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

Saturday 14 September 2019

Healthy Food Onion Protects the Upper Aerodigestive Tract (UADT) Against the Risk of Cancer

By Kyle J. Norton

Aerodigestive tract is the combined organs and tissues of the respiratory tract and the upper part of the digestive tract including the lip, tongue, major salivary glands, gums and adjacent oral cavity tissues, floor of the mouth, tonsils, oropharynx, nasopharynx, hypopharynx and other oral regions, nasal cavity, accessory sinuses, middle ear, and larynx.

Cancer is a class of diseases characterized by irregular cell growth in the tissue of a specific organ due to the alternation of cell DNA.

The upper aerodigestive tract cancer a type of invasive cancer that starts in the cell on the surface of the inner lining of the aerodigestive tract before proliferating to deeper layer to form a tumor.

According to the statistics provided by the Scottish Health Service, upper aerodigestive tract cancer accounts for approximately 4% of all malignancies with cancers of salivary glands, gums, nasopharynx, and nasal cavity and accessory sinuses. Epidermoid carcinomas account for greater than 95% of all cases.

Epidemiologically, aging, male gender, ethnicity are some of the most common prevalent factors associated with the incidences.

The 5-year relative survival rate of upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) was approximately 50%, depending on the type of UADT.

Dr. F. Bravi, the lead scientist in the examination of the diet patterns in the risk of UADT wrote, "
The most consistent findings are the beneficial role of a dietary pattern based on fruit and vegetables or nutrients mostly contained in such foods, and the unfavorable role of an alcohol drinker pattern. A possible unfavorable role of patterns based on meats and animal products emerged as well".

The onion is a plant in the genus Allium, belongings 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 potent compound for the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal tract cancer, researchers examined the effect of total allium, garlic, and onion intake on the risk of cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract (UADT).

The study identified 21 case-control and four cohort studies through the searching data of published observational studies, using a meta-analytic approach and random effects models.

* The overall relative risks (RR) for the squamous cell carcinoma of the UADT were 0.72 (95% CI 0.57-0.91) for onion for the highest versus the lowest consumption.

* Onion showed a strong inverse relation in case-control studies with the RR of 0.56.

* In Chinese studies onion showed a lesser effect compared to garlic for esophageal than for head and neck cancers.

* Believe it or not, there was no relation between allium vegetable intake and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus.

These results strongly suggested that onion process a significant anti-upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) cancer effect, depending on the types of gastrointestinal tract cancer.

Collectively, researchers after taking other factors into account wrote, "We found a moderate inverse association between allium vegetable intake and the risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the UADT in case-control studies".

Taken altogether, onion processed a higher mount of onionin A (ONA) may be considered a remedy for the treatment of upper aerodigestive tract cancer effect, depending on the types of UADT, pending to the confirmation of the larger sample size and multicenter human study.

Sources
(1) Allium vegetables and upper aerodigestive tract cancers: a meta-analysis of observational studies by Guercio V1, Turati F2, La Vecchia C1, Galeone C2, Tavani A. (PubMed)
(2) In vitro influence of spices and spice-active principles on digestive enzymes of rat pancreas and small intestine by Ramakrishna Rao R1, Platel K, Srinivasan K. (PubMed)
(3) Upper aerodigestive tract cancers by Muir C1, Weiland L. (PubMed)
(4) Dietary patterns and upper aerodigestive tract cancers: an overview and review by
Bravi V. Edefonti G. Randi M. Ferraroni C. La Vecchia A. Decarli (Annuals of Oncology)

Phytochemical Lycopene Protects the Liver Cells Against the Risk of Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

By Kyle J. Norton

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a medical and chronic liver condition associated with fat accumulated over time, without the presence of excessive alcohol use.

NAFLD can be classified into the non-inflammatory fatty liver (NAFL) and inflammatory nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Untreated Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been found to induce cirrhosis, a major cause of liver cancer.

According to world statistics, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is normally known as a disease of the Western world. However, today, due to the economic prosperity of Southeast Asia over the past few decades,, the disease also was found in a large number of population in the cities, causing concerns of many scientists in the region.

The prevalence rate of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among the more affluent regions of China, is approximately 15%. The number may decrease substantially if the poor rural populations where obesity is non-existence are also taking into account.

In the US, over 100 million people have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and the condition is more double over the past 20 years. Today, the disease also is also prevalent liver disease in children.

Most people at the early stage NAFLD are asymptomatic. However, as the disease progression into the later stage, most patients experience symptoms of right upper abdominal discomfort, fatigue, and/or malaise, and jaundice(20) with yellowing of the skin and eyes.

