AMAZON HERB COMPANY

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A new survey by MetLife Foundation finds that Alzheimer’s disease is the second most feared disease among American adults, behind only cancer. When asked which of five major diseases they are most afraid, 31 % said Alzheimer’s, while 41% said cancer. Heart disease and stroke were named by 8% each, while only 6% said they fear diabetes most.

A majority of those polled (62%) admit they know little or nothing about Alzheimer’s disease, leading to the fact that few are planning for its possibility. Only 18%, fewer than one in five people, have developed any such plan, which may include care options, housing arrangements and/or financial planning.

Currently, more than five million people have Alzheimer’s. That number is expected to rise sharply as the Baby Boom generation reaches retirement age. 44% of adults indicate they have family members or friends with Alzheimer’s.

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Inoue T, Komoda H, Uchida T, Node K.


BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress as well as inflammation plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Although, various anti-oxidative dietary supplements have been evaluated for their ability to prevent atherosclerosis, no effective ones have been determined at present. "Camu-camu" (Myrciaria dubia) is an Amazonian fruit that offers high vitamin C content. However, its anti-oxidative property has not been evaluated in vivo in humans. METHODS: To assess the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of camu-camu in humans, 20 male smoking volunteers, considered to have an accelerated oxidative stress state, were recruited and randomly assigned to take daily 70ml of 100% camu-camu juice, corresponding to 1050mg of vitamin C (camu-camu group; n=10) or 1050mg of vitamin C tablets (vitamin C group; n=10) for 7 days. RESULTS: After 7 days, oxidative stress markers such as the levels of urinary 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (P<0.05) and total reactive oxygen species (P<0.01) and inflammatory markers such as serum levels of high sensitivity C reactive protein (P<0.05), interleukin (IL)-6 (P<0.05), and IL-8 (P<0.01) decreased significantly in the camu-camu group, while there was no change in the vitamin C group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that camu-camu juice may have powerful anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, compared to vitamin C tablets containing equivalent vitamin C content. These effects may be due to the existence of unknown anti-oxidant substances besides vitamin C or unknown substances modulating in vivo vitamin C kinetics in camu-camu.

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Abstract: The chemical composition of the Peruvian camu-camu fruit Myrciaria dubia(HBK) McVaugh was analysed at three stages of maturity (immature, midripe and ripe). As fruit matured, levels of ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acids, reducing sugars (fructose and glucose were the major sugars), amino acids (serine, valine and leucine) and soluble solids increased. Citric acid was the major acid (from 19.8 up to 29.8 g kg-1) and was responsible for the fruit's sour taste. Unlike citric acid, malic acid increased with maturation. Among the macronutrients, potassium was the most abundant mineral (711 mg kg-1) and could be considered, like vitamin C, nutritionally significant. During maturation, the fruit pulp colour turned from yellow-green to pink, presumably due to the migration of anthocyanin pigments from the peel.

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The antioxidant capacities of ascorbic acid and phenolic compounds present in camu camu fruit were screened during ripening. Ascorbic acid decreased, and anthocyanin, flavonol and flavanol contents, and DPPH antioxidant capacity increased during ripening. Antioxidant compounds from camu camu were fractionated in two fractions: an ascorbic acid-rich fraction (F-I) and a phenolics-rich fraction (F-II). F-I was the major contributor to the DPPH antioxidant capacity (67.5–79.3%) and F-II played a minor role (20.7–32.5%). A total of 30 different phenolic compounds were detected by HPLC-PAD. The presence of catechin, delphinidin 3-glucoside, cyanidin 3-glucoside, ellagic acid and rutin was elucidated. Other phenolic compounds, such as flavan-3-ol, flavonol, flavanone and ellagic acid derivatives, were also present. For the three ripening stages the flavan-3-ols and ellagic acid group were the most representative phenolic compounds in this fruit. Acid hydrolysis of F-II revealed the presence mainly of gallic and ellagic acids, suggesting that camu camu fruit possesses important quantities of hydrolysed tannins (gallo- and/or ellagitannins). These results confirm that camu camu fruit is a promising source of antioxidant phenolics.

