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

Tuesday 6 November 2018

The Plant Base Bioactive Indole-3-Carbinol, in the Prevention and Treatment of Lung Cancer

By Kyle J. Norton

Indole-3-carbinol, an organic compound found in cruciferous vegetables may process a potential in reducing risk and treatment of lung cancer, some scientists found.

Lung cancer is a class of chronic and medical disease caused by irregular cells growth originated from the inner lining of the lung tissue due to the DNA alternation.

At the advanced stage after colonizing most parts of the lung, the cancerous cells can travel from the primary site to infect other healthy tissue and organs a distance away.

In the US, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths, causing 158,683 deaths, including 88,329 men and 70,354 women, according to the 2007 statistic.

Researchers do not the exact causes of lung cancer. As of today, no one knows why people with similar health conditions, family history, and race, some are susceptible to the early onset of the disease while others do not.

Some researchers suggested genetic mutation and long-term cigarette smoking are 2 major risk factors associated with the alternative of lung cell DNA.

Truly, according to the statistic, approximately 8% of lung cancers are inherited or occur as a result of a genetic predisposition.

Dr. Ahmed El-Telbany, the lead scientist in the study "Cancer Genes in Lung Cancer. Racial Disparities: Are There Any?" said, "Mutational analysis and genomics profiling in recent years have advanced the field of lung cancer genetics/genomics significantly. It is becoming more accepted now that the identification of genomic alterations in lung cancer can impact therapeutics, especially when the alterations represent “oncogenic drivers” in the processes of tumorigenesis and progression" and

"The genes which are associated with lung cancer risk include EGFR, KRAS, MET, LKB1, BRAF, PIK3CA, ALK, RET, and ROS1".

Genetic mutation inherited from the parents is a result of an autosomal dominant pattern, which means one copy of the altered gene in each cell is sufficient to increase a person's chance of developing lung cancer.

However, not all people who carry the mutated lung cancer genes will develop lung cancer.

On the cigarette smoking in risk of lung cancer, researchers believe cigarette containing high amount of cancer-causing substances (carcinogens), when inhaled, the cigarette smoke carried the chemical toxins to the lung cell directly, and prolonged periods exposed to such chemicals can alternate lung cell DNA, leading to the early onset of lung cancer.

The joint study to examine the impact of smoking on risks of the major cell types of lung cancer led by the Institute of Ruhr Universität Bochum (IPA) included 13,169 cases and 16,010 controls from Europe and Canada suggested

* Squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC) predominated in male smokers.

* The ORs were elevated for all metrics of exposure to cigarette smoke and were higher for SqCC and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) than for Adenocarcinoma (AdCa)

* Current male smokers with an average daily dose of >30 cigarettes had ORs of 103.5 (95% CI 74.8-143.2) for SqCC, 111.3 (95% CI 69.8-177.5) for small cell lung cancer (SCLC), and 21.9 (95% CI 16.6-29.0) for AdCa.

These result surely reconfirmed the epidemiological studies suggestion, long-term use of cigarettes is associated substantially increased the risk of lung cancer regardless of gender.

Indole-3-carbinol is a phytochemical in the class of Indoles found abundantly in cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, rutabaga, mustard greens, broccoli, etc.

With an aim to find the natural ingredient for the treatment of lung cancer without inducing any adverse effects, the University of Minnesota conducted a study to test the chemopreventive efficacy of indole-3-carbinol (I3C), a phytochemical found in cruciferous vegetables, to inhibit tobacco carcinogen-induced lung adenocarcinoma in A/J mice.

Before the infection of indole-3-carbinol (I3C), the tested mice were given a post-initiation or progression protocol.

Post-initiation administration of I3C decreased the multiplicity of surface tumors as well as all forms of histopathological lesions, including adenocarcinoma.

Further analysis the effect of indole-3-carbinol (I3C), in A549 lung adenocarcinoma cell line, researchers indicated that the lung cancer preventive effects of I3C are mediated, at least in part, via modulation of the receptor tyrosine kinase/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in the inhibition of cell growth and proliferation.

However, administration of the compound during tumor progression failed to decrease the multiplicity of surface tumors and early forms of microscopic lesions but reduced the frequency of adenocarcinoma.

In vivo, administration of a mixture of low concentrations of I3C (50 μM) plus silibinin (50 μM) for 72 h also displayed a significant inhibition of cell growth through the expression of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and Akt activation in the induction of apoptosis of A549 and H460 lung cancer cells.

