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

Saturday, 13 October 2018

Chaste tree berry, The Herbal Remedy Which Blocks the Onset of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), Scientists Show

By Kyle J. Norton, Master of Nutrients

The use of plants for healing purposes have been predated long before the existence of modern medicine.

Herbal plants have formed fundamental sources for conventional medicine in the discovery of single-ingredient medication, including aspirin (from willow bark), quinine (from cinchona bark), and morphine (from the opium poppy)......

Chaste tree berry, the queen of all herbs may have a potency in the prevention and treatment of premenstrual syndrome.

Premenstrual syndrome is a faulty function of the ovaries related to the women's menstrual cycle, affecting women's physical and emotional state, and sometimes interfering with daily activities as a result of hormone fluctuation. The syndrome occurs one to two weeks before menstruation and then declines when the period starts.

The exact causes of the premenstrual syndrome are unknown. researchers also do not know why? women with the same health condition, some are more prone to the onset of PMS than others.
However, researchers do know that chemical changes in the brain during the menstrual cycle and period, leading to fluctuations of serotonin, a brain chemical (neurotransmitter) may play a crucial role in mood states and the imbalance of the levels of the hormone estrogen and progesterone could trigger PMS symptoms.

Truly, some researchers also suggested that insufficient amounts of serotonin produced a few days before menstruation may contribute to premenstrual symptoms such as depression, food cravings, and sleep problems.

Moreover, in the investigation of genes inherited from the parents and the risk of premenstrual syndrome, some researcher suggested that family history, ethnicity, and certain mutated gene could cause some women to succumb to PMS whereas others are left relatively unscathed.

Conventional medicine used to relieve pain in PMS, such as Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers may be effective, but they induce certain side effects including stomach pain and heartburn, headaches and dizziness,.... and skin rash due to an allergic reaction.

In serious cases, the medicine cause stomach ulcers, liver and kidney condition,... and hypertension. If you are taking the medicine for a long-term, please make sure that you discuss the adverse effects with your doctor.

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

In a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group, multi-center clinical trial in compared VAC BNO 1095 extract and placebo for up to three cycles, conducted by the Peking Union Medical College Hospital, group treated with extract of vitex agnus castus showed a significant reduced symptoms of PMS with mean total PMSD score decreased from 29.23 at baseline (0 cycle) to 6.41 at the termination (3rd cycle) with no serious of side effects.

Furthermore, the extract of vitex agnus castus (VAC, BNO 1095) oral administrated in 67 patients enrolled and randomly assigned to receive one tablet of VAC or placebo once a day, exhibited the decreased premenstrual syndrome symptoms at the 3rd cycle, including symptoms of negative affect, water retention, food cravings, and pain, in the treatment group, compared to placebo group, especially in symptoms of water retention.

The moderate-to-severe premenstrual syndrome in Chinese women study also showed a significantly greater improvement of symptoms with intake of vitex agnus castus (VAC, BNO 1095)group than placebo, including symptom of insomnia.

Additionally, according to Dr. Döll M, the extract of chaste tree berry decreased the levels of prolactin serum during the first 3 weeks of the cycle of the premenstrual period, inducing stress involved expression of symptoms of PMS.

Taking together, Chaste tree berry may be a safe herbal medicine for prevention and treatment of PMS, through decreasing the levels of prolactin, and negative factors and enhancing the function of alleviating symptoms of the syndrome.

Natural Medicine for Fatty Liver And Obesity Reversal - The Revolutionary Findings To Achieve Optimal Health And Lose Weight

How To Get Rid Of Eye Floaters
Contrary To Professionals Prediction, Floaters Can Be Cured Naturally

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

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

Author Biography
Kyle J. Norton (Scholar, Master of Nutrition, All right reserved)
Health article writer and researcher; Over 10.000 articles and research papers have been written and published online, including worldwide health, ezine articles, article base, health blogs, self-growth, 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 Bioscience, ISSN 0975-6299.

Sources
(1) [The premenstrual syndrome: effectiveness of Vitex agnus castus].[Article in German]by Döll M1. (PubMed)
(2) Treatment for premenstrual syndrome with Vitex agnus castus: A prospective, randomized, multi-center placebo-controlled study in China by He Z1, Chen R, Zhou Y, Geng L, Zhang Z, Chen S, Yao Y, Lu J, Lin S.(PubMed)
(3) Treatment of moderate to severe premenstrual syndrome with Vitex agnus castus(BNO 1095) in Chinese women by Ma L1, Lin S, Chen R, Wang X.(PubMed)
(4) Evaluating therapeutic effect in symptoms of moderate-to-severe premenstrual syndrome with Vitex agnus castus (BNO 1095) in Chinese women by Ma L1, Lin S, Chen R, Zhang Y, Chen F, Wang X.(PubMed)

Green Tea, The Functional Beverage Which Protects the Stomach Against Gastric Ulcer

Kyle J. Norton

Green tea may have a therapeutic and positive effect in reducing the risk and treatment of gastric ulcer, some scientists suggested.

