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

Thursday, 22 November 2018

Thyme Honey Inhibits the Side Effects of Chemo and Radio Therapy in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer

By Kyle J. Norton

Scientists may have found a natural whole food for the treatment of side effects caused by chemo and radio therapy in patients with head and neck cancer with no side effects, according to some studies.

Head and neck cancer is a group of cancers found in the mouth, throat, larynx, sinuses, or salivary glands.

Most cases of head and neck cancer, at the early stage, start by the cell growth irregularly and disorderly on the surface of the inner lining in head and neck.

At the advanced stage, patients may experience symptoms of a lump in the nose, neck or throat, with or without pain, a persistent sore throat that does not heal, trouble swallowing (dysphagia) and frequent and persistent coughing.

At this stage, cancer cells may travel a distance away from the original site to infect other healthy tissue and organs.

Most common head and neck cancer metastases are secondary skin cancer.

The exact causes of head and neck cancer are unknown. researchers cannot explain why people with similar health conditions and the same risk factors, some are susceptible to the onset of the disease, while others do not,

However, certain prevalent risk factors such as prolonged sun exposure, infected by the Human papillomavirus (HPV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), poor oral and dental hygiene and occupational inhalants, long-term marijuana, and tobacco use and involuntary smoking are associated to the onset of head and neck cancer.

Dr. Yuan-Chin Amy Lee, the lead author in the study "Involuntary Smoking and Head and Neck Cancer Risk" suggested that involuntary smoking one of the major risk factor associated with the head and neck cancer has not drawn much interest in health practitioners.

According to the Involuntary smoking exposure data pooled across six case-control studies in Central Europe, Latin America, and the U.S. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) including 542 cases and 2197 controls who reported never using tobacco, long duration of involuntary smoking exposure at home and at work was associated with an increased risk (OR for >15 years at home: 1.60; 95%-CI 1.12, 2.28; for trend <0.01; at work: 1.55; 95%-CI 1.04, 2.30; p for trend 0.13).

Particularly, there is an association between pharyngeal and laryngeal cancers and involuntary smoking exposure observed for long duration of exposure.

Honey is the miraculous product made by bees using nectar from flowers.

The rich golden liquid It is considered one of healthy sweet food for replacing the use of white sugar and artificial sweetener by many people.

On finding a natural ingredient to reduce serious side effect caused by chemo and radiotherapy in the treatment of neck and neck cancer, researchers conducted a joint study led by the at the Cyprus University of Technology to examine the effect of honey on Radiation-induced xerostomia.

The parallel randomized controlled trial included 2 equal arms, the experimental arm (thyme honey) and the control arm (saline).
72 head and neck cancer patients receiving radiotherapy or/and chemotherapy or/and surgery recruited in a specialized cancer center are included in the study.

Patients in both arms followed the same administration protocol with thyme honey and saline respectively was assessed at baseline, 1 month and 6 months following completion of the intervention.

Thyme honey treatment group displayed a statistically significant effect of the intervention on xerostomia (F = 8.474 p < 0.001) and overall quality of life, compared to the control.

Furthermore, thyme honey treatment group also showed to maintain their body weight and showed an improve their global health (p = 0.001) compared to the control group.

The Generalised Estimating Equations also revealed a statistically significant effect on strong and unbearable pain in the thyme honey treatment group.

Additionally, in the concerns of side effect of oral mucositis induced by radiation-induced after the treatment of head and neck cancer patients, researchers at the Cyprus University of Technology also conducted a similar study to evaluate the effectiveness of thyme honey on oral mucositis management.

72 head and neck cancer patients participated in the randomized controlled trial (RCT) with were divided either into the intervention group (thyme honey rinses) or to the control group (saline rinses), starting at the 4th week of the radiotherapy for seven weeks and repeated once 6 months later.

Thyme honey treatment group demonstrated a reduced grade of oral mucositis in compared to control, according to the Generalized estimating equations.

The treatment group also showed a similar effect as of the previous study in maintaining their body weight (p < 0,001) and improving their global health (p = 0.001) compared to the control group.

Most importantly, thyme honey treated group showed a significant improvement of the quality of life which was not found in the control group.

Dr. Charalambous M, the lead author said, "(Our) study provided evidence on the positive effect of thyme honey on the management of radiation-induced oral mucositis and quality of life in head and neck cancer patients:

Taken altogether, thyme honey may be considered a functional food for the treatment and management of side effects induced by the chemo and radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer.

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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 ISSN 0975-6299.

