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

Monday 24 July 2017

Herbal Therapy: Alfalfa, the Natural Anti Microbial Whole Food Medicine

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

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

Alfalfa may be a potential anti microbial agent used for treatment of infection or infectious related diseases.

According to the Via Orabona 4, Università, chemical compound saponins found in alfalfa family exhibited anti microbial activities in a selection of medically important yeasts, Gram-positive and negative bacteria.

Dr. Avato P, the lead author said, "(The anti micrbial) Activity (of alfalfa)was especially high against Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus cereus, B. subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis) with M. arabica being the species showing a broader spectrum of action. Discrete antifungal activity was also observed, mainly against Saccharomyces cerevisiae".

Furthermore, in the study of 40 steers fed either a sainfoin (hay or silage) or alfalfa (hay or silage) diet over a 9-week period, in vitro, alfalfa fed group showed a decline in fecal E. coli numbers marginally.

The study also suggested the result of decline of anti E. coli number is due to the presence of phytochemical phenolics in alfalfa.

In fact, The Karunya University in the investigation of Antimicrobial of Alfalfa(Medicago sativa) in various bacterial strain showed a positive effects of alfalfa seed extract in inhibition of

five bacterial strains namely Bacillus licheniformis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Lactococcus lactis, Klebsiella pneumonia. The efficacy also depend on concentration of extract with the maximum inhibition was seen in 300µg/ml concentration of extract.

There is no doubt that intake of alfalfa regularly may be beneficiary in reduced risk and treatment of microbial infection and diseases. But further human trials are necessary.

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

Sources
(1) Antimicrobial activity of saponins from Medicago sp.: structure-activity relationship by Avato P1, Bucci R, Tava A, Vitali C, Rosato A, Bialy Z, Jurzysta M.(PubMed)
(2) Potential to reduce Escherichia coli shedding in cattle feces by using sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) forage, tested in vitro and in vivo by Berard NC1, Holley RA, McAllister TA, Ominski KH, Wittenberg KM, Bouchard KS, Bouchard JJ, Krause DO.(PubMed)
(3) Antimicrobial screening of Alfalfa(Medicago sativa) in various bacterial strains by G.SHEELA JOY1 , and Dr.PHILOMENA GEORGE2 *. *Professor, 1B.Tech.student Department Biotechnology, Karunya University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India 641114(IJPDA)

Food Therapy: Celery, the Natural Whole Food in Suppressed Symptoms of Arthritis Diseases

According to recent study, Celery Seed Extract (CSE) has been found to be more effective in comparison to aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen in suppressing arthritis symptoms in a model of polyarthritis without interaction with compared medication intake.

Dr. Powanda MC, the lead researcher said, " unlike many dietary supplements, the available data suggest that CSE does not significantly affect the p450 enzyme systems( function in interaction with medication intake) and thus is less likely to alter the metabolism of drugs the individual may be taking"

Celery is a species of Apium graveolens, belonging to the family Apiaceae, cultivated all around the globe as a vegetable. Celery can grow to 1/2 m tall with stalks (leaf on the top) arranging in a conical shape joined at a common base.

The over the counter (OTC) oral remedies for arthritis and rheumatism classified celery seed extracts has a effective efficacy as ibuprofen in the anti-arthritic assay without causing gastric bleeding, but the treatment ranged is from almost zero to highly effective depending to a certain class of product.

In support of the above differentiation, A. graveolens (AGE) against liver oxidative stress in an adjuvant-induced arthritic rat model study found that oral administration of AGE (250, 500, and 1,000 mg/kg) for 24 consecutive days in the rat model, reduced symptoms of arthritis through reduced liver oxidative stress and enhanced liver antioxidant properties.

Taking altogether, intake of celery may be effective in ameliorated symptoms of arthritis through binding to the expression of proinflammation cytokins. But oral administrated large amount of celery supplements such as celery seed should be consulted with related field specialist.