Gastric ulcers are sores that develop in the lining of the stomach as a result of bacterial infection or by overproduction of stomach acid. In other words, the gastric ulcer is a condition characterized open sores developed in the stomach, affecting the function of the stomach.

There are a set of factors that cause a gastric ulcer, including the infection of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), frequent use of anti-inflammatory medicine, aging, smoking and excessive alcohol drinking

Some researchers suggested that people who have radiation therapy for stomach cancer are also a higher risk to gastric ulcer development.

According to the study "Are genetic influences on peptic ulcer dependent or independent of genetic influences for Helicobacter pylori infection?" by the Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Baylor College of Medicine. "Genetic influences are of moderate importance for liability to peptic ulcer disease. Genetic influences for peptic ulcer are independent of genetic influences important for acquiring H. pylori infection".

If you are experiencing the symptoms of dull pain in the stomach. weight loss. refuse to eat because of pain. persistent gastrointestinal discomforts, acid reflux, and heartburn, you may have a gastric ulcer. Please make sure that you check with your doctor to rule out the possibility.

Green tea, a precious drink processes numbers of health benefit known to almost everyone in Asia and Western world.

In the testing of healing of the hydroalcoholic extract including ethyl acetate fraction, (GEAc) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) from green tea (GEt) in the risk of gastric ulcer induced by application of 80 % acetic acid on serosal mucosa of rats, researchers showed that application of the extract after 7 days inhibited ulcer area by exhibiting the antioxidant activity in reducing the free radical overexpression.

Furthermore, application of the hydroalcoholic extract also inhibited the oxidative stress that cause gastric damage by injection of acetic acid by enhancing the production of antioxidant enzyme GSH, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) enzymes and ameliorating the production of lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH), a free radical in precipitated ulcer development by withdrawing electrons from the lipids in cell membranes.

Additional analysis also suggested that rats fed with green tea (GEt) improved the capacity of mucin content in gastric juice which has been found at reduced levels in rats with an ulcer after infecting of acetic acid.

Interestingly, injection of green tea (GEt) also decreased inflammatory infiltration of Myeloperoxidase (MPO) and N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) which has been used as biomarkers in the measurement of severity in some diseases including gastric ulcer.

Importantly, the application did not alter gastric acid secretion and induced acute toxicity.

Dr. Borato DG, the lead authors, after taking into account con-founders said, "GEt had a pronounced antiulcer effect, possibly through maintenance of mucin content and reduction of inflammation and oxidative stress".

Other polyphenol compound L-Theanine, isolated from green tea on NSAID (indomethacin)-induced maximum ulceration in the stomach on the third day at dose of 18 mg/kg inhibited the expression of the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the induction of lipid peroxidation, oxidation and protein carbonylation which is considered one of the most harmful irreversible oxidative protein that cause damage to the stomach.

The application also reduced expression of type 1 T helper (Th1) cells in the production of inflammatory cytokines, interferon-gamma, interleukin (IL)-2, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-beta, in the facilitated immune response in exhibiting inflammation in the acute stomach damage infection.

Additionally, L-Theanine also increased the levels of total thiol in the stomach tissue, mucin content in the gastric juice. The enhanced antioxidant levels not only improve digestion but also protect the stomach against damage by foreign substances.

Moreover, at a higher dose of 40 mg/kg b.w. At 10 mg/kg b.w., Dr. Chatterjee S, the lead author said, "L-theanine significantly alleviated the adverse oxidative effect of indomethacin through enhanced synthesis of PGE2 by modulation of cyclooxygenase-1 and 2 [COX-1 and COX-2] expression, Th1/Th2 cytokine balance, and restoration of cellular antioxidant status at the gastric ulcer margin".

Taken together, been tea with abundant bioactive polyphenols may be considered functional food for treatment of gastric ulcer without causing any adverse effects.

However, high doses and long-term applications of green tea supplement were associated with acute liver toxicity.

