Lonicera flos and Cnicus japonicus extracts improved egg quality partly by modulating antioxidant status, inflammatory-related cytokines and shell matrix protein expression of oviduct in laying hens.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Lonicera flos and Cnicus japonicus extracts (LCE) on the laying performance, egg quality, morphology, antioxidant status, inflammatory-related cytokines, and shell matrix protein expression of oviduct in laying hens. A total of 1,728 Roman Pink laying hens aged 73-wk-old were randomly assigned into 4 groups (18 replicates/group, 24 layers/replicate) fed basal diets supplemented with 0, 300, 500, and 1,000 mg of LCE per kg of diet, respectively. The trial lasted for 11 wk, including 2-wk adjustment period and 9-wk testing period. The results indicated that laying hens fed diets supplemented with LCE linearly increased egg weight, yolk color and shell thickness at wk 78 and albumen height, Haugh unit and shell thickness at wk 83 (P < 0.05). At wk 78, LCE groups linearly affected the hydrogen peroxide content in magnum (P < 0.05) and 300 mg/kg LCE groups had the highest catalase activity in isthmus (P < 0.05). At wk 83, LCE groups linearly reduced (P < 0.05) hydrogen peroxide content in the magnum and isthmus and malondialdehyde content in the uterus whereas increased catalase activity in isthmus (P < 0.05). Furthermore, LCE levels quadratically affected glutathione peroxidase activity in isthmus at wk 83 (P < 0.05). At wk 78, the mRNA expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase and interferon-γ in isthmus and ovalbumin and ovocleidin-116 in uterus had linear effects in response to LCE levels (P < 0.05) and 1,000 mg/kg LCE group had the lowest mRNA expression of interleukin-6 in magnum (P < 0.05). At wk 83, LCE supplementation linearly decreased the mRNA expression of interleukin-1ß, interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α in magnum and tumor necrosis factor-α and inducible nitric oxide synthase in uterus (P < 0.05). It is concluded that LCE improved egg quality partly by modulating antioxidant status, inflammatory-related cytokines and shell matrix protein expression of oviduct in laying hens.

Chemical and Bioactivity Evaluation of Eryngium planum and Cnicus benedictus Polyphenolic-Rich Extracts.

This study evaluated the biological activities of Eryngium planum and of Cnicus benedictus extracts enriched in polyphenols obtained by nanofiltration. The HPLC-MS analysis showed that E. planum contains mainly flavonoids, especially rutin, while in C. benedictus extracts show the high concentration of the phenolic acids, principally the chlorogenic acid and sinapic acid. Herein, there is the first report of ursolic acid, genistin, and isorhamnetin in E. planum and C. benedictus. C. benedictus polyphenolic-rich extract showed high scavenging activity (IC50=0.0081 mg/mL) comparable to that of standard compound (ascorbic acid) and a higher reducing power (IC50= 0.082 mg/mL), with IC50 having a significantly lower value than IC50 for ascorbic acid. Both extracts were nontoxic to NCTC cell line. Among the investigated herbs, E. planum polyphenolic-rich extract showed the highest inhibitory activities with the IC50 value of 31.3 µg/mL for lipoxygenase and 24.6 µg/mL for hyaluronidase. Both polyphenolic-rich extracts had a higher inhibitory effect on α-amylase and α-glucosidase than that of the acarbose. The synergistic effect of ursolic acid, rutin, chlorogenic acid, rosmarinic acid, genistin, and daidzein identified in polyphenolic-rich extracts could be mainly responsible for the pharmacological potentials of the studied extracts used in managing inflammation and diabetes.

Comparative characteristics of hepatoprotectors used for the treatment of non alcoholic steatohepatitis associated with herpesvirus infection in sufferers of the Chornobyl accident. / PORIVNIaL'NA KhARAKTERYSTYKA GEPATOPROTEKTORIV, ZASTOSOVANYKh DLIa LIKUVANNIa NEALKOGOL'NOGO STEATOGEPATYTU, ASOTsIY̆OVANOGO Z GERPESVIRUSNOIu INFEKTsIIeIu, U POSTRAZhDALYKh VNASLIDOK AVARIÏ NA ChAES.