Rosana Chirinos, Jorge Galarza, Indira Betalleluz-Pallardel, Romina Pedreschi and David Campos Instituto de Biotecnología (IBT), Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina – UNALM, Av. La Molina s/n, Lima, Peru

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Chronic administration of carbon tetrachloride in liquid paraffin (1.7) ip; 0.15 ml, (20 doses) has been found to produce severe hepatotoxicity, as seen from the elevated levels of serum and liver glutamate-pyruvate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and lipid peroxides. The chronic administration of carbon tetrachloride was also found to produce liver fibrosis as seen from pathological analysis as well as elevated liver-hydroxy proline. Oral administration of ellagic acid was found to significantly reduce the elevated levels of enzymes, lipid peroxide and liver hydroxy proline in these animals and rectified liver pathology. These results indicate that ellagic acid administration orally can circumvent the carbon tetrachloride toxicity and subsequent fibrosis.

Thresiamma, K C : Kuttan, R
Indian-J-Physiol-Pharmacol.

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Ellagic acid (EA), a naturally occurring plant polyphenol possesses broad chemoprotective properties. Dietary EA has been shown to reduce the incidence of N-2-fluorenyl acetamide-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats and N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine (NMBA)-induced rat esophageal tumors. In this study changes in the expression and activities of specific rat hepatic and esophageal mucosal cytochromes P450 (P450) and phase II enzymes following dietary EA treatment were investigated. Liver and esophageal mucosal microsomes and cytosol were prepared from three groups of Fisher 344 rats which were fed an AIN-76 diet containing no EA or 0.4 or 4.0 g/kg EA for 23 days. In the liver total P450 content decreased by up to 25% and P450 2E1-catalyzed p-nitrophenol hydroxylation decreased by 15%. No changes were observed in P450 1A1, 2B1 or 3A1/2 expression or activities or cytochrome b5activity. P450 reductase activity decreased by up to 28%. Microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH) expression decreased by up to 85% after EA treatment, but mEH activities did not change. The hepatic phase II enzymes glutathione S-transferase (GST), NAD(P)H: quinone reductase (NAD(P)H: QR) and UDP glucuronosyltransferase (UDPGT) activities increased by up to 26, 17 and 75% respectively. Assays for specific forms of GST indicated marked increases in the activities of isozymes 2-2(190%), 4-4 (150%) and 5-5 (82%). In the rat esophageal mucosa only P450 1A1 could be detected by Western blot analysis and androstendione was the only P450 metabolite of testosterone detectable. However, there were no differences in the expression of P450 1A1, the formation of androstendione or NAD(P)H: QR activities between controland EA-fed rats in the esophagus. Although there was no significant decrease in overall GST activity, as measured with 1-chloro-2, 4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB), there was a significant decrease in the activity of the 2-2 isozyme (66% of control). In vitro incubations showed that EA at a concentration of 100 µM inhibited P450 2E1, 1A1 and 2B1 activities by 87, 55 and 18% respectively, but did not affect 3A1/2 activity. Using standard steady-state kinetic analyses, EA was shown to be a potent non-competitive inhibitor of both liver microsomal ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase and p-nitrophenol hydroxylase activities, with apparent K1 values of 55 and 14 µM respectively. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that EA causes a decrease in total hepatic P450 with a significant effect on hepatic P450 2E1, increases some hepatic phase II enzyme activities (GST, NAD(P)H: QR and UDPGT) and decreases hepatic mEH expression. It also inhibits the catalytic activity of some P450 isozymes in vitro. Thus the chemoprotective effect of EA against various chemically induced cancers may involve decreases in the rates of metabolism of these carcinogens by phase I enzymes, due to both direct inhibition of catalytic activity and modulation of gene expression, in addition to effects on the expression of phase II enzymes, thereby enhancing the ability of the target tissues to detoxify the reactive intermediates.

Dean Ahn, David Putt, Laura Kresty, Gary D. Stoner, David Fromm and Paul F. Hollenberg

¹Departments of Pharmacology and Surgery, Wayne State University Detroit, MI 48201
²Departments of Pharmacology and Laboratory of Cancer Chemoprevention and Etiology, Department of Preventive Medicine. The Ohio State University Columbus, OH 43210, USA