Natural Medicine for Fatty Liver And Obesity Reversal - The Revolutionary Findings To Achieve Optimal Health And Lose Weight

How To Get Rid Of Eye Floaters
Contrary To Professionals Prediction, Floaters Can Be Cured Naturally

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

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

Author Biography
Kyle J. Norton (Scholar, Master of Nutrition, All right reserved)
Health article writer and researcher; Over 10.000 articles and research papers have been written and published online, including worldwide health, ezine articles, article base, health blogs, self-growth, 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 Bioscience, ISSN 0975-6299.

Sources
(1) Healing mechanisms of the hydroalcoholic extract and ethyl acetate fraction of green tea(Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) on chronic gastric ulcers by Borato DG1, Scolaro CT2, Maria-Ferreira D1, da Silva LM1, de Souza LM2, Iacomini M2, Werner MF1, Baggio CH3. (PubMed)
(2) L-Theanine healed NSAID-induced gastric ulcer by modulating pro/antioxidant balance in gastric ulcer margin by Chatterjee S1, Chatterjee A, Roy S, Bera B, Bandyopadhyay SK. (PubMed)

Infectious Diseases: Herbal Anise, The Natural Antibiotic Alternative With No Side Effects, Scientists Found

Kyle J. Norton

Herbal Anise may have a synergistic antibacterial activity effect in reduced risk and treatment of infection, some scientists suggested.

Bacteria are microorganism consisted of consist of a single cell with a simple internal structure. harmless. most of them are harmless to human and can be distinguished by the nature of their cell walls, by their shape, or by differences in their genetic makeup.

Bacteria reproduced through cell cycle division. in other words, they multiply by making a copy of the DNA and grows large in size by doubling its cellular content. before splitting it into two identical "daughter" cells.

Bacteria can also be beneficial to human health as they help to maintain the orderly functioning of the digestive system such as digesting food that the stomach can not digest, producing the vitamins for our body needs, improving the immune function and most importantly, ensuring the optimal digestive functioning.

Some infectious bacteria are dangerous to human health. As they can divide quickly, after entering the body. Many produce chemicals called toxins, which not only fence off the attack from immune system but also can damage.

Due to antibiotics overuse over large 3 decades, some infected bacteria have developed antibiotic resistance, a phenomenon where infectious bacteria are no longer susceptible to previously effective antibiotics.

Synergistic antibacterial activity is a condition in which whole herb application exerts a greater effect than the sum of individual ingredients combined.

Anise is a flowering plant of the species of Pimpinella anisum, genus Pimpinella, belonging to the family Apiaceae native to Egypt and the Mediterranean region, used in traditional herbal medicine as a fragrance in soaps, oils, and mouth fresheners and stomachic, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic,...

Chemical constituents
Anethole, D-pinene, I-phellandrene, Alpha-terpineol, Safrol, Methyl chavicol, Resin, Shikimic acid, etc.

In the comparison of the antibacterial effect against a wide range of foodborne Gram-positive and -negative bacteria, yeasts and moulds by an agar well diffusion method in five different varieties of Ocimum basilicum L. plants, including Anise, researchers found that application Anise essential oil exhibited a strong effect in decreased expression the acid-tolerant microorganisms including Lactobacillus curvatus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, synergistically, compared to mixtures of the predominant components of pure linalool and methyl chavicol.

In a tomato juice medium, Anise oil injection also exerted antibacterial activity at doses of 0·1% and 1% Anise oil, against Lact. curvatus and S. cerevisiae, respectively.

The inhibitory effect of Anise oil was substantially higher, comparison to the mixtures of the predominant components of pure linalool and methyl chavicol, against the acid-tolerant organisms, Lactobacillus curvatus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, examined in broth by an indirect impedance method.

Furthermore, essential oil extracted from the Anise seed used alone or combined with essential oil extracted from from aerial parts of Thymus vulgaris, also displayed a significant effect in inhibiting nine Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella typhi, Salmonella typhimurium, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Pimpinella anisum essential oils methanol extracts at doses of MIC 15.6 and 62.5mug/ml) were particularly effective against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Proteus vulgaris.

Some researchers suggested that Anise antibacterial effect probably was attributed to the bioactive major compound anethole in the modulation of the immunity.

According to some studies, application of essential oil in mice model, trans-anethole and estragole, a derivative of anethole improved the host immunity by reducing the expression of hypersensitivity response and increasing the numbers of white blood cells(leucocytes) in the circulatory system with function in counteracting foreign substances and diseases.

Further differentiation also found that trans-anethole improved the immune function in stimulating the transformation of B cells into plasma cells in the produced and secreted antibodies whether a foreign substance was scented.

