Natural Products Could Be as Effective as Synthetic Drugs, Although the Odds Are Low

Feb. 5, 2013 — In a first-ever comprehensive study of 124 natural product combinations, a team of researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Tsinghua University, led by Professor Chen Yu Zong from the 

Department of Pharmacy at the NUS Faculty of Science, found that certain combinations of natural products can be as effective as human-made drugs in acting against specific disease processes. However, the chances of finding the

effective combination of natural products could be as low as below 3 per cent.

Natural product combinations as potent as human-made drugs

Published in PLOS ONE in November 2012, the research showed that active ingredients in combinations of natural products can achieve the same level of potency as synthetic anticancer and antibacterial drugs but they have to be taken in larger quantities or for a longer period of time. These combinations include traditional Chinese medicine such as the Realgar-Indigo naturalis formula designed for the treatment of leukemia, Wedelia chinensis for anti-inflammatory purposes and black tea used in Japan for the treatment of gastroenteritis.

Through an analysis of more than 1,601 previous studies conducted on natural products and 190 human-made drugs, the researchers found that natural products are generally 10 to 100 times weaker than human-made drugs. They concluded that combinations of natural products can achieve the same strength as human-made drugs, but with current traditional practices, the odds are low.

Prof Chen said, "There have been claims that natural products simply have a placebo effect. In our study, we looked at more than 100 types of natural product combinations that are perceived to be the best and found that it is possible for natural products to achieve the same effectiveness as human-made drugs. However, the probability of finding such combinations based on traditional methods is low (below 3 per cent) as the natural products have to be of sufficient potency and taken in the right combination."

Next steps for research on natural products

The findings from this research provide a foundation for further studies on the clinical effectiveness of herbal medicine and how a combination of natural products and synthetic drugs can be taken together to fight diseases.

The team will continue to conduct more research in this area, in particular, to determine how to achieve the same level of effectiveness for natural products as synthetic drugs. Their research will focus on popular herbal products and frequently prescribed traditional medicine.

National University of Singapore (2013, February 5). Natural products could be as effective as synthetic drugs, although the odds are low. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2013, 

from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2013/02/130205101156.htm 

Age-Old Remedies

Age-Old Remedies Using White Tea, Witch Hazel and Rose May Be Beneficial, Study Suggests

ScienceDaily (Dec. 1, 2011) — Age-old remedies could hold the key to treating a wide range of serious medical problems, as well as keeping skin firmer and less wrinkled, according to scientists from London's Kingston University. A collaboration between the university and British beauty brand Neal's Yard Remedies has seen experts discover that white tea, witch hazel and the simple rose hold potential health and beauty properties which could be simply too good to ignore.

The research suggests a number of naturally-occurring substances may offer the hope of new treatments to block the progression of inflammation. It is credited with a major role in both the initiation and development of diseases ranging from cancer, diabetes and arthritis through to neuro-degenerative conditions and cardiovascular and pulmonary problems.

"For thousands of years people used natural remedies to try -- and sometimes succeed -- in curing their ailments and preserving their youth," Professor Declan Naughton, from the University's School of Life Sciences, said. "Now the latest research we have carried out suggests a number of naturally-occurring substances may offer the hope of new treatments to block the progression of inflammation."

Inflammation is credited with a major role in both the initiation and development of diseases ranging from cancer, diabetes and arthritis through to neuro-degenerative conditions and cardiovascular and pulmonary problems. It is also implicated in premature aging and early death. "Inflammation is a secret killer -- helping arrest its development, or being able to stop it happening at all, would clearly be of benefit," Professor Naughton explained.

The new study builds on work undertaken by Professor Naughton and Kingston University PhD student Tamsyn Thring, along with the technical team from Neal's Yard. They tested 21 plant extracts for evidence of their efficiency in fighting cancer and also in the battle against aging. Of the 21 extracts, three -- white tea, witch hazel and rose -- showed considerable potential, with white tea displaying the most marked results. "Indeed it appeared that drinking a simple cup of white tea might well help reduce an individual's risk of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis or even just age-associated wrinkles," Professor Naughton said.

Spurred on by their laboratory findings, the team members decided to take the work further to see if they could replicate the results in human skin cells, looking more closely at the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activity of the three extracts.

Using human skin cells as their model, the researchers added three different concentrations of white tea (freeze dried powder), witch hazel (dried herb) and rose extract (in a medicinal tincture form) to see what effect the mixtures might have on suppressing rogue enzymes and oxidants which play a key role in helping inflammation develop, as well as aging the skin. "As the largest organ in the body, the skin provides a barrier against UV radiation, chemicals, microbes and physical pollutants," Ms Thring said. "Challenges like this can contribute to both inflammation and skin aging.

