Medline Herbal Abstracts

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Mello VJ, Gomes MT, Lemos FO, Delfino JL, Andrade SP, Lopes MT, Salas

CE. The gastric ulcer protective and healing role of cysteine proteinases

from Carica candamarcensis. Phytomedicine. 2007 Aug 7; [Epub ahead of

print] Dept de Farmacologia, ICB, Universidade Federal Minas Gerais, Belo

Horizonte, CEP 31270-901, Brazil. Latex from Caricaceae contains

proteolytic enzymes localized in the fruit, which are used

ethnopharmacologically to treat digestive disorders. Some of these proteins

display proliferative properties when probed with mammalian cells,

suggesting a role in the reconstruction of wounded tissue. We tested the

efficacy of a proteolytic fraction derived from Carica candamarcensis,

designated as P1G10 in experimental rodent models, to protect and heal

chemically induced gastric ulcers. The protective effect of oral administration

of P1G10 fraction was analyzed in indomethacin-treated Wistar animals.

The healing effect of P1G10 was studied following sub-serous injection of

acetic acid in a Wistar rat model. The results show that P1G10 between 0.1

and 10mg/kg protect indomethacin but not ethanol-induced gastric ulcers.

The maximal protection attained was 67% with 10mg/kg of P1G10. The

healing rate by 10mg/kg of P1G10 using the acetic acid ulcerogenic model is

similar to that of omeprazole (10mg/kg) or ranitidine (100mg/kg). The effect

of P1G10 at 10mg/kg seems to be mediated by an increase in the mucus

content by 25% and stimulation of angiogenesis by 64% in a manner similar

to growth factors. These results confirm the protective and healing role of

proteinases from C. candamarcensis. PMID: 17689943 [PubMed - as

supplied by publisher]

 

Banz WJ, Iqbal MJ, Bollaert M, Chickris N, James B, Higginbotham DA,

Peterson R, Murphy L. Ginseng modifies the diabetic phenotype and genes

associated with diabetes in the male ZDF rat. Phytomedicine. 2007 Aug 7;

[Epub ahead of print] Dept of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition, Southern

Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901-4317, USA; Department of

Physiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA. Asian

ginseng (Panax ginseng) and its close relative North American ginseng

(Panax quinquefolius) are perennial aromatic herbs that are widely used in

Oriental medicine and have been acclaimed to have various health benefits

including diabetes treatment. In this study, we compared the effects of a diet

containing rosiglitazone to a diet containing ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) in

male Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats. Animals were assigned to one of three

diets: control, rosiglitazone (0.1g/1kg diet), or ginseng (10g/1kg diet). During

the 11-week study, body weight, food intake, organ weight, blood glucose,

plasma cholesterol, and plasma triglyceride levels were evaluated. Animals

treated with rosiglitazone or ginseng exhibited increased body weight

(p<0.05) and decreased kidney weight (p<0.05) compared to control

animals. The rosiglitazone group demonstrated decreased food intake and

plasma triglyceride levels versus the other groups (p<0.05). The ginseng

group revealed decreased cholesterol levels relative to the control group

(p<0.05). Furthermore, ginseng and rosiglitazone had marked effects on the

expression of genes involved in PPAR actions and triglyceride metabolism

compared to controls. In conclusion, ginseng modified the diabetic

phenotype and genes associated with diabetes in the male ZDF rat. These

data are encouraging, and warrant further research to determine the

therapeutic value of this medicinal herb in treating human diabetes. PMID:

17689944 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

 

Kwee SH, Tan HH, Marsman A, Wauters C. The effect of Chinese herbal

medicines (CHM) on menopausal symptoms compared to hormone

replacement therapy (HRT) and placebo. Maturitas. 2007 Sep 20;58(1):83-

90. Epub 2007 Aug 8. Private Clinics, Amsterdam & The Hague, The

Netherlands. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate within the Traditional Chinese

Medicine (TCM) setting, the effect of CHM-formulae on menopausal

symptoms. DESIGN: A double-blind and double-dummy randomised

placebo-controlled trial. METHOD: Between February and June 2002 and

June and October 2004, 31 peri- and postmenopausal Dutch women were

recruited to complete 12 weeks of treatment with either CHM formulae

(n=10), HRT (n=11) or placebo (n=10) medications plus 4 weeks of non-

treatment follow-up observation. Hereby a double-dummy setting is applied,

i.e. the medications and placebo's taken were both capsules and liquid

extracts. Appropriate to the TCM setting, the CHM-prescriptions could be

adjusted according to the symptoms and signs of the individuals for that

moment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary end-point was the

reduction in frequency of vasomotor symptoms (hot flushes and night

sweats). Secondary end-point were the improvements measured in quality

of life questionnaire SF-36 and other symptoms and signs related to the

peri- and postmenopausal period. RESULTS: Placebo had a score of 30%.

Compared to Placebo, on average CHM is 29% significantly (p<0.05) more

effective in reducing the amount of hot flushes, while HRT is almost 50%.

Although quantitatively there was a significant difference in the reduction of

hot flushes between groups, qualitatively there was no overall improvement.

CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study proved clearly that CHM could help women

with their menopausal problems. The chosen trial methodology with its TCM

differential diagnosis after orthodox medicine diagnosis is fully compatible

with TCM practice and hence acceptable for western and Chinese medical

practitioners. For a place in the western health care system, we need to

conduct a larger trial with a more menopause specific questionnaire. PMID:

17689896 [PubMed - in process]

 

Olagbende-Dada SO, Ezeobika EN, Duru FI. Anabolic effect of Hibiscus

rosasinensis Linn. leaf extracts in immature albino male rats. Nig Q J Hosp

Med. 2007 Jan-Mar;17(1):5-7. Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of

Pharmacy, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos,

Nigeria. Many plants remedies have been employed in solving man's health

needs especially the nutritive value which enhances health living.

Aphrodisiac plants are plants with anabolic properties i.e. they help in protein

synthesis and enhances sexual abilities in males. They are also known as

androgenic plants because their properties are similar to that of androgen a

male hormone. Cold aqueous extract of Hibiscus rosasinensis leaves is

reported by local traditional practioners in Western Nigeria to be aphrodisiac.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anabolic properties of Hibiscus

rosasinensis. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Three groups (8/group) of

immature male rats of known weights were administered equal doses of

aqueous (cold and hot) and alcoholic extracts of Hibiscus rosasinensis

leaves for 8 weeks. The gain in body and isolated sexual organs (testis,

epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate) weights were determined after

treatment and compared to the value obtained from a fourth untreated group

which served as the control. Section through the testes of both the treated

and untreated rats were also examined microscopically and displayed as a

photomicrograph for comparism. All data were statistically analysed and

displaced in graphic form. RESULTS: Over the 8 weeks of treatment, the

control, the cold aqueous extract dosed, hot aqueous extract dosed and

alcoholic extract dosed rats gained 8%, 15%, 18% and 22% in body weights

respectively. The increase in the weight of testis, epididymis, seminal vesicle

and prostate of the alcoholic extract dosed rats was 19%, 30%, 31% and

40% respectively. CONCLUSION: The anabolic effect of the leaf extracts of

H. rosasinensis is hereby established. More work needs to be done on these

leaf extracts to know their effect on the gonadotrophin hormones which

regulate the activity of the androgens in relation to spermatogenesis. PMID:

17688164 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

 

Best regards,