Additionally, anethole isolated from Anise also exhibited a strong effect in protecting the immunity against mice fed with cyclophosphamide to induced chemo suppression of immunity.

Indeed, an Anise essential oil demonstrated a significant effect in the immune responses by modulating the levels of immune-inflammatory factors interleukins (IL6, IL8, and IL10) and tumor necrosis factor(TNFα ) against infectious microorganism in initiating the acute phase of infection.

Additionally, in animal tested with E. acervulina-infected, application of essential oil isolated from Anise also increased expression of lymphocytes in the infectious intestinal area.

Taken all altogether, the findings suggested that Anise essential oil including the bioactive phytochemical anethole may be used as an antibacterial agent, particularly in the externally acute phase of infection.

Author Biography
Kyle J. Norton (Scholar, Master of Nutrients, All right reserved)
Health article writer and researcher; Over 10.000 articles and research papers have been written and published online, including worldwide health, ezine articles, article base, health blogs, self-growth, 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 Bioscience, ISSN 0975-6299.

Sources
(1) The synergistic preservative effects of the essential oils of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) against acid-tolerant food microflora K.J. Lachowicz1 , G.P. Jones1 , D.R. Briggs1 , F.E. Bienvenu2 , J. Wan3 , A. Wilcock3 and M.J. Coventry3 1School of Nutrition and Public Health, Deakin University, Geelong, 2Ovens Research Station, Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Myrtleford, and 3Australian Food Industry Science Centre, Werribee, Victoria, Australia(Letters in Applied Microbiology Volume 26, Issue 3, Version of Record online: 4 JAN 2002)
(2) Synergistic antibacterial activity between Thymus vulgaris and Pimpinella anisum essential oils and methanol extracts by Al-Bayati FA1.(PubMed)
(3) Evaluation of immunomodulatory activity of trans-anethole and estragole, and protective effect against cyclophosphamide-induced suppression of immunity in Swiss albino mice by Luiz Alexandre Marques Wiirzler, Francielli Maria de Souza Silva-Comar, Saulo Euclides Silva-Filho, Michael Jefferson Amorim de Oliveira, Ciomar Aparecida Bersani-Amado, Roberto Kenji Nakamura Cuman(International Journal of Applied Research in Natural Products)
(4) Immune effects of dietary anethole on Eimeria acervulina infection by Kim DK1, Lillehoj HS, Lee SH, Jang SI, Park MS, Min W, Lillehoj EP, Bravo D.(PubMed)

Green Tea, The Beverage Which Inhibits the Oxidative Stress That Cause Fibromyalgia, Researchers Find

By Kyle J. Norton, Master of Nutrition

Green tea may have a therapeutic and positive effect in reducing symptoms and treatment of
fibromyalgia caused by oxidative stress, some scientists suggested.

Oxidative stress is a condition of imbalance of the ratio of antioxidants and free radical in the body. In other words, overproduction of free radicals accompanied by the decreased levels of antioxidants may cause cytotoxicity in the induction of oxidative stress.

Some researchers suggested long-term suppression by oxidative stress can activate the expression of over 500 different genes, including those for growth factors, inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, cell cycle regulatory molecules,...

Truly, oxidative stress-activated inflammatory pathways can also lead to the transformation of a normal cell to a cancer cell, protecting tumor cell survival, proliferation, chemoresistance, radioresistance, invasion, angiogenesis.

Dr. Khansari N, the lead scientists in the study ' Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress as a major cause of age-related diseases and cancer" said, " Overproduced free radicals react with cell membrane fatty acids and proteins impairing their function permanently. In addition, free radicals can lead to mutation and DNA damage that can be a predisposing factor for cancer and age-related disorders" and "chronic inflammation could have a serious role in a wide variety of age-related diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases".

Green tea, a precious drink processes numbers of health benefit known to almost everyone in Asia and Western world.

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic condition characterized by muscle and soft tissue pain affecting over 10 million (3.6% of the population) people in the US alone.

According to the study in review of literature of the frequency and pattern of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) of 289(95%) patients who completed the survey (263 women and 26 men) between February 2003 and July 2003, green tea was recommended at 24% for treatment of fibromyalgia (FM).

Some evidence in the medical literature suggested that overproduction of ROS in the induction of oxidative stress may have a strong implication in the pathophysiology of FM.

