Depura-Cleanze™

Depura-Cleanze™ — (tonic) —This proprietary formula is a cleansing tonic and blood builder. 1-21 It eliminates toxins from the blood and body. 1,6,8-21 Studies show these botanicals enhance levels of antioxidants, and have hepatoprotective (protects liver), and cytotoxic (cancer killing) properties. 1,6,8,9,1213,16-18,20,21 Studies also show an anticoagulant (preventing blood clotting), hypoglycemic (lowers blood glucose levels), and anticholesteremic (lowers cholesterol) effect on the blood. 2,3,4,5,16

11. Muna (Minthostachys setosa)
www.biocomercioperu.org/fichatecnica_9.htm

1. Effect of Bauhinia racemosa Stem Bark on N-nitrosodiethylamine-Induced Hepatocarcinogenesis in Rats.
Kumar RS, Sunderam RS, Sivakumar T, Sivakumar P, Sureshkumar R, Kanagasabi R, Vijaya M,
Perumal BP, Gupta M, Mazumdar UK, Kumar MS, Kumar KA.
Natural Products Research Laboratories, J.K.K. Nataraja College of Pharmacy, Komarapalayam, Namakkal-638 183, Tamilndu, India. sambathju2002@yahoo.co.in. Am J Chin Med. 2007;35(1):103-14. Links
The aim of this study is to investigate the antioxidant defense system induced by the methanol extract of Bauhinia racemosa L.(MEBR) against N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in Wister albino rats. The effects of MEBR on surface visible macroscopic (Morphometry) liver lesions (neoplastic nodules) and the levels of serum enzymes, lipid peroxidation and antioxidants were evaluated in NDEA-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats. In rats treated, with NDEA, significantly elevated levels of serum enzymes (SGOT, SGPT and ALP), bilirubin and decreased levels of protein and uric acid were observed. Significantly elevated amount of malondialdehyde (MDA), the end product of lipidperoxidation, indicated higher levels of lipid peroxidation, which was accompanied by significantly decreased levels of antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Administration of MEBR was able to suppress nodule development/hepatocellular lesion formation in rats. The extract treatment increases in antioxidant levels and dramatic decreases in lipid peroxidation levels. MEBR also produced a protective effect by decreasing the level of serum enzymes, bilirubin and increased the protein and uric acid levels. The results suggest that MEBR exert chemopreventive effects by suppressing nodule development and decreasing lipid peroxidation and enhancing the levels of antioxidants in NDEA carcinogenesis by reducing the formation of free radicals.
PMID: 17265555 [PubMed - in process]

2. Acute effect of Bauhinia forficata on serum glucose levels in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats.
Silva FR, Szpoganicz B, Pizzolatti MG, Willrich MA, de Sousa E.
UFSC Departamento de Bioquimica, Centro de Ciencias Biologicas, Campus Universitario, Bairro Trindade, Cx Postal 5069, CEP-88040-970, SC, Florianopolis, Brazil. mena@mboxl.ufsc.br
Experimental diabetes was used to study the acute effect of the n-butanol fraction of Bauhinia forficata Link (Leguminosae) (BF) leaves on the serum glucose levels of rats. Body weight was measured on the day of diabetes induction and on the day of the experiment. Levels of glucose were determined at different doses and times following treatment with BF or with vehicle in normal, diabetic and hyperglycemic normal rats. Oral administration of n-BuOH fraction led to a significant blood glucose-lowering effect in normal and diabetic rats. However, in glucose-fed hyperglycemic normal rats, the maximum dose of this fraction failed to decrease blood glucose levels. The hypoglycemic effect was observed at doses of 500 and 600 mg/kg after 1 and 2 h treatment respectively, in normal rats. The maximum effect of BF was detected at 1 h with 800 mg/kg in diabetic animals and this profile was maintained for the next 3 h. Treatment of normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats with BF decreased glucose levels, while this fraction was devoid of hypoglycemic effect in glucose-fed hyperglycemic normal rats.