Sources
(1) The effectiveness of thyme honey for the management of treatment-induced xerostomia in head and neck cancer patients: A feasibility randomized control trial by Charalambous A1, Lambrinou E2, Katodritis N3, Vomvas D3, Raftopoulos V2, Georgiou M3, Paikousis L4, Charalambous M. (PubMed)
(2) The effect of the use of thyme honey in minimizing radiation - induced oral mucositis in head and neck cancer patients: A randomized controlled trial by Charalambous M1, Raftopoulos V2, Paikousis L3, Katodritis N4, Lambrinou E2, Vomvas D4, Georgiou M4, Charalambous A. (PubMed)
(3) Involuntary Smoking and Head and Neck Cancer Risk, Pooled analysis in the International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology Consortium by Yuan-Chin Amy Lee,1 Paolo Boffetta,1 Erich M. Sturgis,2 Qingyi Wei,2 Zuo-Feng Zhang,3Joshua Muscat,4 Philip Lazarus,4 Elena Matos,5 Richard B. Hayes,6 Deborah M. Winn,6David Zaridze,7 Victor Wünsch-Filho,8 Jose Eluf-Neto,8 Sergio Koifman,9 Dana Mates,10Maria Paula Curado,11 Ana Menezes,12 Leticia Fernandez,13 Alexander W. Daudt,14Neonila Szeszenia-Dabrowska,15 Eleonora Fabianova,16 Peter Rudnai,17 Gilles Ferro,1Julien Berthiller,1 Paul Brennan,1 and Mia Hashibe. (PMC)

Wednesday, 21 November 2018

Honey, the Potential Anti-Colon Cancer Functional Food

By Kyle J. Norton

Scientists may have found a sweet functional food that processes a potential for the prevention and treatment of cancer, some studies suggested.

Cancers are the group of chronic diseases, caused by cell growth disorderly and uncontrollably in some specific tissue and organs.

Most primary cancers start in the cells on the surface of the inner lining of a tissue caused the alternation of DNA.

At the later stage, after penetrating deep in the tissue of the infected organs, most primary cancer can travel a distance away from the original site to damage other healthy tissue and organs.

As they grow large enough, they can also suppress the nearby tissue and nerve cells, causing severe pain and localized symptoms.

Researchers do not know the exact causes of colon cancer. Neither they know why some people with the same health conditions, diet pattern and ethnicity and family history, some are susceptible to the early onset of the diseases, while many others do not.

Most common risk factors, epidemiologically are associated with the types of cancer. The National Cancer Institute suggested that aging, tobacco, long-term sun and radiation exposure, chemicals and other substances, some viruses and bacteria, certain hormones, family history of cancer, alcohol, poor diet, lack of physical activity, or being overweight are the common causes of cancer.

In the challenges, the idea that cancer cannot be prevented among older adults, researchers at the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion launched a study by examining different aspects of the relationship between age and cancer said, "Although the sequential patterns of aging cannot be changed, several age-related factors that contribute to disease risk can be".

What are the age-related factors that contribute to cancer be changed? researchers continued. "For most adults, age is coincidentally associated with preventable chronic conditions, avoidable exposures, and modifiable risk behaviors that are causally associated with cancer", and "current evidence suggests that for most adults, cancer does not have to be an inevitable consequence of growing older. Interventions that support healthy environments, help people manage chronic conditions, and promote healthy behaviors may help people make a healthier transition from midlife to older age and reduce the likelihood of developing cancer:

These results furtherly emphasized the needs to prevent chronic diseases and support a healthy environment and promote a healthy lifestyle in the transition from midlife to the older age are most important factors that can reduce substantially the risk of cancer.

Honey, the rich golden liquid is the miraculous product made by bees using nectar from flowers.

The liquid is considered one of healthy sweet food for replacing the use of white sugar and artificial sweetener by many people.

With an aim to find a natural ingredient without side effects for the treatment of colon cancer, researchers at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, launch an investigation to examine the anti-tumor and anti-inflammation properties of crude ginger extract and Gelam honey against many types of cancer, including colorectal cancer.

The cells used in the experiment were divided into 4 groups: the first group represents HT29 cells without treatment, the second and third groups were cells treated singly with either ginger or Gelam honey, respectively, and the last group represents cells treated with ginger and Gelam honey combined.

Combined ginger and Gelam honey treatment stimulated the early cell death response through enhancing the function of proteins associated with programming cell death, namely, the caspase 9 and IκB genes and inhibiting the function of proteins associated with cells proliferation.

The IC50 of ginger and Gelam honey alone were 5.2 mg/ml and 80 mg/ml, respectively also demonstrated a similar efficacy as of the IC50 of the combination treatment of 3 mg/ml of ginger plus 27 mg/ml of Gelam honey.

These results suggest ginger and Gelam honey used alone or combination may be an effective chemopreventive and therapeutic strategy for inducing the death of colon cancer cells.

Further differentiation of the anti-proliferative effects of ginger and Gelam honey and their efficacy in enhancing the anti-cancer effects of 5-FU (5-fluorouracil) against a colorectal cancer cell line, HCT 116. researchers showed that
* Ginger (IC50 of 3mg/mL) is more potent than the Gelam honey (IC50 of 75 mg/mL) in inhibiting the growth of HCT 116 cells.