In the investigation of the effect of green tea epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) in the protection of oxidative stress to cardiac cells cultured in the conditions of control, 400 μM H2O2 exposure for 30 min with and/or without 10 to 20 μM EGCG pre-treatment, researchers at the National Tsing Hua University found that treatment of green tea in H(2)O(2) group demonstrated a significant reduction of levels of reactive oxygen species through its antioxidant and its ability to induce production of natural antioxidant presented in the cardiac cells, compared to overexpression of ROS in H2O2 treatment group without injection of EGCG.

Also, application of green tea reduced levels of cytosolic Ca2+ overload in the H(2)O(2) group in induced oxidative stress in experiment cell apoptosis through the improved antioxidant protein.

Interestingly, EGCG ameliorated H(2)O(2) expression in the increased glycolytic protein in response to the degree of oxidative stress in the culture cells and α-enolase, a key glycolytic enzyme on the surface of several cell types in the contribution of impaired glycolytic activity through oxidative and nitrative stress.

Additionally, green tea EGCG also decreased levels of peroxiredoxin-4, an antioxidant with function in the protection of cells against oxidative stress by detoxifying peroxides and mitochondrial proteins with a function of redox reactions of oxidative phosphorylation.

After taking into account confounders, researchers suggested that ingestion of green tea EGCG inhibited the damage of H(2)O(2) group through inhibition of the downstream signaling for Akt in expression glucose oxidation and cell apoptosis in cellular processes, and loss of phosphorylation of GSK-3β and cyclin D1 depletion in oxidative stress facilitation.

These result postulated that green tea EGCG exerted the similar inhibited the effect of those of GSK-3β inhibitor (SB 216763) in significantly improved H(2)O(2)-induced suppression on cell viability, phosphorylation of pAkt (S473) and pGSK-3β (S9), and level of cyclin D1 in cells.

The above differentiation was supported by the study conducted by the Universidad de Sevilla, in evaluated some evidence of green tea in reduced oxidative stress in the facilitated pathophysiology of FM in initiating signs and symptoms of muscular alteration and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Truly, in primary rat model, administration of green tea EGCG in different concentrations for 24 h before being exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) for 2 h to induce oxidative stress, researchers found that pretreatment with 10, 25, and 50 µM EGCG significantly inhibited the expression of H2O2 in reduced substantial decrease in cell viability.

Further analysis also showed that green EGCG application at a dose of 50 µM ameliorated the proportion of propidium iodide (PI)-positive cells increased in cultures caused by H(2)O(2) injection, thus reducing H(2)O(2) in the induction of cell death.

Taken all together, green tea and its bioactive polyphenols EGCG may be considered a functional food for treatment of fibromyalgia caused by overexpression of oxidative stress. However, the intake of green tea supplement should be taken with extreme care as acute liver toxicity has been reported in numbers of medical literature.

Natural Medicine for Fatty Liver And Obesity Reversal - The Revolutionary Findings To Achieve Optimal Health And Lose Weight

How To Get Rid Of Eye Floaters
Contrary To Professionals Prediction, Floaters Can Be Cured Naturally

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

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

Author Biography
Kyle J. Norton (Scholar, Master of Nutrition, All right reserved)
Health article writer and researcher; Over 10.000 articles and research papers have been written and published online, including worldwide health, ezine articles, article base, health blogs, self-growth, 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 Bioscience, ISSN 0975-6299.

Sources
(1) Use of complementary and alternative medical therapies by patients referred to a fibromyalgia treatment program at a tertiary care center by Wahner-Roedler DL1, Elkin PL, Vincent A, Thompson JM, Oh TH, Loehrer LL, Mandrekar JN, Bauer BA. (PubMed)
(2) Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in fibromyalgia by Cordero MD1, de Miguel M, Carmona-López I, Bonal P, Campa F, Moreno-Fernández AM(PubMed)Molecular identification for epigallocatechin-3-gallate-mediated antioxidant intervention on the H2O2-induced oxidative stress in H9c2 rat cardiomyoblasts by Chen WC, Hsieh SR, Chiu CH, Hsu BD1, Liou YM.(PubMed)
(3) Molecular identification for epigallocatechin-3-gallate-mediated antioxidant intervention on the H2O2-induced oxidative stress in H9c2 rat cardiomyoblasts by Chen WC, Hsieh SR, Chiu CH, Hsu BD1, Liou YM.(PubMed)

How to Prevent Over Production of Free Radicals in Your Body For Optimal Health

Kyle J. Norton, Master of Nutrition

Anise may have a potential and substantial antioxidant effect in balancing the ratio of antioxidant and free radical in the body, some scientists suggested.