3. Anticoagulant and antifibrinogenolytic properties of the aqueous extract from Bauhinia forficata against snake venoms.
Oliveira CZ, Maiorano VA, Marcussi S, Sant’ana CD, Januario AH, Lourenco MV, Sampaio SV,
Franca SC, Pereira PS, Soares AM.
Unidade de Biotecnologia, Universidade de Ribeirao Preto, UNAERP, 14096-900 Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil.
The aqueous extract from aerial parts of Bauhinia forficata was able to neutralize the clotting activity induced by Bothrops and Crotalus crude venoms. The clotting time, upon human plasma, induced by B. moojeni venom was significantly prolonged. Clotting and fibrinogenolytic activities induced by isolated thrombin-like enzyme from Bothrops jararacussu were totally inhibited after incubation at different ratios. The extract was not able to neutralize the hemorrhagic activity induced by an Bothrops venoms, but it efficiently inhibited the edema induced by Crotalus durissus terrificus venom and isolated PLA2s. In addition, it did not inhibited the phospholipase A2 activity of Bothrops snake venoms. Interaction studies between Bauhinia forficata extract and snake venoms, when analyzed by SDS-PAGE, did not reveal any apparent degradation of the venom proteins. This extract is a promising source of natural inhibitors of serine-proteases involved in blood clotting disturbances induced by snake venoms.
PMID: 15763387 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

4. Hypoglycemic effect and antioxidant potential of kaempferol-3,7-O-(alpha)-dirhamnoside from Bauhinia forficata leaves.
de Sousa E, Zanatta L, Seifriz I, Creczynski-Pasa TB, Pizzolatti MG, Szpoganicz B, Silva FR.
Departamento de Quimica, Centro de Ciencias Fisicas e Matematicas, Campus Universitario, Bairro Trindade. Cx. Postal 5069, CEP 88040-970, Florianopolis, SC, Brazil.
In vivo and in vitro treatments were carried out to investigate the effects of kaempferol-3,7-O-(alpha)-dirhamnoside (kaempferitrin), a major flavonoid compound of the n-butanol fraction from Bauhiniaforficata leaves, on serum glucose levels, as well as its antioxidant potential. Oral administration of kaempferitrin led to a significant hypoglycemic effect in normal and in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. In normal rats, blood glucose lowering was observed only with the higher dose of kaempferitrin (200 mg/kg) at 1 h after treatment. However, the hypoglycemic effect of kaempferitrin in diabetic rats was evident at all doses tested (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg), and this profile was maintained throughout the period studied for both higher doses. Additionally, in glucose-fed hyperglycemic normal rats, the kaempferitrin failed to decrease blood glucose levels. In vitro antioxidant properties or action against reactive oxygen species of this compound was also evaluated. The compound showed high reactivity with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), IC(50) of 84.0 +/- 7.8 microM, inhibited myeloperoxidase activity with K(0.5) = 86 +/- 9.9 microM, and decreased lipid peroxidation, induced by ascorbyl radical either in microsomes or in asolectin and phosphatidylcholine liposomes, with IC(50)’s of 320 +/- 14.1, 223 +/- 8.3, and 112 +/- 8.8 microM, respectively.
PMID: 15165145 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

5. Evaluation of toxicity after one-months treatment with Bauhinia forficata decoction in strept zotocin-induced diabetic rats.
Pepato MT, Baviera AM, Vendramini RC, Brunetti IL.
Department of Clinical Analyses, Araraquara School of Pharmacy, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, SP,
Brazil. pepatomt@fcfar.unesp.br
BACKGROUND: Previous experiments have shown that a decoction of Bauhinia forficata leaves reduces the changes in carbohydrate and protein metabolism that occur in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. In the present investigation, the serum activities of enzymes known to be reliable toxicity markers were monitored in normal and streptozotocin-diabetic rats to discover whether the use of B. forficata decoction has toxic effects on liver, muscle or pancreas tissue or on renal microcirculation. METHODS: An experimental group of normal and streptozotocin-diabetic rats received an aqueous decoction of fresh B. forficata leaves (150 g/L) by mouth for 33 days while a control group of normal and diabetic rats received water for the same length of time. The serum activity of the toxicity markers lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, amylase, angiotensin-converting enzyme and bilirubin were assayed before receiving B. forficata decoction and on day 19 and 33 of treatment. RESULTS: The toxicity markers in normal and diabetic rats were not altered by the diabetes itself nor by treatment with decoction. Whether or not they received B. forficata decoction the normal rats showed a significant increase in serum amylase activity during the experimental period while there was a tendency for the diabetic rats, both treated and untreated with decoction, to have lower serum amylase activities than the normal rats. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of an aqueous decoction of B. forficata is a potential treatment for diabetes and does not produce toxic effects measurable with the enzyme markers used in our study.
PMID: 15186500 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