"We also know that when inflammation starts -- be it a simple cut to a finger or in an arthritic joint -- the body starts producing a compound called interleukin 8, which helps the process along. We began wondering if there was a way we could switch that signal off, thereby blocking the inflammation's progress."

Even though the team's previous research had intimated there might be some promising results ahead, the experts were astonished to see just how good the various concentrations of the three extracts were at doing the job.

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Kingston University.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

Journal Reference:

Tamsyn SA Thring, Pauline Hili, Declan P Naughton. Antioxidant and potential anti-inflammatory activity of extracts and formulations of white tea, rose, and witch hazel on primary human dermal fibroblast cells. Journal of Inflammation, 2011; 8 (1): 27 DOI: 10.1186/1476-9255-8-27

Kingston University (2011, December 1). Age-old remedies using white tea, witch hazel and rose may be beneficial, study suggests. ScienceDaily. Retrieved December 4, 2011, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ 

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

The danger of medical drugs

One issue that I discussed earlier, but due to repeated “accusations” against medicinal plants, I must repeat or extend their defense.

One way is to confront news like the following:

a) Alternative medicine can be dangerous for children and adolescents, and even deadly, according to a study conducted in Australia. 39 cases studied in children over 2 years, with 17 cases affected by not using conventional medicine. Four deaths.

b) Drug kills 2,000 in France. Paris | The health scandal caused in France by the Mediator, a drug for diabetics who are overweight and have caused some 2,000 deaths, stirred the political sphere which took 11 years to have it off the market, after the first warnings about its danger.

Another way is to argue how they should handle these drugs derived from plants:

In a previous post I stated, “In short, the regulations for medicinal products prepared from raw herbs or their derivatives, must be the same as for allopathic medicines. As for the dried herbs that are packaged and sold as such, regulations should monitor , first the good manufacturing practices and also other recommendations included in the packaging and labels or tags, as well as any material of propaganda. “

You can also highlight other issues of common synthetic drugs as well as frequent self-medication:

1 .- Aspirin has its risks. Overconfidence in aspirin has become a danger, since it is capable of producing poison, frequently associated with viral diseases. Its property of reducing blood clotting may also cause problems and frequent use can cause gastrointestinal mucosal lesions.

2 .- To take daily painkillers may raise the risk of stroke. Analgesic consumption (type of ibuprofen) daily for several years may increase the chance of suffering a heart attack or stroke, according to Swiss research published in the British Medical Journal and compiled by the BBC website.

On the simultaneous use of natural and allopathic, I take what the President of the Chilean Society of Phytotherapy and speaker of the 6 th International Congress on Complementary Medicine, Dr. Miguel Morales, said.

“He warns about the risks of mixing drugs with herbal medicine allopathic and / or herbs without medical supervision. He indicates that they may alter treatment, increased adverse reactions, toxicity occur, but also, it may enhance therapeutic success.

But if these requirements are not met by either the economic interests of the pharmaceutical industry, because despite being aware of all developments that have taken the various disciplines and technological advancement do not develop each of the stages of the investigation of future medicine either by omission or intent, or the rush to get the product to market or because they are demanding market demand or population health status, as well as professionals in the field especially the physician does not know or know only superficially mechanism action of drugs with poor real support physicochemical aspects of the particular case to prescribe now. This also goes at hand with misdiagnosis and lack of knowledge or because the patient has no fundamental culture and do not provide all the information to the doctor, is then presented with both a public health problem. “

I think that ultimately, both allopathic and natural medicines (from plants) are obviously important and they are not responsible for the problems caused by misuse. We, human beings are who act improperly. Whether consumers, health professionals, manufacturers, authorities and all other stakeholders. To the extent that if the goal is not the welfare of the people, these stories will continue coming out.

This article was translated from the original, written in spanish at http://plsmeddrherbie.blogspot.com/

Natural antioxidants with vinegar

After several years highlighting the invaluable properties of kombucha tea, I am convinced that one of the reasons why many people doesn't take advantage of its benefits is the difficulty of maintaining a culture and managing living organisms with due caution, in addition to the campaign to discredit kombucha that has been unleashed from various sectors.

Therefore, and in search of products that can achieve kombucha properties, in a minor proportion though, I have begun to investigate some potentially favorable mixtures. One of them is commented on this article. An oregano, thyme and rosemary decoction, whith the addiction of apple cider vinegar.

One of the important properties and fully recognized of kombucha tea is its antioxidant power. Therefore, in this formulation it has been included three herbs with a high antioxidant power, oregano (Origanum vulgare), thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis).