Free radicals are the unstable and uncharged molecule which are highly reactive by having an unpaired valence electron.

Some researchers suggested that due to the nature of free radical high reactivity, free radicals have the potential to be the extremely harmful contaminants and extremely powerful chemical tools for the treatment of diseases through inducing cytotoxicity.

Free radicals exert their powerful reactivity through a chain reaction. Without inhibiting the unpaired electrons by antioxidants, the chain reaction can go on forever.

Radical chain reactions are processed in three distinct phases: initiation, propagation, and termination.

Contrastly, an antioxidant is a molecule with a function to inhibit oxidation, especially in the counteracting oxidative stress caused by overproduction of free radicals.

Researchers suggested that antioxidants found in the plant not only exerts the activity in the inhibition of free radicals but also stimulating the antioxidant enzymes in the host body.

Interestingly, in some cancer cells in vitro, application of antioxidants found in the plant such as green tea not only protect the healthy cells of the host but also increase the function of free radicals in killing cancer cell through cytotoxic activity.

One theory suggested if we can maintain a healthy ratio of antioxidants and free radicals in the body, we may live a life of diseases free.

Anise is a flowering plant of the species of Pimpinella anisum, genus Pimpinella, belongings to the family Apiaceae native to Egypt and the Mediterranean region, used in traditional herbal medicine as a fragrance in soaps, oils, and mouth fresheners and stomachic, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic,...

Chemical constituents
Anethole, D-pinene, I-phellandrene, Alpha-terpineol, Safrol, Methyl chavicol, Resin, Shikimic acid, etc.

In the study of the effect of EtOAc soluble extract (PBet) isolated from Anise researchers found that at dose of PBet (0.5-2mg/mL), Anise extract demonstrates a protective effect of Bel-7404 cells from free radical Hydrogen peroxide H(2)O(2) and prevent free radical in inducing cell damage through scavenging of intracellular ROS.

Further analysis also suggested that bioactive compound such as β-sitosterol in the EtOAc soluble extract (PBet) improved the antioxidant status of the extract and stimulated the production of the host natural antioxidant profile in the inhibition of lipid peroxidation.

At a dose of 0,03 - 12g/kg BW, the extract expressed no acute toxic effect observed by the bone marrow polychromatic erythrocyte micronucleus test in determined the cytogenetic damage.

Dr. Lu J, the lead author, after taking into account other co-founders suggested that "PBet could be considered as a safe functional food with antioxidant activities".

Further evaluation of the expression of antioxidants in the inhibited free radical reactive activity in the development of degenerative diseases, researchers at the joint study led by the West Bengal State University, in compared antioxidant capacities of extracts of some commonly used in Indian spices (anise, cardamom, Ceylon cinnamon, and clove) along with their purified components (anethole, eucalyptol, cinnamaldehyde, and eugenol, respectively) indicated that anethole isolated from Anise displays a comparative antioxidant capacities in free radical scavenging activity against some ROS species.

Moreover, Anise spices as a whole are more potent antioxidants than their purified active components, and at higher concentration, purified components are more toxic than their respective crude extract.

The above illustration was supported by the study in the analysis of the antioxidant and protective effects of Pimpinella anisum (P. anisum) against gentamicin (GM) in the induction of drug

nephrotoxicity.

In the total of 40 male Wistar rats divided into four groups: control and sham administrated normal saline orally and intraperitoneally (i.p.), gentamicin (GM) group received 100 mg/kg bw/day i.p., GM and ethanolic extract of P. anisum with oral dose of 300 mg/kg bw/day for 8 days, researchers suggested that application of Anise reduces kidney and liver toxicity and inhibits overexpression of reactive oxygen species in initiating chain reaction in oxidative stress the facilitation, and normalizes the levels of excretion of sodium and potassium induced by free radical expression, caused by injection of gentamicin (GM).

All inhibitions were observed through the expression of levels of creatinine, associate to kidney damage and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), an indication of liver toxicity and Malondialdehyde MDA, an oxidative stress marker and the absolute excretion of sodium and potassium.

Interestingly, compared to the control, application of Anise at 300 mg/kg bw/day significantly reduced the plasma concentrations of renal function markers (serum creatinine) in the group receiving GM (P < 0.05) and protected them against GM in inducing tubule damage.

Dr. Changizi-Ashtiyani S, the lead author suggested that "potential therapeutic impact of P. anisum to attenuate GM-induced nephrotoxicity. Therefore, the simultaneous use of the ethanolic extract of P. anisum during GM administration is recommended to reduce its nephrotoxicity effects".

