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

Thursday 12 September 2019

Bromelain Normalizes the Enzymes In Blood Clots.

By Kyle J. Norton

Fibrinolysis is the condition associated with the enzymatic breakdown of the fibrin in blood clots.

Where fibrin plays an essential role in hemostasis as both the primary product of the coagulation cascade of fibrinolysis.

In other words, fibrinolysis is a process that prevents blood clots from growing to induce certain health problems such as cardiovascular disease.

Platelet aggregation is a condition characterized by platelets clumping together in the blood. The process also is necessary for the cover of vascular injury. However, overexpression of platelet counts in the blood is problematic to human health.

In other words, the production of blood platelets is to protect tissue injury against infection.
Furthermore, platelet disorders can lead to abnormal bleeding. Most common types of the genetic proposition of platelet disorders including

* Disorder of platelet adhesion, also known as Bernard-Soulier Syndrome is a condition in which the platelets fail to adhere together, leading to frequent bruises, nose bleeds and bleeding in the mouth and gums.

* Disorder of platelet aggregation also known as Glanzmann Thrombasthenia is a condition that the platelets not only fail to cover at the site of an injury but also prolong the bleeding.

* Disorder of platelet secretion is a condition which causes the slows down normal platelet adhesion, aggregation, and repair of the blood vessel.

* Disorder of platelets procoagulant activity, also know as Scott Syndrome is a condition in which the platelets fail to promote activation of the blood clotting proteins.

Conventionally, certain medication with blood thinning activity such as aspirin (ASA) and other drugs containing aspirin non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and some antibiotics may have a strong implication of the formation of platelets coagulation.

Dr. Wolberg AS in the examination of fibrinolysis in the changes on the local concentrations of pro- and anti-coagulants and cellular activities may affect the clot-forming wrote, "patterns of abnormal thrombin generation produce clots with altered fibrin structure and that these changes are associated with an increased risk of bleeding or thrombosis".

These results strongly outline the importance of fibrin in the formation of a blood clot in the presence of thrombin that the converts fibrinogen to fibrin.

Bromelain, a proteolytic enzyme found in pineapples (Ananas comosus) has been used in traditional medicine as an inflammatory agent and to treat pains, strains, and muscle aches and pains and ease back pain and chronic joint pain, skin diseases, etc.

On finding a potential compound for the treatment of fibrinolysis, researchers examined the influence of bromelain on platelet count, platelet aggregation and platelet activity in vitro.

The study included blood samples taken from the antecubital vein of 10 healthy male non-smokers.

According to the tested observation, platelet count decreased after incubation with 2.5 and 5 mg bromelain/ml.

The levels of ADP and TRAP-6 associated with platelet aggregation were inhibited after incubation with 2.5 mg or 5 mg compared to control.

Interestingly, according to the flow cytometry, the percentage of the total number of platelets or unstimulated CD62P positive platelets.

In other words, under normal condition, bromelain does not have any effect on unstimulated CD62P positive platelets even with higher incubation with 5 mg bromelain/ml compared to control.

However, after TRAP-6 stimulation with platelet aggregation, the incubation with 5 mg bromelain/ml led to a remarkable decrease, compared to the untreated control.

The changes of CD62P (TRAP-stimulated) and the results of platelet aggregation after incubation with bromelain in vitro may demonstrate the potential of bromelain as a substance for platelet inhibition.

Based on the findings, researchers said, "The changes of CD62P (TRAP-stimulated) and the results of platelet aggregation after incubation with bromelain in vitro may demonstrate the potential of bromelain as a substance for platelet inhibition".

These results suggested that bromelain have a strong effect on the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease associated with platelet aggregation.

Taken altogether, bromelain may be considered a remedy for the prevention and treatment of fibrinolysis,, pending to the confirmation of the larger sample size and multicenter human study.

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) Properties and Therapeutic Application of Bromelain: A Review by Rajendra Pavan, Sapna Jain, Shraddha, and Ajay Kumar. (PMC)
(2) Thrombin generation and fibrin clot structure by Wolberg AS. (PubMed)

Onion, the Best in the Management of Surgical Wounds

By Kyle J. Norton

Surgery is a medical practice that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a patient to investigate or treat an injury or disease

The aim of the medical procedure is to promote bodily function,

Most common types of surgery in the US
* Appendectomy is the common surgery that removes the appendix in patients with acute inflammation of the appendix due to infection.

* Breast biopsy. A biopsy that removes breast tissue to diagnose cancer.