6. Novel selective cytotoxicity of wild sarsaparilla rhizome extract.
Huang YG, Li QZ, Ivanochko G, Wang R.
Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5E5, Canada. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2006 Oct;58(10):1399-403.
Among six fractions, including total extract and fractions of hexane, ethyl acetate, butanol, water and boiling water extracted and separated from wild sarsaparilla rhizome, the hexane fraction (HRW) was the most effective in eliminating four different human cancer cell lines with cellular viability less than 6.8%. HRW exhibited the highest potency against human leukaemia cells with an IC50 (concentration that inhibited the growth rate of cells by 50%) of 3.3 +/- 0.3 microg mL(-1), which was 17.6-fold smaller than that against normal human umbilical vein endothelial cells (IC50, 58.0 +/- 1.5 microg mL(-1)). For its rich natural resources, simple extraction procedure and high yield (3.2%), HRW has the potential to be developed as a selective anti-cancer nutraceutical or pharmaceutical natural health product with low side effects and high economical return.
PMID: 17034664 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE

7. Immunomodulatory activity of the aqueous extract from rhizome of Smilax glabra in the later phase of adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats.
Jiang J, Xu Q.
Department of Pharmacology for Chinese Materia Medica, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing 210009, PR China.
Our previous paper has reported that the aqueous extract from Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae (RSG) remarkably inhibited the primary inflammation of adjuvant arthritis (AA) in rats. In the present study, we further examined the activity of RSG and its mechanism on the secondary inflammation of AA. The administration of RSG (400 and 800 mg/kg) during the later phase significantly inhibited the swelling of the adjuvant-non-injected footpad of AA rats. The lipopolysaccharide-induced production of IL-1, TNF and NO by peritoneal macrophages was significantly reduced. In contrast, the extract significantly recovered the decrease in weight gain of the AA rats and Concanavalin A-induced T lymphocyte proliferation and IL-2 production by their splenocytes, while prednisolone (10mg/kg) showed a significant aggravation. Furthermore, RSG significantly recovered the picryl chloride-induced delayed-type hypersensitivity to almost normal levels from the higher or lower levels induced by different treatments of cyclophosphamide with a normalization of CD4/CD8 ratio. These results suggest that RSG exhibit an improvement on AA through down-regulating over-activated macrophages and up-regulating the dysfunctional T lymphocytes during the later phase of arthritis. Such characteristics of RSG on AA may be advantageous to the long-term treatment of clinical rheumatoid arthritis.
PMID: 12576202 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