Taken all together, the findings suggested that Anise may be considered a functional herb in the improved antioxidant status against ROS and drug-induced toxicity through its bioactive compounds by stimulating the production of natural antioxidants in the host.

However, intake of Anise extract in high concentration should be taken with exceptional care as liver acute toxicity has been reported by some medical literature.

Sources
(1) Phytochemical composition and toxicity of an antioxidant extract from Pimpinellabrachycarpa (Kom.) Nakai by Lu J1, Qian W2, Xu L2, Huang G2, Cong W2, Wang Z2, Deng X3, Wang D3, Guan S4.(PubMed)
(2) Evaluation of the Antioxidant Activity of Extracts and Active Principles of Commonly Consumed Indian Spices by Patra K1, Jana S1, Mandal DP1, Bhattacharjee S1.(PubMed)
(3) Pimpinella anisum L. ethanolic extract ameliorates the gentamicin- induced nephrotoxicity in rats by Changizi-Ashtiyani S1, Seddigh A2, Najafi H3, Hossaini N4, Avan A5, Akbary A6, Manian M7, Nedaeinia R8. (PubMed)

How to Protect Your Body From Heavy Metals and Chemicals Toxicity, Effectively

Kyle J. Norton

Carrots may have a profound and positive effect in expelling heavy mental and chemical toxins from our body through the gastrointestinal tract, some scientists suggested.

The digestive system, including the salivary glands, mouth, esophagus, stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, small intestine, colon, and rectum. is a system responsible for extracting the nutrients and fluids from the foods intake to provide energy for the body needs and expelling the feces from the body.

Some people with the digestive problem may experience symptoms of acid reflux and GERD with burning sensation, gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, indigestion. In serious cases, the condition can also cause gallstone, irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids,...

Some researchers suggested that eating 7 or more serving of fruits and vegetable daily, replacing refined grain product with whole grain products, reducing intake of processed food and red meat and engaging in daily physical activity are the best to optimize the digestive health.

Including vitamin D and calcium in the diet are also helpful.

Carrot, a root vegetable with an orange color is sub-species of Daucus carota, belonging to the family Apiaceae, native to Asian and Europe.

In the concerns of the damage of heavy metal damage to the body, researchers at the Northwest A&F University, launched an investigation to examine whether insoluble dietary fiber from carrot pomace effect in exerting the protection of the digestive tract,

Researchers found that using the ultra-micro grinding process, the insoluble dietary fiber exerts far better potential in inhibited levels of glucose-, nitrite-, and lead ion- compared to the raw insoluble dietary fiber.

Truly, the ultra-micro grinding process could significantly decrease the particle size of carrot insoluble dietary fiber and increase its Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area from 0.374 to 1.835 m(2) g(-1).

The method also improved the water-holding capacity, swelling capacity, and oil-holding capacity increased by 62.09%, 49.25%, and 45.45%, respectively.

These may be the reasons the insoluble dietary fiber from carrot pomace treated with an ultra-micro grinding process displays a significant effect in the protection of the digestive system through absorption of the far greater level of heavy and toxic metals.

The processed application also effectively protect Caco-2 cells from lead ion damage, according to the apoptosis assessment by AO/EB, compared to the raw contents

At the concentration of 10.0 mg, carrot insoluble dietary fiber has no toxicity for Caco-2 cells, the MTT assay showed.

The results of this study highlighted the potential of the ultra-micro grinding process to produce a high added-value fiber ingredient from carrot residue with function in protecting the gastrointestinal tract against heavy and toxic chemicals.

Taken all together, carrot's insoluble dietary fiber may be used as a functional food in improving the digestive function in absorbing heavy and toxic chemicals before causing harm to the body tissue and organs.

Friday, 12 October 2018

Papaya, The Fruit Which inhibits the Acute and Chronic Inflammatory Diseases

By Kyle J. Norton, Master of Nutrition

Scientists may have found a whole fruit with a potential in inhibiting the overexpression of inflammation caused by the acute and chronic phases of infection, some studies suggested.

Inflammation is a natural systematic immune response in activating the production of the inflammatory cytokines to protect our body against microorganisms during the acute phase of body damage or injury.

However, overexpression of noninflammatory agents activity in a prolonged period can damage the healthy nearby cells and damage the cells in the affected region. In severe cases, this action may lead to cell apoptosis, causing abnormal scars formation that damage the infected organs.

Many chronic diseases, such as cirrhosis are the results of liver scars formation caused by excessive alcohol drinking and infected by hepatitis viruses.