* Combined treatment (35 mg/mL) of the two compounds (3mg/mL ginger+75 mg/mL Gelam honey) synergistically lowered the IC50 of Gelam honey to 22 mg/mL without reducing the inhibitory effect against colon cancer cell line.

* Gelam honey markedly enhanced 5-FU inhibiting effects on the growth of HCT 116 cells.

Subsequent analysis on the induction of cellular apoptosis also suggested the individual treatment of ginger and Gelam honey produced higher apoptosis compared to 5-FU alone.

These results once against suggested that Gelam honey and ginger extract used alone or combination could potentially enhance the chemotherapeutic effect of 5-FU against colorectal cancer.

Taken altogether, honey used alone or combined with ginger might process significant and profound effects in reducing the risk of colon cancer and combined with primary therapy for the treatment of colon cancer.

However, further data collection large example size and multi-centers studies performed with human consumption of the whole food or its bioactive compounds during the course of the disease will be necessary to complete the picture of honey anti-cancer possibilities.

Sources
(1) Combined ginger extract & Gelam honey modulate Ras/ERK and PI3K/AKT pathway genes in colon cancer HT29 cells by Tahir AA1, Sani NF2, Murad NA3, Makpol S4, Ngah WZ5, Yusof YA. (PubMed)
(2) Gelam honey and ginger potentiate the anticancer effect of 5-FU against HCT 116 colorectal cancer cells by Hakim L1, Alias E, Makpol S, Ngah WZ, Morad NA, Yusof YA. (PubMed)
(3) Combined ginger extract & Gelam honey modulate Ras/ERK and PI3K/AKT pathway genes in colon cancer HT29 cells by Tahir AA1, Sani NF2, Murad NA3, Makpol S4, Ngah WZ5, Yusof YA. (PubMed)
(4) Age and Cancer Risk by A Potentially Modifiable Relationship
Mary C. White, ScD, Dawn M. Holman, MPH, Jennifer E. Boehm, MPH, Lucy A. Peipins, PhD, Melissa Grossman, MPH, and S. Jane Henley, MSPH. (PMC)

Ginger, The Alternative Painkiller With No Side Effect

By Kyle J, Norton

Ginger is one of the natural whole food recommended by many scientists for the treatment of muscle pain and soreness.

Muscle pain is a common condition can arise by a number of factors including injury or overexertion, infections of soft tissues, or inflammation.

Another factor such as the flu may also cause muscle pain.

Medication used for the treatment of cholesterol such as statins, fibromyalgia and under active thyroidism is also associated with the onset of muscle pain.

Swelling, redness, or fever are also most common symptoms accompanied by muscle pain.

Acute pain triggered by the nervous system, alerting you to possible injury.

Chronic muscle pain is a pain that lasts more than 3 months. Most cases of chronic muscle are caused by a syndrome of chronic myofascial pain (CMP), a painful condition that affects the muscles and the sheath of the tissue that surround the muscles.

The syndrome processes a most highly sensitive and notable symptom associated with the areas within the muscles that can also stimulate the pain in the other area of the body.

In contrast to the chronic myofascial pain (CMP), fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) also cause chronic muscle pain due to brain disorder in processing pain signalings

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) or ginger root, the second superfood used for thousands of years by mankind, is the genus Zingiber, belonging to the family Zingiberaceae, native to Tamil.

The root has been used in traditional and Chinese medicine to treat dyspepsia, gastroparesis, constipation, edema, difficult urination, colic, etc.

In the reaffirming the ginger root pain-relief properties, researchers at the Old Dominion University launched a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine whether ginger root supplementation reduces muscle soreness and dysfunction from downhill running.

Thirty-two runners (10 women, 22 men) included in the trial were pair-matched and randomized to 1.425 g/day of ginger root or placebo for 5 days.

Ang a 40-minute downhill (-7.5%) run was completed on day 3. Before supplementation and at various points throughout a 5-day protocol, muscle soreness, pain-pressure threshold, vertical jump, and 1.5-mile run performance.

Soreness while jogging likely increased to a lesser degree with ginger root from baseline. Ginger root had a possible small benefit on the vertical jump from baseline to day 5 but no meaningful impact on 1.5-mile run performance.

No significant differences in adverse events were observed during the experiment between treatments.

The results suggested that ginger root possibly has moderate beneficial effects on running-induced soreness but irrelevant effects on recovery of physical performance.

Dr. Wilson PB, said, "Ginger represents one option for runners looking to temporarily reduce pain".

Furthermore, in the findings, a natural ingredient for the treatment of inflammation and pain induced by delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), a joint study led by the Shiraz University, was launched to examine the effect of ginger extract on the biochemical and functional symptom of delayed onset muscle soreness.