The exact causes of NAFLD are not identified. Some researchers suggested that certain risk factors such as long-term use of certain medications, genetic preposition, insulin resistance, high cholesterol and triglycerides, polycystic ovary syndrome, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and type 2 diabetes are associated with the onset of the disease.

Some researchers suggested that unhealthy diet such as the promotion of a high-fat diet the Western world over the last few decades may also have a strong implication on NAFLD.

Dr. Jensen VS, the lead scientist in the study high-fat diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, wrote, "In humans and animal models, excessive intake of dietary fat, fructose, and cholesterol have been linked to the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)".

And, " Only HFr-fed rats developed dyslipidemia as characterized by higher levels of plasma triglycerides compared to all other groups (p < 0.0001). Hepatic dysfunction and inflammation was confirmed in HFD-fed rats by elevated levels of hepatic MCP-1 (p < 0.0001), TNF-alpha (p < 0.001) and plasma β-hydroxybutyrate (p < 0.0001), and in NASH-fed rats by elevated levels of hepatic MCP-1 (p < 0.01), increased hepatic macrophage infiltration (p < 0.001), and higher plasma levels of alanine aminotransferase (p < 0.0001) aspartate aminotransferase (p < 0.05), haptoglobin (p < 0.001) and TIMP-1 (p < 0.01) compared to Control".

Lycopene is a phytochemical in the class of carotenoid, a natural pigment with no vitamin A activity found abundantly in tomatoes and other red fruits and vegetables, such as red carrots, watermelons, and papayas,

Tomatoes provide about 80% of the lycopene in the world diet. In plants, lycopene protects the host against excessive photodamage and perform various functions in photosynthesis.

On finding a potential compound for the prevention of alcoholic fatty liver disease, researchers evaluated the effect of lycopene (LYC) on chronic or excessive alcohol intake-related liver injury.

Lycopene inhibited the expression of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) enzyme associated with chronic and excessive alcoholic drinking.

Where cytochrome P450 2E1(CYP2E1) not only represent the major enzymes in the CNS that catalyze ethanol oxidation but also plays a vital role in alcohol, drug, toxin, lipid, and carcinogen metabolism associated with reactive oxygen species-induced oxidative stress that promotes hepatocyte injury and death.

In other words, excessive alcohol drinking induced production of free radicals that lead to liver damage in the initiation of inflammation, fibrosis, and lipid peroxidation.

More precisely, lycopene prevented liver injury in the induction of alcoholic fatty liver disease by targeting the expression of CYP2E1 induction.

Taken altogether, lycopene found in tomato may be considered supplements for the prevention and treatment of alcoholic fatty liver disease, pending on 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.

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

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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 and Bioscience, ISSN 0975-6299.

Sources
(1) Lycopene Improves Diet-Mediated Recuperation in Rat Model of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease by Piña-Zentella RM1, Rosado JL1, Gallegos-Corona MA2, Madrigal-Pérez LA3, García OP1, Ramos-Gomez M. (PubMed).
(2) Tomato lycopene prevention of alcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma development by Stice CP1, Xia H1, Wang XD. (PubMed)
(3) The Herbal Medicines Which Treat Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Naturally, According to Studies by Kely J. Norton

Cranberry Decreases Homocysteine and Increases Adiponectin Levels in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

By Kyle J. Norton

Homocysteine produced in the bloodstream is a common amino acid in the blood from eating meat.

High levels of homocysteine in the blood have been found to increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

In other words, homocysteine induced atherosclerosis by causing arterial damage, leading to the accumulation and formation of the plaque and blood clot.

Believe it or not, overexpression of homocysteine accompanied by the low levels of vitamins B6, B12, and folate, also have been found in some patients with renal disease.

Dr. Bradley A. Maron, the lead scientist in the examination of the disease associated with hyperhomocysteinemia wrote, "The unique biochemical profile of homocysteine is characterized by chemical reactivity supporting a wide range of molecular effects, and a tendency to promote oxidant stress-induced cellular toxicity".

And, "Numerous epidemiological reports have established hyperhomocysteinemia as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, dementia-type disorders, and osteoporosis-associated fractures".

Adiponectin is a type of protein associated with the function that regulates glucose levels and fatty acid breakdown.

The protein also plays a critical role in the development of insulin resistance and atherosclerosis. Low levels of adiponectin levels increase the risk of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

In type 2 diabetes, and administration of adiponectin not lowers plasma glucose levels but also increases insulin sensitivity.