The elimination of free radicals, reducing power and the inhibition of lipid peroxidation, as major representatives of this activity are present in the active principles of the three plants. Rosmarinic acid, thymol, carvacrol and other phenolic compounds and vitamins (ascorbic acid and tocopherols), along with several other important substances that are responsible for this activity.

Other outstanding properties, anti-inflammatory, which may prevent the formation of atheroma in the arteries, antimicrobial, antitumor and the formation of toxic nitrogen substances inhibition.

The addition of apple vinegar to the mix is intended to improve some of the digestive functions by stimulation of saliva, digestive juices and liver function.

Added to this vinegar apparently has favorable properties for heart problems, to fight certain cancers and controls diabetes and high cholesterol. The acetic acid present in vinegar would explain these benefits. Vinegar also contains a number of important substances such as minerals and vitamins.

Its design is simple, boil 1 liter of water, add 10 grams of dried oregano, 10 grams dried thyme and 5 grams of dried rosemary, as obtained for use as condiments. After 15 minutes of simmering, are removed from the heat and let stand until cool. Strain through a coffee filter or similar and bottle in suitable container, glass or plastic.

Before to consume add 10 ml apple cider vinegar (any known brand ). Drink a glass daily, divided in half, before meals. Sweeten to taste with brown sugar or sweeteners.

Weight loss diets and cholesterol

Low in carbohydrates and high in protein diets, promoted for weight loss can be dangerous, according to a recent study in Israel and revealed in a Science Daily article.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/

The work done on mice showed a significant increase in atherosclerosis, namely the existence of plaques in the arteries inner wall and a reduced ability of the body to form new vessels in an area deprived of blood flow, called neoangiogenesis, as happens after a heart attack or stroke in other body muscles.

Another case that may be important for new blood vessels formation is when blood flow is diminished by the presence of plaques. Intermittent claudication is a clear example.

The researchers propose that one reason for that type of diet increases heart risks is that a system called "vascular progenitor cells, that normally acts to cope with vascular injuries, is lessened with diets low in carbohydrates and high in protein.

I bring this discussion because I think one of the best ways to combat obesity and overweight is a rational use of medicinal plants, which may act at different key points to help to control this problem.

What about a cup of coffee

To the traditional effects on the nervous system, mind concentration and alertness increase, another set of benefits should be added, some of which are not yet fully proved, but they are reversing a range of views on the potential damage of this traditional drink.

Moderate consumption has significant benefits, but it must be remembered that the addition of sugar or creams is independent of their properties and can cause other problems.

Coffee has a vasodilator effect on brain blood vessels, which could reduce the risk of vascular accidents and can relieve headaches.

Its antioxidant properties can be related to the prevention of several types of tumors.

Chlorogenic acid and trigonelline, two chemical components of coffee, reduce insulin resistance, thereby produce a decrease in blood glucose levels and helps to reduce the risk of some tumors associated with insulin resistance.

There is a positive effect on lung functioning through bronchial dilation, important in allergies and asthma, activity that apparently occurs mostly in nonsmokers.

There are more works that demonstrate the positive relationship between coffee consumption and Parkinson's disease reduction. Some substances contained in coffee slow nerve cells degeneration. Could not be found, by contrast, a relationship between coffee consumption and brain activity in old age, which will prevent senile dementia.

Another positive effect is the lower incidence of cardiovascular disease in moderate coffee drinkers, always referring to people with normal blood pressure. The action of coffee on hypertension has not been fully elucidated, although there are works that demonstrate a positive effect of achieving control.

There is an important finding related to liver degeneration by alcohol consumption. Coffee consumption slows the formation of abnormal fibrous tissue, which may result in tumor tissue. A metabolite of caffeine inhibits the synthesis of a connective tissue growth factor .

There is no clear evidence of the influence of coffee consumption on and uric acid, gout and osteoporosis.

Microalgae as chemicals producers for functional foods

Sometimes I wish to be able to choose the research lines in institutions that work with functional foods.

The small amount of research done on the potential of microscopic algae as a source of substances to be incorporated in new functional foods are demonstrating the enormous potential of these marine plant organisms and should be giving rise to a whole new line of work.

The draw on the rich biodiversity of these algae and the possibility to transform them into controlled biorreactors as factories of secondary metabolites, usually produced to defend themselves from adverse or extreme conditions, seems that these microscopic beings are shouting, COME FOR US, WE CAN HELP YOU.

The beneficial effects of some of these metabolites are already known and surely there are clues about what factors cause the microalgae to produce them in larger quantities.

The huge bioreactors that today produce fish food throughout the cultivation of these microscopic algae can also be used to produce chemical compounds to be added to common foods in order to transform them into functional foods.