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

Tuesday, 1 August 2017

Food Therapy: Asparagus, the Antioxidant Natural Whole Food

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.

Asparagus, one the miracle food is found to process significant antioxidant effects in enhancing immune system fighting against forming of free radicals and foreign invasion.

Antioxidant is a molecule inhibited oxidative free radicals before they can cause any damage to the host, through domino's activities.

According to the joint study lead by the National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, extracts of Asparagus cochinchinensis (AC) exhibited anti-inflammatory effects by inhibited H2O2-induced cell death in cultured cortical neurons in protection against the free radical causes of depressant and neuro cells apoptosis.

Asparagus is a flowering plant belong to species the genus Asparagus, native to the western coasts of northern Spain, north to Ireland, Great Britain, and northwest Germany, northern Africa and western Asia, used from early times as a vegetable and medicine, because of its delicate flavour and diuretic properties.

Dr. Lee JW1, the lead researcher suggested, these effects appear to be associated with activation of the Shp-2, antibody and ErK1/2 Akt and Akt pathways involved the cell apoptosis, cell proliferation.

The study of four fractions viz. methanol (MF), ethyl acetate (EF), n-Butanol (BF), and precipitated aqueous (PAF) of A.racemosus root also found that the constituents exerted significantly antioxidant properties in inhibition of free radicals by raising serum antioxidant enzymes such as. superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione and catalase.

The 4 faction also induced hepaprotective activity through inhibition of the formation of lipid peroxides in the liver of rats pretreated with the extracts.

Furthermore, in a total of 80 Kun Ming mice randomly divided into four groups (20/group), the mice in the control group received a daily subcutaneous injection of saline; A daily injection of D-galactose administered to the aging model group, the vitamin C (Vc) group (positive control group), and the extract treatment group, group with extract treatment, the aqueous extract of A. cochinchinensis (Lour.) Merr. increased antioxidant effects of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, and reduced the MDA content, a marker for oxidative stress (p < 0.05), in compared with other groups.

In vivo and in vitro, Dr, Lei L the lead author of the study said, " The aqueous extract of A. cochinchinensis (Lour.) Merr. shoot, had a strong radical scavenging capability in vivo and in vitro, and might be used to diminish radicals in the body and consequently prevent aging".

In fact, the efficacy of asparagus, probably is due to the presence of abundant phytichemicals flavonoids, phenolics and best antioxidant potential among different fractions of crude methanol extract such as catechin, caffeic acid, rutin, myricetin and quercetin, according to the Quaid-i-Azam University.

There is no doubt that asparagus may be the best antioxidant whole food used to improve immune system against the free radical cause of diseases. People with weaken immunity due to aging should add a portion of asparagus into their diet.

Arthritis Is Curable
You Can Eliminate Osteoarthritis
By addressing the Underlying Causes through Clinical Trials and Studies

Ovarian Cysts And PCOS Elimination
Holistic System In Existence That Will Show You How To
Permanently Eliminate All Types of Ovarian Cysts Within 2 Months

Super foods Library, Eat Yourself Healthy With The Best of the Best Nature Has to Offer recommended by Kyle J. Norton

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

Sources
(1) Bioactive compounds, antioxidant and binding activities and spear yield of Asparagus officinalis L. by Lee JW1, Lee JH, Yu IH, Gorinstein S, Bae JH, Ku YG.(PubMed)
(2) Antioxidant and hepatoprotective action of Asparagus racemosus Willd. root extracts by Acharya SR1, Acharya NS, Bhangale JO, Shah SK, Pandya SS.(PubMed)
(3) The antioxidant effect of Asparagus cochinchinensis (Lour.) Merr. shoot in D-galactose induced mice aging model and in vitro by Lei L1, Ou L2, Yu X3.(PubMed)
(4) HPLC-DAD analysis, antioxidant potential and anti-urease activity of Asparagusgracilis collected from District Islamabad by Shah NA, Khan MR1, Sattar S, Ahmad B, Mirza B.(PubMed)

Monday, 31 July 2017

Food Therapy: Kidney Beans Uncooked May Induce Gastrointestinal Dysfunction

Kidney bean is popular food, with kidney shape, strong flavor and color in reddish brown in nature, used often as an excellent dietary selection because of enormous health benefits with a good source of protein and minerals.