Objective of the study was to determine the effectiveness of various groups of hepatoprotectors in the treatment of patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) sufferers of the accident at the Chornobyl NPP following the assessment of metabolic changes and control of persistent infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 104 males with NASH, who were sufferers of the Chornobyl disaster and underwent examination and treatment in the conditions of the clinics of the National Research Center for Radiation Medicine of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine. Analysis of the course of the functional state of the liver before and after treatment with hepatoprotectors was carried out using laboratory methods of investiga tion. RESULTS: Hepatoprotectors of different groups used for the treatment of patients affected by the Chornobyl accident with NASH, differed in their effect on various chains in the pathogenesis of disease. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) drugs and preparations of holy thistle normalized the functional state of the liver and disorders of fat metabolism. Treatment with essential phospholipids eliminated cytolytic syndrome with a significant decrease in alanine amino transferase (p < 0.05), but increased alkaline phosphatase (p < 0.001), beta lipoproteins (p < 0.05), triglycerides (p < 0.05), the total cholesterol level remained elevated to (7.0 ± 0.8) mmol/L. Amino acid (AA) preparations normal ized the level of aminotransferases, eliminated the symptoms of cholestasis with a significant decrease in bilirubin (p < 0.001) and alkaline phosphatase (p < 0.001), positively influenced on fat and carbohydrate metabolism decreasing levels of beta lipoproteins (p < 0.05), triglycerides and glucose. Treatment with hepatoprotectors posi tively influenced on the state of antioxidant protection (AOP) - decreased before treatment in 56.5 % of patients, after treatment it reduced to 28.6 % (p < 0.05), the number of patients with elevated lipid peroxidation indices decreased from 39.1 % to 21.4 %. Titres of antibodies to persistent herpes virus infections, elevated before treat ment, under the influence of hepatoprotectors did not decrease to reference values. CONCLUSION: The most effective were drugs on the basis of AA, when applied they normalized the functional state of the, fat and carbohydrate metabolism, decreased lipoperoxidation and improved AOP state. Effect of drugs AA and UDCA on the level of antibodies to herpesvirus infection requires further study.

Two new sesquiterpene lactone glycosides from Cnicus benedictus.

Two new sesquiterpene lactone glycosides, namely melitensin 15-O-ß-D-glucoside (1) and 11ß,13-dihydrosalonitenolide 15-O-ß-D-glucoside (2), along with eight known compounds (3-10) were isolated from the aerial part of Cnicus benedictus L. Their structures were elucidated from analyses of extensive spectroscopic data. Compounds 1-6 all possessed an α-methyl-γ-lactone moiety. Moreover, compound 5 exhibited moderate activity against the growth of Aspergillus fumigatus, with IC50 values of 17.67 µg mL-1.

Treatment of Mild Gastrointestinal Disorders with a Herbal Combination: Results of a Non-interventional Study with Gastritol® Liquid.

A combination of extracts from chamomile, silverweed, licorice, angelica, blessed thistle and wormwood, Gastritol(®) Liquid, is registered for the use of indigestion and gastrointestinal spasmodic complaints. To gain data on the experience in practice, a non-interventional open study was conducted in ambulatory patients including diabetics which were treated for 2 weeks. The efficacy of treatment was assessed by medical examination and evaluation of typical symptoms by patients. A total of 149 patients was enrolled, 90 without and 59 with diabetes. The treatment led to relevant improvements in all symptoms in both study groups. The most notable improvements were seen for the symptoms vomiting (-66.7%; diabetics: -63.9%) and retching (-52.2%; diabetics: -53.6%). An overall improvement was rated by about 90% in both study groups. In seven patients adverse events had been reported (5 times temporary nausea after intake, one time gastric spasm and one time oral burning sensation), all of them of mild nature. The global tolerability was assessed as good or very good in more than 80% by practitioners and patients. Under the conditions of this open study method Gastritol(®) Liquid had been shown to be safe and effective in the treatment of mild gastrointestinal disorders, including diabetic patients.

Riesgos de la herbolaria: reporte de un caso de hepatitis por cardo santo (Argemone mexicana L) / Risks of herbalism: a case report of Mexican poppy (Argemone mexicana L) induced liver toxicity

El consumo cada vez mayor de productos de la medicina alternativa y complementaria ha permitido reconocer con más frecuencia los efectos deletéreos asociados y las interacciones que estos productos pueden ocasionar. Así en la literatura médica encontramos casos reportados de toxicidad hepática con Aloe (sábila), Camellia sinensis (té verde), Rhammus purshianus (cáscara sangrada), Aesculus hippocastanum (castaño de indias) y Valeriana officinalis (valeriana), entre otros. El presente caso trata sobre una paciente femenina que consumió en dos ocasiones cardo santo (Argemone mexicana L), con intervalo de un año entre un evento y otro. En ambas oportunidades desarrolló un cuadro de diarrea, ictericia y ataque al estado general con alteración en las pruebas de función hepática. Se excluyeron otras causas de hepatopatía. Se utilizaron escalas para evaluar efectos adversos en el hígado relacionados con medicamentos. Se recabó la información del expediente clínico de la paciente y se revisó la bibliografía relacionada con el tema. Se concluyó que existe la posibilidad de lesión hepática relacionada con el consumo de Argemone mexicana L, al menos en esta paciente.