More precisely, in patients with type 2 diabetes, increased levels of adiponectin involved in the enhancement of insulin sensitivity were attributed to the increase of fatty acid oxidation and inhibition of hepatic glucose production.

Dr. Lihn AS in the examing the effects of administration of adiponectin in type 2 diabetes wrote, "adiponectin in addition to possible anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic effects appears to be an insulin enhancer, with potential as a new pharmacologic treatment modality of the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes".

Cranberry is an evergreen dwarf shrub, genus Vaccinium, belongings to the family Ericaceae, native to Northern America and Southern Asia. Because of its health benefits, cranberry has been cultivated in some parts of the world for commercial profit and used in traditional and herbal medicine to treat wounds, urinary disorders, diarrhea, diabetes, stomach ailments, and liver problems.

On finding a potential compound for the inhibition of cardiovascular risk factors, researchers examined the effects of cranberry juice concomitantly on homocysteine and adiponectin levels in patients with the MetS.

The study included a total of 36 individuals with the MetS divided into two groups: the control group (n 36) and cranberry-treated group(n 20) received cranberry juice (0·7 liters/d) containing 0·4mg folic acid for 60 days.

According to tested analysis, the cranberry-treated group showed an increase in adiponectin involved in regulating glucose levels as well as fatty acid breakdown and a decrease in homocysteine associated with a risk for heart disease comapred to baseline values and the controls.

However, the cranberry-treated group improved MetS without affecting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-a, IL-1, and IL-6.

According to the measurement of oxidative stress, the cranberry-treated group also showed decreased lipoperoxidation and protein oxidation levels, compared to the control group.

The results strongly suggested that chronic consumption of cranberry juice for 60 d improves some cardiovascular risk factors.

Based on the findings, researchers concluded. "The present data reinforce the importance of the inverse association between homocysteine and adiponectin and the need for more specifically designed studies on MetS patients.".

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

Sources
(1) Reduced-energy cranberry juice increases folic acid and adiponectin and reduces homocysteine and oxidative stress in patients with the metabolic syndrome by Simão TN1, Lozovoy MA, Simão AN, Oliveira SR, Venturini D, Morimoto HK, Miglioranza LH, Dichi I. (PubMed)
(2) The Treatment of Hyperhomocysteinemia by Bradley A. Maron, M.D. and Joseph Loscalzo, M.D., Ph.D. (PMC)
(3) Adiponectin: action, regulation, and association to insulin sensitivity by Lihn AS1, Pedersen SB, Richelsen B. (PubMed)

Broccoli Sprout Protects Diabetics Against Diabetic Cardiomyopathy,

By Kyle J. Norton

Diabetes is a medical condition characterized by the failure of the body to utilize the insulin in converting glucose to energy, leading to high levels of glucose in the bloodstream.

Most cases of diabetes are associated with either beta cells of the pancreas died-off or insulin receptor site clogged-up by fat and cholesterol.

Diabetic complications in most cases are caused by long-term unmanaged hyperglycemia, a hallmark of diabetes.

Most common complication of diabetes is associated with the damage of tiny blood vessels that nourish the related organ and tissues, leading to the risk for developing microvascular and macrovascular complications. includes cardiovascular disease.

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a complication of the heart muscle in people with diabetes, leading to heart failure that causes the reduced function of the heart to circulate blood through the body.
Most common symptoms of diabetic cardiomyopathy are the accumulation of fluid in the lungs or legs.

Dr. Adeghate E, in the examination of the diabetic cardiomyopathy associated with the structural changes in the myocardium of diabetes, wrote, " If left unmanaged, DM can lead to numerous long-term complications including micro- and macro-angiopathy and heart failure (HF)".

And, "Most diabetics usually die as a result of HF resulting from diabetes-induced coronary artery disease and cardiomyopathy. Coronary artery disease and cardiomyopathy are normally preceded by hyperglycemia (HG)".

In other words, management diabetes by preventing the onset of hyperglycemia is the most effective way to reduce the risk of diabetic cardiomyopathy in diabetes.

More precisely, by following a healthy diet to normalize the levels of HbA1c level, accompanied by moderate exercise, risk of diabetic complication can be manageable.

Broccoli is a mustard/cabbage plant, belong to the family Brassicaceae. It has large flower heads, usually green in color and the mass of flower heads is surrounded by leaves and evolved from a wild cabbage plant on the continent of Europe.