Raw or undercooked kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) may cause chronic indigestion inducing functional permutation in various gastrointestinal tissues, a study by renowned institutes suggested.

In 20 young male rats randomly divided into two groups of 10 rats, the first group served as the control and gavaged with 300 mg of a rodent pellet flour suspension (RPFS)anf the second experimental group challenged with 300 mg of a Beldia bean flour suspension (BBFS) for 10 days, group fed with white kidney bead suspension demonstrated intestinal alterations characterized by abnormal of shaggy hair. tiny hairlike folds in the plasma membrane that extend from the surface of many absorptive or secretory cells with short and dense or long and slender features.

Dr. Nciri N the lead author also found that group fed with 300 mg of a Beldia bean flour suspension (BBFS) also experience the distorted function of jejunum and disturbed hydroelectrolytic balancing.
Also in the same study groups, oral intake of beldia bean flour suspension (BBFS) group exhibited increased levels of phytohemagglutinins (PHAs), a toxic protein found in extracted from the kidney bean in interaction with a mucous membrane in the small intestine.

The presence of immunogenic intraluminal PHAs was found within 3-4 h after the oral intake of the BBFS.

The interaction of the toxic compound with a mucous membrane in the small intestine, may be potentially resulting in an inflammatory response, inducing digestive dysfunction.

Dr. Torres-Pinedo R. not the researcher in the above study said, "Lectins( found abaundantly in kidney bean) are contained in significant amounts in a great variety of products ingested in the human diet. This, and the demonstration of their harmful effects on intestinal epithelium in rodents, indicate a need for investigation of potential adverse actions of lectins on human intestine".

Truly, there is no doubt that raw and under-cooked kidney bean can contain certain toxic chemical compounds, which interfere with the digestive function, causing chronic digestion and in some cases serve intoxication.

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

Sources
(1) Effect of White Kidney Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L. var. Beldia) on Small Intestine Morphology and Function in Wistar Rats BY Nciri N1,2,3, Cho N3, Bergaoui N1, El Mhamdi F1, Ben Ammar A4, Trabelsi N5, Zekri S1, Guémira F5, Ben Mansour A1, Sassi FH1, Ben Aissa-Fennira F1.(PubMed)
(2) Identification and Characterization of Phytohemagglutinins from White Kidney Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L., var. Beldia) in the Rat Small Intestine by Nciri N1,2,3, Cho N3, El Mhamdi F1, Ben Mansour A1, Haj Sassi F1, Ben Aissa-Fennira F1.(PubMed)
(4) Lectins and the intestine by Torres-Pinedo R.(PubMed)

Herbal Therapy, Chaste tree berry, The Whole Herb Medicine for Treatment of Hyperprolactinemia Associated to Premenstrual Syndrome

Chaste tree berry is a species of Vitex agnus-castus, genus Vitex, belonging to the family Lamiaceae, native to the Mediterranean region, used in herbal medicine for thousands of year as anaphrodisiac herb and considered as Queen herb in treating menstrual problems and discomforts.

Hyperprolactinemia is a condition of elevated serum of prolactine which is the hormone in regulated
breast development and lactation during puberty and pregnancy, respectively.

High levels of procltine has been found to associate to elevated symptoms in premenstrual syndrome women. Administration of herbal Chaste tree berry may ease the symptoms and treatment of in mild and serve cases of PMS.

According to the Second Military Medical University, in the induced hyperprolactinemia SD rat models by administration of metoclopramide dihydrochloride (50 mg/kg, tid, ip, for 10 d), injection of casticin, a flavonoid isolated from Vitex rotundifolia in treatment group, exhibited the reduction of (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg, ip, for 7 d) serum prolactin levels by 33.9%, 54.3%, and 64.7%,.compared untreated control group.

Dr. YE Q, the lead author in the study said, casticin ameliorated the stimulation of pituitary cells with 17β-Estradiol (E2), a female sex hormone in prolactin secretion..

