This week's Medline Hits on Herbal Medicine

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See this week's Medline Hits on Herbal Medicine:

 

Conrad A, Kolberg T, Engels I, Frank U. | [in vitro study to evaluate the

antibacterial activity of a combination of the haulm of nasturtium (Tropaeoli

majoris herba) and of the roots of horseradish (Armoraciae rusticanae

radix)] [Article in German] | Arzneimittelforschung. 2006;56(12):842-9. |

Institut fur Umweltmedizin und Krankenhaushygiene, Universitaitsklinikum

Freiburg, Breisacher Strasse 115B, 79106 Freiburg/Brsg., Germany.

andreas.conrad | OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the in-

vitro antimicrobial properties of a commercialized preparation (Angocin Anti-

Infekt N) containing a combination of the haulm of nasturtium (Tropaeoli

majoris herba; N) and of the roots of horseradish (Armoraciae rusticanae

radix; H). This preparation can be used to treat upper respiratory tract

(URTI) and urinary tract infections (UTI). The active ingredients are volatile

mustard oils, which are activated in the gastrointestinal tract after oral

intake. Previous research has shown mustard oils derived from either N or

H to possess antibacterial activity. METHODS: In order to assess the

antimicrobial capacity of phytotherapeutic compounds containing volatile

mustard oils, a modified gas-test was used. Native preparations of N and H

were applied to the lids of Columbia agar plates (ratio N:H = 2.5:1) and

mixed with sterile H20. Thirteen different bacterial species including

Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Escherichia coli,

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pyogenes, methicillin-susceptible

and resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA, MRSA) were tested (20

isolates each). The test organisms were plated onto the blood agar plates

and placed above the native preparations. The plates were sealed with

adhesive tape and incubated at 37 degrees C. Following incubation of 24 h

and 92 h, colony forming units (CFU) were counted and the minimal

inhibitory concentrationg (MIC90) was determined for each bacterial

species. RESULTS: Relevant antimicrobial activities of the combined native

preparations were found against H. influenzae (MIC90 50 mg N / 20 mg H),

M. catarrhalis (100 mg N / 40 mg H), E. coli (400 mg N / 160 mg H), P

aeruginosa (400 mg N / 160 mg H), MSSA (400 mg N 1 160 mg H), MRSA

(400 mg N / 160 mg H), and S. pyogenes (400 mg N / 160 mg H).

CONCLUSION: Antimicrobial testing of a combination of N and H revealed

broad antibacterial activities against clinically relevant pathogens covering

both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms, thus confirming previous

reports of the antibacterial properties of mustard oils. Additionally, this

study

demonstrated that the combination of N and H leads to synergistic activity in

terms of improved Pseudomonas-susceptibility compared to the previous

reported activities of the single compounds. Thus, these results prove that

there is a rational basis for treatment of URTI and UTI with a combination of

N and H. Publication Types: English Abstract PMID: 17260672 [PubMed - in

process]

 

Kurup VP, Barrios CS, Raju R, Johnson BD, Levy MB, Fink JN. | Immune

response modulation by curcumin in a latex allergy model. | Clin Mol Allergy.

2007 Jan 25;5(1):1 [Epub ahead of print] | | ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:

There has been a worldwide increase in allergy and asthma over the last

few decades, particularly in industrially developed nations. This resulted in a

renewed interest to understand the pathogenesis of allergy in recent years.

The progress made in the pathogenesis of allergic disease has led to the

exploration of novel alternative therapies, which include herbal medicines as

well. Curcumin, present in turmeric, a frequently used spice in Asia has

been shown to have anti-allergic and inflammatory potential. METHODS:

We used a murine model of latex allergy to investigate the role of curcumin

as an immunomodulator. BALB/c mice were exposed to latex allergens and

developed latex allergy with a Th2 type of immune response. These animals

were treated with curcumin and the immunological and inflammatory

responses were evaluated. RESULTS: Animals exposed to latex showed

enhanced serum IgE, latex specific IgG1, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, eosinophils and

inflammation in the lungs. Intragastric treatment of latex-sensitized mice

with curcumin demonstrated a diminished Th2 response with a concurrent

reduction in lung inflammation. Eosinophilia in curcumin-treated mice was

markedly reduced, co-stimulatory molecule expression (CD80, CD86, and

OX40L) on antigen-presenting cells was decreased, and expression of

MMP-9, OAT, and TSLP genes was also attenuated. CONCLUSIONS:

These results suggest that curcumin has potential therapeutic value for

controlling allergic responses resulting from exposure to allergens. PMID:

17254346 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

 

Liu ZM, Yang YS, Wang XL, Wen RX. | [Recent progress on anti-HIV

research of TCM and components] [Article in Chinese] | Zhongguo Zhong

Yao Za Zhi. 2006 Nov;31(21):1753-8. | College of Life Science and

Bioengineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100022, China.

liulzm8004 | This paper summarized the recent 6 years'

progress of anti-HIV compounds and TCMs by searching international

network and reviewing the domestic and foreign literature. Traditional

Chinese medicinal appeared to be a rich source of potentially useful

materials for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Some of them are much more potent in anti-HIV activity. And some

components extracted from the herbs are even more tonic than the crude

herb medicines. It has been proved that some active components such as

alkaloids, proteins, flavonoids, quercetin, terpene, lignanoid are able to work

on anti-HIV. People should pay more attention to the study of TCM and the

leading compounds on anti-HIV/AIDS in the clinic and in the laboratory. So

searching for high efficacy and low toxicity anti-HIV drug from TCM is an

important and prospective research direction in the future. Publication

Types: English Abstract PMID: 17260784 [PubMed - in process]

 

Miyasaka L, Atallah A, Soares B. | Passiflora for anxiety disorder. |

Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007 Jan 24;(1):CD004518. | |

BACKGROUND: Anxiety is a very common mental health problem in the

general population and in the primary care setting. Herbal medicines are

popularly used worldwide and could be an option for treating anxiety if

shown to be effective and safe. Passiflora (passionflower extract) is one of

these compounds. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effectiveness and

safety of passiflora for treating any anxiety disorder. SEARCH STRATEGY:

The following sources were used: electronic databases: Cochrane

Collaboration Depression, Anxiety and Neurosis Cochrane Controlled Trials

Register (CCDANCTR-Studies), Medline and Lilacs; Cross-checking

references; contact with authors of included studies and manufacturers of

passiflora. SELECTION CRITERIA: Relevant randomised and quasi-

randomised controlled trials of passiflora using any dose, regime, or method

of administration for people with any primary diagnosis of general anxiety

disorder, anxiety neurosis, chronic anxiety status or any other mental health

disorder in which anxiety is a core symptom (panic disorder, obsessive

compulsive disorder, social phobia, agoraphobia, other types of phobia,

postraumatic stress disorder). Effectiveness was measured using clinical

outcome measures such as Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) and other

scales for anxiety symptoms. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two

reviewers independently selected the trials found through the search

strategy, extracted data, performed the trial quality analyses and entered

data. Where any disagreements occured, the third reviewer was consulted.

Methodological quality of the trials included in this review was assessed

using the criteria described in the Cochrane Handbook. For dichotomous

outcomes, relative risk with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated,

and for continuous outcomes, weighted mean difference with 95%CI was

used. MAIN RESULTS: Two studies, with a total of 198 participants, were

eligible for inclusion in this review. Based on one study, a lack of difference

in the efficacy of benzodiazepines and passiflora was indicated. Dropout

rates were similar between the two interventions. Although the findings from

one study suggested an improvement in job performance in favour of

passiflora (post-hoc outcome) and one study showed a lower rate of

drowsiness as a side effect with passiflora as compared with mexazolam,

neither of these findings reached statistical significance. AUTHORS'

CONCLUSIONS: RCTs examining the effectiveness of passiflora for anxiety

are too few in number to permit any conclusions to be drawn. RCTs with

larger samples that compare the effectiveness of passiflora with placebo

and other types of medication, including antidepressants, are needed.