With an aim to find a natural food for the prevention and treatment of diabetic cardiomyopathy, researchers examined the effect of broccoli sprout extract in an animal model.

The study included male db/db and age-matched wild-type (WT) mice given sulforaphane (SFN, an Nrf2 activator) and its natural source, broccoli sprout extract (BSE) by gavage every other day for 3 months, including vehicle (0.1 ml/10 g), BSE-low dose (estimated SFN availability at 0.5 mg/kg), BSE-high dose (estimated SFN availability at 1.0 mg/kg), and SFN (0.5 mg/kg).

According to the results of echocardiography and histopathological analysis, both BSE and SFN showed significant prevention of diabetes-induced cardiac dysfunction, hypertrophy, and fibrosis.

Furthermore, BSE, like SFN, significantly exhibited the Nrf2 transcriptional activity associated with protective effect oxidative damage triggered by injury and inflammation.

In other words, by stimulating Nrf2 function of the protein, BSE, and SFN significantly prevented cardiac oxidative damage and inflammation.

Moreover, BSE at high dose exerted the similar effect as those of SFN. particularly, in BSE at a high dose that works synergistically with SFN to prevent DCM.

Based on the findings, researchers said, "BSE could potentially be used as a natural and safe treatment against DCM via Nrf2 activation".

Taken altogether, broccoli sprout processed abundantly SFN may be considered supplements for the prevention and treatment of diabetic cardiomyopathy, pending to the confirmation of the larger sample size and multicenter human study.

Intake of SFN in the form of supplement should be taken with extreme care to prevent overdose 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) Broccoli sprout extract prevents diabetic cardiomyopathy via Nrf2 activation in db/db T2DM mice by Xu Z, Wang S, Ji H, Zhang Z, Chen J, Tan Y, Wintergerst K, Zheng Y, Sun J, Cai L. (PubMed)
(2) Structural changes in the myocardium during diabetes-induced cardiomyopathy by Adeghate E1, Singh J. (PubMed)

Friday 13 September 2019

Phytochemical Indicaxanthin Blocks the Onset of Oxidative Stress

By Kyle J. Norton

Oxidative stress is a condition associated with the long-term imbalanced ratio of free radicals and antioxidants in the body, leading to protein, lipid, and cells damage that cause chronic illness such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

In other words, the condition is caused either by overexpression of free radicals or depletion of antioxidant enzymes produced by the host or both.

Antioxidants are either produced by the body or injected to the body from the outside sources such as consumptions of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables.

Free radicals are everywhere, including the air we breathe, the food we eat and the body daily functioning such as cell metabolism.

More precisely, any chemical compound which has an oxygen molecule can become free radical after entering our body.

In healthy individuals, the antioxidant produced by the host is more than enough to counter the bombards of free radicals. However, for people with a weakened immune system such as elderly and immature immune system such as baby may need the injection of antioxidants from the outside sources.

Particularly, people with a suppressive immune system due to chemotherapy may require to intake large amounts from antioxidant-rich food regularly.

Dr. Biller-Takahashi JD and colleagues wrote, "Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are reactive molecules containing oxygen, that form as byproducts of aerobic metabolism, including immune system processes. Too much ROS may cause oxidative stress".

And, " This study shows a relationship between oxidative stress and immunity, and, from a practical perspective, shows that improving immunity and health in pacu through the administration of selenium could improve their growth performance".

However, free radicals in moderate amount are needed for body functioning, including lower blood pressure, relax blood vessels to move blood, such as nitric oxide NO.

3,3'-Diindolylmethane or DIM are phytochemicals derived from the digestion of indole-3-carbinol, belonging to the group of Indoles, found abundantly in broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and kale, etc.

Indicaxanthin is phytochemicals in the class of red and yellow indole-derived pigments of Betacyanins, belongings to the group of Betalains found abundantly in beets, chard, etc.

On finding a potential ingredient for the prevention of disease associated with oxidative stress, researchers investigated the effect of indicaxanthin (Ind) on 7-KC-induced apoptosis of human monocyte/macrophage THP-1 cells.

Where 7-Ketocholesterol (7-KC) has been found to induce apoptosis of macrophages, a key event in the development of human atheromas.

Based on the tested analysis, 7-KC within 24 hours of injection within showed the pro-apoptotic activity observed by the early formation of intracellular reactive oxygen species over basal levels, NADPH oxidase-4 (NOX-4) over-expression and elevation of cytosolic Ca²⁺, with progressive depletion of total thiols.