The study also found that casticin at doses of 0.1, 1, and 10 micromol/L, significantly inhibited the prolactin release stimulated by 17β-Estradiol (E2) in a concentration-dependent manner., through regulating the DNA expression of estrogen receptors in activated sex hormone for secretion of porclatin.

In the review of pharmacology and clinical indications of the effectiveness of chaste tree berry in PMS women. the University of Göttingen found that

1. The herbal extract consisted a beneficially influence in most common premenstrual symptoms, indicated by a double-blind placebo-controlled studies.
2. Numerous less rigidly controlled studies indicated that AC extracts reduced premenstrual mastodynia through inhibiting levels of proclatin through suppressed the stimulation of the mammary gland in response to stressful situations and during deep sleep phases.

Dr. Wuttke W said" The search for the chemical identity of the dopaminergic compounds resulted in isolation of a number of diterpenes of which some clerodadienols were most important for the prolactin-suppressive effects" and "dopaminergic compounds present in Vitex agnus castus are clinically the important compounds which improve premenstrual mastodynia and possibly also other symptoms of the premenstrual syndrome".

Taking together, Chaste tree berry may be beneficiary in reduced symptoms for women with PMS during the menstrual cycle, especially in hyperprolactinemia induced premenstrual breast pain and discomfort.

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

Sources
(1) Casticin, a flavonoid isolated from Vitex rotundifolia, inhibits prolactin release in vivo and in vitro by YE Q1, ZHANG QY, ZHENG CJ, WANG Y, QIN LP.(PubMed)
(2) Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus)--pharmacology and clinical indications by Wuttke W1, Jarry H, Christoffel V, Spengler B, Seidlová-Wuttke D.(PubMed)

Sunday, 30 July 2017

Herbal Therapy: Aloe Vera, the Anti Constipation Natural Whole Food Medicine

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.

The use of plants for healing purposes have been predated long before the existence of modern medicine. Herbal plants have formed a fundamental sources for conventional medicine in discovery of single ingredient medication, including aspirin (from willow bark), quinine (from cinchona bark), and morphine (from the opium poppy)......

Recent study suggested that Aloe Vera may process an anti constipation effect, through the expression of improved intestinal motility, increased fecal volume and normalized body weight.

Aloe Vera is species of succulent plant in the genus Aloe, belonging to the Family Xanthorrhoeaceae, native to Sudan. It has become very popular for commercial cultivation due to its health benefits. Aloe Vera has been used in herbal medicine in treating many kinds of disease, including wound, burn healing, minor skin infections, sebaceous cysts, diabetes, and elevated of cholesterol, etc.
Constipation is a condition in difficulty in emptying the bowels, in most case associated with hardened feces.

According to the University of Fort Hare, in a constipation condition induced by oral administration of loperamide (3 mg/kg body weight) in comparison of control rats received normal saline, intake of aqueous leaf extract of Aloe ferox Mill. with 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight/day or 7 days improved laxative property with the best efficacy in 200 mg/kg body weight.

Dr. Wintola OA, the lead researcher said, "The effect of the extract compares favourably well with senokot, a standard laxative drug. These findings have therefore, lent scientific credence to the folkloric use of the herb as a laxative agent.."

Addition to the above, also in loperamide-induced constipated rats, intake of aqueous extract of Aloe ferox Mill. showed no toxicity to the kidney and liver even with of highest doses of 200 mg/kg body weight for 7 days. The study also insisted that extract is very effective in compared favourably with senokot, a recommended drug for the treatment of constipation.

Taking together, even though living with constipation is an irritable and uncomfortable experience but the use of herbal medicine in treatment of constipation should be taken with care. People should start with small doses and increase the amount gradually.

