: -6.2%, P = 0.045; lanosterol: +43.7%, P < 0.001) during the next 18 mo (weight gain of 1%, 1%, and 2% in the 3 diet groups, respectively). HDL cholesterol continuously increased during the study (17.0%, P < 0.001), whereas LDL cholesterol remained constant. At the end of the 24-mo follow-up period, campesterol (P < 0.001) and lanosterol (P = 0.016) amounts were significantly higher than baseline values, according to "Effects of a 2-y dietary weight-loss intervention on cholesterol metabolism in moderately obese men" by Leichtle AB, Helmschrodt C, Ceglarek U, Shai I, Henkin Y, Schwarzfuchs D, Golan R, Gepner Y, Stampfer MJ, Blüher M, Stumvoll M, Thiery J, Fiedler GM.(3)

4. Anti cancers
In the investigation of extract of Typhonium giganteum Engl. (BaiFuzi) by GC-MS, including the four major components [β-sitosterol (40.22%), campesterol (18.45%), n-hexadecanoic acid (9.52%) and (Z,Z)-9,12-octadecadienoic acid (8.15%)] found that the extract caused down-regulation of Bcl-2 expression, and up-regulation of Bax expression. Moreover, caspase-3 and caspase-9 protease activity significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner. Collectively, our results showed that the SFE-CO(2) extract from T. giganteum Engl. tubers induces apoptosis in SMMC-7721 cells involving a ROS-mediated mitochondrial signalling pathway, according to "SFE-CO2 extract from Typhonium giganteum Engl. tubers, induces apoptosis in human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells involvement of a ROS-mediated mitochondrial pathway" by Li Q, Jiang C, Zu Y, Song Z, Zhang B, Meng X, Qiu W, Zhang L.(4)

5. Lung cancer
In the evaluation of the inhibitory effect of Typhonium blumei (Tb) extract on the viability of different cancer cells and the apoptotic effect of this extract on A549 lung cancer cells, indicated that dibutyl phthalate, α-linolenic acid, phytol, campesterol, stigmasterol and β-sitosterol were the major bioactive ingredients of Tb extract. Although all these compounds had good anti-proliferative effects on A549 cells, campesterol (IC(50)=2.2 μM for 24h treatment) and β-sitosterol (IC(50)=1.9 μM for 24h treatment) displayed the greatest inhibitory activity, according to "Typhonium blumei extract inhibits proliferation of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells via induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis" by
Hsu HF, Huang KH, Lu KJ, Chiou SJ, Yen JH, Chang CC, Houng JY.(5)

6. Cognitive effects
In the investigation of whether plant sterols in the brain are associated with alterations in brain cholesterol homeostasis and subsequently with brain functions, found that plant sterol accumulation resulted in decreased levels of desmosterol (P<0.01) and 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol (P<0.01) in the hippocampus, the brain region important for learning and memory functions, and increased lanosterol levels (P<0.01) in the cortex. However, Abcg5-/- and Abcg5+/+ displayed no differences in memory functions or in anxiety and mood related behavior. The swimming speed of the Abcg5-/- mice was slightly higher compared to Abcg5+/+ mice (P<0.001), according to "Cerebral accumulation of dietary derivable plant sterols does not interfere with memory and anxiety related behavior in Abcg5-/- mice" by Vanmierlo T, Rutten K, van Vark-van der Zee LC, Friedrichs S, Bloks VW, Blokland A, Ramaekers FC, Sijbrands E, Steinbusch H, Prickaerts J, Kuipers F, Lütjohann D, Mulder M.(6)

7. Antibacterial activity and mutagenicity
In the investigation of leaves of Alchornea triplinervia led to the isolation of the known substances quercetin, quercetin-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, quercetin-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, quercetin-3-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside, quercetin-3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside, amentoflavone, brevifolin carboxylic acid, gallic acid, and methyl gallate from the methanolic extract, and stigmasterol, campesterol, sitosterol, lupeol, friedelan-3-ol, and friedelan-3-one from the chloroform extract, found that the methanolic extract showed antibacterial activity and mutagenicity, and is promising activity against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 62.5 microg/mL) and was slightly mutagenic in vitro and in vivo at the highest concentrations tested (1335 mg/kg b.w.), according to "Phenolic compounds in leaves of Alchornea triplinervia: anatomical localization, mutagenicity, and antibacterial activity" by Calvo TR, Demarco D, Santos FV, Moraes HP, Bauab TM, Varanda EA, Cólus IM, Vilegas W.(7)

