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

Tuesday 22 August 2017

Herbal Therapy: Green tea, the Best Anti Obesity Functional Food

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.

Green tea is found to consist an anti obesity function, a recent study by popular institute suggested.

Green tea, considered as a functional food, linking numbers of health benefit has been reported by several renowned research and studies. However, as yin in nature herbal medicine or food, long term injection of large amounts may obstruct the balance of yin-yang, induced "yin excessive syndrome" or "yang vacuity syndrome" including weaken immunity and painful case of GERD,... according to traditional Chinese medicine's Yin-Yang theory. But adding a slice ginger will do the trick.

Obesity is a medical condition of excess body fat accumulated overtime. A person is considered an obese if excess body weight relatively to the height is over 30 in BMI index.

According to the University of the Punjab, Epigallocatechin gallate, a polyphenol found in tea plants exhibited anti obesity effect through modulation of thePPAR[gamma] pathway in metabolism involved fat cells/adipose tissues.

In animal study, the chemical constituent stopped the adipogenic cell differentiation through different proteins and transcription factors in expression of adipocyte formation which is considered as fat cell development in contribution to obesity.

Dr. Javaid MS, the lead author in the study said, "Docking analysis of PPAR gamma and epigallocatechin gallate demonstrated that epigallocatechin gallate binds with PPAR gamma at its active site and blocks its activity".

Also, in animal induced by high fat diet, green tea Epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG),exerted anti obesity effects through reduced plasma glucose and alleviate complications of diabetes by attenuating advanced glycation end products (AGEs) formation involved proteins or lipids expression.

Dietary EGCG tested in C57BL/6 mice induced by high-fat diet with or without ECGC for 17 weeks and compared to a control group placed on low-fat diet for the same period, also showed a significanty reduced weight gain, plasma glucose, insulin level, liver and kidney weight, which can be seen in obesity in compared control mice.

Importantly, green tea Epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG fed mice novally decreased the levels of AGEs(advanced glycation end product) in both plasma and liver while inhibiting the receptor for AGE (RAGE) expression of activating Nrf2, antioxidant response and enhanced anti oxidative stress ratio of GSH/GSSG.

Other searchers opinionated the effect of green tea in reduced fat/adipose tissues accumulation in obese subject is a result of the pro-oxidant action of EGCG, in de activated cellular production of reactive oxygen species, through indication of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase in suppressed gene and protein expression of enzymes and transcription factors involved in adipogenesis and lipogenesis(fat and adiposed metabolism).

Taking together, green tea with all the phytochemicals may be used as anti obesity functional food to help control hyperglycemia, reduce weight, and alleviate diabetes complications.

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

Sources
(1) Epigallocatechin Gallate as an anti-obesity therapeutic compound: an in silico approach for structure-based drug designing by Javaid MS1, Latief N1, Ijaz B1, Ashfaq UA2(PubMed).
(2) Green tea epigallocatechin 3-gallate alleviates hyperglycemia and reduces advanced glycation end products via nrf2 pathway in mice with high fat diet-induced obesity by Sampath C1, Rashid MR1, Sang S2, Ahmedna M3(PubMed)
(3) Beneficial Effects of Tea and the Green Tea Catechin Epigallocatechin-3-gallate on Obesity by Suzuki T1, Pervin M2, Goto S3, Isemura M4, Nakamura Y5.(PubMed)

Monday 21 August 2017

Herbal Therapy: Chaste Tree Berry, the Best MALE Osteoprotective Natural Medicine

In a total of 60, 3-month-old male rats orchidectomized and divided into five groups with each group either received soy-free food (C), estradiol (E), testosterone (T) or Vitex agnus castus in different concentrations (AC high/AC low) for 12 weeks, rats treated with Vitex agnus castus at highest dose displayed a recover of 88.4% of trabecular bone area, 80.7% of trabecular number and 66.9% of the number of trabecular nodes compared with other administrations.

The study also found out that Vitex agnus castus is more protective in treating osteoprorsis in male population in compared female counter part.

Dr. Sehmisch S, the lead author said, " Vitex agnus castus demonstrated osteoprotective effects in males. It preserves the cortical as well as the trabecular bone and might be a safe alternative for HRT".