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

Sources
(1) The effect of Aloe ferox Mill. in the treatment of loperamide-induced constipationin Wistar rats by Wintola OA1, Sunmonu TO, Afolayan AJ.(PubMed)
(2) A qualitative study of quality of life and the experience of complementary and alternative medicine in Korean women with constipation by Lee EJ1, Warden S.(PubMed)
(3) Toxicological evaluation of aqueous extract of Aloe ferox Mill. in loperamide-induced constipated rats by Wintola OA1, Sunmonu TO, Afolayan AJ.(PubMed)

Food Therapy: Cruciferous Vegetables, the Best Natural Whole Food Medicine for Reduced risk of Inflammation in Adult with Gene GSTT1

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

In a randomized controlled trial in healthy young adults, isothiocyanates found in cruciferous vegetable, exhibited anti inflammatory effects through altered serum concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, C-reactive protein (CRP)), in increased increases in the presence of inflammation in the body tumor, and necrosis factor (TNF) α,, involved in systemic inflammation.

Intake of Cruciferous Vegetables has shown to reduced the circulation of proinflammatory cytokins, namely IL-6 through inhibited the expression of abnornal function of gene Glutathione S-Transferase Theta 1(GSTT1) metabolism in lower the levels of glutathione, the anioxidant with anti inflammatory properties.

Dr. Navarro SL, the lead researchers said, " IL-6 concentrations were significantly lower on day 14 of (the double-dose cruciferous) (2xC) and (cruciferous plus apiaceous (carrot family) 1xC+A diets than with the basal diet,...respectively]" and " Twenty-four-hour urinary isothiocyanate excretion was not associated with any of the inflammation markers overall; however, IL-6 was inversely associated with total isothiocyanate excretion in GSTM1".

In support of the above study, isothiocyanates (ITC) from cruciferous vegetable showed to increase levels of serum of Glutathione S-transferases (GST), the enzymes that detoxify a broad range of free radicals in reduced risk of inflammation, particularly in GSTM1-null women.

Furthermore, the phytochemical also increased GSTA1/2, the antioxidant enzyme in GSTM1-null/GSTT1-null men.

Taking altogether, intake of Cruciferous Vegetables regularly is associated to lower the effect of proinflammatory cytokins, particular to adult with gene GSTT1.

Arthritis Is Curable
You Can Eliminate Osteoarthritis
By addressing the Underlying Causes through Clinical Trials and Studies

Ovarian Cysts And PCOS Elimination
Holistic System In Existence That Will Show You How To
Permanently Eliminate All Types of Ovarian Cysts Within 2 Months

Super foods Library, Eat Yourself Healthy With The Best of the Best Nature Has to Offer recommended by Kyle J. Norton

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

Sources
(1) Cruciferous vegetables have variable effects on biomarkers of systemic inflammation in a randomized controlled trial in healthy young adults by Navarro SL1, Schwarz Y2, Song X2, Wang CY2, Chen C2, Trudo SP3, Kristal AR2, Kratz M2, Eaton DL4, Lampe JW2.(PubMed)
(2) Modulation of human serum glutathione S-transferase A1/2 concentration by cruciferous vegetables in a controlled feeding study is influenced by GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes by Navarro SL1, Chang JL, Peterson S, Chen C, King IB, Schwarz Y, Li SS, Li L, Potter JD, Lampe JW.(PubMed)

Saturday, 29 July 2017

Herbal Therapy: Chamomile, the Antimicrobial Whole Herb Medicine in Accelerated Wound Healing

Chamomile, exerted its biotic property in accelerated the progression of wound healing by inhibiting Pseudomonas aeruginosa, in vivo.

According to the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, treatment of 5% C. nobile ointment extract from chamomile in rat wounds infected induced by P. aeruginosa, was more effective in expression of antibacterial and wound healing activities in comparison to tetracycline, the antibiotic medicine.

The chamomile noble, in the Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation isolated from wound infections, also showed a remarkable inhibitory concentration of 6.25-25mg/ml.

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.

Dr. Kazemian H. the lead research at the joint study said, " C. nobile may play an important role in its antibacterial activity, thus offering an additional strategy in the fight against bacterial infections. and "However, molecular investigation is required to explore the exact mechanisms of the antibacterial action and functions of this phytocompound".

Furthermore, in the testing of the effect of chamomile compounds in several models of toxicity (acute toxicity against Artemia salina and cytotoxicity against two cell lines (fibroblast and melanoma)), researchers suggested that these compounds showed low to moderate activity in all tests of acetylcholinesterase inhibitory and antibacterial activities.