8. Protection against diethylnitrosoamine-induced hepatocarcinogenesis by an indigenous medicine comprised of Nigella sativa, Hemidesmus indicus and Smilax glabra: a preliminary study.
Iddamaldeniya SS, Wickramasinghe N, Thabrew I, Ratnatunge N, Thammitiyagodage MG.
Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Talagolle Roaf, Ragama, Sri Lanka. mrthab@dynaweb.lk J Carcinog. 2003 Oct 18;2(1):6.
BACKGROUND: A decoction comprised of Nigella sativa seeds, Hemidesmus indicus root and Smilax glabra rhizome is used to treat cancer patients in Sri Lanka. However, the anti-carcinogenic properties of this decoction have not been experimentally confirmed. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the above decoction could protect against chemically induce hepatocarcinogenesis. METHODS: The effects of this decoction on diethylnitrosamine (DEN) induced hepatocarcinogenesis were examined in male Wistar rats using the medium term bioassay system of Ito, based on a 2-step model of hepatocarcinogenesis. Rats were randomly divided into 6 groups of 10 each. Groups 1 to 4 were injected with DEN (200 mg/kg) to initiate carcinogenesis. Twenty-four hours later groups 1 and 2 were administered the decoction at 4 g/kg body weight/day (dose 1) and 6 g/kg body weight/day (dose 2), respectively. Group 3 and group 4 were given distilled water instead of the decoction and a suspension of garlic powder (20 g/kg body weight/day) in distilled water (positive control), respectively. Group 5 and 6 were injected with normal saline and twenty-four hours later group 5 was given distilled water (normal control) while group 6 was given decoction dose 2 (decoction control). Oral feeding continued for two weeks after which all rats were subjected to 2/3 partial hepatectomy to promote carcinogenesis. Oral feeding continued for eight more weeks. At the end of the 10th week, rats were sacrificed and samples of livers taken for immunohistochemical studies.Carcinogenic potential was scored by comparing the number, area and staining intensity of glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P) positive foci and the number of cells/cm2 of the positive foci in the livers of the six groups of rats. RESULTS: The number and area of DEN-mediated GST-P positive foci, number of cells/cm2 of foci and staining intensity of the foci were significantly (P > 0.001) reduced by the decoction and garlic in the order dose 2 = garlic >dose 1. CONCLUSION: Overall results indicate that the decoction comprised of N. sativa, S. glabra and H. indicus has the potential to protect rat liver against DEN induced hepatocarcinogenesis
PMID: 14613573 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

9. A long-term investigation of the anti-hepatocarcinogenic potential of an indigenous medicine comprised of Nigella sativa, Hemidesmus indicus and Smilax glabra.
Iddamaldeniya SS, Thabrew MI, Wickramasinghe SM, Ratnatunge N, Thammitiyagodage MG.
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sri Jayawardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka. amalr@sltnet.lk
BACKGROUND: A decoction comprised of Nigella sativa seeds, Hemidesmus indicus root bark and Smilax glabra rhizome is being recommended for cancer patients by a family of traditional medical practitioners of Sri Lanka. Previous investigations have demonstrated that a short term (10 weeks) treatment with the decoction can significantly inhibit diethylnitrosamine (DEN) mediated expression of Glutathione S-transferase P form (GST-P) in rat liver. The objective of the present investigation was to determine whether long term (16 months) treatment with the decoction would be successful in inhibiting in rat livers, not only DEN- mediated expression of GST-P, but also the carcinogen mediated development of overt tumours (OT) or histopathological changes leading to tumour development (HT). METHODS: Thirty-six male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups of 12 each. Groups 1 and 2 were injected intraperitoneally (i.p) with DEN (200 mg/kg) while group 3 was injected normal saline (NS). Twenty-four hours later, decoction (DC; 6 g/kg body weight/day) was orally administered to group 1 rats, while groups 2 and 3 (DEN-control and normal control) were given distilled water (DW). Treatment with DC or DW continued for 16 months. At the end of the 9th month and 16th months (study 1 and study 2 respectively), six rats from each group were sacrificed, and livers observed for OT or HT, both visually and by subjecting liver sections to staining with Haemotoxylin and Eosin (H & E), Sweet’s Silver stain (for reticulin fibers), Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) staining (for glycogen), and immunohistochemical staining (for GST-P). RESULTS: At the end of 9 months (study 1) a hepatocellular adenoma (HA) developed in one of the rats in the DEN + DW treated group (group 2). At the end of 16 months (study 2), livers of all rats of group 2 developed OT and HT. Large areas of GST-P positive foci were also observed. No OT, HT or GST-P positive foci were detected in any of the other groups. CONCLUSION: Protection against DEN-mediated carcinogenic changes in rat liver can be achieved by long term treatment with the DC comprised of N. sativa seeds, S. glabra rhizome and H. indicus root bark.
PMID: 16684351 [PubMed]