Moreover, in the examine, the effects of indole-3-carbinol (I3C), in a mixture of NNK plus BaP (2 micromols each), administered by gavage as eight biweekly doses caused 21.1 +/- 5.2 lung tumors in a mouse model.

* Lung cancer induced mice given diets containing I3C at 1, 10, 30, 71, and 112 micromol/g, beginning at 50% in the carcinogen treatment phase, had 17.9 +/- 6.1, 10.4 +/- 3.7, 9.8 +/- 5.1, 5.2 +/- 4.0, and 2.5 +/- 2.4 lung tumors per mouse, corresponding to reductions by 15%, 51%, 53%, 75%, and 88%, respectively.

* I3C was significantly effective at the lowest dose level (1 micromol I3C/g diet).

* Administration of I3C (112 micromols/g diet) beginning 1 week after the last dose of the carcinogen significantly reduced lung cancer induced by NNK plus BaP by 74%.

* I3C inhibited the lung cancer progression partly through the antiproliferative and apoptotic activity.

Dr. Kassie F, the lead scientist, at the final phase of the experiment said, "the efficacy of I3C in the prevention of tobacco carcinogen-induced lung tumorigenesis in A/J mice and provide a basis for future evaluation of this compound in clinical trials as a chemopreventive agent for current and former smokers".

Taken altogether, phytochemical Indole-3-carbinol may be considered a functional bioactive compound for the prevention of lung cancer and a secondary therapy combined with the primary medicine for the treatment of lung cancer, depending to the further data collection of the large sample size and multi-center human study.

References
(1) Indole-3-carbinol inhibited tobacco smoke carcinogen-induced lung adenocarcinoma in A/J mice when administered during the post-initiation or progression phase of lung tumorigenesis by Qian X1, Melkamu T, Upadhyaya P, Kassie F.(PubMed)
(2) Dose-dependent inhibition of tobacco smoke carcinogen-induced lung tumorigenesis in A/J mice by indole-3-carbinol by Kassie F1, Matise I, Negia M, Upadhyaya P, Hecht SS.(PubMed)
(3) Enhanced inhibition of lung adenocarcinoma by combinatorial treatment with indole-3-carbinol and silibinin in A/J mice by Dagne A1, Melkamu T, Schutten MM, Qian X, Upadhyaya P, Luo X, Kassie F.(PubMed)
(4) Cancer Genes in Lung Cancer Racial Disparities: Are There Any? by Ahmed El-Telbany1,2 and Patrick C. Ma. (PMC)

Monday 5 November 2018

The 134 Health Benefits of Green Tea, The World Most Popular Beverage

By Kyle J. Norton

Green tea, a precious drink processes numbers of health benefit known to almost everyone in Asia and Western world.

The below articles are the 132 health benefits cited by medical literature from many online databases

Continued

Green Tea's Bioactive Polyphenols Protect the Neuron's Integrity Against The Onset of Parkinson's disease (PD)

Kyle J. Norton

Green tea is found to process a therapeutic and substantial effect in inhibiting overexpression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) diseases, including Parkinson's disease (PD), some scientists suggested.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, causing severe depletion of glutamatergic and dopaminergic inputs in the striatum associated with many factors, including oxidative stress, therefore the antioxidant property of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), standardized extract (CS) and epicatechin (EC), the major polyphenols in green tea, may offer some protection.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) or free radicals are types of unstable molecules containing oxygen, generated during mitochondrial oxidative metabolism and in the cellular response to environmental toxins, cytokines, and foreign organism invasion.

How is ROS associated with the onset of Parkinson's disease (PD), according to the study by the Rutgers - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, oxidative stress has a strong implication in the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease (PD) by causing disruptions in the physiologic maintenance of the redox potential in neurons, thus interfering with several biological processes, ultimately leading to cell death.

On the other hand, PD caused by a genetic preposition, including DJ-1, PINK1, parkin, alpha-synuclein, and LRRK2 which have the enormous and negative impacts on mitochondrial function, leading to exacerbation of ROS generation and susceptibility to oxidative stress.

Dr. Dias V, the lead author, after taking all co and confounders into account wrote, " (Understand better of) specific mechanisms related to PD gene products that modulate ROS production and the response of neurons to stress may provide targeted new approaches towards neuroprotection".

Green tea is a precious drink processed numbers of health benefit and known to almost everyone in Asia and the Western world.