* Carotid endarterectomy is used to remove the blockage from carotid arteries

* Cataract surgery is to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a clear artificial lens.

* Cesarean section or c-section help to deliver a baby by making an incision through the mother's abdomen and uterus.

* Cholecystectomy is a surgery that to remove the gallbladder.

The Atlantic General Hospital in examining the benefits and risk of surgery wrote,

"Benefits of having surgery
• Prevention of or improvements to medical conditions caused by a patient's obesity
• Surge in energy
• Increased life expectancy
• Increased self-esteem
• Weight loss

Risks to having surgery:
• A blood clot in a vein (Deep venous thrombosis or DVT)
• Bleeding or infection
• Bowel obstruction caused by scar tissue
• Leakage of fluid (if opting for gastric banding)
• Adverse reaction to anesthesia
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Band slippage (if opting for gastric banding)
• Gallstones
• The overall risk of death".

Please make sure that you discuss all the health benefits and risk of having surgery with your surgeon ahead of the operation.

The onion is a plant in the genus Allium, belonging to the family Alliaceae, a close relation of garlic. It is often called the "king of vegetables" because of its pungent taste and found in a large number of recipes and preparations spanning almost the totality of the world's cultures.

Depending on the variety, an onion can be sharp, spicy, tangy, pungent, mild or sweet.

On finding a natural compound for the reducing scar after surgery, researchers investigated the effects of onion extract-based topical gel (Mederma, Merz Pharmaceuticals, Greensboro, NC, USA) that has been marketed as a product to improve scar appearance and texture.

The randomized, double-blinded, split-scar study including 24 patients with new surgical wounds of at least 4 cm in length was divided into two equal portions with each half treated by either onion extract gel or petrolatum ointment at the time of suture removal by applying three times daily for 8 weeks.

By comparing the efficacy between the onion extract gel and a petrolatum-based emollient (Aquaphor, Beiersdorf, Inc., Wilton, CT, USA), researchers at the Harvard Medical School showed that

* According to patients evaluated at 2, 8, and 12 weeks following initiation of treatment and a follow-up telephone interview conducted at least 11 months postoperatively, onion extract gel improved the wound healing compared to those of petrolatum-based topical agents.

* According to the paired t-test and the Wilcoxon signed rank test at the end of the experiment, there was no statistically significant difference (p < .1) between the two treatment groups.

In other words, onion extract-based topical gel demonstrated a similar effect as those of petrolatum ointment but did not improve scar cosmesis or symptomatology.

Where Petrolatum ointment has been used in standard therapy in the management of postoperative wounds.

Taken altogether, onion may be considered a remedy in the management of postoperative wounds, pending to the confirmation of the larger sample size and multicenter human study.

Sources
(1) Onion extract gel versus petrolatum emollient on new surgical scars: prospective double-blinded study by Chung VQ1, Kelley L, Marra D, Jiang SB. (PubMed)
(2) Risks & Benefits of Surgery by The Atlantic General Hospital

Green beans, the Anti-Hyperglycemic Remedy

By Kyle J. Norton

Hyperglycemia is a condition of abnormally high blood sugar in the bloodstream, inducing diabetic complications in patients with type 2 diabetes.

In order words, hyperglycemia is a result of the body which does not properly use or make the hormone insulin.

The condition is also considered a hallmark of patients with type 2 diabetes. Another hallmark is insulin resistance.

Hyperglycemia occurs mostly due to poor control and management in patients with diabetes such as
a poor diet, physical inactivity choices, symptoms of medicines intake.

Some patients with diabetes also experience symptoms of hyperglycemia due to skipping or not taking enough glucose-lowering medication.

Most common symptoms of hyperglycemia are frequent urination, increased thirst, blurred vision, persistent fatigue, and headache.

According to the epidemiological studies, untreated or long term persistently hyperglycemia in patients with diabetes has been found to induce serious symptoms such as shortness of breath, and confusion.

In serious cases, untreated hyperglycemia also induces long-term complications of cardiovascular disease, nerves damage associated with skin infections, and ulcerations.

Green bean is a genus of Phaseolus Sensu Stricto, containing 55 difference species, belonging to the family Fabaceae and native to the New World tropics and grown in Europe for its attractive flowers and fleshy immature pods. The veggie can be classified into two major groups, bush beans, and pole beans.

On finding a potent veggie for the prevention of hyperglycemia, researchers examiend the effects of bean extract on overexpression of free radicals and higher reactive oxidative species (ROS) production induced high blood glucose.