10. Insecticidal activity against Aedes aegypti larvae of some medicinal South American plants.
Ciccia G, Coussio J, Mongelli E.
Catedra de Microbiologia Industrial y Biotecnologia, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquimica, Universidad de Buenos Aires,
Junin 956 (1113) Buenos Aires, Argentina. J Ethnopharmacol. 2000 Sep;72(1-2):185-9
The insecticidal activity of 11 extracts from nine South American medicinal plants has been studied using the Aedes aegypti larvicidal assay. Eight of the 11 plant extracts studied showed toxicity against the A. aegypti larvae (LC(50)<500 microg/ml). The dichloromethane extracts of Abuta grandifolia and Minthostachys setosa demonstrated high larvicidal activity, the most active being the dichloromethane extract of A. grandifolia, with an LC(50)=2.6 microg/ml (LC(100)= 8.1 microg/ml), indicating an activity 2-fold higher than beta-asarone, a natural botanical insecticide used as a positive control (LC(100)=16 microg/ml). On the other hand, the dichloromethane extract of M. setosa was quite potent against A. aegypti larvae showing an LC(50)=9.2 microg/ml (LC(100)=25.2 microg/ml). The results obtained suggest that the extracts of A. grandifolia and M. setosa are promising as larvicides against A. aegypti larvae and could be useful in the search for new larvicidal natural compounds.
PMID: 10967471 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

11. Name: Muña
Científico name: Minthostachys mollis (Kunth) Griseb
Setosa Minthostachys (Briq) Epl
Común name: Muña
Part of used Planta: Leaves, flowers and stem.
Therapeutic application: Digestive, Carminativo, Stomach.
DESCRIPTION
It is a arbustiva plant of the Family of the Labiadas, native of the Peruvian mountain range, that reaches a height of 0,80 mts., to 1,20 mts., and that is characterized to grow between the 2.500 to 3.500 m.s.n.m.
This shrub is leafy in the superior part; turgid and pubescente. Its stem is graft from the base and has small leaves, sawed. Their flowers are white and they are reunited in short clusters.
COMPOSITION AND CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF the MUÑA DRY (Peruvian Tables of Food Composition. 1996)
(Contained in 100 grs., of the eatable part)
Greater components (grs)
Energy: 299.00 (kcal)
Water: 16.00
Proteins: 3.20
Fats: 2.80
Carbohydrates: 66.30
Fiber: 9.40
Ashes: 11.70
MINERALS (mgs)
Calcium: 2,237.00
Phosphorus: 269.00
Iron: 22.40
VITAMINS (mgs)
Retinol: 306
Tiamina: 0.35
Riboflavina: 1.81
Niacina: 6.85
Reduced Ascórbico acid: 0.00
USES: The Muña is used like infusion by its carminativas and stomach properties. It is an excellent digestive, after heavy meals. It tastes slight to mint, that makes very pleasant, when it uses like tea. It is used as condimento and its leaves also are used in the treatment of fractures, luxaciones and tumors caused by blows.
By his high Calcium content (4,7 times more than the Maca), it could be a good complement in the feeding, since it favors the growth and maintenance of the bones and teeth. Also it favors the good operation of the nervous system, and prevents the osteoporosis, besides to recover the bony fractures. It avoids the decalcification of the bones and teeth in men and women. The Calcium deficiency produces dental decay and raquitismo. Also it has a high phosphorus content, that fortifies the hardness of the bones and teeth, besides to take part in the coagulation. It avoids osteomalacia or softening of the bones. Its iron content favors the red globule formation and avoids the anemia.
STATISTICS OF EXPORT 2001, 2002 and 2003 (Value FOB US$)
2001 195
2002 1,803
2003 479
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12. Luteolin and luteolin-7-O-glucoside from dandelion flower suppress iNOS and COX-2 in RAW264.7 cells.
Hu C, Kitts DD.
Food, Nutrition and Health, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.Mol Cell Biochem. 2004 Oct;265(1-2):107-13.
Both reactive oxygen- and nitrogen-derived reactive species play important roles in physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Flavones, luteolin and luteolin-7-O-glucoside along with a rich plant source of both flavones, namely dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) flower extract were studied for antioxidant activity in different in vitro model systems. In this current study, luteolin and luteolin-7-O-glucoside at concentrations lower than 20 microM, significantly (p < 0.05) suppressed the productions of nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in bacterial lipopolysaccharide activated-mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells without introducing cytotoxicity. The inhibitory effects were further attributed to the suppression of both inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression, and not reduced enzymatic activity. Similar suppression for both inducible enzymes was also found with the presence of dandelion flower extract, specifically, the ethyl acetate fraction of dandelion flower extract which contained 10% luteolin and luteolin-7-O-glucoside.
PMID: 15543940 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