8. Weight loss, hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and LDL-apoB-100 metabolism
In a 16-week intervention trial of a hypocaloric, low-fat diet plus 10 mg/day ezetimibe (n = 15) versus a hypocaloric, low-fat diet alone (n = 10) on intrahepatic triglyceride (IHTG) content, plasma high sensitivity-C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), adipocytokines, and fetuin-A concentrations and apolipoprotein (apo)B-100 kinetics in obese subjects, found that compared with weight loss alone, ezetimibe plus weight loss significantly (all P < 0.05) decreased IHTG content (-18%), plasma hs-CRP (-53%), interleukin-6 (-24%), LDL cholesterol (-18%), campesterol (-59%), and apoB-100 (-14%) levels, with a significant increase in plasma lathosterol concentrations (+43%). The LDL-apoB-100 concentration also significantly fell with ezetimibe plus weight loss (-12%), chiefly owing to an increase in the corresponding fractional catabolic rate (+29%) and suggested that Addition of ezetimibe to a moderate weight loss diet in obese subjects can significantly improve hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and LDL-apoB-100 metabolism, according to "Effect of ezetimibe on hepatic fat, inflammatory markers, and apolipoprotein B-100 kinetics in insulin-resistant obese subjects on a weight loss diet" by Chan DC, Watts GF, Gan SK, Ooi EM, Barrett PH.(8)

9. Etc.
Chinese Secrets To Fatty Liver And Obesity Reversal
Use The Revolutionary Findings To Achieve
Optimal Health And Loose Weight

Super foods Library, Eat Yourself Healthy With The Best of the Best Nature Has to Offer

Back to Popular Herbs http://kylejnorton.blogspot.ca/p/popular-herbs.html
Back to Kyle J. Norton Home page http://kylejnorton.blogspot.ca
Sources
(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22334625
(2) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21864283
(3) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21940598
(4) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21959296
(5) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21470575
(6) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21431910
(7) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20839624
(8) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20185740

Phytochemicals in Foods - 10 Health Benefits of Stigmasterol

Stigmasterol is a phytochemincal in the class of Phytosterols, belonging to the group of Lipids, found abundantly in , legumes, nuts, seeds, unpasteurized milk, buckwheat. etc.

Health Benefits
1. Anti-osteoarthritic effects
In the investigation of the effects of stigmasterol, a plant sterol, on the inflammatory mediators and metalloproteinases produced by chondrocytes, found that stigmasterol inhibits several pro-inflammatory and matrix degradation mediators typically involved in OA-induced cartilage degradation, at least in part through the inhibition of the NF-kappaB pathway. These promising results justify further ex vivo and in vivo investigations with stigmasterol, according to "Stigmasterol: a phytosterol with potential anti-osteoarthritic properties" by Gabay O, Sanchez C, Salvat C, Chevy F, Breton M, Nourissat G, Wolf C, Jacques C, Berenbaum F.(1)

2. Cytotoxic and apoptotic effects
In the evaluation of the cytotoxic effects of the oxidized derivatives of β-sitosterol and determined that phytosterol oxidation products (POP) have a similar but less potent toxicity compared to their cholesterol equivalents, found that the antioxidants α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, and β-carotene did not protect against apoptosis induced by 7β-OH and diepoxide stigmasterol; however, α-tocopherol was found to protect against epoxydiol-induced apoptosis. The cellular antioxidant, glutathione, was depleted and the apoptotic protein, Bcl-2, was down-regulated by the stigmasterol oxides identified as apoptotic, according to "Cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of the oxidized derivatives of stigmasterol in the U937 human monocytic cell line" by O'Callaghan YC, Foley DA, O'Connell NM, McCarthy FO, Maguire AR, O'Brien NM.(2)

3. Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities
In the investigation of Phytochemical, antimicrobial and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH)-radical scavenging investigations of the hexane and EtOAc extracts of the stem bark of M. barteri for the first time, found that seven compounds, including two guanidine alkaloids: millaurine (2) and milletonine (7); one flavonoid: afzelin (6); four sterols: β-sitosterol (1), β-sitosterol glucoside (3), mixture of stigmasterol (4) and β-sitosterol (5) palmitates isolated from stem bark of hexane and ethyl acetate extracts of M. barteri. These extracts showed antimicrobial activity on the set of germs tested with minimum inhibitory concentration values varying from 64 to 512 µg/mL, as well as antioxidant activity (IC50 62.74 and 77.23 µg/mL), according to "Chemical constituents of Millettia barteri and their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities" by Havyarimana L, Ndendoung ST, Tamokou Jde D, Atchadé Ade T, Tanyi JM.(3)

4. Ameliorating effects
In the study of effects of stigmasterol on scopolamine-induced memory impairments using the passive avoidance and the Morris water maze tasks in mice, found that stigmasterol-induced cognitive ameliorative effects are mediated by the enhancement of cholinergic neurotransmission system via the activation of estrogen or NMDA receptors, according to "The ameliorating effects of stigmasterol on scopolamine-induced memory impairments in mice" by Park SJ, Kim DH, Jung JM, Kim JM, Cai M, Liu X, Hong JG, Lee CH, Lee KR, Ryu JH.(4)

5. Anti-snake venom activities
In the investigation of the anti-snake venom properties of callus of crude extracts of S. saponaria, found that Sapindus saponaria extracts (B and C) and fractions (A1 and A2) showed β-sitosterol and stigmasterol as their main compounds of presented anti-ophidian activity and could be used as an adjuvant to serum therapy or for its supplementation, and in addition, as a rich source of potential inhibitors of enzymes involved in several pathophysiological human and animal diseases, according to "Anti-snake venom activities of extracts and fractions from callus cultures of Sapindus saponaria" by da Silva ML, Marcussi S, Fernandes RS, Pereira PS, Januário AH, França SC, Da Silva SL, Soares AM, Lourenço MV.(5)

6. Birth control
In the investigation of stigmasterol derivative and the effects of petroleum ether extract of C. coromandelina (PECC) aerial parts on the onset of reproductive maturity and the ovarian steroidogenesis in immature female mice, found that the isolated compound was characterized as stigmasterol derivative. PECC treatment caused a remarkable delay (30.27 and 18.56%, respectively, by low dose) in sexual maturity compared to vehicle control as evidenced by the age of vaginal opening and appearance of first estrus (cornified smear). PECC treatment also caused a significant fall (58.6 and 50.0%, respectively, by low dose) in Δ(5)-3β-HSD and G 6-PDH activities involved in ovarian steroidogenesis compared to vehicle control. Total cholesterol and ascorbic acid content in ovaries and carbonic anhydrase activity in uterus were increased significantly (low dose by 49.3, 424.6 and 82.4%, respectively) along with a reduction in the weight of ovary, uterus and pituitary in comparison to that of control, according to "Fractionation of stigmasterol derivative and study of the effects of Celsia coromandelina aerial parts petroleum ether extract on appearance of puberty and ovarian steroidogenesis in immature mice" by Pal D, Mazumder UK, Gupta M.(6)

7. Antihyperlipidemic activity
In the determination of the Antihyperlipidemic activity of the methanol extract obtained from the fruits of the plant L. siceraria showed a positive Liebermann-Burchard test for sterols including fucosterol (1), racemosol (2), stigmasterol (3), and stigmasta-7,22-dien-3β,4β-diol (4), significant reductions in lipid profiles which included cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and VLDL. In addition, a significant increase in HDL cholesterol observed, which is a good cholesterol that protects hearts from coronary artery diseases, according to "Isolation of phytosterols and antihyperlipidemic activity of Lagenaria siceraria" by Kalsait RP, Khedekar PB, Saoji AN, Bhusari KP.(7)