In other words, 7-KC induced oxidative stress in the human monocyte/macrophage THP-1 cells, leading to cytotoxicity.

Interestingly, 7-KCalso inhibited the process of the redox-sensitive NF-κB against oxidation in the tested cells.

Co-incubation of 2·5 μm of indicaxanthin completely prevented 7-KC-induced pro-apoptotic events.

The efficacy of indicaxanthin was attributed to the inhibition of NOX-4 basal activity and over-expression, inhibition of NF-κB activation.

More precisely indicaxanthin promoted the THP-1 cells redox balance and Ca homeostasis, thus preventing mitochondrial damage-induced apoptosis.

Based on the findings, researchers said, " Ind, a highly bioavailable dietary phytochemical, may exert protective effects against atherogenic toxicity of 7-KC at a concentration of nutritional interest".

Taken altogether, indicaxanthin may be considered a remedy for the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with oxidative stress, pending to the confirmation of the larger sample size and multicenter human study.

Sources
(1) Phytochemical indicaxanthin suppresses 7-ketocholesterol-induced THP-1 cell apoptosis by preventing cytosolic Ca(2+) increase and oxidative stress by Tesoriere L1, Attanzio A, Allegra M, Gentile C, Livrea MA. (PubMed)
(2) The immune system is limited by oxidative stress: Dietary selenium promotes optimal antioxidative status and greatest immune defense in pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus by Biller-Takahashi JD1, Takahashi LS2, Mingatto FE3, Urbinati EC. (PubMed)

Carotenoids in Different Etiologies of Chronic Liver Diseases

By Kyle J. Norton

The liver is the largest internal organ found in the human which plays an essential role in filtering the blood from the digestive system before passing them to other parts of the body.

The liver also produces cholesterol, a waxy substance which aids digestion, builds cell membranes and produces vitamin D and steroid hormones.

Liver disease is a class of medical condition characterized by the reducing partly or completely the function of the liver, including liver failure.

Most common types of liver disease in the US are
* Hepatitis C (26%) is a liver disease caused by liver inflammation caused by viral Hepatitis C, leading to irreversible liver scars. Over time, the condition can also induce liver cancer.

* Alcoholic liver disease (21%) is a condition caused long-term excessive alcohol drinking. It is known that years of alcohol abuse can cause the liver to become inflamed and swollen. Over time, it has been found to induce the formation of liver scars, known as cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is the final stage of liver disease.

* Hepatitis C plus alcoholic liver disease (15%)

* Cryptogenic causes (18%) is a condition with no apparent underlying reason. However, most researchers suggested that many cases of cryptogenic cirrhosis are likely caused by non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition of fat accumulated in the liver.

* Hepatitis B and D (15%) are liver diseases caused by liver inflammation caused by viral Hepatitis C, leading to irreversible liver scars. Over time, the condition can also induce liver cancer.

Most common symptoms of liver disease are jaundice, abdominal pain and swelling, swelling in the legs and ankles, itchy skin, dark urine color, pale stool color, or bloody or tar-colored stool, chronic fatigue and nausea or vomiting.

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 natural ingredient for the treatment of chronic liver diseases, researchers examined the effects of carotenoids against reactive oxygen species and oxidative damage associated with the onset of liver damage.

Overexpression of free radical-induced oxidative stress in the liver not only induced lipid and protein oxidation but also caused the alternation of the liver cell DNA, leading to reduced function of the liver.

Dietary carotenoids as antioxidants not only protected the liver cellular metabolism but also balanced the ratio of free radical in the liver, thus preventing the onset of liver oxidative stress, the major cause of chronic liver disease, including cancer.

In other words, carotenoids enhanced the liver functioning by inactivating reactive oxygen species and obstructing lipid and protein oxidative damage, the vital prophylactic strategic molecules.

In chemical differentiation,

* β-Carotene supplementation enhanced the levels of antioxidants in the tested subject that act as free radical scavengers such as vitamin C, glutathione, and glutathione-related enzymes against liver toxicity caused by administration of aflatoxin-B1.

Furthermore, β-Carotene also inhibited liver disease associated with both HBV and HCV by suppressing the elevation of inflammatory and oxidative conditions in hepatocytes.

* Lycopene found abundantly in tomato and products of tomato possesses antioxidant, and detoxification abilities in many epidemiological and animal studies, thus preventing liver oxidative stress induced chronic diseases.

* Lutein, another phytochemical and bioactive compound found in carotenoids has been found epidemiologically to possess a strong antioxidant activity by promoting the production liver antioxdant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione, against diseases associated with oxidative stress including antiviral activity against hepatitis B.