The increasing consumption of alternative medicines has lead to a greater awareness about the deleterious effects and interactions that these products can induce. Consequently, medical literature reports liver toxicity from Aloe, Camellia sinensis (green tea), Rhammus purshianus, Aesculus hippocastanum (buckeye) and Valeriana officinalis (valerian), among others. This article reports a female patient who twice consumed Mexican poppy (Argemone mexicana L) with a one-year interval between ingestions. Both times she developed diarrhea, jaundice and general malaise with impaired liver function tests. Other causes of liver disease were ruled out. Questionnaires were used to assess the possibility of drug-induced liver damage. Clinical information was collected from the patient’s medical record and the literature on the subject was reviewed. We conclude that, at least in this case, the most likely cause of liver toxicity was Argemone mexicana L consumption.

Tratamiento de la ansiedad con técnicas tradicionales / Anxiety Treatment with traditional techniques

Se realizó un ensayo clínico fase II controlado, la muestra estuvo constituida por 54 pacientes remitidos con diagnóstico de ansiedad a la consulta de medicina tradicional del policlínico norte de Morón de enero a diciembre 2010 con el objetivo de evaluar la eficacia terapéutica de la auriculoterapia (semillas de Cardo Santo) combinada con fitoterapia (tintura de pasiflora) en el tratamiento de la ansiedad y compararlo con un grupo control tratado con psicofármacos. Posteriormente se realizaron cortes evaluativos a los siete, veinte y cuarenta días del tratamiento respectivamente; se concluye que los síntomas asociados a la ansiedad disminuyeron después de la aplicación del tratamiento tradicional asociado a la fitoterapia en la mayoría de los pacientes. Idénticos resultados se obtuvieron en el grupo control pero como la ocurrencia de efectos adversos es mucho más manifiesta en estos que la ocurrida con el tratamiento tradicional este último resultó más ventajosa en manos de un personal adiestrado (AU)

Tratamiento de la ansiedad con técnicas tradicionales / Anxiety Treatment with traditional techniques

Se realizó un ensayo clínico fase II controlado, la muestra estuvo constituida por 54 pacientes remitidos con diagnóstico de ansiedad a la consulta de medicina tradicional del policlínico norte de Morón de enero a diciembre 2010 con el objetivo de evaluar la eficacia terapéutica de la auriculoterapia (semillas de Cardo Santo) combinada con fitoterapia (tintura de pasiflora) en el tratamiento de la ansiedad y compararlo con un grupo control tratado con psicofármacos. Posteriormente se realizaron cortes evaluativos a los siete, veinte y cuarenta días del tratamiento respectivamente; se concluye que los síntomas asociados a la ansiedad disminuyeron después de la aplicación del tratamiento tradicional asociado a la fitoterapia en la mayoría de los pacientes. Idénticos resultados se obtuvieron en el grupo control pero como la ocurrencia de efectos adversos es mucho más manifiesta en estos que la ocurrida con el tratamiento tradicional este último resultó más ventajosa en manos de un personal adiestrado.

Characterisation of phenolics in Flor-Essence--a compound herbal product and its contributing herbs.

INTRODUCTION: Commercially available herbal mixture FE, a proprietary natural health product manufactured by Flora Manufacturing and Distributing Ltd (Flora), is a unique North American traditional herbal product. FE is a chemically complex mixture of eight herbs and has not been subjected to phytochemical analysis. OBJECTIVE: To develop analytical methods to undertake detailed phytochemical analyses of FE, and its eight contributing herbs, including burdock (Arctium lappa L.), sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella L.), Turkish rhubarb (Rheum palmatum L.), slippery elm Muhl. (Ulmus rubra), watercress (Nasturtium officinale R. Br.), red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), blessed thistle (Cnicus benedictus L.) and kelp (Laminaria digitata Lmx.). METHODOLOGY: The identification was undertaken by a combination of reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection-atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation-mass selective detection (RP-HPLC-DAD-APCI-MSD) analysis and phenolics metabolomic library matching. RESULTS: New separation methods facilitated the identification of 43 markers in the individual herbs which constitute FE. Sixteen markers could be identified in FE originating from four contributing herbs including four caffeoyl quinic acids, three dicaffeoyl quinic acids and two caffeic acid derivatives from A. lappa, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, luteolin, five apigenin glycosides and apigenin from R. acetocella and N. officinale and sissostrin from T. pretense. A validated method for quantitative determination of three markers is reported with good intraday, interday and interoperator repeatability using a reliable alcohol based extraction technique. CONCLUSION: FE and its contributing herbs predominantly contain phenolics. This methodology can be applied to further develop full-scale validation of this product.