Further more, In the study to compare group of animals (n = 8) treated subcutaneously (s.c.) with 60 mg/kg of Vac essential oil once a day for 3 weeks and control animals (n = 8) received sterile olive oil s.c. by the same schedule, Vitex agnus-castus L. (Vac) essential oil treated group also exerted a significant bone metabolism in 16-month-old male Wistar rats.

The osteoporosis protection can be observed through the lower of Serum osteocalcin (OC) and calcium (Ca2+) in Vitex agnus-castus L. (Vac) essential oil and decreased of bone turnover treated group in compared control in middle-aged male rats..

Taking together, Chaste tree berry showed a strong support in reduced early onset of osteoporosis of male gander through improved bone metabolism and calcium status, but further large size and multi centers studies are necessary to validate this potency.

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) Vitex agnus castus as prophylaxis for osteopenia after orchidectomy in rats compared with estradiol and testosterone supplementation by Sehmisch S1, Boeckhoff J, Wille J, Seidlova-Wuttke D, Rack T, Tezval M, Wuttke W, Stuermer KM, Stuermer EK.(PubMed)
(2) Vitex agnus-castus essential oil affects thyroid C cells and bone metabolism in middle-aged male rats (Researchgate)

Alternative Therapy: Yoga, The Best to Improve Physical and Mental Symptoms, Enhance Treatment and Quality of Life in Women with Breast Cancer

Kyle J. Norton (Scholar, Master of Nutrients, All right reserved)
Health article writer and researcher; Over 10.000 articles and research papers have been written and published 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.

Recent study by a renowned institution, suggested that yoga may be substituted as an integrative form of therapy for treatment of symptoms of breast cancer's patients and survivors.

Yoga, the ancient technique practice for harmonized external and internal body well being, through breath control, meditation, bodily movement and gesture..... has been well known for people in Western world and some parts in Asia due to health benefits reported by various respectable institutes' research and supported by health advocates.

Breast cancer (malignant breast neoplasm) is a cancer of breast tissue involving inrrugalar cells growth in the inner lining of milk ducts (Ductal carcinoma) or the lobules (Lobular carcinoma) that supply the ducts with milk and other areas of the breast. In 2010, over 250,000 new cases of breast cancer were expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S. alone and risk of getting invasive breast cancer during life time of a women is 1/8.

According to the joint study lead by Jackson State University, breast cancer patients showed a improvement of significant efficacy in altering various outcomes related to breast cancer, after attending in yoga therapy.

In the review of the data bases of 23 literature produced by in USA (n = 9), followed by Germany (n = 3), India (n = 3) and Turkey (n = 2). One study each was from Australia, Canada, Iran, Taiwan, Poland, and UK. met the inclusion criteria, yoga interventions scored a remarkable change in attituded outcomes in patients of breast cancer.

Dr. Sharma M, the lead author said, (due to its effectiveness in treating breast cancer), yoga as an integrative form of therapy for breast cancer is a promising approach".

In breast cancer-related chronic condition of lymphoedema (BCRL), yoga practice promoted the management and prevent the condition worsening and to reduce the threat of infection as well as reducing both the physical and psychosocial effects of lymphoedema, after an 8-week intervention (n=28) and 6-months after a 4-week intervention (n=18).

Promisingly, yoga interventions compromised breathing, physical postures, meditation and relaxation practices based on Satyananda Yoga, showed a good result in modification of lymphatic drainage and increased biopsychosocial acticiites.

Furthermore, with the important guidelines adapted to other yoga styles. yoga therapy may provide a basis for people with secondary lymphoedema in other areas of their body in breast cancer treatment.

Other study also indicated that yoga lesson not only reduced physical and psychological symptoms in breast cancer patients but also improved quality of life, including self-esteem which plays an important for long-term benefits for women diagnosed with breast cancer.

Taking together, there is no doubt that yoga intervention displays a significant effect in attenuated physical and mental symptoms, enhanced treatment and quality of life in patients with breast cancer. Students should talk to their instructors about a yoga routine tailored to their needs.