Sunday 23 July 2017

Herbal Therapy: Cayenne, the Natural Whole Food Medicine for Reduced Risk of Airway Inflammation

Kyle J. Norton, Master of Nutrients
Health article writer and researcher; Over 10.000 articles and research papers have been written and published on line, including world wide health, ezine articles, article base, healthblogs, selfgrowth, best before it's news, the karate GB daily, etc.,.
Named TOP 50 MEDICAL ESSAYS FOR ARTISTS & AUTHORS TO READ by Disilgold.com Named 50 of the best health Tweeters Canada - Huffington Post
Nominated for shorty award over last 4 years
Some articles have been used as references in medical research, such as international journal Pharma and Bio science, ISSN 0975-6299.

The use of plants for healing purposes have been predated long before the existence of modern medicine. Herbal plants have formed a fundamental source for conventional medicine in discovery of single ingredient medication, including aspirin (from willow bark), quinine (from cinchona bark), and morphine (from the opium poppy)......
Cayenne is also known as Cayenne Pepper, a red, hot chili pepper, belonging to Capsicum annuum, the family Solanaceae, native to sub-tropical and tropical regions. It has been used in traditional medicine to increases metabolism, enhance circulatory system and stomach and the intestinal tract, adjust blood pressure, lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, treat frostbite, muscles, arthritis, rheumatism, low back pain, strains, sprains, bruises and neuralgia, etc.

The immune system is the set of cells and their activity against antigens or infectious agents that comprises of the body's defense system against diseases, including inflammation.

Cayenne, has been used in tradition medicine for treatment of inflammation caused by invasion of microbial organisms and allergens.

Red pepper (Capsicum baccatum) extracts, according to the study by the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), exerted its anti-inflammatory properties through in inhibiting the neutrophil migration induced by carrageenan (Cg).

In animal study, the ethanolic and butanol extracts (200mg/kg, p.o.) presented a significant anti-inflammatory activity through their antioxidant phenolic and flavonoid compounds against oxidative and inflammation-related pathological processes, including arway inflammation.

β-Defensin, members of the antimicrobial peptide found in cayenne inhibited the expression of the mRNA of anti-inflammatory cytokine during bacterial invasion, through stimulating immunomodulatory effects.

Other research suggested that anti-inflammatory effect induced by red pepper may be by inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine production at the inflammatory sites, such as upper airway.

Regular intake of Cayenne pepper can improve immune system against microbial infection and reduced risk of airway inflammation but overdose is found to induce toxicity.

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

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

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

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

Sources
(1) Red Pepper (Capsicum baccatum) Extracts Present Anti-Inflammatory Effects In Vivo and Inhibit the Production of TNF-α and NO In Vitro by Allemand A1,2, Leonardi BF1, Zimmer AR1, Moreno S3, Romão PR2, Gosmann G1.(PubMed)
(2) Anti-inflammatory effects of red pepper (Capsicum baccatum) on carrageenan- and antigen-induced inflammation by Spiller F1, Alves MK, Vieira SM, Carvalho TA, Leite CE, Lunardelli A, Poloni JA, Cunha FQ, de Oliveira JR.(PubMed)
(3) Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Capsicum baccatum: from traditional use to scientific approach by Zimmer AR1, Leonardi B, Miron D, Schapoval E, Oliveira JR, Gosmann G.(PubMed)
(4) Defensin γ-thionin from Capsicum chinense has immunomodulatory effects on bovine mammary epithelial cells during Staphylococcus aureus internalization by Díaz-Murillo V1, Medina-Estrada I1, López-Meza JE1, Ochoa-Zarzosa A2.(PubMed)

Herbal Therapy: Andrographis, The Male Contraceptive Whole Herb Medicine?

Andrographis paniculata, also known as Andrographis is a herbaceous plant, genus Andrographis, belonging to the family Acanthaceae, native to India and Sri Lanka, used in traditional Siddha and Ayurvedic in treating the common cold, flu, upper respiratory infections, infectious diseases, diarrhea, dysentery, cholera, pneumonia, ......