In environment toxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine induced development and progression of Parkinsonism by increasing oxidative stress in dopaminergic neurons, researchers found that application of green tea extract (0.5 and 1 mg/kg) or (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (2 and 10 mg/kg) prevent the loss of dopaminergic neurons through inducing the production of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (240%) and catalase (165%) activities by exerting neuroprotective effect against neurotoxins during the process.

Further analysis, also found that green tea polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate inhibited oxidative stress in the induction of the onset of PD caused by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine through increasing the antioxidant and iron chelative activities without affecting the environmental toxins.

Additional differentiation of oxidative stress caused by NO due to toxicity of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) in animal models of Parkinson's disease (PD), suggested, administration of green tea and green tea EGCG prevented the loss of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive cells in the substantia nigra (SN) and TH activity in the striatum related to dopamine function in the initiation of Parkinson's disease.

Dr. Ji-Young, the lead author said, "Both tea and EGCG decreased expressions of iNOS(with function in produced both free radicals produce nitric oxide radical (NO), superoxide radicals (O2)) in the substantia nigra." and "tea plus MPTP and EGCG plus MPTP treatments decreased expressions of neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) (in catalyzed production of free radical NO) at the similar levels of EGCG treatment group".

Importantly, according to the Parkinson's Disease: New Insights for the Healthcare Professional: 2011 Edition, EGCG treatment against PD induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) by reducing neuronal death by 20%. and iNOS expression in the negative control group compared to higher levels in the control group.

The investigation of the neuroprotective actions of the standardized extract (CS), epicatechin (EC) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCbG), on a model of Parkinson's disease also indicated, the neuroprotective effects of green tea and its phytochemicals are probably in great part due to its powerful antioxidant activity in the inhibition of free radical expression.

Taken all together, Green tea, containing major bioactive polyphenols may have a powerful and explicit effect in the inhibition of oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species in the precipitated onset and progression of Parkinson's disease (PD).

Sources
(1) Green tea polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate prevents N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced dopaminergic neurodegeneration by Levites Y1, Weinreb O, Maor G, Youdim MB, Mandel S(PubMed)
(2) Prevention of nitric oxide-mediated 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced Parkinson's disease in mice by tea phenolic epigallocatechin 3-gallate by Choi JY1, Park CS, Kim DJ, Cho MH, Jin BK, Pie JE, Chung WG.(PubMed)

(3) Green tea polyphenols prevent Parkinson's disease: in vitro and in vivo studies Dan Chen by Iowa State University
(4) The role of oxidative stress in Parkinson's disease by Dias V1, Junn E, Mouradian MM. (PubMed)

Herbal Alfalfa, the Function Herb Which Processes Anti Diabetes Activity, Scientists Say

By Kyle J. Norton, Master of Nutrition

Herbal Alfalfa may be considered a functional herb for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes, some scientists found.

Diabetes is a medical and chronic condition characterized by insufficient insulin entering the bloodstream to regulate the levels of blood glucose.

Some researchers suggested that the condition is either caused by the death of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas as a result of toxic imbalance of a molecule secreted by other pancreatic cells or receptor sites clogged up by fat and cholesterol due to long-term unhealthy diet with high in saturated and trans fats and less in fruits of vegetables.

In the explanation of what causes the death of beta cells in the pancreas, the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio wrote, "We found that glutamate, a major signaling molecule in the brain and pancreas, is secreted together with glucagon by alpha cells and affects beta cell integrity."

Dr. Folli said. "In a situation where there is an imbalance toward more alpha cells and fewer beta cells, as in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, this could result in further beta cell destruction."

What causes the structures of receptors involved in blood sugar control to clog up? some researchers suggested, fat in the bloodstream build up inside the receptor sites, they create toxic fatty breakdown products and free radicals that blocks the insulin signaling process.

In some cases, diabetes is also caused by allergic reactions of the autoimmune disease.

The exact cause of type II diabetes is unknown. Scientists do not why people with the same health condition and family history, some are susceptible to the early onset of the disease while others do not.

However, genetic proposition and an unhealthy diet and lifestyle.are found to be the major prevalent risk factors of diabetes, epidemiologically.

Dr. Omar Ali, in the classified genetic mutation in risk of diabetes, said, "Very few T2D risk genes were identified using candidate gene and linkage-based studies, but the advent of genome-wide association studies has led to the identification of multiple genes, including several that were not previously known to play any role in T2D. Highly replicated genes, for example, TCF7L2, KCNQ1, and KCNJ11, are discussed in greater detail".