13. Taraxacum officinale induces cytotoxicity through TNF-alpha and IL-1alpha secretion in Hep G2 cells.
Koo HN, Hong SH, Song BK, Kim CH, Yoo YH, Kim HM.
Department of Pharmacology, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 1 Hoegi-Dong, Dongdaemun-Gu, 130-701, Seoul, South Korea
Taraxacum officinale (TO) has been frequently used as a remedy for women’s disease (e.g. breast and uterus cancer) and disorders of the liver and gallbladder. Several earlier studies have indicated that TO exhibits anti-tumor properties, but its mechanism remains to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated the effect of TO on the cytotoxicity and production of cytokines in human hepatoma cell line, Hep G2. Our results show that TO decreased the cell viability by 26%, and significantly increased the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-1alpha production compared with media control (about 1.6-fold for TNF-alpha, and 2.4-fold for IL-1alpha, P < 0.05). Also, TO strongly induced apoptosis of Hep G2 cells as determined by flow cytometry. Increased amounts of TNF-alpha and IL-1alpha contributed to TO-induced apoptosis. Anti-TNF-alpha and IL-1alpha antibodies almost abolished it. These results suggest that TO induces cytotoxicity through TNF-alpha and IL-1alpha secretion in Hep G2 cells.
PMID: 14687655 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

14. Urolithiasis and phytotherapy.
Grases F, Melero G, Costa-Bauza A, Prieto R, March JG.
Department of Chemistry, University of Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Int Urol Nephrol. 1994;26(5):507-11.
The effects of seven plants with suspected application to prevent and treat stone kidney formation (Verbena officinalis, Lithospermum officinale, Taraxacum officinale, Equisetum arvense, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Arctium lappa and Silene saxifraga) have been studied using female Wistar rats. Variations of the main urolithiasis risk factors (citraturia, calciuria, phosphaturia, pH and diuresis) have been evaluated. It can be concluded that beneficial effects caused by these herb infusions on urolithiasis can be attributed to some disinfectant action, and tentatively to the presence of saponins. Specifically, some solvent action can be postulated with respect to uric stones or heterogeneous uric nucleus, due to the basifying capacity of some herb infusions. Nevertheless, for all the mentioned beneficial effects, more effective and equally innocuous substances are well known.
PMID: 7860196 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

15. Effect of licorice root on peripheral blood idexes upon vibration exposure.
Adamyan TI, Gevorkyan ES, Minasyan SM, Oganesyan KR, Kirakosyan KA. Department of Human and Animal Physiology, Erevan State University, Erevan. anatom@ysu.am
We studied the effect of continuous vibration and treatment with licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) on peripheral blood red cells in rabbits. Active substances of licorice root accelerated metabolism in cells of the bone marrow erythroid stem, enhanced compensatory reserve of the organism, and increased animal’s resistance to stress.
PMID: 16283000 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

16. Hypocholesterolaemic and antioxidant effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra (Linn) in rats.
Visavadiya NP, Narasimhacharya AV.
Department of Biosciences, Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar, Gujarat, India. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2006 Nov;50(11):1080-6.
The hypocholesterolaemic and antioxidant effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra (GG) root powder were examined in hypercholesterolaemic male albino rats. A 4-week administration of GG root powder (5 and 10 gm% in diet) to hypercholesterolaemic rats resulted in significant reduction in plasma, hepatic total lipids, cholesterol, triglycerides and plasma low-density lipoprotein and VLDL-cholesterol accompanied by significant increases in HDL-cholesterol levels. Furthermore, significant increases in fecal cholesterol, neutral sterols and bile acid excretion along with an increase in hepatic HMG-CoA reductase activity and bile acid production were observed in these animals. The root powder administration to hypercholesterolaemic rats also decreased hepatic lipid peroxidation with a concomitant increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities and total ascorbic acid content. Thus, the hypocholesterolaemic and antioxidant effects of GG root appeared to be mediated via (i) accelerated cholesterol, neutral sterol and bile acid elimination through fecal matter with an increased hepatic bile acid production and (ii) improving the activities of hepatic SOD, catalase and increasing the ascorbic acid content. The normo-cholesterolaemic animals when fed with GG root powder at 10 gm% level, registered a significant decline in plasma lipid profiles and an increase in HDL-cholesterol content. The antioxidant status of these animals also was improved upon treatment.
PMID: 17054099 [PubMed - in process]

