The cellular and molecular basis of health benefits of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract.

Red grape seed extract containing proanthocyanidins and other antioxidants are being used as nutritional supplements by many health conscious individuals. The beneficial effects of grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSPE) have been reported, however, little is known about their mechanism(s) of action. One of the beneficial effects of GSPE is chemoprevention of cellular damage. The precise mechanism by which GSPE mediates, chemoprevention is not yet understood. This report addresses this issue. We investigated the mechanisms of actions of GSPE, which ameliorates chemotherapy-induced toxic effects of Idarubicin (Ida) and 4,-hydroxyperoxycyclophosphamide (4-HC) in normal human Chang liver cells. Exposure to GSPE resulted in a significant reduction in apoptosis in response to the cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agents. RT-PCR analysis showed a significant increase in the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 and a decrease in the cell cycle associated and proapoptotic genes, c-myc and p53 in cells treated with GSPE. These results suggest that some of the chemopreventive effects of GSPE are mediated by upregulating Bcl-2 and down regulating c-myc and p53 genes.

Anti-bacterial activity of Galega officinalis L. (Goat's Rue).

Alcoholic extracts of Goat's Rue (Galega officinalis L.; Papilionaceae) were tested on Gram +ve and Gram -ve bacteria as the plant was claimed to hasten skin healing after surgery. Ethanolic (60%) extract exhibited significant inhibition on growth of both Gram +ve and Gram -ve bacteria.

Raspberry leaf in pregnancy: its safety and efficacy in labor.

OBJECTIVE: Many women consume the raspberry leaf herb during their pregnancies in the belief that it shortens labor and makes labor "easier." METHODOLOGY: Because of the paucity of research regarding this herb, particularly in relation to pregnancy and birth, the authors undertook a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. The sample consisted of 192 low-risk, nulliparous women who birthed their babies between May 1999 and February 2000 at a large tertiary-level hospital in Sydney, Australia. The aim of the study was to identify the effect and safety of raspberry leaf tablets (2 x 1.2 g per day), consumed from 32 weeks' gestation until labor, on labor and birth outcomes. RESULTS: Raspberry leaf, consumed in tablet form, was found to cause no adverse effects for mother or baby, but contrary to popular belief, did not shorten the first stage of labor. The only clinically significant findings were a shortening of the second stage of labor (mean difference = 9.59 minutes) and a lower rate of forceps deliveries between the treatment group and the control group (19.3% vs. 30.4%). No significant relationship was found between tablet consumption and birth outcomes. CONCLUSION: The lack of significant differences between the groups on measures expected to demonstrate the effect of raspberry leaf ingestion during pregnancy on labor prompted consideration of the issue of effectiveness of dosage level. Suggestions for further research are offered.

Effect of long-term application of Crataegus oxyacantha on ischemia and reperfusion induced arrhythmias in rats.

The effect of long-term application of Crataegus oxyacantha on ischemia and reperfusion induced arrhythmias was investigated in Wistar rats on the heart in situ and on Langendorff preparations. Seventeen rats were fed for 8 weeks with 0.5 g/kg b.w. Crataegus extract per day, standardised to 2.2% flavonoids. Twenty age-matched untreated rats served as controls. In the hearts in situ as well as in the Langendorff preparations the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) was ligated for 20 min and subsequently reperfused for 30 min. ECG was continuously recorded and the time spent between start of ischemia and onset of arrhythmias was measured. In addition, during ischemia and reperfusion the number of ventricular premature beats and bigemini and the duration of salvos and ventricular flutter and fibrillation were determined. The ischemic area was evaluated in all experiments and coronary flow was measured in Langendorff preparations. In the present experiments, no cardioprotective effects of Crataegus oxyacantha could be detected, neither in the heart in situ nor in the Langendorff preparations. Although the ischemic areas were identical, arrhythmias occurred even earlier in the Crataegus collectives than in the controls. Also the number and duration of ischemia and reperfusion induced arrhythmias tended to occur longer and more frequently in the Crataegus collectives, whilst coronary flow remained unchanged. The phenomenon that Crataegus rather aggravates than prevents arrhythmias may be reduced to a Crataegus induced increase in intracellular Ca(2+)-concentration proven true for the positive inotropic effects of Crataegus.

Functional foods and cardiovascular disease.

Functional foods are foods that, by virtue of physiologically active food components, provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition. Many functional foods have been found to be potentially beneficial in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of mortality in the United States. These foods include soybeans, oats, psyllium, flaxseed, garlic, tea, fish, grapes, nuts, and stanol- and sterol ester enhanced margarine. When eaten in adequate amounts on a consistent basis, these foods may aid in decreasing the risk of cardiovascular disease by several potential mechanisms: lowering blood lipid levels, improving arterial compliance, reducing low-density lipoprotein oxidation, decreasing plaque formation, scavenging free radicals, and inhibiting platelet aggregation.