36 healthy female subjects included in the study were recruited by intra dormitory calls and randomly divided into 3 groups, including ginger intake 1 hour before exercise (GIBE), ginger intake immediately after exercise (GIAE) and placebo group (PL).

Participants consumed capsules contain 60 mg of ginger extract (the equivalent of 2 g dried ginger powder) or placebo before and after exercise. The exercise protocol consisted of a 20-minute step test using a 46cm step at a rate of 15 steps per minute.

Ginger intake immediately after exercise (GIAE) showed a significant reduction of pain compared to GIAE after 24 and 48h of EE and GIAE compared to PL.

The inflammatory cytokine IL-6 changed significantly in GIBE compared to PL (p<0.05) after 1, 24, and 48h after EE.

These results indicated that 2 grams of ginger may have anti-inflammation and analgesic effect on DOMS.

Taken altogether, ginger root may be considered a functional painkiller kitchen spice for the deduction of muscle pain and soreness if it is intake 1 hour before exercise.

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 ISSN 0975-6299.

Sources
(1) A Randomized Double-Blind Trial of Ginger Root for Reducing Muscle Soreness and Improving Physical Performance Recovery Among Experienced Recreational Distance Runners.
Wilson PB. (PubMed)

(2) Acute effects of ginger extract on biochemical and functional symptoms of delayed onset muscle soreness by Hoseinzadeh K1, Daryanoosh F2, Baghdasar PJ3, Alizadeh H. (PubMed)

Tuesday, 20 November 2018

Herbal Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, the Free Radicals Scavenger Functional Herb

By Kyle J. Norton

Herbal Arctostaphylos uva-ursi may have a potential effect in reducing the risk and treatment of oxidative stress-related diseases, some studies suggested.

Oxidative stress is a production of the imbalance of ratio of free radicals and antioxidant in the bost body.

The imbalance of the ratio of free radicals and antioxidant in the bost body can be caused either by the overproduction of free radicals or antioxidant enzymes are suppressed by the outside sources.

However, most outside sources that suppress the levels of antioxidant enzymes also play an important role in stimulating the overexpression of free radicals, such as chemical toxins

Free radicals are unstable atoms with the unpaired electron in the outer ring. Therefore, in order for them to become stable, free radical either donates or steals an electron from stable molecules, leading to a chain of reaction that facilitates the onset of oxidative stress.

The chain once starts, it can not stop until the electron on the outer ring is paired or inhibited by antioxidant.

Free radical has been known to cause oxidative damage to the enzymes, other protein, unsaturated fatty acid, phospholipids, DNA and RNA.

Antioxidants are stable molecules found abundantly in fruits, vegetable, and herbal medicine.

If oxidative stress-related diseases are associated with the overproduction of free radicals, then long-term intake of a healthy diet high in fruits, vegetable and less in red meat and saturated and trans fat and processed foods can reduce the risk of the diseases in the healthy individuals.

Dr. Halliwell B, in the study to reaffirm the effect of healthy dietary patterns against the onset of oxidative stress said, " diet-derived antioxidants may be particularly important in protecting against these diseases" and

"The physiological relevance of these effects is uncertain, as is the optimal intake of most diet-derived antioxidants. In principle, these questions could be addressed by examining the effects of dietary composition and/or antioxidant supplementation upon parameters of oxidative damage in vivo".

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi is one of the species of Bearberry, in the genus Arctostaphylos, belonging to the family Ericaceae, native to northern North America, Asia, and Europe.

The herb has been used in traditional medicine as a diuretic agent and to treat urinary problems, including bladder infections, kidney infection, kidney stone, pelvic pain, etc.

The herbal plant contains arbutin, ursolic acid, tannic acid, gallic acid, some essential oil and resin, hydroquinones tannins, phenolic glycosides, and flavonoids.

In the examining the Dr. Bol'shakova IV, the lead author at the Emanuel Institute of Biochemical Physics claim, that Arctostaphylos uva.processes a significant antioxidant property in the inhibition of free radicals generation, researchers launched an investigation to evaluate the concentration of compound that inhibited cell growth by 50% (IC(50)) of a range of phytochemicals and plant extracts.

All selected extracts were differentiated according to the antioxidant and genoprotective effects under conditions of oxidative stress in U937 cells.

Two phytochemicals-resveratrol and citroflavan-3-ol isolated from the herbal Arctostaphylos uva-ursi demonstrated the highest IC50 value of 13.7 microg/mL, compared to the lowest at 9,400 microg/mL. of Echinacea.

Extract of herbal Arctostaphylos uva-ursi displayed a significant attenuation of the oxidative stress induced by the etoposide injection by inhibiting the expression of H2O2- and tBOOH-induced DNA damage.

These result reconfirmed the findings of Dr. Bol'shakova IV team that herbal Arctostaphylos uva-ursi as a non-nutrient dietary constituent may act as significant bioactive compounds in enhancing the antioxidants activity and stimulating the production of antioxidant enzymes if the herb is administrated in an animal model.