The randomized controlled trial (RCT) study included mice (Micetus norvegicus) of Wistar strains randomized in five groups: P1-negative control, positive P2-control, P-3 ethanol extract group of 200mg / kg BW, P4-group 400mg / kg BW, P5- group 600 mg / kg BW.

According to the differences in blood sugar levels and superoxide enzyme levels of intergroup dismutase, ethanol extract of green beans 600 mg/kg BW from day 14 to day 28 (p <0.05) showed a statistically significant decrease in blood glucose levels.

However, ethanol extract of green beans 200 mg/kg BW and 400 mg / kg GB from day 7 until day 28 (p> 0.05) did not have any effect on the decreasing blood glucose in the tested rats.

The tested ethanol extract of green beans showed no effect on the levels of activity of the superoxide dismutase enzyme (p = 0.830).

In other words, green bean extract inhibited the expression of hyperglycemia without affecting the levels of antioxidant enzymes produced by the host at a dose depending manner.

Based on the findings, researchers said, "Giving ethanol extract of green beans 600 mg/kg BW effectively decrease blood sugar in male Wistar mice (Micetus norvegicus) from day 14 to day 28".

Taken altogether, green beans may be used as an adjunct therapy for the prevention of diabetes by inhibiting the expression of hyperglycemia, pending to the confirmation of larger sample size and multicenter human study.

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) Effects of Bean Ethanol Extract (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.) on Superoxide Dismutase Activity in Wistar Mice (Micetus Norvegicus) Hyperglycemia by Ade Putra Fratama Sinaga1), Syafruddin Ilyas2), Dwi Rita Anggraini.

Wednesday 11 September 2019

Turmeric Protects the Neurons Against the Risk of Neurological Disease

By Kyle J. Norton

Neurological disorders are class of diseases associated with the brain, the spinal cord including the nerves that connect them.

Most common diseases of neurological disorders are dementia, including ALS. PD, Alzheimer's disease, birth defects of the brain and spinal cord, brain injury and tumor.

Back pain associated with the related nerve damage is one of the common complaints in the US that send many patients to seek help from their doctor. Believe it or not, 80% of the US population will experience back pain at some time in their lives.

There is no single cause of neuro-dysfunction. Lifestyle, infections, genetics, and nutrition-related disease, environment, and physical injuries have been found to some major prevalent factors that induce the onset of neurological abnormalities.

Furthermore, neurological disorders have been found to facilitate psychological symptoms such as anxiety and depression and physical symptoms, depending totally on the neurons affected, including partial or complete paralysis muscle weakness seen on post-stroke patients, difficulty reading and writing and poor cognitive abilities such as patients with dementia.

According to the American Addiction Center, if you experience some of the below symptoms persistently, inclduing headaches, blurry vision, persistent fatigue, changes in behavior, numbness in the legs or arms, changes in coordination or balance weakness, slurred speech and tremors, you should seek help from the professionals immediately, as these may be the first signs of neurological disorders.

Turmeric is a perennial plant in the genus Curcuma, belonging to the family Zingiberaceae, native to tropical South Asia.

The herb has been used in traditional medicine as anti-oxidant, hypoglycemic, colorant, antiseptic, wound healing agent, and to treat flatulence, bloating, and appetite loss, ulcers, eczema,
inflammations, etc.

On finding a potent compound for the treatment of neurological disease, researchers examined Curcuminoids, polyphenol compounds from turmeric (Curcuma longa) effect on Alzheimer's disease (AD).

According to the tested analysis,

* Curcuminoids attenuation of mitochondrial dysfunction-induced neurons oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in patients with AD.

* The bioactive compound inhibited the immune response in the promotion of the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as COX-2, and iNOS

* Furthermore, curcuminoids also bind to β-amyloid (Aβ) plaques to inhibit amyloid accumulation and aggregation in the brain of AD patients.

* More importantly, the expression of the toxic Aβ oligomer formation and oligomer-dependent Aβ toxicity were also inhibited by the injection of curcuminoids.

Curcuminoids efficacy of in patients with AD was also found in diseases associated with multiple sclerosis (MS), glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), particularly in the prevention α-synuclein aggregation in Parkinson's disease (PD).

Additionally, neurological damage caused by heavy metal poisoning was also attenuated by the injection of curcuminoids.

Based on the results, researchers wrote, " These results demonstrate curcuminoids may be potentially effective therapeutic means to treat neurodegenerative diseases. A bulk of patents discloses methods to improve the bioavailability of curcuminoids for therapeutic development".