* Other carotenoids such as β-Cryptoxanthin, α-carotene, fucoxanthin, and zeaxanthin also show promising effects against chronic liver injury through their antioxidant activity.

Taken altogether, betacyanins used alone or combined with conventional medicine may be considered a remedy for the prevention and treatment of adjuvant rheumatic diseases, 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) Role of Dietary Carotenoids in Different Etiologies of Chronic Liver Diseases By Uzma Latief and Riaz Ahmad

Herbal Coltsfoot(Tussilago farfara) Anti Bacterial and Cancer Remedy

By Kyle J. Norton

Cancer is a group of cell mutated diseases caused by the alternation of DNA.

Most cases of cancer begin in the cells on the surface of the inner lining of the tissue of an organ. At the early, most people with cancer are asymptomatic, however, at the later, due to the size and the tumor, patients may experience the general cancer symptoms such as unintended weight loss, fatigue, gastrointestinal discomfort and loss of appetite and localized symptoms such as severe pain and bleeding.

The exact causes of cancer are not identified. As of today, researchers do not know why one person develops cancer and another doesn’t, even they share some common risk factors of the disease.

However, most prevalent factors associated with the cancer onset are age, family history, long-term exposure to certain cancer-induced chemicals, use of tobacco and excessive alcohol drinking,..... the list goes on and on, depending on the types of cancer.

Some researchers suggested that the causes of cancer in the Western world may be associated with widespread obesity.

Dr. Karen Basen-Engquist, in the evaluation of obesity risk of cancer, said, "In the United States, approximately 85,000 new cancer cases per year are related to obesity. Recent research has found that as the body mass index increases by 5 kg/m2, cancer mortality increases by 10%".

And, "High priorities for future research involve additional work on the underlying mechanisms, and trials to examine the effect of lifestyle behavior change and weight loss interventions on cancer and intermediate biomarkers".

The findings strong indicated the risk of cancer is increased substantially in obese.

Bacteria are single-celled organisms of which only a few have been found to cause infection.
The bacterial infection is the infection caused by bacteria. Most cases of bacterial infection are treated with antibiotics. However, bacteria are very adaptable, overuse of antibiotics has made many of them resistant to antibiotics.

There are trillions of strains of bacteria in the world, but only a few of these cause diseases in humans. Some of them live inside our gut.

Most common symptoms of bacterial infection include redness and heat, swelling, fever, pain at the site of infection.

In severe cases, the patient may also experience symptoms of swollen lymph glands.

Most cases of bacterial infection can be treated successfully if the types of bacteria that cause the infection are identified.

There are many risk factors associated with the onset of bacterial infection, some researchers suggested that people with a weakened immune system may increase the prevalence of bacterial infection.

Coltsfoot(Tussilago farfara) is a perennial herbaceous plant, genus Tussilago, belonging to the family Asteraceae, native to Europe and Asia. The herb has been used over thousands of year to treat asthma, various coughs, bronchial congestion, respiratory disorders, headaches and obstruction in the nasal passage, etc.

On finding a potential compound for the treatment of chronic disease, researchers examined the anti-bacterial and cancer effects of sesquiterpenoids from the flower bud extract of Tussilago farfara by the silver and gold nanoparticles that had a characteristic surface plasmon resonance at 416 nm and 538 nm, respectively.

According to the tested analysis, the silver nanoparticles showed better antibacterial activity (two- to four-fold enhancement) on both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria comapred to the extract alone.

Furthermore, the highest antibacterial activity was obtained against vancomycin-resistant Enterococci Van-A type Enterococcus faecium.

Gold nanoparticles exerted the highest cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines, compared silver nanoparticles, particularly in human pancreas ductal adenocarcinoma cells.

Based on the findings, researchers said, "both nanoparticles synthesized with the sesquiterpenoids from T. farfara flower bud extract can be applied as drug delivery vehicles of anticancer or antibacterial agents for future nanomedicine applications.".

Taken altogether, coltsfoot may be considered a remedy for the treatment of bacterial infection and cancer, pending to the confirmation of the larger sample size and multicenter human study.

Sources
(1) Sesquiterpenoids from Tussilago farfara Flower Bud Extract for the Eco-Friendly Synthesis of Silver and Gold Nanoparticles Possessing Antibacterial and Anticancer Activities by Lee YJ1, Song K2, Cha SH3, Cho S4, Kim YS5, Park Y. (PubMed)