17. Angiogenic and proliferative effects of the cytokine VEGF in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells is inhibited by Glycyrrhiza glabra.
Sheela ML, Ramakrishna MK, Salimath BP.
Department of studies in Applied Botany and Biotechnology, University of Mysore, Manasagangothri, Mysore-570 006, India. Int Immunopharmacol. 2006 Mar;6(3):494-8. Epub 2005 Aug 15.
Blood vessel plays a crucial role in solid tumor development. It has been suggested that blocking of angiogenesis and the action of the cytokine VEGF could be possible in cancer therapy. In a screen for naturally occurring angiogenic inhibitors, we have identified an extract from the roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra, which has potent antiangiogenic and antitumor activity. The aqueous extract inhibits the in vivo and in vitro proliferation of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. The angioinhibitory activity of G. glabra was confirmed by its inhibition of angiogenesis in in vivo assays, peritoneal and chorioallantoic membrane assay. Reduction in the levels of the cytokine VEGF and microvessel density count in the peritoneum of mice treated with G. glabra indicated that the plant extract decreased VEGF production and the cytokine induced neovascularization. Our results suggest that the extract from the roots of G. glabra may be a potential supplemental source for cancer therapy.
PMID: 16428085 [PubMed - in process]

18. Zingiber officinale Roscoe alone and in combination with alpha-tocopherol protect the kidney against cisplatin-induced acute renal failure.
Ajith TA, Nivitha V, Usha S.
Department of Biochemistry, Amala Institute of Medical Sciences, Amala Nagar, Thrissur, Kerala 680 555, India. Food
Chem Toxicol. 2006 Nov 29; [Epub ahead of print]
Oxidative stress due to abnormal production of reactive oxygen molecules (ROM) is believed to be involved in the etiology of toxicities of many xenobiotics. Evidences suggested that ROM is involved in the nephrotoxicity of a widely used synthetic anticancer drug cisplatin. The nephroprotective effects of ethanol extract of Zingiber officinale alone and in combination with vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) were evaluated using cisplatin (single dose of 10mg/kg body wt, i.p) induced acute renal damage in mice. The results of the study indicated that Z. officinale significantly and dose dependently protected the nephrotoxicity induced by cisplatin. The serum urea and creatinine levels in the cisplatin alone treated group were significantly elevated (P<0.01) with respect to normal group of animals. The levels were reduced in the Z. officinale (250 and 500mg/kg, p.o) plus cisplatin, vitamin E (250mg/kg) plus cisplatin, and Z. officinale (250mg/kg) with vitamin E plus vitamin E treated groups. The renal antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities and level of reduced glutathione (GSH) were declined; level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was elevated in the cisplatin alone treated group. The activities of SOD, CAT GPx and level of GSH were elevated and level of MDA declined significantly (P<0.05) in the Z. officinale (250 and 500mg/kg) plus cisplatin and Z. officinale (250mg/kg) with vitamin E plus cisplatin treated groups. The protective effect of Z. officinale (250mg/kg body wt) was found to be better than that of vitamin E (250mg/kg body wt). The results also demonstrated that combination of Z. officinale (250mg/kg) with vitamin E (250mg/kg) showed a better protection compared to their 250mg/kg alone treated groups. This study concluded that ethanol extract of Z. officinale alone and in combination with vitamin E partially ameliorated cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. This protection is mediated either by preventing the cisplatin-induced decline of renal antioxidant defense system or by their direct free radical scavenging activity.
PMID: 17210214 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