Taken altogether, turmeric processed abundantly bioactive compound curcuminoids may be considered supplements for the prevention and treatment of neurological diseases, pending to the confirmation of the larger sample size and multicenter human study.

Intake of turmeric in the form of supplement should be taken with extreme care to prevent overdose acute liver toxicity.

Carotenoids Reduce Risk of Lung Cancer

By Kyle J. Norton

The lung is one of the vital organs in human located near the backbone on either side of the heart with functions of inhaling oxygen from the air then transporting them to the bloodstream to nourish the body cells need and exhaling carbon dioxide from the bloodstream.

Lung cancer is a chronic and medical condition characterized by abnormal growth of the cells in the lung's tissue.

Most common form of primary lung cancers is derived from epithelial cells.

The exact cause of lung cancer is not identified. However, epidemiologically, smoking, second smoke, exposure to certain chemicals, family history, people who have lung disease and excessive drinking are some prevalent factors associated with lung cancer developing.

According to the statistics provided by the American cancer society, Lung cancer accounts for 14% of all new cancers diagnosed in the US. In 2018, there were about 234,030 new cases of lung cancer (121,680 in men and 112,350 in women). Lung cancer also causes the death of 83,550 in men and 70,500 in women in the same year.

Lung cancer can be classified into 2 major types

* Non-small cell lung cancer
Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type of lung cancer that usually grows and spreads methodically and predictably. Most common types of Non-small cell lung cancer lung cancers include

**Squamous-cell carcinoma often is found in an outer area of the lung.

** Large-cell carcinoma is found in the center of the lung by an air tube.

** Adenocarcinoma is found in any part of the lung.

* Small cell lung cancer
Small cell lung cancer is a fast-growing type of lung cancer, that can spread to distant parts of the body in a relatively early stage. Most common types of small cell lung cancer include
* Small cell carcinoma is small, round and resemble oats.

*Mixed small cell/large cell carcinoma is found in combining components of small cell lung carcinoma with large cell lung carcinoma.

*Combined small cell carcinoma is found in combining of a component of small cell lung carcinoma with components of non-small cell lung carcinoma.

Carotenoids is a class of mainly yellow, orange, or red fat-soluble pigments, including lycopene and carotene, found abundantly in ripe tomato, pumpkins, carrots, corn, and daffodils.

On finding a potential compound for the treatment of lung cancer, researchers to compare the dietary intake and serum levels of some selected carotenoids of lung cancer patients with healthy subjects.

The case-control study included 35 lung cancer patients and 33 healthy people with a daily intake of nutrients estimated by using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire and a 3-day 24-h food recall questionnaire.

According to the tested analysis,

* The beta-carotene and lycopene intake of the case subjects was 96% and 195% higher in the lung participants compared to those of control.

* Daily intake of fruits and vegetables in the cancer group was higher compared to control group.

However, the serum concentration of beta-carotene and lycopene were 118% and 60% higher in the control group compared to the lung cancer group.

These results suggested that there must be some unknown mechanisms associated with the reduced levels of beta-carotene and lycopene in the blood of lung cancer patients.

In other words, the intake of beta-carotene and lycopene daily reduces the risk of lung cancer in healthy individuals.

Dr. Asbaghi S, the lead scientist after taking other factors such as age, gender, smoking habits, weight, body mass index, mean daily energy intake, mean daily fat intake into account wrote, "Despite a higher daily dietary intake of beta-carotene and lycopene by lung cancer patients, serum beta-carotene and lycopene concentrations were significantly lower than the group without cancer".

Taken altogether, carotenoids processed abundantly beta-carotene and lycopene may be considered a remedy for the prevention of lung cancer, pending to the confirmation of the larger sample size and multicenter human study.

Intake of carotenoids in the form of supplement should be taken with extreme care to prevent overdose acute liver toxicity.

Sources
(1) Dietary Intake and Serum Level of Carotenoids in Lung Cancer Patients: A Case-Control Study by Asbaghi S1, Saedisomeolia A, Hosseini M, Honarvar NM, Khosravi A, Azargashb E. (PubMed)
(2) Blood concentrations of carotenoids and retinol and lung cancer risk: an update of the WCRF-AICR systematic review of published prospective studies by Abar L1, Vieira AR1, Aune D1,2, Stevens C1, Vingeliene S1, Navarro Rosenblatt DA1, Chan D1, Greenwood DC3, Norat T. (PubMed)
(3) Lung Cancer by Kyle J. Norton

Whole Food Tomatoes, Kills Breast Cancer in Vitro

By Kyle J. Norton

Breast cancer is a medical condition caused by irregular cell growth in the breast tissue.