8. Anti inflammatory effect
In the determination of three new labdane-type diterpenes 1-3, named coronarins G-I as well as seven known 4-10, coronarin D, coronarin D methyl ether, hedyforrestin C, (E)-nerolidol, β-sitosterol, daucosterol, and stigmasterol isolated from rhizomes of Hedychium coronarium used for the treatment of inflammation, skin diseases, headache, and sharp pain due to rheumatism in traditional medicine, showed inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in bone marrow-derived dendritic cells. Among of them, compounds 1, 2, and 6 were significant inhibitors of LPS-stimulated TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-12 p40 productions with IC(50) ranging from 0.19±0.11 to 10.38±2.34 μM, according to "Chemical constituents of the rhizomes of Hedychium coronarium and their inhibitory effect on the pro-inflammatory cytokines production LPS-stimulated in bone marrow-derived dendritic cells" by Kiem PV, Thuy NT, Anh Hle T, Nhiem NX, Minh CV, Yen PH, Ban NK, Hang DT, Tai BH, Tuyen NV, Mathema VB, Koh YS, Kim YH.(8)

9. Antioxidant and antigenotoxic properties
In the assessment of the antioxidant and antigenotoxic properties of Dichloromethane and methanol extracts isolated from from Marrubium deserti de Noé. Six of them were known compounds (a mixture of the isomers cyllenin A and 15-epi-cyllenin A, marrubiin, marrulactone, marrulibacetal and β-stigmasterol) and seven known phenolic compounds were also isolated: apigenin and several 7-O-substituted derivatives (apigenin-7-O-β-neohesperidoside, apigenin-7-O-glucoside, terniflorin and apigenin-7-O-glucuronide) together with two phenylethanoid glucosides (acteoside and forsythoside B) found that some of the isolated compounds like phenylethanoid derivatives showed stronger antioxidant capacity than trolox and were also able to significantly inhibit β-galactosidase induction caused by the mutagen agent nitrofurantoin, according to "Antioxidant and antigenotoxic properties of compounds isolated from Marrubium deserti de Noé" by Zaabat N, Hay AE, Michalet S, Darbour N, Bayet C, Skandrani I, Chekir-Ghedira L, Akkal S, Dijoux-Franca MG.(9)

10. Antibacterial effect
In the evaluation of the dichloromethane extract from Aristolochia brevipes (Rhizoma) and the compounds isolated from this extract against several mycobacterial strains, sensitive, resistant (monoresistant), and clinical isolates (multidrug-resistant), using the alamarBlue™ microassay,
the extract fractionated by column chromatography, yielding the following eight major compounds: (1) 6α-7-dehydro-N-formylnornantenine; (2) E/Z-N-formylnornantenine; (3) 7,9-dimethoxytariacuripyrone; (4) 9-methoxy-tariacuripyrone; (5) aristololactam I; (6) β-sitosterol; (7) stigmasterol; and (8) 3-hydroxy-α-terpineol showed that The most active compound against all mycobacterial strains tested was the compound aristolactam I (5), with MIC values ranging between 12.5 and 25 µg/mL. To our knowledge, this the first report of antimycobacterial activity in this plant, according to "Antibacterial activity of Aristolochia brevipes against multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis" by Navarro-García VM, Luna-Herrera J, Rojas-Bribiesca MG, Álvarez-Fitz P, Ríos MY.(10)

11. Etc.

Chinese Secrets To Fatty Liver And Obesity Reversal
Use The Revolutionary Findings To Achieve
Optimal Health And Loose Weight

Super foods Library, Eat Yourself Healthy With The Best of the Best Nature Has to Offer

Back to Popular Herbs http://kylejnorton.blogspot.ca/p/popular-herbs.html
Back to Kyle J. Norton Home page http://kylejnorton.blogspot.ca
Sources
(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19786147
(2) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20828195
(3) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22338120
(4) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22173129
(5) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22133075
(6) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22092072
(7) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22076759
(8) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22071304
(9) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21924316
(10) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21876482