PMID: 17253512 [PubMed - in process]

 

Monteiro MV, de Melo Leite AK, Bertini LM, de Morais SM, Nunes-Pinheiro

DC. | Topical anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective and antioxidant effects of

the essential oil of Lippia sidoides Cham. leaves. | J Ethnopharmacol. 2006

Dec 12; [Epub ahead of print] | Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Ciencias

Veterinarias, Faculdade de Veterinaria, Universidade Estadual do Ceara

(UECE), Av. Paranjana, 1700, CEP 60740-000, Campus do Itaperi,

Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil. | Lippia sidoides in Northeastern Brazil is widely

used in the social medicine program named " Live Pharmacies " run by the

municipal governments of country towns, to help poor people with

phytotherapy, performed with local plants that are inexpensive but very

effective. This plant is mainly used as a general antiseptic due to its strong

action against many microorganisms. In order to evaluate the action

spectrum of this plant, pharmacological studies were performed on acute

toxicity, topical inflammation and ethanol-induced gastric lesions in mice,

using the leaf essential oil (EO) of Lippia sidoides. The topical application of

EO at doses of 1 and 10mg/ear, respectively, significantly reduced (P<0.05)

in 45.93 and 35.26% the acute ear edema induced by 12-

otetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA). The gastroprotective effect was

demonstrated by oral pretreatment with EO at doses of 10, 50 and

100mg/kg, which, respectively, significantly inhibited (P<0.05) by 58.33,

45.83 and 41.66% the damage produced by ethanol, but altered neither the

weight nor the protein gastric mucus induced by ethanol administration. This

study confirmed the great potential of this plant for medicinal proposals.

PMID: 17254726 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

 

Nelson E, Bradley M. | Dressings and topical agents for arterial leg ulcers. |

Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007 Jan 24;(1):CD001836. | |

BACKGROUND: It is estimated that people in industrialised countries have

a 1% chance of suffering from a leg ulcer at some time in their life. The

majority of leg ulcers are associated with circulation problems; poor blood

return in the veins causes venous ulcers (around 70% of ulcers) and poor

blood supply to the legs causes arterial ulcers (around 25% of ulcers).

Treatment of arterial leg ulcers is directed towards correcting the poor

arterial blood supply, for example, by surgically correcting arterial

blockages, and by supporting ulcer healing using topical agents (medicines

in cream/ointment) and wound dressings. There are a large number of

topical agents and wound dressings available and it is unclear what impact

these have on ulcer healing. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether topical

agents and wound dressings affect the rate of healing in arterial ulcers. To

compare healing rates, costs and patient-centred outcomes between wound

dressings and topical agents. SEARCH STRATEGY: Potential trials were

sought through the Specialised Trials Registers of the Cochrane Wounds

Group (last searched April 2002), the Cochrane Peripheral Vascular

Diseases Group (last searched November 2006) and the Cochrane Central

Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) in The Cochrane Library, Issue 4,

2006 SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs), or

controlled clinical trials (CCTs) of dressings and topical agents for arterial

leg ulcers were eligible for inclusion. The participants had to have ulcers

that were described as arterial, and the time to healing, proportion

completely healed, or rate of reduction in ulcer area had to be reported. All

wound dressings and topical agents were eligible for inclusion in this review.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Information on the participants'

characteristics, the interventions, and outcomes, as well as data on the trial

methods, such as blinding of patients and clinicians, and allocation

concealment were extracted using a standardised data extraction form.

MAIN RESULTS: One trial met the inclusion criteria. This small trial

compared ketanserin ointment with vehicle alone, changed twice a day. The

trial was too small and for too short a follow-up period to be able to

determine whether there was any difference in healing rates. AUTHORS'

CONCLUSIONS: There is insufficient evidence to determine whether the

choice of topical agent or dressing affects the healing of arterial leg ulcers.

Inadequate description of the people in the one included trial means that the

results cannot be easily applied to other clinical populations. PMID:

17253465 [PubMed - in process

 

Sinha M, Manna P, Sil PC. | Attenuation of cadmium chloride induced

cytotoxicity in murine hepatocytes by a protein isolated from the leaves of

the herb Cajanus indicus L. | Arch Toxicol. 2007 Jan 30; [Epub ahead of

print] | Department of Chemistry, Bose Institute, 93/1, Acharya Prafulla

Chandra Road, Kolkata, 700009, West Bengal, India,

parames. | Cadmium has been recognized as a

strong environmental pollutant. Exposure to this heavy metal occurs through

the intake of foodstuffs, drinking water and also via the inhalation of air.

