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

Sunday, 9 July 2017

Herbal Therapy: Cat's claw, The best Whole Herb Medicine for Treatment of Breast Cancer

Recent study of prevention in experimental diabetes suggested that Uncaria tomentosa (Willd.) may be effective in reduced risk and treatment of breast cancer.

Hydroalcoholic extract of U. tomentosa is found to associate with reduction of accelerated tumor progression through many biological aspects.
Stusy of C57BL/6 male mice injected with MLDS (40 mg/kg) and orally treated with UT at 10-400mg/kg during 21 days, showed a higher number of intact islets and a significant inhibition of destructive insulitis, and significant protection against the loss of insulin-secreting presented β-cells.

The plant also expressed high level of modulation of the immune system. Immunomodulatory properties of medicinal plant showed to mitigate breast cancer cell growth, through immune cell types participate in the process especially cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells, and cytokines.
In MT-3 and MCF7 cell lines, U. tomentosa also exhibited antiproliferative, cytotoxic, cytostatic and anti-inflammatory activity as well as mutagenic and antimutagenic properties.

Dr. Baraya YS, the lead author said,"Curcuma longa were reported to hold strong potential in breast cancer treatment in various parts of the world. Interestingly, research findings have shown that these plants possess bioactive immunomodulators as their main constituents producing the anticancer effects".

Furthermore, in vitro, immunomodulatory effects of an Uncaria tomentosa hydroalcoholic extract exhibited anti breast cancer effect by increased the production of cytokines related with anti-tumoral response at concentrations of 500-1000 μg/mL.

In a randomized clinical trial of treatment for breast caner, Uncaria tomentosa (Ut) not only reduced the adverse effects of chemotherapy but also enhanced immunological parameters, antioxidant enzymes, and attenuated oxidative stress cause of cellular DNA damage.

The herbal plant, Cat's claw has shown it effects in treatment of breast cancer through many aspects, but the use of the plant must be only given by herbalists, as the quality and quantity may be difference due to geography, time of harvest and where the plant was grown.

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Sources
(1) Uncaria tomentosa extract alters the catabolism of adenine nucleotides and expression of ecto-5'-nucleotidase/CD73 and P2X7 and A1 receptors in the MDA-MB-231 cell line. by Santos KF1, Gutierres JM2, Pillat MM3, Rissi VB4, Santos Araújo MD5, Bertol G6, Gonçalves PB4, Schetinger MR2, Morsch VM7(PubMed)
(2) The Immunomodulatory Potential of Selected Bioactive Plant-Based Compounds in Breast Cancer: A Review by Baraya YS1, Wong KK2, Yaacob NS3(PubMed).
(3) [Immunomodulation of Uncaria tomentosa over dendritic cells, il-12 and profile TH1/TH2/TH17 in breast cancer].[Article in Spanish]by Núñez C1, Lozada-Requena I1, Ysmodes T1, Zegarra D1, Saldaña F1, Aguilar J1.(PubMed)
(4) Uncaria tomentosa-Adjuvant Treatment for Breast Cancer: Clinical Trial by Santos Araújo Mdo C1, Farias IL, Gutierres J, Dalmora SL, Flores N, Farias J, de Cruz I, Chiesa J, Morsch VM, Chitolina Schetinger MR.(PubMed)
(5) Cytotoxic effect of the pentacyclic oxindole alkaloid mitraphylline isolated from Uncaria tomentosa bark on human Ewing's sarcoma and breast cancer cell lines by García Giménez D1, García Prado E, Sáenz Rodríguez T, Fernández Arche A, De la Puerta R.(PubMed)
(6) The antiproliferative effects of Uncaria tomentosa extracts and fractions on the growth of breast cancer cell line by Riva L1, Coradini D, Di Fronzo G, De Feo V, De Tommasi N, De Simone F, Pizza C.(PubMed)

Saturday, 8 July 2017

Food Therapy: Cruciferous Vegetable, the Best Detoxified Natural Whole Food

According to the University of Pittsburgh, the phytpchemical phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) reduced level of benzene by 24.6% (P = 0.002), and acrolein by 15.1%, but had no effect on crotonaldehyde, in the study of 82 cigarette smokers.