According to the Bharathidasan University, andrographolide, a major chemical constituent of andrographis paniculata affected the process in which spermatozoa are produced from spermatogonial stem cells in the testis by interring the dividing spermatogenic cell lines.

In a 3-month-old male Wistar albino rats at two dose levels, for 48 days, rats fed with andrographolide exerted contraceptive effects by inducing decreased sperm counts, increased in-motile spermatozoa, and several possessed abnormalities.

Dr. Akbarsha MA, the lead research said, "the study points to a male reproductive toxic effect of this compound(andrographolide) when used as a therapeutic".

Unfortunately, also in male Wistar albino rats study, orally administering extract of Andrographis paniculata of 0, 20, 200, and 1000 mg/kg of body weight per day, for 65 days prior to mating and 21 days during mating, treated group showed no effect on testosterone levels and fertility indices and sperm count and sperm motility when compared with the control.

Furthermore, in the comparison of Kan Jang--a fixed combination of Andrographis paniculata special extract (SHA-10) and Acanthopanax senticosus with Valeriana officinalis and Panax ginseng, Kan Jang decode exhibited no significant negative effect of Kan Jang on male semen quality and fertility, but rather a increased number of spermatozoids in the whole ejaculate in compared to others herbal treated group.

The conflict results of above studies may be due to types of research design, small sample size and quality of herbal medicine used....., but regardless to above conclusions, large sample size and mutli centers studies are necessary to resolve these contradiction.

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

Sources
(1) Aspects of the male reproductive toxicity/male antifertility property of andrographolide in albino rats: effect on the testis and the cauda epididymidal spermatozoa by Akbarsha MA1, Murugaian P.(PubMed)
(2) A phase I clinical study of Andrographis paniculata fixed combination Kan Jang versus ginseng and valerian on the semen quality of healthy male subjects by Mkrtchyan A1, Panosyan V, Panossian A, Wikman G, Wagner H.(PubMed)
(3) Reproductive and fertility effects of an extract of Andrographis paniculata in male Wistar rats by Allan JJ1, Pore MP, Deepak M, Murali B, Mayachari AS, Agarwal A.(PubMed)

Saturday 22 July 2017

Food Therapy: Asparagus, the Whole Food medicine for Reduced Risk of Diabetic Complications and Treatment of Diabetes

Kyle J. Norton, Master of Nutrients
Health article writer and researcher; Over 10.000 articles and research papers have been written and published on line, including world wide health, ezine articles, article base, healthblogs, selfgrowth, best before it's news, the karate GB daily, etc.,.
Named TOP 50 MEDICAL ESSAYS FOR ARTISTS & AUTHORS TO READ by Disilgold.com Named 50 of the best health Tweeters Canada - Huffington Post
Nominated for shorty award over last 4 years
Some articles have been used as references in medical research, such as international journal Pharma and Bio science, ISSN 0975-6299.

Whole food(herbal medicine) used as medical treatment, linking health benefits in prevention, management and treatment of diseases has induced much interests in today renowned scientists.
But many researchers have raised question of herbal quality, because geographic differences, time of grown and harvest, etc. may effect their's potency. I do believe, these questions can only be answered by experience herbalists.

Asparagus may be one of best food used to reduced risk of diabetes and diabetic complications of patients with kidney disease.

According to the study by Smt. Kashibai Navale College of Pharmacy, oral administration of ethanolic extract of Asparagus racemosus (EEAR) at a dose level of 100 and 250 mg/kg daily for 4 weeks, significantly reduced the expression of streptozotocin-induced early diabetic nephropathy in compared with control group.

Dr. Somania R, the lead researcher said, " A. racemosus treatment significantly decreased plasma glucose, creatinine, ..... total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Renal hypertrophy,....and abnormal changes in the renal tissue".

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

Diabetes is a condition caused by insufficient insulin entering the bloodstream to regulate the glucose. It is either caused by cells in pancreas dying off or receptor sites clogged up by fat and cholesterol. In some cases, diabetes is also caused by allergic reactions of cells in the immune system.