Other risk factors associated with the early onset of type II diabetes include overweight or obese, age 45 or older, family history, ethnicity, Alaska Native, high blood pressure and cholesterol and women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Alfalfa is a flowering plant in the genus Medicago, belonging to the family Fabaceae, It has been cultivated all over the world as hay for cattle feeding.

The leaves, sprouts, and seeds have been 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 America aboriginal has used Alfalfa seed as food, such as making bread and mush.

Its chemical constituents include flavones, isoflavones, sterols, Bichanin, Coumestrol, Diadzein, Formonetin, Genistein, coumarin derivatives, etc.

In the study to reaffirm the traditional medicine use of herbal alfalfa for the treatment of diabetes, researchers at the University of Ulster launched an investigation to examine the pancreatic and extra-pancreatic effects associated with the onset of the disease.

Observation of the results of test mice induced by injection streptozotocin before and after oral administration at different doses and concentrations showed a significant effect in the reduction of diabetics symptoms.

Oral administration of Alfalfa in the diet (62.5 g/kg) and drinking water (2.5 g/l) to tested mice exerted a strong effect in reducing the abnormal levels of glucose after fasting.

Injection of an aqueous extract of Alfalfa (1 mg/ml) stimulated the conversion of glucose into glycogen, the main storage form of glucose in the bod, through several conversion glucose molecules, in tested mice abdominal muscle.

Furthermore, in acute 20 min tests, 0.25-1 mg/ml aqueous extract of Alfalfa exhibited a significant activity in stimulating 2.5-6.3-fold of insulin secretion from the BRIN-BD11 pancreatic B-cell line.

During the experiment, researchers also discovered, the effect of Alfalfa was significantly decreased by injection of 0.5 mM-diazoxide, however, prior exposure to extract did not affect subsequent stimulation of insulin secretion by 10 mM-L-alanine, thereby negating a detrimental effect on cell viability.

Dr. Gray AM, the lead author at the final report wrote, "Sequential extraction with solvents revealed insulin-releasing activity in both methanol and water fractions, indicating a cumulative effect of more than one extract constituent".

In other words, the effect of Alfalfa in reducing the expression of diabetes was not attributed
to a single ingredient but some or all bioactive active compounds in the herb.

Additionally, in the comparison of the effect on glucose homeostasis of eleven plants used as traditional treatments for diabetes mellitus, including dried leaves of agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria), alfalfa (Medicago sativa), blackberry (Rubus fructicosus), celandine (Chelidonium majus), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), lady's mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris), and lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis); seeds of coriander (Coriandrum sativum); dried berries of juniper (Juniperus communis); bulbs of garlic (Allium sativum) and roots of liquorice (Glycyrhizza glabra), researchers at the University of Ulster conducted a study, using the preparation in the comparison to traditional coctions or infusions in diabetic mice induced by injection of streptozotocin (200 mg/kg i.p.).

Before the infection of 11 plants preparation, mice induced by injection of streptozotocin (200 mg/kg i.p.) at the 12th day were found to develop hyperphagia, polydipsia, body weight loss, hyperglycemia, and hypoinsulinemia.

Oral administration of Alfalfa preparation showed a clinically significant in reducing the level of hyperglycemia during the development of streptozotocin diabetes.

Dr. Swanston-Flatt SK, the lead author after taking into account of co and confounders said, "The results suggest that certain traditional plant treatments for diabetes, namely agrimony, alfalfa, coriander, eucalyptus, and juniper, can retard the development of streptozotocin diabetes in mice".

Taken altogether, herbal Alfalfa may be considered a functional herb and an adjunct therapy for the prevention and treatment of diabetes without inducing any side effects.

However, due to the limitation of the above studies, additional data collection large example size and multi-centers studies performed with human consumption of the whole food Alfalfa during the course of the disease will be necessary to complete the picture of Alfalfa anti-diabetes possibilities.

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.
References
(1) Pancreatic and extra-pancreatic effects of the traditional anti-diabetic plant, Medicago sativa (lucerne) by Gray AM, Flatt PR. (PubMed)
(2) Traditional plant treatments for diabetes. Studies in normal and streptozotocin diabetic mice. by Swanston-Flatt SK, Day C, Bailey CJ, Flatt PR. (PubMed)
(3) Scientists find a new way insulin-producing cells die by University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
(4) Genetics of type 2 diabetes by Omar Ali(PMC)

Sunday 4 November 2018

Phytochemical Piperine Cuts Off Energy Supply of Cancer Cells, Scientists Find

By Kyle J. Norton

Piperine, a phytochemical alkaloid in the class of organosulfur compound may have a significant effect in blocking the energy that is necessary for cancer cells proliferation and survival, some scientists suggested.

Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels in the body for healing and reproduction.

However, in invasive cancers, the formation of a new blood vessel from pre-existing vessels stimulated by cancer chemicals may be deadly to the host.

These new blood vessels provide the nutrients and fluids for cancer growth and metastasis.

Cancer is a class of diseases, characterized by cell growth irregularly that starts in the surface of the inner lining of tissue or organs. Patients at the beginning of cancer onset do not experience any symptom.

At the later stage of the progression, the cancerous cell may travel a distance away from the primary site to infect other healthy tissue and organs. If cancer has grown large enough, it may affect other nearby healthy tissue and nerve cells, causing localized symptoms and persistently severe pain.

Angiogenesis occurred are totally depending on a net balance of angiogenic factors and antiangiogenic factors, which are secreted by both tumor cells and host-infiltrating cells. If the tumors angiogenic factors win, the new blood vessels are formed.

Some researchers suggested if we can produce a drug that cuts of the forming of the new blood vessel which supplies energy to cancer, we may cure cancer.

However, according to the epidemiological studies, antiangiogenic therapy in the inhibition of the growth of the tumor works best in combination with conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy.

Dr. Roberta WC Pang, the lead author in the investigation "Clinical Implications of Angiogenesis in Cancers" wrote, "Recently, a monoclonal antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor, which is one of the most potent angiogenic factors, has been approved for clinical use in colorectal cancer patients after a clinical trial confirmed that combining the antibody with standard chemotherapy regimen could prolong patient survival".

We can only hope that in a distant future, a single miracle drug can have an antiangiogenic potency to block off all cancers proliferation.

Piperine is a phytochemical alkaloid in the class of organosulfur compound, found abundantly in white and black pepper, long pepper, etc.

A research team at the Dalhousie University in the investigation of piperine, a major alkaloid constituent of black pepper physiological actions in inhibition of cancer cells proliferation including the killing of cancer cells launched a study to examine the angiogenetic effect of piperine in tumor progression.

Injection of piperine inhibited the proliferation and G(1)/S transition of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) without causing cell death.

In vitro, piperine also inhibited HUVEC migration and tubule formation and collagen-induced angiogenic activity in rat aorta explants and breast cancer cell-induced angiogenesis in chick embryos.

Importantly, piperine inhibited phosphorylation of Ser 473 and Thr 308 residues of Akt (protein kinase B), which is a key regulator in the induction of cancer cells survival and angiogenetic proliferation.

The findings reconfirmed the function of piperine as an angiogenesis inhibitor for use in cancer treatment.

Additionally, in the finding of the phytochemical which processes a strong effect in improving the function of curcumin, in the suppression of angiogenesis by inhibiting the curcumin lack of water solubility, and relatively low bioavailability.

After multiple approaches are being sought to overcome these limitations, researchers finally discovered natural curcumin analogs, namely piperine.

Piperine in the co-administration with curcumin enhanced the functions of curcumin in the suppression of angiogenesis without reducing the antitumor activity.

Taken altogether, piperine may be considered a functional supplement used for the prevention of cancers and an adjunction therapy by cutting the supply of energy of cancer that is life and death for cancer colonization, depending to the further study of a large sample size and multi-center in human consumption.

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

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Contrary To Professionals Prediction, Floaters Can Be Cured Naturally

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

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

Author Biography
Kyle J. Norton (Scholar, Master of Nutrition, All right reserved)
Health article writer and researcher; Over 10.000 articles and research papers have been written and published online, including worldwide health, ezine articles, article base, health blogs, self-growth, best before it's news, the karate GB daily, etc.,.
Named TOP 50 MEDICAL ESSAYS FOR ARTISTS & AUTHORS TO READ by Disilgold.com Named 50 of the best health Tweeters Canada - Huffington Post
Nominated for shorty award over last 4 years
Some articles have been used as references in medical research, such as international journal Pharma and Bioscience, ISSN 0975-6299.
References
(1) Piperine, a dietary phytochemical, inhibits angiogenesis by Doucette CD, Hilchie AL, Liwski R, Hoskin DW.(PubMed)
(3) Clinical Implications of Angiogenesis in Cancers by Roberta WC Pang1 and Ronnie TP Poon. (PMC)

Herbal Butcher's broom Extract, The Potential Remedy for Treatment of Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)

By Kyle J. Norton, Master of Nutrition

Scientists may have found a whole herb with the ability to treat chronic venous insufficiency without inducing side effects, some studies suggested.