For More information of yoga lessons tailor to a complete well being for women, please visit: YOGA BURN

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

Sources
(1) A systematic review of yoga interventions as integrative treatment in breast cancer by Sharma M1,2, Lingam VC1, Nahar VK3.(PubMed)
(2) Guidelines for teaching yoga to women with breast cancer-related lymphoedema: an evidence-based approach by Loudon A1, Barnett T1, Williams AD2, Visentin D2, Immink MA3, Piller N4.(PubMed)

Sunday 20 August 2017

Food Therapy: Green Tea, the Best Functional Food for Bone health

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.

"Let foods be your medicine and let medicines be your food", using foods as medication has been a dream of many scholars and scientists over past many centuries. In order to achieve these, consumption of whole food medicine must accompany with moderated exercise, change of diet and life style.

Evidence from laboratory studies opinionated, regular drinking of green tea improved bone health and reduced risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

Bone health is measured by bone mineral density which has an direct influence in risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

Green tea, a precious drink processes numbers of health benefit known to almost everyone in Asia and Western world. However, as yin in nature herbal medicine ,or food, long term injection of large amounts may obstruct the balance of yin-yang, induced "yin excessive syndrome" or "yang vacuity syndrome" including weaken immunity and painful case of GERD,... according to traditional Chinese medicine's Yin-Yang theory. But adding a slice of ginger will benign the problem.

According to Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, green tea lovers have a reduced risk of lower bone mineral density due to its bioactive components with bone-protective properties.

The study also found that, regular green tea drinking promotes bone health in bone mineral loss menopausal women through increased bone mass, thus reducing risk of osteoporosis, a common disease in aging population.

Furthermore, intake of green also protected early onset of bone mineral loss in obese subjects.

Other study conducted by the same group of researchers also stated, the bone density protective effect of green tea may involve the bioactive components' effects in decreased risk of fracture by supporting osteoblastic activities while suppressing osteoclastic activities as well as attenuating oxidative stress in promoted healthy levels of bone mineral density.

In postmenopausal osteopenic women study, green tea with optimized dose of polyphenols showed an enhanced osteoprotective efficacy in improved bone mass, microarchitecture integrity, and bone strength observed through the advanced imaging technology.

Dr, Shen CL, the lead author in the studies said, " Tea polyphenols enhance osteoblastogenesis and suppress osteoclastogenesis in vitro" and "Animal studies reveal that intake of tea polyphenols have pronounced positive effects on bone as shown by higher bonemass and trabecular bone volume, number, and thickness and lower trabecular separation via increasing boneformation and inhibition of bone resorption, resulting in greater bone strength".

Promisingly, in a total study of 171 postmenopausal osteopenic women to compare the efficacy of green tea polyphenols (GTP) supplement and/or Tai Chi in risk of osteoporosis, randomly assigned to four groups: (1) placebo (500 mg starch/day), (2) GTP (500 mg GTP/day), (3) placebo + TC (placebo plus TC training at 60 min/session, three sessions/week), and (4) GTP + TC (GTP plus TC training).for 6 months, intake of green and tai chi exercise groups increased bone-specific alkaline phosphatase(bone protective glycoprotein found on the surface of osteoblasts) and improved BAP/(tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, osteoclast increased risk of bone turnover)/TRAP ratio.

Additionally, group received also green tea showed a significant improved muscle strength in postmenopausal women with osteopenia.

Taking together, green tea may be served as functional food to protect bone mineral density in all people with/ without risk of osteoporosis.

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

Sources
(1) Green tea and bone health: Evidence from laboratory studies by Shen CL1, Yeh JK, Cao JJ, Chyu MC, Wang JS.(PubMed)
(2) Green tea and bone metabolism by Shen CL1, Yeh JK, Cao JJ, Wang JS.(PubMed)
(3) Tea and bone health: steps forward in translational nutrition by Shen CL1, Chyu MC, Wang JS.(PubMed)
(4) Effect of green tea and Tai Chi on bone health in postmenopausal osteopenic women: a 6-month randomized placebo-controlled trial by Shen CL1, Chyu MC, Yeh JK, Zhang Y, Pence BC, Felton CK, Brismée JM, Arjmandi BH, Doctolero S, Wang JS.(PubMed)

Food Therapy: Kidney Beans, the Potential anti-human immunodeficiency virus (anti-HIV) Natural Whole Food

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.

In Herbal Medicine, symptoms of the diseases can only be eased gradually, depending to stage of the treatment which directly address to the cause of the disease.

