Recent Abstracts - Positive results

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Hi All,

 

Not all is doom and gloom on herbal research issues. See the

abstracts, below.

 

We need tens of thousands of research papers like these.

 

Best regards,

Phil

 

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Wilkinson, JD; Whalley, BJ; Baker, D; Pryce, G; Williamson, EM;

et al. Medicinal cannabis: is Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol

necessary for all its effects ? Journal of Pharmacy and

Pharmacology (England) 55 (12), 2003, 1687-1694. Univ London,

Sch Pharm, 29-39 Brunswick Sq, London WC1N 1AX, England

Cannabis is under clinical investigation to assess its potential for

medicinal use, but the question arises as to whether there is any

advantage in using cannabis extracts compared with isolated

Delta9-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol(Delta9 THC), the major

psychoactive component. We have compared the effect of a

standardized cannabis extract (SCE) with pure Delta9 THC, at

matched concentrations of Delta9 THC, and also with a Delta9THC-

free extract (Delta9THC-free SCE), using two can nabinoid-

sensitive models, a mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS), and

an in-vitro rat brain slice model of epilepsy. Whilst SCE inhibited

spasticity in the mouse model of MS to a comparable level, it

caused a more rapid onset of muscle relaxation, and a reduction in

the time to maximum effect compared with Delta9THC alone. The

Delta9THC-free extract or cannabidiol (CBD) caused no inhibition of

spasticity. However, in the in-vitro epilepsy model, in which

sustained epileptiform seizures were induced by the muscarinic

receptor agonist oxotremorine-M in immature rat piriform cortical

brain slices, SCE was a more potent and again more rapidly-acting

anticonvulsant than isolated Delta9THC, but in this model, the

Delta9THC-free extract also exhibited anticonvulsant activity.

Cannabidiol did not inhibit seizures, nor did it modulate the activity

of Delta9THC in this model. Therefore, as far as some actions of

cannabis were concerned (e.g. anti-spasticity), Delta9THC was the

active constituent, which might be modified by the presence of

other components. However, for other effects (e.g. anticonvulsant

properties) Delta9THC, although active, might not be necessary for

the observed effect Above all, these results demonstrated that not

all of the therapeutic actions of cannabis herb might be due to the

Delta9THC content.

 

Khan, SI; Abourashed, EA; Khan, IA; Walker, LA. Transport of

parthenolide across human intestinal cells (Caco-2). Planta Medica

(Germany 69, (11), 2003, 1009-1012. Univ Mississippi, Sch Pharm,

University, MS 38677, USA skhan This study

examined the intestinal epithelial membrane transport of the

sesquiterpene lactone parthenolide, a bioactive compound present

in the migraine prophylactic herb feverfew. The Caco-2 human

colonic cell line was used as an in vitro model of the human

intestinal mucosal barrier. The bidirectional transport (apical to

basolateral and basolateral to apical) of parthenolide was

investigated using Caco-2 monolayers grown on Trans-well inserts.

Quantitation of parthenolide was performed using high performance

liquid chromatography (HPLC). Apical to basolateral and

basolateral to apical permeability coefficients and percent transport

were calculated and a potential bioavailability of parthenolide was

determined. Sodium fluorescein was used as a marker for

paracellular leakage. Parthenolide, at a concentration of 250 muM,

demonstrated substantial linear transport across the monolayer.

The transport parameters were not affected by the presence of MK-

571, an inhibitor of multidrug resistance transporter P-glycoprotein

(MRP). Upon comparison of the transport parameters of

parthenolide with atenolol under identical conditions and the

reported values for model compounds like mannitol and propranolol,

it is concluded that parthenolide is effectively absorbed through the

intestinal mucosa via a passive diffusion mechanism.

 

Lee, DK; Haggart, K; Robb, FM; Lipworth, BJ. Butterbur, a herbal

remedy, confers complementary anti-inflammatory activity in

asthmatic patients receiving inhaled corticosteroids Clinical and

Experimental Allergy: Journal of the British Society for Allergy and

Clinical Immunology 34, (1), 2004, 110-114. Univ Dundee,

Ninewells Hosp & Med Sch, Dundee DD1 9SY, Scotland

b.j.lipworth Background The effects of butterbur

(BB), a herbal remedy, as add-on therapy to inhaled corticosteroids

in patients with atopic asthma is currently unknown. Objective We

evaluated the effects of BB, given as add-on therapy to asthmatic

patients maintained on inhaled corticosteroids, assessing

adenosine monophosphate (AMP) bronchoprovocation (primary

outcome variable) along with other surrogate inflammatory markers

such as exhaled nitric oxide, serum eosinophil cationic protein and

peripheral blood eosinophil count. Methods Sixteen atopic

asthmatic patients with mean (standard error of mean) forced

expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) of 78 (4)% predicted, maintained

on their constant dose of inhaled corticosteroids throughout the

study, received twice daily for 1 week either BB 25 mg or placebo

(PL), in a double-blind, cross-over fashion, with a 1-week washout

period prior to each randomized treatment Measurements were

made at baselines prior to each randomized treatment and

following the randomized treatment period. Results Baseline values

for the primary and secondary outcomes were not significantly

different prior to BB and PL. AMP provocative concentration

causing a 20% reduction from baseline FEV1 (PC20) as doubling

dilution change from baseline, significantly improved (P<0.05) with

BB, 0.6 (0.2), compared with PL, -0.1 (0.3); a 0.7 doubling dilution

difference. Exhaled nitric oxide as change from baseline was

significantly reduced (P<0.05) with BB, -1.2 (0.8) p.p.b., compared

with PL, 0.5 (0.4) p.p.b. Both serum eosinophil cationic protein and

peripheral blood eosinophil count as change from baseline were

also significantly suppressed (P<0.05) with BB, -3.9 (3.3) mug/L, -

31 (28)x10**6/L compared with PL, 3.3 (2.5) mug/L, 38

(16)x10**6/L, respectively. Conclusion Chronic dosing with BB

conferred complementary anti-inflammatory activity in atopic

asthmatic patients maintained on inhaled corticosteroids. Further

studies are now required to assess the potential role for BB as

either monotherapy in milder patients or add-on therapy in more

severe asthmatics. Petasites hybridus

 