Antiulcer effectiveness of Maytenus aquifolium spray dried extract.

The antiulcer activity of Maytenus aquifolium spray dried extract was studied in rats. Ulcers were induced by means of three experimental models: acidified-ethanol, indomethacin and acute stress. The extract was found to have significant antiulcer activity against all the models studied. These results show that preparation of the extract by means of the spray dried technique does not alter the biological activity of Maytenus aquifolium.

Evaluation of antidiarrhoeal profile of Jussiaea suffruticosa linn. extract in rats.

The antidiarrhoeal potential of a methanol extract of the aerial parts of Jussiaea suffruticosa Linn. (MEJS) was studied with several experimental models of diarrhoea in rats. MEJS treated rats showed significant inhibitory activity against castor oil induced diarrhoea and PGE(2) induced enteropooling. It also showed a significant reduction in gastrointestinal motility following a charcoal meal in rats. The extract exhibited significant antidiarrhoeal potential at doses of 100,200 and 300 mg/kg in all the animal models and thus established the efficacy of MEJS as a potent antidiarrhoeal agent.

A pilot study exploring the effect of kudzu root on the drinking habits of patients with chronic alcoholism.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to assess if kudzu root extract influences the drinking habits of veterans who entered a substance abuse treatment program. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial. SETTING: A nonacademic Veteran Affairs Medical Center. METHODS: Patients with the diagnosis of alcoholism were randomly assigned to receive either kudzu root extract 1.2 g twice daily or a matching placebo. Patients completed questionnaires that focused on craving for alcohol and sobriety status on a monthly basis. OUTCOME MEASURES: Sobriety level and craving for ethanol were assessed on a visual analogue scale from 0 to 10. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients completed 1 month of the study; 21 randomly assigned kudzu, 17 to placebo. No statistically significance difference in craving and sobriety scores were noted after 1 month between kudzu and placebo, or at later stages with smaller numbers (15-19) of patients. CONCLUSION: In this small patient population, kudzu root appeared to be no better than placebo in reducing the craving for alcohol or promoting sobriety.

[High-dose Crataegus extract WS 1442 in the treatment of NYHA stage II heart failure]. / Einsatz des hochdosierten Crataegusextraktes WS 1442 in der Therapie der Herzinsuffizienz Stadium NYHA II.

The efficacy and tolerance of the standardized hawthorn (crataegus) extract WS 1442 were tested in a multicenter utilization observational study. We monitored 1,011 patients with cardiac insufficiency stage NYHA II, treated with this extract (Crataegutt novo 450, 1 tablet b.i.d.) over a period of 24 weeks. During and at the end of the observation period a significant improvement in clinical symptoms (reduced performance in the exercise tolerance test, fatigue, palpitation and exercise dyspnea) was observed. Ankle edema and nocturia disappeared by 83%, and by half of the patients respectively manifesting these symptoms before treatment. The improvement and economization of cardiac performance were additionally shown by a reduction in blood pressure, an increased maximal exercise tolerance and a reduction in the difference in the pressure/heart rate product (PHRP). The positive effects of WS 1442 were further demonstrated by an improved ejection fraction and an increased percentile shortening fraction measured using M-mode echocardiography. The stabilizing effect of the hawthorn extract on the heart rate was shown by a slower rest pulse, as well as by an increase in the number of day and night normorhythmic patients, as documented by long-term ECG. The reduction in the number of patients showing ST depressions, arrhythmias and ventricular extrasystoles at the maximum exercise level is regarded as an indication for an improved myocardial perfusion. Fourteen side effects were noted. In two cases (abdominal discomfort and facial pains accompanied by tachycardia) a possible relationship with the hawthorn therapy, was postulated which however was considered unlikely by the treating physicians. Almost 2/3 of the patients felt better or much better following the 24 weeks of treatment. More than 3/4 of the participating physicians noted a good or a very good efficacy, and 98.7% noted a good or a very good tolerance. High-dose hawthorn therapy is an efficient, well-tolerated and easily regulated therapeutic alternative for patients suffering from cardiac insufficiency stage NYHA II.

[Anti-inflammatory effects of alcoholic extract of roots of Rubus crataegifolius Bge].

The alcoholic extract of roots of Rllbus crataegifolius can inhibited the swellfoot by albumen, and reduce the capillary permeability of pertoneum and the edematous swelling of ears in mice. The extract also facilitates the extinction of hind paw edema induced by carrageenin and inhibits the cotton pellets granuloma formation in rats.