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a medical condition charactered by decreased function of venous wall and/or valves in the leg veins, leading to reduced blood returning to the heart from the legs. As the results of some blood were pooled or collected in the veins, causing pain, swelling, and skin changes in the legs.

Chronic venous insufficiency, in some cases, may develop due to preposition of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

There is no single cause of chronic venous insufficiency. Certain risk factors have been found epidemiologically associated with the early onset of the condition, including people with ages over 50, varicose veins, family history of varicose veins, obesity, pregnancy, female, physical inactivity, an occupation that required extended periods of standing or sitting, smoking.

If you are experiencing some of the symptoms such as persistent swelling in legs and/or ankles, tight feeling calves or itchy painful legs, pain during walking that stops with rest, brown-colored skin, particularly near the ankles, please check with your doctor to rule out the chronic venous insufficiency possibility.

Untreated CVI can lead to chronic life-threatening infections of the lower extremities. Pain, especially after ambulation, is a hallmark of the disease, said, Dr. Robert Weiss in the article "What is the disease course of untreated venous insufficiency?".

Butcher's broom is a low evergreen shrub, a species of Ruscus aculeatus, belonging to the family Asparagaceae, native to Eurasia.

The herb has been used in herbal medicine to treat reduce inflammation, peripheral vascular disease, hemorrhoids bronchial asthma, varicose veins, hypotension, jaundice, functional disorders of the heart, kidney disorder, venotonic and anti-oedematous properties, etc.

The Chemical Ingredients of Butcher's broom include rutin, sitosterol, sparteine, spirostanol saponins, steroidal sapogenins, sterols, stigmasterol, sulfated steroidal saponins, sweet broom, tetracosanoic acid, triterpenes, triterpenes, tyramine, etc.

In the study to confirm the efficacy of extracts from Butcher's broom rhizome (Ruscus aculeatus) used in the oral treatment of lower leg edema in patients with chronic venous insufficiency, researchers in Germany launched a multi-center, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to confirm the safety of a ruscus extract.

The study includes a total of 166 women suffering from chronic venous insufficiency (Widmer grade I and II, CEAP (Clinical signs, Etiological classification, Anatomic distribution, Pathophysiology) 3-4).

Only the data of 148 patients (30-89 years, 150-182 cm height, 49-97 kg body weight) were selected to the study with a mean disease duration of 14.6 years in the ruscus extract group and 15.1 years in the placebo group.

Treatment groups demonstrated a significant improvement of the leg volume changes over 12 weeks AUB0-12 (-827 ml x day), the change of leg volume after 8 and 12 weeks of treatment (-16.5 ml and -20.5 ml), changes in ankle and leg circumferences after 8 and 12 weeks of treatment, and the changes in subjective symptoms, heavy tired legs and sensation of tension (week 12) compared to placebo group.

Furthermore, group treat with butcher broom also showed a reduction of symptoms of heavy lower legs, the sensation of tension, and tingling sensation, positively correlated with the changes in leg volume.

Dr. Vanscheidt W, the lead author said, " Considering the study duration of three months it is concluded, that ruscus extract, in the recommended daily dosage according to the German monograph, is a safe and effective treatment for patients suffering from chronic venous insufficiency".

Moreover, with an aim to reassess the effect of Ruscus aculeatus-hesperidin-methyl-chalcone-ascorbic acid (HMC-AA) on the quality of life (QoL) of patients suffering from chronic venous disorders (CVDs, the Cabinet de Phlébologie conducted an observational, multicentre and prospective study including 917 Mexican patients suffering from CVD.

After 12 weeks of treatment of R. aculeatus-HMC-AA, selected physicians then assessed the patients' symptoms and QoL using Short Form (SF-12) and Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CIVIQ) auto-questionnaires.

Application of R. aculeatus-HMC-AA. improved all symptoms and ankle circumferences over time, with increasing clinical, aetiological, anatomical and pathophysiological (CEAP) classes and body mass index (BMI).

The improved scores of all dimensions of the SF-12 indicated a significantly improved quality of life over time.

The results suggested that R. aculeatus-HMC-AA. significantly improved the symptoms and QoL of CVD patients.