Detoxification is the process of removing toxic or harmful substances from our body.

Cruciferous vegetables are the group of vegetables belonging to the family Brassicaceae, including cauliflower, cabbage, cress, bok-choy, broccoli etc.

A randomized phase II clinical trial with a crossover design conducted to evaluate the effect of 2-phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), against toxin in cigarette smokers, suggested that 2-Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) treated mice showed a reduced metabolic activation of NNK by 7.7%.
NNK is a tobacco carcinogen, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone found to induce lung cancer.

In support of the detoxified effect of cruciferous vegetables against body toxins, isothiocyanates from cruciferous vegetables showed to promoted Nrf2, a protein in regulated the expression of antioxidant proteins in protected cells against oxidative damage, induced production of cytoprotection by detoxification mechanisms, and excretion of both harmful substances and toxic metals.

Furthermore, in Hepa1c1c7 murine hepatoma cells study of the induction of detoxification enzymes by benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) and its synthetic N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) conjugate (NAC-BITC), Dr. Hwang ES said, "BITC and NAC-BITC inhibited Hepa1c1c7 cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. Cell growth was 4.5~57.2% lower in Hepa1c1c7 cells treated with 0.1~10 μM BITC than in control-treated Hepa1c1c7 cells."

Taking together, there is no doubt that cruciferous vegetables having a strong effect in reduced the accumulation of toxic chemicals in the body, particular in cigarette smokers. But further larger sample size and multiple studies are necessary to confirm its viability.

Food Therapy: Cabbage Leaf, the Best Natural Whole Food in Treating Breast Engorgement

Cruciferous vegetables are the group of vegetables belonging to the family Brassicaceae, including cauliflower, cabbage, cress, bok choy, broccoli etc.

Breast engorgement is a condition of painful breasts caused by overfull of milk, leading to breast swollen in affect of baby feeding and inducing premature weaning, cracked nipples, mastitis. and breast abscess.

According to the joint study lead by the Eulji University Daejeon, of primiparous women after cesarean birth, cabbage compression early breast care (CCEBC) is more effective in relieving breast pain and breast hardness compared group treated with early breast care (EBC) and general nursing breast care (GNBC) alone.

In the review of 4 studies: one RCT and two quasi-randomised studies and one quasi-experimental study, Dr. Boi B, the lead author of the study wrote, " Overall results showed that cabbage leaf treatment used on women with breast engorgement did reduce pain, the hardness of the engorged breasts and increased the duration of breast feeding" and " Cabbage leaf may be useful in the treatment of breast engorgement".

Furthermore, in the comparison of cabbage leaves vs hot and cold compresses, the College of Nursing in AIIMS, New Delhi.suggested that both treatments are effective in decreasing breast engorgement and pain in post-natal mothers.

In support of the above, a double-blind experiment with 21 participants received a cream containing cabbage leaf extract, and 18 received placebo cream, both groups experience of equal pain relief. Mothers perceived that both creams to be effective in relieving discomfort.

Although cabbage leaves may have a potency for treatment of breast engorgement, some researchers believe, feeding the baby still be best application on relieving pain and decreasing tissue hardness.

Friday, 7 July 2017

Herbal Therapy: Cat's Claw, the Best Whole Herb medicine for Treatment of Type I Diabetes

Progression of immune-mediated diabetes or Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a chronic T cell-mediated disease resulting from autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta-cells.

Recent study suggested that Cat's Claw may be effective for treatment of diabetes induced by Th1/Th2 (T cell) cytokine production.

In vivo, immunotoxicity testing, BALB/c male mice treated once a day with 125, 500 or 1250 mg/kg of U. tomentosa extract for 28 days, increased the number of T helper lymphocytes and B lymphocytes. The whole herb medicine also significantly exerted a large stimulatory effect on lymphocyte(a form of small white blood cell) viability.