Kidney bean may process potential beneficial health effects in anti-human immunodeficiency virus (anti-HIV), the recent joint study suggested.
Kidney bean is popular food, with kidney shape, strong flavor and color in reddish brown in nature, used often as an excellent dietary selection because of enormous health benefits with a good source of protein and minerals.

Human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) is the viral cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome overtime, if infected

According to the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Lectins, class of sugar-binding proteins found abundantly in all beans, including kidney bean exhibited anti viral effect against the HIV-1-RT activity.

Dr. Ng TB, the lead author in the study of inhibitory effects of antifungal proteins on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 said, "(Kidney beanexert the) ability to inhibit human immunodeficiency virustype I (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase(, an enzyme regulated the formation of RNA from a DNA), protease(an enzyme that breaks down proteins and peptides) and integrase (produced by HIV vieus), enzymes essential to the life cycle of HIV-1".

The study also indicated that the efficacy of all leguminous antifungal proteins with potential in inhibited HIV-1 to some extent are attributed to activities of reverse enzymes function.

Some researchers insisted that Kidney beans also exerted immunomodulatory activity in regulated presences of B and T cell immune response directed against the glycine-rich cell wall protein (GRP) in patients with different autoimmune disorders, including immune dysfunction in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

Taking altogether, Kidney bean may process anti viral property against human immunodeficiency virus causing acquired immunodeficiency syndrome through expression of reserve function of certain enzyme and induced immunomodulatory exhibition in regulated B and T cell in auto immune response.

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

Sources
(1) Phaseolus vulgaris Lectins: A Systematic Review of Characteristics and Health Implications by He S1,2,3, Simpson BK3, Sun H1, Ngadi MO4, Ma Y2, Huang T5.(PubMed)
(2) A lectin with anti-HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, antitumor, and nitric oxide inducing activities from seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris cv. extralong autumn purple bean by Fang EF1, Lin P, Wong JH, Tsao SW, Ng TB.(PubMed)
(3) Inhibitory effects of antifungal proteins on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase, protease and integrase by Ng TB1, Au TK, Lam TL, Ye XY, Wan DC.(PubMed)
(4) A hemagglutinin from northeast red beans with immunomodulatory activity and anti-proliferative and apoptosis-inducing activities toward tumor cells by Chan YS1, Wong JH, Fang EF, Pan W, Ng TB.(PubMed)
(5) Glycine-rich cell wall proteins act as specific antigen targets in autoimmune and food allergic disorders by Lunardi C1, Nanni L, Tiso M, Mingari MC, Bason C, Oliveri M, Keller B, Millo R, De Sandre G, Corrocher R, Puccetti A.(PubMed)
(6) HIV and autoimmunity by Zandman-Goddard G1, Shoenfeld Y.(PubMed)

Saturday 19 August 2017

Herbal Therapy: Andrographis paniculata in Reduced Risk of Early Onset of Cognitive Impairment

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.

In Herbal Medicine, symptoms of the diseases can only be eased gradually, depending to stage of the treatment which directly address to the cause of the disease.

The use of plants for healing purposes has 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)......

Andrographis paniculata is 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, ...

Cognitive impairment is considered as an early stage of dementia related to progression of aging.

Andrographis paniculata (Burm. F.) Wall. Ex Nees (Acanthaceae), the forgotten herbal medicine may have a potential effect in reduced the early brain cell damage in expression of cognitive impairment, a renowned institute study suggested.

According to the joint study lead by the Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University),
Andrographolide extracts isolated from the herb, exhibited an significant property against diabetes associated cognitive deficits, increased acetylcholinesterase activity and deteriorated antioxidative status which can increased risk of the cognitive impairment.

In the study of Streptozotocin-induced diabetic Charles Foster albino rats treated orally with a hydro-methanolic A. paniculata leaf extract (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg/day), or with pure andrographolide (15, 30 and 60 mg/kg/day) for 10 consecutive days, group treated showed an increased levels of antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) and decreased lipid peroxidation (LPO) in brain tissues.

Dr. the lead author said, "AP or andrographolide treatments dose dependently attenuated cognitive deficits, reduced acetylcholinesterase activity, oxidative stress, improved diabetic hyperglycemia and insulin deficiency".