Moreover, Dr.Matsuda H the antioxidant team leader at the Kinki University, Osaka in the finding the natural compounds or whole food with potential antioxidant effects evaluated the inhibitory effect of 50% ethanol extracts obtained from the leaves of six Arctostaphylos plants (A. patula, A. viscida, A. canescens, A. Columbiana, A. nevadensis and A. uva-ursi) (Ericaceae).

Injection of the extracts of A. patula showed potent inhibition against tyrosinase, the enzyme that cause oxidation of the skin pigment.

Also, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi not only inhibited the production of melanin from dopachrome by autoxidation and but reduced the over exhibited SOD (superoxide dismutase, free radical)-like activity.

Additionally, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi processed a moderate absorbance in the UV-B area.

The results not only reaffirm the claim of Dr. Bol'shakova IV suggestion but also introduce a new herbal whitening medicine for the skin.

Taken all together, Herbal Arctostaphylos uva-ursi may be considered a functional food for the prevention and an adjunct therapy combine with primary medicine for the treatment of oxidative-related diseases.

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.
References
(1) [Antioxidant properties of plant extracts].[Article in Russian] by Bol'shakova IV, Lozovskaia EL, Sapezhinskiĭ II. (PubMed)
(2) Modulatory effects of resveratrol, citroflavan-3-ol, and plant-derived extracts on oxidative stress in U937 cells by O'Brien NM, Carpenter R, O'Callaghan YC, O'Grady MN, Kerry JP. (PubMed)
(3) Studies of cuticle drugs from natural sources. IV. Inhibitory effects of some Arctostaphylos plants on melanin biosynthesis. by Matsuda H, Higashino M, Nakai Y, Iinuma M, Kubo M, Lang FA. (PubMed)

Monday, 19 November 2018

Herbal Star Anise (Illicium verum), The Natural Anti Depressant Alternative

By Kyle J. Norton

Star Anise may be used as an antidepressant to treat diseases associated with the central nervous system,, some scientists suggested.

The central nervous system is a part of the nervous system of the brain and spinal cord with the function of integrates information it receives from for the entire nervous system, and control all the workings of your body.

Antidepressants are a class of conventional medication used for the treatment of the major depressive disorder and other psychological conditions, including anxiety depression disorders.

A neurotoxicity is a form of toxicity that affects the structure or function of the central and/or peripheral nervous system, leading to damage of neuron and brain cells of the central nervous system.

In some cases, neurotoxicity can induce unpleasant symptoms of weakness in the limbs. altered sensation, tingling, and numbness in the limbs, headache, and loss of certain types of acute cognitive function.

However, in severe cases, neurotoxicity can cause vision loss, complete loss of memory and reduced cognitive function.

Some patients with neurotoxicity also experience uncontrollable obsessive and/or compulsive behavior and sexual dysfunction.

Dr. Bateman DN the lead scientists in the concern of "Antidepressant use and risk of central nervous system toxicity metastasis" launched an investigation to examine "Tricyclic antidepressant poisoning: central nervous system effects and management" wrote, " All tricyclic drugs are potentially able to cause the main acute CNS toxic syndromes of coma and convulsions" and

"Coma is the most useful sign indicative of toxic risk and appears to predict severe toxic complications (fits and arrhythmias) more reliably than ECG changes".

The finding clearly suggested that the use of antidepressant should be taken with extreme care as the medicine may cause neurotoxicity similar to those of the overdose of Star Anise.

Ba Jiao Hui Xiang also known Chinese Star Anise is a spice which has been used in traditional Chinese cooking for thousands of years from a small evergreen tree, native in southwest China.

The acrid and warm herb has been used in TCM an antibiotic agent and to treat a hernia, chronic lower back pain, vomiting due to coldness in stomach, pain, and coldness in the stomach. etc. as it disperses cold moves qi and calms pain by enhancing the functions of liver, kidney, spleen, stomach channels.

Besides the main ingredient Anethole, star Anise also contains, D-pinene, I-phellandrene, Alpha-terpineol, Safrol, Methyl chavicol, Resin, Shikimic acid, etc.

Dr. Li J, the lead scientist at the Huaqiao University, in the finding a natural ingredient or whole food with a therapeutic function similar to those of conventional antidepressants with little or no side effects evaluated the behavioral and biochemical effects of macranthol, a triphenyl lignan isolated from Illicium dunnianum (Star Anise).

Depressed mice treated at different doses of macranthol (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg) are subjected to the forced swimming test, tail suspension test and chronic unpredictable mild stress.

One day of the acute treatment of macranthol significantly increased the mobility time in the forced swimming test and tail suspension test.

Chronic (5-week) treatment of macranthol reversed the reduction of sucrose preference induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress.

Where the sucrose preference test is a useful tool to investigate anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure).