Diwanay, S; Chitre, D; Patwardhan, B. Immunoprotection by

botanical drugs in cancer chemotherapy Journal of

Ethnopharmacology (Ireland) 90, (1), 2004, 49-55. Univ Poona,

Interdisciplinary Sch Hlth Sci, Poona 411007, Maharashtra, India

bpatwardhan Most of the synthetic

chemotherapeutic agents available today are

immunosuppressants, cytotoxic, and exert variety of side effects

that are particularly evident in cancer chemotherapy. Botanical

based immunomodulators are often employed as supportive or

adjuvant therapy to overcome the undesired effects of cytotoxic

chemotherapeutic agents and to restore normal health. Total

extract, polar and non-polar extracts, and their formulations,

prepared from medicinal plants mentioned in Ayurveda , namely,

Withania somnifera (Linn Dunal) (Solanaceae), Tinospora cord folia

(Miers) (Menispermaceae), and Asparagus racemosus (Willd.)

(Liliaceae), exhibited various immunopharmacological activities in

cyclophosphamide (CP)-treated mouse ascitic sarcoma. Treatment

of ascitic sarcoma-bearing mice with a formulation of total extracts

of Withania somnifera and Tinospora cordifolia (80:20) and alkaloid-

free polar fraction of Withania somnifera resulted in protection

towards CP-induced myelo- and immunoprotection as evident by

significant increase in white cell counts and hemagglutinating and

hemolytic antibody titers. Treatment with these candidate drugs

will be important in development of supportive treatment with

cancer chemotherapy. © 2003 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights

reserved.

 

Joo, SS; Won, TJ; Kang, HC; Lee, DI. Isoflavones extracted from

Sophorae fructus upregulate IGF-I and TGF-beta and inhibit

osteociastogenesis in rat born marrow cells. Archives of Pharmacal

Research (Korea) 27 (1), 2004, 99-105. Chung Ang Univ, Coll

Pharm, Seoul 156756, South Korea leedi Isoflavones

have been a central subject in research on the natural

phytoestrogens found in Leguminosee. Their effects on bone

formation and remodeling are important in that they can act like

estrogen by binding on estrogen receptors on the target cell

surface. We, therefore, believed that isoflavones may help in the

treatment of patients with estrogen deficiency disease such as

estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) for osteoporosis. As

commonly known, osteoporosis is one of the hormonal deficiency

diseases, especially in menopausal women. When estrogen is no

longer produced in the body a remarkable bone remodeling process

occurs, and the associated events are regulated by growth factors

in the osteoblast lineage. In the present study, we investigated

whether isoflavones (Isocal) extracted from Sophorae fructus affect

the growth factors IGF-I and TGF-beta that have been known to be

related with bone formation. In the study, we found that the active

control (PIII) effectively enhanced the level of nitric oxide (NO) and

growth factors, and thereby inhibited osteoclastogenesis. The most

efficient concentration was 10**8% within five days, whereas the

comparative control (soybean isoflavone) was not as effective even

at a lower concentration. In conclusion, the products which contain

enriched glucosidic isoflavone and nutrient supplements such as

shark cartilage and calcium can be used for osteoporosis therapy

by enhancing the production of IGF-I and TGF-beta. Furthermore,

the NO produced through endothelial constitutive NO synthase

(ecNOS) may play a role in inhibiting bone reabsorption.

 

Kucera, M; Horacek, O; Kalal, J; Kolar, P; Polesna, Z et al.

Synergetic analgesic effect of the combination of arnica and

hydroxyethyl salicylate in ethanolic solution following cutaneous

application by transcutaneous electrostimulation. Arzneimittel-

Forschung (Germany) 53 (12), 2003, 850-856. Charles Univ, Hosp

Motol, V Uvalu 84, Prague 15006 5, Czech Republic

kucera.miroslav A combination of the active agents

arnica and hydroxyethyl salicylate (HES) in ethanolic solution

(Sportino® Acute Spray) is cutaneously applied for the treatment

of sports injuries and diseases of the locomotor apparatus. The aim

was to examine the efficacy and synergism of the single

substances and the combination with regard to the analgesic effect

after cutaneous application as well as to validate the method of

transcutaneous electronic stimulation as a method of measuring

the analgesic effect In the present article, the method of

transcutaneous electrostimulation was used in a randomized,

controlled, single-blind trial on healthy volunteers to provide

objective evidence that the combination of active agents displays a

significantly greater analgesic effect than the individual active

agents. Thus there is synergy between the active agents arnica

and hydroxyethyl salicylate in the combination preparation. In

addition, the effect of the vehicle ethanol and the reference

substance water could be determined within the framework of these

comparative experiments and the difference between the

combination preparation and the individual substances arnica and

HES could be shown. The method of transcutaneous

electrostimulation used for the objective measurement of the

analgesic effect was validated.

 

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Best regards,

 

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