In Streptozotocin (90 mg/kg) injected in 2-d-old Wistar rat pups to induce non-obese type 2 diabetes, diabetic rats treated with a methanolic extract of A. officinalis seeds (250 and 500 mg/kg per d) expressed lower fasting blood glucose, improved serum insulin, total antioxidant status and qualitative and quantitative in β-cell function.
These efficacy can be attributed to the extract's anti-diabetic effects by improving insulin secretion and β-cell function.

Furthermore, the asparagus extract also exhibited the hypoglycaemic and hypotriglyceridaemic effects in preventing diabetic complications associated with hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia.

Taking altogether, there is no doubt that many aspects have contributed to the effectiveness of asparagus in reduced risk of diabetic complications and treatment of diabetes, but large amount of asparagus extract intake should only be prescribed by related field specialist

Food Therapy: Kidney Bean, the Best Anti Hperglycemic Whole Food Medicine for Obese and Over Weight Patients

Kidney bean is popular because of its kidney shape, strong flavor and color of reddish brown in nature, It is often an excellent dietary selection with no cholesterol, but a good source of protein and minerals.

According to the University of Extremadura, oral administration of alpha-amylase isolated and purified from an extract of white kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) at 50 mg/kg body weight to adult Wistar rats, ameliorated the increase in glycaemia over the basal value, without modifying the insulin response.

Hyperglycemia is a condition of abnormal high levels of blood sugar, affecting people with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes, as well as pregnant women with gestational diabetes.

Dr. Tormo MA, the lead author said, "(The extract expressed) significant anorexigenic(appetite suppressant) action of the inhibitor; there was reduced food intake...., a reduced weight gain,...., as well as changes in the activity of some intestinal enzymes".

In fact, the extracts of kidney beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris ) reduced glycemia as in studies of rodents and humans may be attributed to the direct interference with the central mechanism(s) in regulating appetite, food intake, and food palatability, inhibited enzymes response to process of starch digestion and hunger.

In genetically obese Zucker fa/fa rats, dry extract administered daily, at doses of 50 and 500 mg/kg, in three 5 days treatment periods followed by three 20 days off-treatment periods, decreased in daily food intake and body weight and suppressed glycaemia in both treatment phases.

The investigation of clinical use of the combination of P. vulgaris and C. scolymus extracts also supported the hypoglycaemic effects of kidney bean as a successful example of translational research in the pharmaceutical-grade and standardized nutrient field.

With the collected information, kidney bean no doubt has processed a clinical value with potential of becoming a standard medicine for treatment in controlling and management of hyperglycemia in obese and over weight patients.

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

Sources
(1) Hypoglycaemic and anorexigenic activities of an alpha-amylase inhibitor from white kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) in Wistar rats by Tormo MA1, Gil-Exojo I, Romero de Tejada A, Campillo JE.(PubMed)
(2) Reducing effect of a Phaseolus vulgaris dry extract on food intake, body weight, and glycemia in rats by Fantini N1, Cabras C, Lobina C, Colombo G, Gessa GL, Riva A, Donzelli F, Morazzoni P, Bombardelli E, Carai MA.(PubMed)
(3) Multiple cycles of repeated treatments with a Phaseolus vulgaris dry extract reduce food intake and body weight in obese rats by Carai MA1, Fantini N, Loi B, Colombo G, Gessa GL, Riva A, Bombardelli E, Morazzoni P.(PubMed)

Friday 21 July 2017

Food Therapy: Cruciferous Vegetables - The Best Whole Food Medicine for Reduced Risk and Treatment of Colon Cancer

Kyle J. Norton, Master of Nutrients
Health article writer and researcher; Over 10.000 articles and research papers have been written and published on line, including world wide health, ezine articles, article base, healthblogs, selfgrowth, best before it's news, the karate GB daily, etc.,.
Named TOP 50 MEDICAL ESSAYS FOR ARTISTS & AUTHORS TO READ by Disilgold.com Named 50 of the best health Tweeters Canada - Huffington Post
Nominated for shorty award over last 4 years
Some articles have been used as references in medical research, such as international journal Pharma and Bio science, ISSN 0975-6299.