Breast cancer mostly starts in the cell on the surface of the inner lining of the breast either from the inner lining of milk ducts (Ductal carcinoma) or the lobules (Lobular carcinoma) that supply the ducts with milk.

At the later stage, breast cancer can induce secondary metastasis through the circulation of blood and fluids.

Most cases of breast cancer are discovered by the women themselves or their partners.

According to the statistics, In 2010, over 250,000 new cases of breast cancer were expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S. alone and the risk of getting invasive breast cancer during the lifetime of a woman is 1/8.

Today, due to the advanced technology and awareness of the disease, most cases of breast cancer in North American are diagnosed at an early stage.

The 5-year survival rate of breast cancer diagnosed in the local stage is close to 100%.

Most common symptoms at the early stage of breast cancer are lump (mass) in the breast, the armpit (lymph nodes), nipple discharge (clear or bloody), inverted or retracted nipple, scaly or pitted skin on nipple persistent tenderness of the breast and unusual breast pain or discomfort.

In the advanced stage, breast cancer may experience symptoms of bone pain (Secondary tumors in the bone), shortness of breath (Secondary tumors in the lung), unintentional weight loss and drop in appetite, (Secondary tumors in the liver) and headaches, neurological pain or weakness (Secondary tumors in the nervous system).

If you have some of the aforementioned symptoms, please make sure that you check with your doctor to rule out the possibility.

Out of many risk factors associated with breast cancer, some researchers suggested that the promotion of a high-fat diet in inducing the widespread obesity and overweight may have a strong implication on breast cancer.

Dr. Manuel Picon‐Ruiz, the lead scientist wrote, "Recent decades have seen an unprecedented rise in obesity, and the health impact thereof is increasingly evident. In 2014, worldwide, more than 1.9 billion adults were overweight (body mass index [BMI], 25‐29.9 kg/m2), and of these, over 600 million were obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m2)".

And, "Obesity is associated both with a higher risk of developing breast cancer, particularly in postmenopausal women and with worse disease outcome for women of all ages".

In other words, if you are obese, your risk of breast cancer increases substantially compared to those who are not.

Tomato is red, edible fruit, genus Solanum, belonging to family Solanaceae, native to South America. Because of its health benefits, the tomato is grown worldwide for the commercial purpose
and often in the greenhouse.

In the urgency to discover a natural chemo remedy for the treatment of breast cancer, researchers examined the InsP 5-ptase fruit extract from tomato effect on breast cancer cells.

According to the Cellular assays, InsP 5-ptase fruit extract was more effective for reducing the proliferation of breast cancer cells compared to wild-type tomato fruit extract.

Breast cancer cells (MCF-7 line) exposed to an extract of transgenic fruits extract inhibited several genes compared to untreated cells or cells treated with wild-type tomato extract, according to the metabolome analysis of InsP 5-ptase.

Researchers after taking into account co and confounders wrote, "Together, this data demonstrates the potential role of the plant-derived metabolites in suppressing cell viability of cancer cells".

In order to reveal more information about tomato anti-breast cancer property, researchers screened and elucidated the potential bioactive lycopene-derived products in breast-cancer and non-cancerous cells.

According to the oxidation products separated from LYC-oxidation as fractions I-III, Fraction II showed higher cytotoxicity (IC50 value of 64.5 μM), cellular uptake, and apoptosis-inducing activity compared to fraction I and III in MCF-7 cells.

ROS exerted cytotoxicity of the fractions are generated by mitochondrial dysfunction in the tested cell line.

Dr. Arathi BP, the lead scientist wrote in the final report, "LYC-oxidation derivatives or metabolites are involved in growth inhibition of cancer cells. Exploration of specific oxidized-carotenoid products will give further insight into the field of nutritional biochemistry".

Taken altogether, tomatoes processed a high amount of lycopene may be considered supplements for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer, pending to the confirmation of the larger sample size and multicenter human study.

Intake of lycopene in the form of supplement should be taken with extreme care to prevent overdose acute liver toxicity.