Taken altogether, Herbal Butcher's broom extract may be considered adjunct therapy for treatment of

Chronic venous insufficiency without inducing adverse effects.

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

How To Get Rid Of Eye Floaters
Contrary To Professionals Prediction, Floaters Can Be Cured Naturally

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

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

Author Biography
Kyle J. Norton (Scholar, Master of Nutrition, All right reserved)
Health article writer and researcher; Over 10.000 articles and research papers have been written and published online, including worldwide health, ezine articles, article base, health blogs, self-growth, best before it's news, the karate GB daily, etc.,.
Named TOP 50 MEDICAL ESSAYS FOR ARTISTS & AUTHORS TO READ by Disilgold.com Named 50 of the best health Tweeters Canada - Huffington Post
Nominated for shorty award over last 4 years
Some articles have been used as references in medical research, such as international journal Pharma and Bioscience, ISSN 0975-6299.
References
(1) Efficacy and safety of a Butcher's broom preparation (Ruscus aculeatus L. extract) compared to placebo in patients suffering from chronic venous insufficiency BY Vanscheidt W, Jost V, Wolna P, Lücker PW, Müller A, Theurer C, Patz B, Grützner KI. (PubMed)
(2) Assessment of quality of life in Mexican patients suffering from chronicvenous disorder - impact of oral Ruscus aculeatus-hesperidin-methyl-chalcone-ascorbic acid treatment - 'QUALITY Study by Guex JJ, Enriquez Vega DM, Avril L, Boussetta S, Taïeb C.(PubMed)

Papaya, The Anti Cancer Functional Food Targeted by Chemotherapy and Pharmacology

Kyle J. Norton

Papaya extract may be the next potential pharmacological target to identify the ingredients for the treatment of cancers, some scientists suggested.

Cancer is the class of chronic conditions characterized by the abnormal cell growth caused by the alteration of healthy cell DNA which starts on the surface of the inner lining of the bodily organs.

At the advanced stage, after colonizing most of the tissue of the primary organ, the malignant cells travel a distance away through lymph and blood to infect other healthy tissue and organs.

Researchers do not know why people with similar health conditions, family history, and race, some are susceptible to cell alternation in the initiation of cancer while others do not.

There has not been much success in the debate over whether the cancerous state is originated in a single cell or whether it is a reflection of aberrant behavior on the part of a ‘society of cells’.

The tissue organization field theory (TOFT) suggested that cancer onset is a result of a breakdown of tissue organization involving many cells from different embryological layers. In other words, cancer is a tissue-based disease and that proliferation is the default state of all cells.

The cancer stem cell (CSC) theory hypothesized that cancers are the result of genetic and epigenetic changes that take place within single cells. In other words, cancer is driven by a rare subpopulation of cells, designated cancer stem cells (CSC).

Other researchers proposed that cancer is the rewiring of the cell’s protein interaction networks mediated by intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) that drives the tumorigenic process.

In other words, the disorders of signaling proteins and amino acid residues are the culprits which drive the onset of cancers and chronic diseases.

Regardless of the hypotheses, as of the today, the exact causes of cancer are still unknown. Certain risk factors are known to associate with the onset of cancers, including an increase in age, excessive alcohol drinking, cancer-causing chemicals, chronic inflammation, poor diet, hormones therapy, immunosuppression, and infectious pathogens, according to epidemiological studies.

According to the World center fund International, in 2012, there were 14.1 million cancer cases, affecting 7.4 million in men and 6.7 million in women. This number is expected to increase to 24 million by 2035.

Papaya, a species of Carica Papaya, belonging to the family Caricaceae, native to the tropics of the Americas.

The fruit has been used in traditional medicine as remedies for many various ailments, including gastric problems, inflammation, and cancer.

The major chemical constituents of papaya include ethanol extract including benzylisothiocyanate are said to exhibit immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antihyperlipidemic, anti cellular oxidative stress, anti neural tube defect, etc. effects.

Aqueous extract, according to University of Tokyo, on various tumor cell lines, showed to inhibit significant growth activity, through immunomodulatory effects including, interleukin 12 (also known as natural killer cell stimulatory factor 2), IL-12p70(a heterodimer), IFN-gamma(regulation of immunologically relevant genes) and TNF-alpha(innate immune response against pathogenic infection).

Fermented papaya, a traditional dish of many Southeast Asian cultures, processed antioxidan, and immune-modulating potentials, through the influence of signaling cascades associated with cell growth and survival, from epidemiological and in-vitro studies of patients with diabetes.