Some researchers suggested that anti-inflammatory cytokines under a normal condition at the acute phase of infection can also switch to pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Dr. Opal SM, in the elevated function of anti-inflammatory cytokines, wrote, "The anti-inflammatory cytokines are a series of immunoregulatory molecules that control the proinflammatory cytokine response. Cytokines act in concert with specific cytokine inhibitors and soluble cytokine receptors to regulate the human immune response".

These result suggested that anti-inflammatory cytokines also act according to the stimulation of the immune system.

Chronic inflammation is a condition that can last for months, sometimes years, in which the immune system has a failure to eliminate all microorganisms, in the acute inflammation.

Some chronic inflammations also are the results of autoimmune disorder, caused by the immune system attacks normal healthy tissue, by mistaking them for pathogens that cause disease.

Papaya is a species of Carica Papaya, belonging to the family Caricaceae and native to the tropics of the Americas, and was first cultivated in Mexico and several centuries

Chemical constituents
Alkaloids, Cardenolides, Anthraquinones, Saponins, Tannin, phenol, flavonoid, anthocyanin, Benzyl glucosinolate, benzylisothiocyanate, 5-(Hydroxymethyl)-2-furancarboxaldehyde, 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one and 1,3-dihydroxy-2-propanone, etc.

In the findings of a natural ingredient to reduce the economic burden for healthcare systems, with a high mortality and limited treatment in sepsis patients, a hyperinflammatory condition, researchers at the Chongqing Medical University launched an investigation to evaluate whether mango and papaya process anti hyperinflammatory effect against sepsis.

Mangiferin (MF), a natural glucosyl xanthone found in both mango and papaya showed a significant effect in attenuating the cecal ligation and puncture-induced mortality and acute lung injury (ALI), through reducing the systemic and pulmonary inflammatory responses.

Further analysis, the function of the isolated compounds from the experimental fruits, exerted the anti-inflammatory functions in inhibiting production of proinflammatory mediators through a set of actions including deactivated sepsis-activated mitogen-activated protein kinases and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer in stimulating the pro-inflammatory production.

Additionally, application of mangiferin (MF), also inhibited the levels of free radicals and increased the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a Nrf2-regulated gene that plays a critical role in the prevention of vascular inflammation found in the lung of septic mice.

Dr. Gong X, the lead author, after taking into account co and confounders said, "MF attenuates sepsis by up-regulation of HO-1 that protects against sepsis-induced ALI through inhibiting inflammatory signaling and proinflammatory mediators:

Interestingly, in the reaffirm the potency of fermented papaya preparation (FPP) (a product of yeast fermentation of Carica papaya Linn) and a food supplement, in chronic and degenerative disease conditions (such as thalassemia, cirrhosis, diabetes and aging through modulating the immunological, hematological, inflammatory, vascular and oxidative stress damage parameters, researchers found that

* Fermented papaya preparation (FPP) does not cause a genotoxic effect when exposed to HepG2 cells nor and the PC12 cells.

* Application of exerts a strong effect in reducing levels of free radicals and increasing antioxidants by balancing the ratio of antioxidants produced by the host tissue and ROS.

Thus, decreasing the levels of oxidative stress caused by overexpression ROS in stimulating the onset of cell damage and inflammation, which have a strong implication in causing a variety of cancers, diabetes, arthritis, cardiovascular dysfunctions, neurodegenerative disorders (such as stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease), exercise physiology (including performance sports) and aging.

These results suggested that fermented papaya and its bioactive compound may be considered functional food used conjunction with conventional medicine for prevention and treatment of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases.

However, additional data collection on large example size and multi-centers studies performed with human consumption of fermented papaya and its bioactive compound during the course of the inflammation will be necessary to complete the picture of papaya anti-inflammatory possibilities.

References
(1) Anti-inflammatory effects of mangiferin on sepsis-induced lung injury in mice via up-regulation of heme oxygenase-1 by Gong X1, Zhang L, Jiang R, Ye M, Yin X, Wan J.(PubMed)
(2) Applications and bioefficacy of the functional food supplement fermented papaya preparation by Aruoma OI1, Hayashi Y, Marotta F, Mantello P, Rachmilewitz E, Montagnier L.(PubMed)
(3) Chemical composition and bioactivity of dried fruits and honey of Ficus carica cultivars Dottato, San Francesco and Citrullara by Loizzo MR1, Bonesi M, Pugliese A, Menichini F, Tundis R.(PubMed)