Futhermore, application of macranthol completely ameliorated the corticosterone hypersecretion associated with patients with depression observed by acute swim stress or chronic unpredictable mild stress.

Also, the chronic macranthol treatment exerted a significant effect in attenuating the reduction of serotonergic neurotransmission in brain regions of frontal cortex and hippocampus.

Where low serotonin levels have been linked to depression.

These results strongly indicated that Star Anise produced an antidepressant-like effect mediated by the serotonergic and neuroendocrine system.

After taking into account co and confounder and additional observation, the team wrote in the final report, "the finding that only chronic but not acute treatment enhanced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression".

More importantly, with the concern that injection of Star Anise may induce acute toxicity, Dr. Chouksey D, the herb research team conducted an experiment to test the chemical component of fruit extracts and its action on the central nervous system.

The selected Male albino rats and mice were trained for seven days prior to the experiments and divided into five groups with six animals in each, prior to the drug administered by intraperitoneal route according to body weight.

At a dose of 200 mg of phenobarbitone, before injection of Star Anise, tested subjects showed a prolonged sleeping time, an alteration in general behavior pattern, reduced locomotor activity and anxiolytic effects without significant altering muscles coordination activity.

Application of Star Anise strongly inhibited the complication induced by the injection of phenobarbitone.

Compared to the efficacy of three extracts of Star Anise at the dose of 200 mg, methanol extract was found to produce more prominent effects, then hexane and ethyl acetate extracts.

The results of the observation firmly indicated that the extracts of Star Anise possess potent CNS depressant action and anxiolytic effect without interfering with motor coordination.

Taken altogether, Star Anise may have a depressant like effect, comparable to those of the conventional antidepressants. However, intake of Star Anise extract or whole herb should only be prescribed by the related field specialist, as acute toxicity has been detected at the the dose over 2 000 mg/kg.

References
(1) Central nervous system activity of Illicium verum fruit extracts by Chouksey D, Upmanyu N, Pawar RS. (PubMed)
(2) Antidepressant-like effect of macranthol isolated from Illiciumdunnianum tutch in mice by Li J, Geng D, Xu J, Weng LJ, Liu Q, Yi LT. (PubMed)

Isothiocyanates, The Potential Anti Cancers Phytochemicals

By Kyle J. Norton

Dithiolthione, a phytochemical found abundantly in the cruciferous vegetables may be next target for the development of chemo medicine for the treatment of cancer without inducing any side effects, some study suggested.

Cancers are the class of chronic and medical condition characterized by cell growth disorderly and uncontrollably that start on the inner lining of the tissue of an organ due to the alternation of cell DNA.

At the advanced stage, most cancer cells can travel a distance away from the original site to infect other healthy tissue and organs through blood and fluids circulation.

The causes of cancer are unknown. Epidemiological studies suggested that depending to the types of cancer, most common risk factors are aging, tobacco, sun exposure, radiation exposure, chemicals toxins, viruses and bacteria, change of hormones, family history, excessive alcohol drinking, poor diet, lack of physical activity and overweight or obesity.

However, most people with some of the above risk factors have never developed cancer.

Genetic preposition and acquired genetic mutation are the most risk factors that can precisely predict the percentage of prevalent risk of the onset of the disease.

Mutation of gene TP53 and PTEN. which produce a protein that suppresses the growth of tumors, genetic mutation of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are associated with the higher risk of cancer.

In acquire genetic mutation, some researchers suggested that the result of errors in the cell cycle division caused by long-term exposure to carcinogenic substances such as tobacco smoke and occupations which are required to chemical exposure that also damage the cells DNA are also some prevalent factors associated to the increased risk of cancers.

The US National Library of Medine wrote "For example, certain mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes greatly increase a person's risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Variations in other genes, such as BARD1 and BRIP1, also increase breast cancer risk, but the contribution of these genetic changes to a person's overall risk appears to be much smaller".

Futhermore, on the other front of acquired genetic mutation, Dr. Michael R. Stratton, the lead author in the study "The cancer genome" said, "the cancer cell may have acquired, from exogenous sources, completely new DNA sequences, notably those of viruses such as human papilloma virus, Epstein Barr virus, hepatitis B virus, human T lymphotropic virus 1 and human herpes virus 8, each of which is known to contribute to the genesis of one or more type of cancer".

Some researchers proposed that cancer may be results of weaken immunity, Dr. Louise M.E. Janssen, the lead scientist in the study "The immune system in cancer metastasis: friend or foe?" said, " the primary tumor induces an immune response, which may not be sufficient to destroy the primary tumor, but prevents the growth of a secondary tumor or metastases. Since that time, many different immune cells have been shown to play a role in both inhibiting and promoting metastatic disease".

Dithiolthiones are phytochemicals in the class of Organosulfides, found abundantly in cruciferous vegetables, garden sorrel, horseradish, etc.