Present study was conducted to evaluate the protective effect of a 43 kDa

protein, isolated from the leaves of the herb Cajanus indicus, against

cadmium-induced cytotoxicity in hepatocytes. For this study, cadmium

chloride (CdCl(2)) has been used as the source of cadmium. Treatment of

hepatocytes with 800 muM CdCl(2) for 3 h caused significant reduction in

cell viability in association with the increased levels of glutamate pyruvate

transaminase (GPT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) leakage. The activities

of the antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, catalase (CAT),

glutathione-S-transferase and glutathione reductase, and the levels of

cellular metabolites, reduced glutathione (GSH) as well as total thiols have

also been decreased under the same treatment. In addition, the toxin

enhanced the levels of the lipid peroxidation end products and oxidized

glutathione (GSSG). Incubation of hepatocytes with the protein at a dose of

0.1 mg/ml for 3 h prior to the toxin treatment (at a dose of 800 muM for 3 h)

restored the activities of all the antioxidant enzymes, the levels of GSH, total

thiols, cell viability and also attenuated the increased levels of GPT, ALP,

lipid peroxidation and GSSG. In addition, the protein resisted CdCl(2)

induced alterations of all the parameters when applied in combination with

CdCl(2). Effects of a known antioxidant, vitamin E, and a non-relevant

protein, bovine serum albumin against CdCl(2) induced cytotoxicity have

also been included in the study. Combining all, we would like to say that the

protein possessed protective activity against CdCl(2) induced cytotoxicity in

mouse hepatocytes probably via its antioxidant property. PMID: 17262218

[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

 

Taixiang W, Wei X, Yang X, Zhiyu C. | Medicinal herbs for esophageal

cancer. | Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007 Jan 24;(1):CD004520. | |

BACKGROUND: Esophageal cancer is the seventh leading cause of cancer

death worldwide. Traditional Chinese medicinal herbs are sometimes used

as an adjunct to radiotherapy or chemotherapy for this type of cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and possible adverse effects of the

addition of Chinese medicinal herbs to treatment with radiotherapy or

chemotherapy for esophageal cancer. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched

the Cochrane Upper Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Diseases Group Trials

Register, The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED (Allied and

Complementary Medicine Database), CBM (Chinese Biomedical Database),

China National Knowledge Infrastructure, the Chinese Cochrane Centre

Controlled Trials Register and CISCOM (The Research Council for

Complementary Medicine) (up to June 2004). Databases of ongoing trials,

the internet and reference lists were also searched. SELECTION

CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials comparing the use of radiotherapy

or chemotherapy with and without the addition of Chinese medicinal herbs.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: At least two review authors

extracted data and assessed trial quality. MAIN RESULTS: Two studies

were included. The numbers of participants in these two trials were 42 and

80, 122 in total. Both studies were analysed separately because of the

differences in interventions used. Although one study reported a positive

result, the majority of outcome measurements from the two studies showed

no significant benefit with the addition of Chinese herbal medicines to

radiotherapy or chemotherapy. There was statistically significant

improvement in quality of life with the additional Huachansu injection,

however, no statistically significant improvement was found in short-term

therapy effects, one-year survival rate or the adverse effect of radiation-

induced esophagitis. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The included studies

were of low quality. The results suggest Zhenxiang capsules or Huachansu

injection may not improve short-term therapy effects or one-year survival

rate when used as adjunct treatment to chemo- or radiotherapy in the

treatment of esophageal cancer. The quality of life may be improved by

Huachansu injection. The results suggest that more high-quality trials on

Huachansu injection and other Chinese herbal medicines are needed in the

future. PMID: 17253513 [PubMed - in process]

 

Vasconcelos LC, Sampaio FC, Sampaio MC, Pereira Mdo S, Higino JS,

Peixoto MH. | Minimum inhibitory concentration of adherence of Punica

granatum Linn (pomegranate) gel against S. mutans, S. mitis and C.

albicans. | Braz Dent J. 2006;17(3):223-7. | Departament of Clinical and

Social Dentistry, Federal University of Paraiba, Joao Pessoa, PB, Brazil. |

The purpose of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial effect of a