In the social species Octodon degus (degu) developed Alzheimer's-like pathology with age, oral administration of (Andrographolide, ANDRO), to aged degus (56-month old) for 3 months in comparison to administrated saline of control groups (young degus: 12-month old and aged degus: 56-month old), showed a strong effect on recovery of spatial memory and learning performance and protection of brain tissues against plague accumulation in inducing brain neural damage associated with aging processes.

In support of the above analysis, the study of "Andrographolide reduces cognitive impairment in young and mature AβPPswe/PS-1 mice" suggested that the efficacy of the herbal medicine not only protects the long-term potentiation (LTP) against the damage induced by Aβ oligomers, but also prevent the changes in neuropathology in tested subjects.

In fact, ANDRO also reduced the Aβ levels, changing the ontogeny of amyloid plaques, and tau phosphorylation in regulated brain cell survival around the Aβ oligomeric species.

There is no doubt that Andrographis paniculata may have a pharmaceutical value in treating cognitive impairment, further large sample size and multi centers studies are necessary.

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

Sources
(1) Andrographolide recovers cognitive impairment in a natural model of Alzheimer's disease (Octodon degus).by Rivera DS1, Lindsay C2, Codocedo JF2, Morel I3, Pinto C2, Cisternas P4, Bozinovic F5, Inestrosa NC6.(PubMed)
(2) Beneficial effects of an Andrographis paniculata extract and andrographolide on cognitive functions in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by Thakur AK1, Rai G2, Chatterjee SS3, Kumar V1.(PubMed)
(3) Andrographolide reduces cognitive impairment in young and mature AβPPswe/PS-1 mice by Serrano FG1, Tapia-Rojas C2, Carvajal FJ3, Hancke J4, Cerpa W5, Inestrosa NC6,7,8,9,10,11(PubMed)

Herbal Therapy: Chaste tree berry, the Male Contraceptive Functional Food

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.

Intake of herbal medicine can not ameliorated symptoms of illness immediately. Symptoms of the diseases can only be eased gradually, depending to stage of the treatment which directly address to the cause of the disease.

Recent study by a renowned institute suggested that Chaste tree berry may have a potential in improved male infertility as a contraceptive functional food.

Infertility is condition of inability of a couple to conceive after 12 months of unprotected sexual intercourse. It effects over 5 millions couple alone in the U. S. and many times more in the world. Because of unawareness of treatments, only 10% seeks help from professional specialist.

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

According to the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, flavonoid-rich seed extracts of Chaste tree berry oral administration, promoted sperm numbers dwindled and slackness in their motility of that may impede fertility.

In extract fed male rats with four different concentrations after 15 days, treatment of all concentrations displayed a drop in weight with a marginal change of fructose in seminal vesicles and epididymal alpha-glucosidase, probably involved in reducing the fertilizing ability of the spermatozoa.

Dr. Das S, the lead author said, "the seedextracts of V. negundo interfere with male reproductive function without producing adverse toxicity in other vital organs".

Interestingly, the same extract used in testing the antiandrogenic effects in dog model, administrated dogs showed a antagonized androgen action of exogenous testosterone on the male reproductive system, reducing sexual design and impeded sperm production and mobility.

In the duration of treatment of 30 and 60 days, the extract causes a disruption of the latter stages of spermatogenesis with devoid of spermatozoa passed through epididymides.

Furthermore, when the extract used combination with testosterone propionate, a ester of propionic acid,. dogs maintained the viability of spermatozoa with significantly increased the cellular heights of epididymides in compared non treatment dogs.

Taking together, chaste tree berry intake may be acted as infertile substance for male to prevent unwanted pregnancy of female partner, but the use of the herbal medicine for contraceptive purpose should only recommended by herbalists.

Back to Kyle J. Norton Home page http://kylejnorton.blogspot.ca
Sources
(1) Reproduction in male rats is vulnerable to treatment with the flavonoid-rich seed extracts of Vitex negundo by Das S1, Parveen S, Kundra CP, Pereira BM.(PubMed)
(2) Antiandrogenic effects of a flavonoid-rich fraction of Vitex negundo seeds: a histological and biochemical study in dogs by Bhargava SK1(PubMed)