In the concerns of chemo drugs side effect in the treatment of invasive cancers, researchers in the cancer team at the Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine conducted an experiment to test the association between urinary levels of isothiocyanates (ITCs) and the risk of pancreatic cancer in urban Shanghai.

The case-control study has been conducted in urban Shanghai from December 2006 to December 2008) through a newly established "instant case reporting" system.

Intake of cruciferous vegetables intake and ITC consumption, urinary ITC levels (median (P25, P75)) were 95.0 (66.9, 135.8) g/d, 11.0 (7.1, 16.0) µmol/d, 0.95 (0.12, 2.92) µmol/g Cr respectively in treatment cases, all lower than those of controls, separately 107.4 (80.1, 154.1) g/d, 12.3 (8.0, 18.0) µmol/d, 1.78 (0.53, 5.28) µmol/g Cr with a statistically significant differences of 3.75.

The urinary levels of ITCs all cases were found to the correlation with cruciferous vegetable consumption and dietary ITC exposure.

Further analysis suggested that there is an inverse association between urinary ITCs and the risk of pancreatic cancer after adjusting for possible confounding factors such as age, sex, history of diabetes and pancreatitis.

Dr. the lead author said, " High levels of cruciferous vegetables or ITC consumption were associated with a reduced risk of pancreatic cancer (all P trend <0.05)".

Moreover, in the study to test the the combination of Thiazolo and isothiocyanates antiproliferative activity in a panel of 8 cancer cell lines, including lung (NCI-H322 and A549), epidermal (A431), glioblastoma (T98G), pancreatic (MIAPaCa-2), prostate (PC-3), human leukemia (HL-60) and breast (T47D) cells, researchers found that

* The combination injection showed antiproliferative activity in the lung (NCI-H322 and A549), epidermal (A431) and glioblastoma (T98G) cancer cell lines with IC50 values of 7.1, 1.4, 3.1 and 3.4 μM, respectively.

* The application compound showed the induction of apoptosis in A549 cells at 10 μM, as indicated by the increase in the sub-G1 population.

* The compounds also induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells at 20 μM. The effect of compound 4a on mitochondrial potential loss in HL-60 cells. was also studied.ct

These results suggested that Thiazolo under the influence of isothiocyanates demonstrated a potency in the inhibition of all cancer cell lines in a concentration and dose-dependent manner without inducing any side effects.

More importantly, Dr.de Figueiredo SM, the lead scientist at the Campus Morro do Cruzeiro in the study "The anti-oxidant properties of isothiocyanates: a review" revealed that ITCs induce Phase II enzymes related to detoxification processes of chemical carcinogens to prevent the start of carcinogenesis and exhibits antitumor activity at post-initiation phase.

Additionally, the lead researcher also suggested that ITCs inhibit the cell viability of human cervical cancer cells, human pancreatic cancer cells, human hepatocellular carcinoma cells, human ovarian cancer cells, and have anti-inflammatory properties in the treatment of human T-cell leukemia cells probably through improving antioxidant status.

Taken altogether, Phytochemical Isothiocyanates found abundantly in cruciferous vegetable may be considered a bioactive functional ingredient for the prevention and treatment of cancers, depending on a large sample size and multi-center in the human study.

References
(1) [A case-control study on the association between urinary levels of isothiocyanates and the risk of pancreatic cancer].[Article in Chinese] by Wang J1, Han L, Zhang W, Wang J, Ni Q, Shen M, Gao Y2.(PubMed)
(2) Synthesis, antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing activity of thiazolo[5,4-d]pyrimidines by Singh B1, Guru SK, Kour S, Jain SK, Sharma R, Sharma PR, Singh SK, Bhushan S, Bharate SB, Vishwakarma RA.(PubMed)
(3) The anti-oxidant properties of isothiocyanates: a review by de Figueiredo SM1, Filho SA, Nogueira-Machado JA, Caligiorne RB.(PubMed)
(4) The immune system in cancer metastasis: friend or foe? by Janssen LME1, Ramsay EE2, Logsdon CD2, Overwijk WW. (PubMed)

Herbal Andrographis Protects Your Heart Against the Onset of Heart Disease

By Kyle J. Norton

Herbal Andrographis may process certain bioactive compounds for the prevention and treatment of heart diseases, some scientists suggested.

Heart disease is the medical condition associated with the blood vessels, including coronary artery disease, heart rhythm, and a heart defect caused by the accumulation of plaques.

Plaque made up of cholesterol, fatty molecules, and minerals accumulated in the arteries can cause stiffening and hardening of the arterial wall and narrowing the arteries, affecting the transportation of oxygen risk blood to the heart.

These result suggested that people who follow the Western diet high in saturated and trans fat, red med meat and processed foods and over the use of calcium supplement are associated with the increased risk plaque building up.

Long-term building up plaques can cause substantial damage to the arterial wall, facilitating the onset of heart disease.