Other study involved C57BL/6 male mice injected with MLDS (40 mg/kg) orally treated with UT at 10-400mg/kg during 21 days, showed to express a significant protection against the loss of insulin-secreting presented β-cells, through modulated the production of two helper T cell classes, known as Th1 and Th2, with increased levels of type-2 T helper cells and mast cells, known as IL-5 and the protein regulated activities of white blood cells known as IL-2.

Further linking Interleukin-2 effected on type I diabetes, the study of Interleukin-2 and type 1 diabetes and several autoimmune diseases suggested that depended on interleukin-2 (IL-2) in proliferating and controlling the T effector cells (Teff) reaction, low dose IL-2 treatment at the initial time of diabetes can rescue insulin secretion by restoring proteins expression.

Dr. Rosenzwajg M, the lead author said, " Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a major role in controlling effector T cells (Teffs) responding to self-antigens, which cause autoimmune diseases.,....and expanding/activating Tregs with low-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) could provide immunoregulation without immunosuppression"

Cat's Claw may be effective in protein regulated activities of white blood cells, known as IL-2 through improvement of immune function in induced immunosuppression cause of Type I diabetes, but the quantity intake should only be prescribed by professional herbalist to prevent toxicity.

Herbal Therapy: Cinnamon - The Best Whole Food Medicine for Anti Microbial infection

Essential oil found from cinnamomum zeylanicum, in the influenza and postinfluenza bacterial pneumonia infections resisted conventional antimicrobial agents, inhibited effectively against H1N1 and HSV1 viruses.

According to the study by the Kings and St Thomas's Hospital, natural essential oils extracted from cinnamon expressed antimicrobial activity among three oils against Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus aureus , Aspergillus oryzae , and Penicillium digitatum.

Cinnamon is a spice derived from the inner bark of tree, native to South East Asia, of over 300 species of the genus Cinnamomum, belonging to the familyLauraceae, use in herbal and traditional medicine as anti-fungal and bacteria level, to improve reproductive organ, prevent flatulence and intestinal cramping, and to treat indigestion, diarrhea, bad breath, headache, migraine, etc.

Dr. Liu Q, the lead author at the Liu Q, said," cinnamon,... possessed significant antibacterial and antifungal activities against food spoilage bacteria like Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorescens, pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus, harmful fungi like Aspergillus flavus".

In vitro, trans-cinnamaldehyde showed to inhibit Clostridium difficile infection to the spore-forming bacterium.

Cinnamon and its essential oil may be the natural agent in use for prevention and treatment of microbial infection. Intake of whole herb and supplement should be taken with care. Overdoses have seen to induce toxicity.

Thursday, 6 July 2017

Food Therapy: Cruciferous Vegetables, the Best Natural Whole Food in Reduced risk of Diabetic Vascular Complications

Kyle J. Norton, Master of Nutrients
Health article writer and researcher; Over 10.000 articles and research papers have been written and published on line, including world wide health, ezine articles, article base, healthblogs, selfgrowth, best before it's news, the karate GB daily, etc.,.
Named TOP 50 MEDICAL ESSAYS FOR ARTISTS & AUTHORS TO READ by Disilgold.com Named 50 of the best health Tweeters Canada - Huffington Post
Nominated for shorty award over last 4 years
Some articles have been used as references in medical research, such as international journal Pharma and Bio science, ISSN 0975-6299.

Whole food(herbal medicine) used as medical treatment, linking health benefits in prevention, management and treatment of diseases has induced much interests in today renowned scientists.
But many researchers have raised question of herbal quality, because geographic differences, time of grown and harvest, etc. may effect their's potency. I do believe, these questions can only be answered by experience herbalists.

Diabetic vascular complications are caused by diverse group of highly oxidant compounds(advanced glycation end(AGEs) produced by modern heat-processed diet, inducing pathogenic significance in diabetes and several other chronic diseases.