Sources
(1) Polyphenolic extract of InsP 5-ptase expressing tomato plants reduce the proliferation of MCF-7 breast cancer cells by Alimohammadi M1, Lahiani MH1, McGehee D1, Khodakovskaya M. (PubMed)
(2) Fractionation and Characterization of Lycopene-Oxidation Products by LC-MS/MS (ESI)+ by Elucidation of the Chemopreventative Potency of Oxidized Lycopene in Breast-Cancer Cell Lines by Arathi BP1, Raghavendra-Rao Sowmya P1, Kuriakose GC2, Shilpa S1, Shwetha HJ1, Kumar S3, Raju M4, Baskaran V5, Lakshminarayana R. (PubMed)
(3) Obesity and adverse breast cancer risk and outcome: Mechanistic insights and strategies for intervention by Manuel Picon‐Ruiz, PhD, 1 Cynthia Morata‐Tarifa, PhD, 2 Janeiro J. Valle‐Goffin, MD, 3Eitan R. Friedman, MD, 4 and Joyce M. Slingerland, MD, PhD. (PMC)

Cucumber Cucurbitacin B, the Chemotherapy Enhancer for the Treatment of Lymphoma

By Kyle J. Norton

Lymphoma is a medical and chronic condition associated with abnormal growth of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cells of the immune system that fight infection.

Lymphocytes included natural killer cells T cells and B cells are found in the lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, bone marrow, and other parts of the body.

The condition can be classified into 2 types

* Non-Hodgkin is the common form of lymphoma found in most patients.

* Hodgkin

According to the statistics, in the US, this year, approximately, 8,000 people will be diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, leading to the death of 1,000 patients with the disease.

Believe it or not, Hodgkin's lymphoma is treatable, especially in its early stages. The 5-year survival rate for all patients diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma is 92%.

Most cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma are found in adult 65 years of age and over compared to the age of 15 and 40 or older than 55 in Hodgkin lymphoma.

People with a weakened immune system, autoimmunity, viral infectious disease, family history, exposed to benzene and radiotherapy and past history of Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin lymphoma are some of the factors that may increase the risk of the disease.

Some researchers suggested that genetic proposition may have a strong implication with the onset of lymphoma.

Dr. Robert E. Ferrell, the lead scientist wrote, "Hereditary or primary lymphedema is a developmental disorder of the lymphatic system which leads to a disabling and disfiguring swelling of the extremities"

And, " Hereditary lymphedema generally shows an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance with reduced penetrance, variable expression and variable age at onset".

The cucumber plant is a species of Cucumis Sativus, belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae and native to Western Asia. It is a creeping vine with roots in the ground and grows up with the support of frames.

On finding a natural and potential compound for the treatment of lymphoma, researchers examined the effect of Cucurbitacin B (CuB) as ATO and STAT3 inhibitor against lymphoma.

Where Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is a chemotherapy drug used for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia.

And STAT3 is a protein which regulates genes involved in cell growth and division.

Injection of CuB showed to eliminate the apoptosis resistance of Burkitt's lymphoma Ramos cells to ATO synergistically.

In other words, CuB enhanced the drug effects in the inhibition lymphoma, particularly in resistance of Burkitt's lymphoma Ramos cells.

The results were attributed to the bioactive compound in blocking the activation of protein STAT3 associated with cancer cell proliferation and modulating the expression of proteins involved pro and anti-apoptosis.

Interestingly, the combination of CuB and ATO kills cancer cells without causing harm to normal cell lines.

In nude murine lymphoma model, The synergistic effect of the combination of CuB and ATO was once again confirmed which exhibited significant apoptosis induction and tumor growth inhibition.

Dr. Ding X, the lead scientist said, "CuB synergistically enhances the apoptosis-inducing effect of ATO by inhibiting STAT3 phosphorylation in Ramos cells".

Taken altogether, cucumber combined with primary medicine may be used for the treatment of lymphoma, pending to the confirmation of the larger sample size and multicenter human study.

Intake of CuB in the form of supplement should be taken with extreme care to prevent overdose acute liver toxicity.

Sources
(1) Cucurbitacin B synergistically enhances the apoptosis-inducing effect of arsenic trioxide by inhibiting STAT3 phosphorylation in lymphoma Ramos cells.
Ding X1,2, Chi J1,2, Yang X1,2, Hao J1,2, Liu C1,2, Zhu C1,2, Wang X1,2, Liu X1,2, Niu Y1,2, Ji W3, Chen D4, Wu X. (PubMed)
(2) Hereditary Lymphedema: Evidence for Linkage and Genetic Heterogeneity by Robert E. Ferrell Kara L. Levinson Judith H. Esman Mark A. KimakElizabeth C. Lawrence M. Michael Barmada David N. Finegold. (Oxford Academic)