According to statistics, heart disease kills more than 2,000 Americans every day and approximately 60 million Americans have heart disease.

The exact causes of heart disease are debatable. Researchers do not why people who over a few decades of following the Western diet, only some are susceptible to heart disease while many do not, even they have the same health conditions.

The differentiation suggested that some people may process certain genetic preposition which

can increase the development of heart disease.

Dr. Seka Kathiresan, the lead scientist in the study"Genetics of Human Cardiovascular Disease" Cardiovascular disease encompasses a range of conditions extending from myocardial infarction to congenital heart disease most of which are heritable", and

"ANGPTL3mutations as a cause of familial combined hypolipidemia, BAG mutations for dilated cardiomyopathy, NT5E mutations for arterial calcification, KCNJ5 mutations for hereditary hypertension due to aldosterone-producing adenomas, and KLHL3 or CUL3mutations for hypertension and hyperkalemia".

Other risk factors, according to epidemiological studies include obesity insulin resistance or diabetes, high cholesterol and blood pressure, physically inactive, smoking and eating an unhealthy diet are also associated with disease onset.

However, most people who carry some of the risk factors have never developed heart disease.

Andrographis paniculata is also known as Andrographis is a herbaceous plant, genus Andrographis, belonging to the family Acanthaceae, native to India and Sri Lanka.

The plant has been used in traditional Siddha and Ayurvedic in treating the common cold, flu, upper respiratory infections, infectious diseases, diarrhea, dysentery, cholera, pneumonia, swollen lymph nodes, leprosy, bronchitis, sore throats, tuberculosis, chicken pox, etc.

Besides the main ingredient andrographolides, giving the plant a bitter taste, herbal Andrographis also has diterpene lactones, neoandrographolide, andrographolide, 14-doexy-11, 12-didehydro andrographolide, etc., flavonoids viz., oroxylin, wogonin, andrographidines A, B, C, D, E, F.

In the concern of ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) injury in the increase of the complication of myocardial infarction (MI), researchers at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences conducted a study with an aim to find a natural ingredient or whole herb which processes a cardioprotective effect.

In the rat model, hydroalcoholic extract of Andrographis paniculata was evaluated against left anterior descending coronary artery (LADCA) ligation-induced I-R injury of the myocardium.

Selected MI rats were induced by LADCA ligation for 45 min followed by reperfusion for 60 min and divided into five experimental groups viz., sham (saline-treated, but LADCA was not ligated), I-R control (saline-treated + I-R), benazepril (30 mg/kg + I-R), A. paniculata (200 mg/kg per se) and A. paniculata (200 mg/kg + I-R).

* In I-R control group, LADCA ligation showed a significant cardiac dysfunction evidenced by reduced hemodynamic parameters; mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR).

* The I-R control without treatment of the herbal extract expressed a decline of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione (GSH) but enhanced lipid peroxidation product, malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of oxidative stress.

After 30 days of 200 mg/kg A. paniculata administered orally, treated group showed favorable improvement of hemodynamic and left the ventricular contractile function, restoration of the myocardial antioxidants and prevention of depletion of myocytes injury marker enzymes along with inhibition of lipid peroxidation.

The results indicated that 200 mg/kg A. paniculata demonstrated a significant cardioprotective activity by inhibiting the adverse effect caused by LADCA in the rat model.

Dr. Ojha SK, the lead author said. "The cardioprotective effects of A. paniculata were found comparable to that of benazepril treatment".

Additionally, in the reaffirming the cardioprotective effect of herbal Andrographis, researchers launched an investigation to examine the watery extract of Andrographis paniculata Nees (APN) activity after one hour of the development of myocardial infarction by the formation of thrombus.

13 dogs were included in the study with 6 of the was served as a control group.

Andrographis treatment group showed a clinically significant efficacy in the improvement of the myocardial structure surrounding the initially appearing ischemic area.

Andrographis exerted a cardioprotective effect in a reversal the damaged area by restoring the damaged area.

The degree of myocardial degeneration and necrosis in the central part of the ischemic area was mild. in the treatment, dogs compared to the control.

These observations strongly suggested that APN processes a cardioprotection by limiting the expansion of ischemic focus, accelerating the reversibly ischemic myocardium.

Taken altogether, herbal Andrographis may be considered a functional food for the prevention and an adjunct therapy combined with the primary medicine for the treatment of heart disease.

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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.

References
(1) Protective effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Andrographis paniculata on ischemia-reperfusion-induced myocardial injury in rats by Ojha SK, Bharti S, Joshi S, Kumari S, Arya DS. (PubMed)
(2) Protective effects of Andrographis paniculata Nees on post-infarction myocardium in experimental dogs by Zhao HY, Fang WY. (PubMed)
(3) Genetics of Human Cardiovascular Disease by Sekar Kathiresan1, and Deepak Srivastava. (PMC)