19. Ethanolic Zingiber officinale R. extract pretreatment alleviates isoproterenol-induced oxidative myocardial necrosis in rats.
Ansari MN, Bhandari U, Pillai KK.
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jamia
Hamdard, New Delhi 110 062, India. Indian J Exp Biol. 2006
Nov;44(11):892-7.
Ethanolic Z. officinale (ZO) extract (200 mg/kg) pretreatment for 20 days in isoproterenol (ISO)-treated rats significantly increased the levels of endogenous myocardial antioxidants (catalase, superoxide dismutase and tissue glutathione), decreased the levels of serum marker enzymes (lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase) and increased myocardial lipid peroxides. Histological examination of rat’s heart section confirmed myocardial injury with ISO administration and near normal pattern with ethanolic ZO extract pretreatment. The results of the present study, for the first time, provide clear evidence that the ethanolic ZO extract pretreatment enhances the antioxidant defense against ISO-induced oxidative myocardial injury in rats and exhibit cardioprotective property.
PMID: 17205709 [PubMed - in process]

20. Cancer preventive properties of ginger: A brief review.
Shukla Y, Singh M.
Environmental Carcinogenesis Division, Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, P.O. Box 80, M.G. Marg, Lucknow
226001, Uttar Pradesh, India. Food Chem Toxicol. 2006 Nov 12; [Epub ahead of print]
Ginger, the rhizome of Zingiber officinalis, one of the most widely used species of the ginger family, is a common condiment for various foods and beverages. Ginger has a long history of medicinal use dating back 2500 years. Ginger has been traditionally used from time immemorial for varied human ailments in different parts of the globe, to aid digestion and treat stomach upset, diarrhoea, and nausea. Some pungent constituents present in ginger and other zingiberaceous plants have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, and some of them exhibit cancer preventive activity in experimental carcinogenesis. The anticancer properties of ginger are attributed to the presence of certain pungent vallinoids, viz. [6]-gingerol and [6]-paradol, as well as some other constituents like shogaols, zingerone etc. A number of mechanisms that may be involved in the chemopreventive effects of ginger and its components have been reported from the laboratory studies in a wide range of experimental models.
PMID: 17175086 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

21. Chemopreventive anti-inflammatory activities of curcumin and other phytochemicals mediated by MAP kinase phosphatase-5 in prostate cells.
Nonn L, Duong D, Peehl DM.
Department of Urology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA.
Carcinogenesis. 2006 Dec 6; [Epub ahead of print]
As inflammation emerges as a risk factor for prostate cancer, there is potential for chemoprevention by anti-inflammatory agents. Dietary phytochemicals have been shown to have chemopreventive properties which may include anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, we demonstrate a role for mitogen activated protein kinase phosphatase-5 (MKP5) in mediating anti-inflammatory activities of the phytochemicals curcumin, resveratrol and [6]-gingerol. We utilized the cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-1beta to increase p38-dependent nuclear factor kappa-B (NFkappaB) activation and expression of pro-inflammatory genes cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, IL-6 and IL-8 in normal prostatic epithelial cells. MKP5 over-expression decreased cytokine-induced NFkappaB activation, COX-2, IL-6 and IL-8 in normal prostatic epithelial cells, suggesting potent anti-inflammatory activity of MKP5. Pre-treatment of cells with a p38 inhibitor mimicked the results observed with MKP5 over-expression, further implicating p38 inhibition as the main activity of MKP5. Curcumin, the phytochemical found in turmeric, up-regulated MKP5, subsequently decreasing cytokine-induced p38-dependent pro-inflammatory changes in normal prostatic epithelial cells. Resveratrol and [6]-gingerol, phytochemicals present in red wine and ginger, respectively, also up-regulated MKP5 in normal prostate epithelial cells. Moreover, we found that prostate cancer cell lines DU 145, PC-3, LNCaP and LAPC-4 retained the ability to up-regulate MKP5 following curcumin, resveratrol and [6]-gingerol exposure, suggesting utility of these phytochemicals in prostate cancer treatment. In summary, our findings show direct anti-inflammatory activity of MKP5 in prostate cells and suggest that up-regulation of MKP5 by phytochemicals may contribute to their chemopreventive actions by decreasing prostatic inflammation.
PMID: 17151092 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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