Diabetes is a condition caused by insufficient insulin entering the bloodstream to regulate the glucose. It is either caused by cells in pancreas dying off or receptor sites clogged up by fat and cholesterol. In some cases, diabetes is also caused by allergic reactions of cells in the immune system.
Its complications may include renal failure and cardiovascular events.

Intake of Cruciferous Vegetables regularly may be beneficiary in reduced risk of diabetic vascular complications.

Cruciferous vegetables are the group of vegetables belonging to the family Brassicaceae, including cauliflower, cabbage, cress, bok choy, broccoli etc.

Dr, Yamagishi S, the lead author said, " the Inhibition of AGE formation, blockade of the AGE-RAGE interaction, and suppression of RAGE expression or its downstream pathways may be novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of vascular complications in diabetes"

Some researchers insisted that diabetic vascular complications may be blocked if food-advanced glycation end products aggravate the diabetic vascular complications via modulating the RAGE receptors in removal of AGE.

According to the Kurume University School of Medicine, sulphoraphane, a phytochemical compound found in cruciferous vegetables showed a potential effect against diabetic vascular complications, through its interference of pro inflammatory reaction, reduction of oxidate stress.

In cultured cells and experimental animals, sulforaphane suppressed inflammatory activation of vascular cells, induced potential beneficial effects to prevent vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis complication of diabetics.

Therefore, intake of Cruciferous Vegetables may reduce risk of diabetic vascular complication as sulphoraphane, a phytochemical compound in cruciferous vegetables not only inhibited the levels of advanced glycation end but also enhanced the production of Nrf2 in controlling of over 500 genes expression of cellular defense mechanisms.

Herbal Therapy: Chamomile, the Natural Whole Herb Medicine for Reduced Risk and Treatment of Gastric Ulcers

Scientists from the respectable institution may have found an ingredient from herbal chamomile for treatment of Gastric ulcers with little or no side effects.

According to the King Khalid University, in ethanol induced Gastric ulcers, Chamomilla recutita (ACE), exhibited the expression of antioxidant glutathione in regulation of the herbal mediated effect on gastric ulcer.

Dr. Al-Hashem FH, the author of the study, said," Compared to non-ACE treated rats, the ulcer index (UI) decreased significantly in a dose-dependent manner in treated animals" and " glutathione(GSH) levels fell significantly after ethanol treatment; this decrease was prevented by ACE treatment".

Gastric ulcer, a type of peptic ulcer is a condition of a localized tissue erosion in the lining the stomach, inducing symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating, septic shock, Dyspepsia, Blood in stool, bleeding, etc.

Chamomile is also known as camomile, common name of many species daisy-like plants in the family Asteraceae, used in traditional medicine as antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory constituents and to treat menstrual cramps and sleep disorders, reduce cramping and spastic pain in the bowels, relieve excessive gas and bloating in the intestine, etc.

The herbal medicine Alpha-bisabolol, a bioactive component, in animal study also inhibited gastric mucosal damage. Oral doses of 50 and 100 mg=kg markedly attenuated the gastric lesions induced by ethanol to the extent of 87% and 96% in activation of cellular metabolism.

Furthermore, the commercial preparation (STW 5, Iberogast), containing the extracts of bitter candy tuft, lemon balm leaf, chamomileflower, caraway fruit, peppermint leaf, liquorice root, Angelica root, milk thistle fruit and greater celandine herb, tested in patients with gastric ulcer, not only lower the gastric acidity, but also inhibited the secondary hyperacidity.

In ethanol-induced acute gastric mucosal injury in rats, Matricaria chamomilla L. (Compositae) hydroalcoholic extract (MCE) exerted a protective effect against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal lesions, depending upon the reduction in lipid peroxidation and augmentation in antioxidant activity. Dr. Cemek M, the lead researcher at the Afyon Kocatepe University suggested.

There is no doubt that chamomile and combination of chamomile with other herbal medicines are found to express gastrointestinal effects in reduced risk and treatment of gastric ulcer. But effective doses should only be prescribed by herbalist to prevent toxicity.