Punica granatum Linn (pomegranate) phytotherapeutic gel and miconazole

(Daktarin® oral gel) against three standard streptococci strains (mutans

ATCC 25175, sanguis ATCC 10577 and mitis ATCC 9811), S. mutans

clinically isolated and Candida albicans either alone or in association. The

effect of minimum inhibitory concentrations of the gels on the adherence of

these microorganisms to glass was assessed in the presence of 5%

sucrose, using increasing and doubled concentrations of the diluted solution

of the gels ranging from 1:1 to 1:1024. The minimum inhibitory

concentrations of adherence of Punica granatum L. gel against the test

organisms were: 1:16 for S. mutans (ATCC), S. mutans (CI) and S.

sanguis; 1:128 for S. mitis and 1:64 for C. albicans. The minimum inhibitory

concentrations of adherence of miconazole against the same organisms

were: 1:512, 1:64, 1:4, 1:128 and 1:16, respectively. In experiments with

three and four associated microorganisms, the Punica granatum L. gel had

greater efficiency in inhibiting microbial adherence than the miconazole. The

results of this study suggest that this phytotherapeutic agent might be used

in the control of adherence of different microorganisms in the oral cavity.

PMID: 17262129 [PubMed - in process]

 

Wu T, Zhang J, Qiu Y, Xie L, Liu G. | Chinese medicinal herbs for the

common cold. | Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007 Jan 24;(1):CD004782. |

| BACKGROUND: Chinese herbal medicines are frequently used to treat the

common cold in China. Until now, their efficacy has not been systematically

reviewed. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness and safety of Chinese

herbal medicines for the common cold. SEARCH STRATEGY: We

searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL)

(The Cochrane Library, Issue 3, 2006) which contains the Acute Respiratory

Infections Group's specialised register; MEDLINE (1966 to July 2006);

EMBASE (1980 to March 2006); AMED (1985 to July 2006); and the

Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM) (1975 to July 2005). SELECTION

CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) studying the efficacy of

Chinese herbal medicine(s) for the treatment of the common cold were

included, irrespective of publication status or language. DATA

COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Four review authors telephoned original

trial authors of the RCTs identified by our searches to verify the

randomisation procedure. Two review authors extracted and analysed data

from the trials which met the inclusion criteria. MAIN RESULTS: Fourteen

studies involving 2440 patients were included. The methods of all studies

were rated of poor quality (category C). Included studies used " effective

drugs " as controls; however, the efficacy of these control drugs was not

reported. Different Chinese herbal preparations were tested in nearly all

trials; in only one was a Chinese herbal preparation tested twice. In six

studies, five herbal preparations were found to be more effective at

enhancing recovery than the control; and in the other eight studies, five

herbal preparations were shown to be equal to the control. There was a

strong probability of different biases in all of the included studies.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Chinese herbal medicines may shorten the

symptomatic phase in patients with the common cold. However, the lack of

high quality clinical trials means we are unable to recommend any kind of

Chinese herbal preparation for the common cold. PMID: 17253524

[PubMed - in process]

 

Yusuf N, Irby C, Katiyar SK, Elmets CA. | Photoprotective effects of green

tea polyphenols. | Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2007

Feb;23(1):48-56. | Department of Dermatology, University if Alabama at

Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA. | Non-melanoma skin cancer is

the most common malignancy in humans and is equivalent to the incidence

of malignancies in all other organs combined in the United States. Current

methods of prevention depend on sunscreens in humans, efficacy of which

is largely undetermined for non-melanoma skin cancers. Green tea

polyphenols have the greatest effect with respect to chemoprevention and

have been found to be most potent at suppressing the carcinogenic activity

of UV radiation. They protect against many of the other damaging effects of

UV radiation such as UV-induced sunburn response, UV-induced

immunosuppression and photoaging of the skin. They exert their

photoprotective effects by various cellular, molecular and biochemical

mechanisms in in vitro and in vivo systems. Green tea polyphenols thus

have the potential, when used in conjunction with traditional sunscreens, to

further protect the skin against the adverse effects of ultraviolet radiation.

PMID: 17254040 [PubMed - in process]

 

 

Best regards,