Whole food(herbal medicine) used as medical treatment, linking health benefits in prevention, management and treatment of diseases has induced much interests in today renowned scientists.
But many researchers have raised question of herbal quality, because geographic differences, time of grown and harvest, etc. may effect their's potency. I do believe, these questions can only be answered by experience herbalists.

Cruciferous Vegetables containing various phytochemical compounds may be the best vegetables for reduced risk and treatment of colon cancer.
According to the joint study lead by the China Medical University, sulforaphane (SFN), an isothiocyanate, existed only in cruciferous vegetables, interfered the cancer cell cycle division in induction of apoptosis in HCT 116 cells.

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

Colon cancer is a condition of the abnormal proliferation of cells in the colon..

Dr. Martin SL the lead author in the study of the effect of sulforaphane (SFN) against colon cancer cells, said, " sulforaphane (SFN), found in cruciferous vegetables such as kale, cabbage and broccoli sprouts, has been present as one of the most potent (histone deacetylase) HDAC inhibitors to date. " and " HDAC inhibition is a promising approach for delaying and/or preventing CRC and may be accomplished via consumption of SFN in cruciferous vegetables".

Futhermore, sulforaphane (SF) also expressed its chemoprotective properties in immortalized human colonic epithelial cell lines with no harm to normal tissues and levels of steroidogenic enzymes which play an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases.

In multiple genetic and signaling pathway alterations underline the development of colon cancer study, 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM), a natural compound derived from cruciferous vegetables also significantly suppressed colcon cancer effect through targeting Wnt/β-catenin signaling, a highly conserved pathway through evolution, regulates key cellular functions including proliferation, differentiation.

According to Dr. Tse G and Dr. Eslick GD. in the address of phytochemicals of Cruciferous Vegetables against colon cancer said, " Evidence shows cruciferous vegetables exhibit chemoprotective properties, commonly attributed to their rich source of isothiocyanates......, cruciferous vegetable intake protects against cancer of the colon" and " (cruciferous vegetable )demonstrates the significance of gene-diet interactions".

Although cruciferous Vegetable has shown to process a potency in treatment of colon cancer, further human trials are necessary to confirm its validation.

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

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

FOOD HACK for Weight Loss
A Simple Cooking Technique That Cuts The Calories & Glycemic
Impact In Rice, Pasta, And Potatoes In Half

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

Sources
(1) Sulforaphane Induces Cell Death Through G2/M Phase Arrest and Triggers Apoptosis in HCT 116 Human Colon Cancer Cells by Liu KC1, Shih TY1, Kuo CL2, Ma YS3,4, Yang JL2, Wu PP5, Huang YP6, Lai KC7,8, Chung JG9,10.(PubMed)
(2) Mechanisms for inhibition of colon cancer cells by sulforaphane through epigenetic modulation of microRNA-21 and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) down-regulation by Martin SL, Kala R, Tollefsbol TO1.(PubMed)
(3) Sulforaphane Preconditioning Sensitizes Human Colon Cancer Cells towards the Bioreductive Anticancer Prodrug PR-104A by Erzinger MM1, Bovet C1, Hecht KM1, Senger S1, Winiker P1, Sobotzki N2, Cristea S3,4, Beerenwinkel N3,4, Shay JW5, Marra G6, Wollscheid B1,2,7, Sturla SJ1.(PubMed)
(4) Genome-wide transcriptome analysis reveals inactivation of Wnt/β-catenin by 3,3'-diindolylmethane inhibiting proliferation of colon cancer cells by Leem SH1, Li XJ2, Park MH3, Park BH4, Kim SM2.(PubMed)
(5) Cruciferous vegetables and risk of colorectal neoplasms: a systematic review and meta-analysis by Tse G1, Eslick GD.(PubMed)