In Azoxymethane (AOM) induced colon cancer in rats, papaya peel extract (PapPE), showed a significantly ameliorated the cytotoxic effects of AOM, through the potent antioxidant activities in the reduction of oxidative stress (glutathione depletion, lipid peroxidation).

In cultured human lung cancer H69 cell, Benzyl glucosinolate (BG) found in the pulp and the seed of papaya, inhibited cancer cell proliferation at a dose of 6.5 μmol, probably through its effect in superoxide generation and apoptosis induction.

Benzylisothiocyanate (BITC), another chemical constituent also mediated apoptosis of prostate and pancreases cancer cells through activation of both procaspase-8 pathways(initiation of apoptosis) and cell cycle arrest, inhibition of the advanced ovarian cancer cell lines through activation of caspase-3(activation in the apoptotic cell) and -9(activation of apoptotic process), and cleavage of PARP-1(repair of DNA damage) and breast cancer through generation of reactive oxygen species.

Dr/ Nguyen and the research team at The University of Queensland told PubMed "(The) extract-based or specific compound-based investigations and emphasize the aspects (of papaya) that warrant future research to explore the bioactives in C. papaya for their anticancer activities".

Taken altogether, fermented papaya containing major chemical constituents such as Benzyl glucosinolate (BG) and Benzylisothiocyanate (BITC) may be considered a functional food for the prevention and an adjunct therapy combined with the conventional medicine for the treatment of cancers, but further studies with large sample size and multi-centers are necessary to reaffirm papaya anti cancers possibility.

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Author Biography
Kyle J. Norton (Scholar, Master of Nutrition, All right reserved)
Health article writer and researcher; Over 10.000 articles and research papers have been written and published online, including worldwide health, ezine articles, article base, health blogs, self-growth, best before it's news, the karate GB daily, etc.,.
Named TOP 50 MEDICAL ESSAYS FOR ARTISTS & AUTHORS TO READ by Disilgold.com Named 50 of the best health Tweeters Canada - Huffington Post
Nominated for shorty award over last 4 years
Some articles have been used as references in medical research, such as international journal Pharma and Bioscience, ISSN 0975-6299.
References
(1) #Healthy #Foods - Fruits - Papaya (Carica Papaya)(Better living and living health)
(2) Anticancer activity of Carica papaya: a review by Nguyen TT1, Shaw PN, Parat MO, Hewavitharana AK. (PubMed)
(3) Cancer statistics Worldwide(World center fund International)
(4) Aqueous extract of Carica papaya leaves exhibits anti-tumor activity and immunomodulatory effects by Otsuki N, Dang NH, Kumagai E, Kondo A, Iwata S, Morimoto C.(PubMed)
(5) Diabetes as a risk factor to cancer: Functional role of fermented papaya preparation as phytonutraceutical adjunct in the treatment of diabetes and cancer by Aruoma OI, Somanah J, Bourdon E, Rondeau P, Bahorun T. (PubMed)
(6) Amelioration of azoxymethane induced-carcinogenesis by reducing oxidative stress in rat colon by natural extracts by Waly MI, Al-Rawahi AS, Al Riyami M, Al-Kindi MA, Al-Issaei HK, Farooq SA, Al-Alawi A, Rahman MS.(PubMed)
(7) Content determination of benzyl glucosinolate and anti-cancer activity of its hydrolysis product in Carica papaya L, by Li ZY1, Wang Y, Shen WT, Zhou P.(PubMed)
(8) Papaya seed represents a rich source of biologically active isothiocyanate by Nakamura Y, Yoshimoto M, Murata Y, Shimoishi Y, Asai Y, Park EY, Sato K, Nakamura Y. (PubMed)
(9) Dietary isothiocyanate mediated apoptosis of human cancer cells is associated with Bcl-xL phosphorylation by Basu A, Haldar S.(PubMed)
(10) Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) induces apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells in vitro by Kalkunte S, Swamy N, Dizon DS, Brard L(PubMed)
(11) Benzyl isothiocyanate-induced apoptosis in human breast cancer cells is initiated by reactive oxygen species and regulated by Bax and Bak by Xiao D1, Vogel V, Singh SV. (PubMed)
(12) Ficus carica L. (Moraceae): Phytochemistry, Traditional Uses and Biological Activities by Mawa S, Husain K, Jantan I.(PubMed)