And the intake of these compounds in naturally available amounts, on their own, would probably not represent a risk to human health but the possible adverse interactions with the plant matrix should not be neglected.

Therefore, people who intent to use chamomile for reduced risk and treatment of various diseases should be cautious to prevent overdoses' toxicity.

Arthritis Is Curable
You Can Eliminate Osteoarthritis
By addressing the Underlying Causes through Clinical Trials and Studies

Ovarian Cysts And PCOS Elimination
Holistic System In Existence That Will Show You How To
Permanently Eliminate All Types of Ovarian Cysts Within 2 Months

Super foods Library, Eat Yourself Healthy With The Best of the Best Nature Has to Offer recommended by Kyle J. Norton

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

Sources
(1) In vivo antibacterial and wound healing activities of Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) by Kazemian H, Ghafourian S, Sadeghifard N, Badakhsh B, Heidari H1, Taji A, Shavalipour A, Mohebi R, Ebrahim-Saraie HS, Houri H, Houshmandfar R.(PubMed)
(2) Antibacterial, anti-swarming and anti-biofilm formation activities of Chamaemelum nobile against Pseudomonas aeruginosa by Kazemian H1, Ghafourian S1, Heidari H2, Amiri P3, Yamchi JK4, Shavalipour A3, Houri H3, Maleki A1, Sadeghifard N1.(PubMed)
(3) Toxic essential oils. Part III: identification and biological activity of new allylmethoxyphenyl esters from a Chamomile species (Anthemis segetalis Ten.) by Radulović NS1, Mladenović MZ, Blagojević PD, Stojanović-Radić ZZ, Ilic-Tomic T, Senerovic L, Nikodinovic-Runic J.(PubMed)

Herbal Therapy: Alfalfa, the Anti-inflammatory Natural Whole Food

Alfalfa is a flowering plant in the genus Medicago, belonging to the family Fabaceae, cultivated all over the world as hay for cattle feeding, and used in traditional medicine over thousands of year to treat high cholesterol, asthma, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, enhanced digestive system, bleeding disorder, kidney and urinary tract infection, etc.
North American aboriginals have used Alfalfa seed as food in making bread and mush.

Inflammation is the natural response of immune system in regulated the production of white blood cells for protection against foreign organisms.

Alfalfa expressed significant anti-inflammatory effect through inhibited production of proinflammatory cytokins during injure, foreign invasion and free radical domino's action, etc....

According to the University of Maryland, novel pectic polysaccharide from alfalfa(Medicago sativa L.) stem, showed significant anti-inflammatory effect against mRNA expressions of the pro-inflammatory cytokine genes, especially for IL-1β antibody.

The chloroform extract of alfalfa aerial part also is found to inhibit the function of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Gram-negative bacteria in stimulated immune responses in induced inflammation and suppressed LPS-mediated activation of the extracellular signal-regulated the proinflammatory and prothrombotic responses of nuclear factor kappa-B pathway.

The cinnamic acid derivatives and fatty acids active constituents of the extract have also been found to be effective in ameliorated inflammation and immune response through inhibition of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) all involved in the development of inflammatory diseases.

Taking together, Alfalfa no doubt has processed an anti inflammatory effects by inhibited free radicals, proinflammatory cytokins and hormone involved the development of inflammatory and auto immune diseases.

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

Sources
(1) Structural, thermal, and anti-inflammatory properties of a novel pectic polysaccharide from alfalfa(Medicago sativa L.) stem by Chen L, Liu J, Zhang Y, Dai B, An Y, Yu LL1.(PubMed)
(2) Chloroform extract of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation by downregulating ERK/NF-κB signaling and cytokine production by Choi KC1, Hwang JM, Bang SJ, Kim BT, Kim DH, Chae M, Lee SA, Choi GJ, Kim DH, Lee JC.(PubMed)
(3) Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Cinnamomum cassiaConstituents In Vitro and In Viv by Jung-Chun Liao,1 Jeng-Shyan Deng,2 Chuan-Sung Chiu,3,4(HindaWi)