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Rationale: Rhinovirus (RV), a single-stranded RNA virus from the picornaviridae family, is responsible for the majority of common colds. RV is an important trigger of COPD, asthma and CF exacerbations. Flavonoids with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may be beneficial in the treatment of viral infections particularly in patients with underlying chronic lung diseases. Quercetin (3, 3’, 4’, 5, 7-pentahydroxyflavone) has potent antioxidant effects and inhibits various protein kinases by competing for ATP binding site. RV induces PI3 kinase-dependent chemkine responses and oxidative stressdependent disruption of barrier function in polarized airway epithelial cells. Therefore, we hypothesized that quercetin reduces RV-induced pro-inflammatory response and reduction in transepithelial resistence of polarized airway epithelial cells. Method: Polarized 16HBE14o- cells were infected with major or minor group RV or replication-deficient UV-irradiated virus (UV-RV) and incubated for 1 hour at 33°C to allow binding and endocytosis of RV. Infection media was then replaced with fresh media containing either quercetin; LY294002, a chemical inhibitor of PI3-kinase, or diphenyleneimidonium (DPI), an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase. After incubation for 8 or 24 hours, TER was measured and media was collected for IL-8 and IL-29 (IFN-l1) analysis, and the cells harvested for Western blot analysis and determination of viral titer. Results: Quercetin inhibited RV-induced reduction in TER, decreased RV-stimulated IL-8 expression. Surprisingly, we also observed reduction in interferon response, viral titer and complete abrogation of RV-triggered cleavage of eIF4GI, which is required for efficient translation of viral polypeptide. On the other hand, LY294002 although affected IL-8 response, had no effect on IL-29 response, viral titer or RV-induced cleavage of eIF4GI. DPI partially reduced viral titer and RV-induced effects in airway epithelial cells Conclusions: Our results suggest that quercetin may reduce RV-triggered cytokine response, and disruption of barrier function by inhibiting viral replication and virus induced cleavage of eIF4GI. Further, the observed effects of quercetin on viral replication may be attributed to its antioxidant effects and not on its effect on PI3-kinase activity. Therefore, quercetin may be beneficial in the treatment of viral infections, particularly in patients with underlying chronic lung disease.

S. Ganesan, MS, S. Chattoraj, MS, A.N. Faris, Ph.D., A. Comstock, BS, U. Sajjan, PhD University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, MI/US

Quercetin, a widely distributed bioflavonoid, has been shown to induce growth inhibition in certain cancer cell types. In the present study we have pursued the mechanism of growth inhibition in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Quercetin treatment resulted in the accumulation of cells specifically at G2/M phase of the cell cycle. Mitotic index measured by MPM2 staining clearly showed that cells were transiently accumulated in M phase, 24 h after treatment. The transient M phase accumulation was accompanied by a transient increase in the levels of cyclin B 1 and Cdc2 kinase activity. However, 24 h or longer treatment caused a marked accumulation of cells in G2 instead of M phase. Levels of cyclin Bl and cyclin B1-associated Cdc2 kinase activity were also decreased. We also found that quercetin markedly increased Cdk-inhibitor p21^CIP1/WAF1 protein level after treatment for 48 h or longer, and the induction of p21^CIP1/WAF1 increased its association with Cdc2-cyclin B1 complex, however, up-regulation of p53 by quercetin was not observed. Quercetin also induced significant apoptosis in MCF-7 cells in addition to cell cycle arrest, and the induction of apoptosis was markedly blocked by antisense p21^CIP1/WAF1 expression. The present data, therefore, demonstrate that a flavonoid quercetin induces growth inhibition in the human breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7 through at least two different mechanisms; by inhibiting cell cycle progression through transient M phase accumulation and subsequent G2 arrest, and by inducing apoptosis.

CHOI Jung-A (1) ; KIM Ja-Young (1) ; LEE Jeong-Yim (2) ; KANG Chang-Mo (1) ; KWON Ho-Jeong (3) ; YOO Young-Do (1) ; KIM Tae-Whan (1) ; LEE Yun-Sil (1) ; LEE Su-Jae (1) ;

⁽¹⁾ Laboratory of Radiation Effect, Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Seoul 139-706, COREE, REPUBLIQUE DE
⁽²⁾ Department of Biological Sciences, Ajou University, Suwon 442-749, COREE, REPUBLIQUE DE
⁽³⁾ Department of Bioscience and Biothechnology, Sejong University, Seoul 143-747, COREE, REPUBLIQUE DE

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Association of vitamin E and C supplement use with cognitive function and dementia in elderly men
K. H. Masaki, MD, K. G. Losonczy, MA, G. Izmirlian, PhD, D. J. Foley, MS, G. W. Ross, MD, H. Petrovitch, MD, R. Havlik, MD and L. R. White, MD From the Honolulu–Asia Aging Study (Drs. Masaki, Petrovitch, and White), Kuakini Medical Center, Honolulu, HI; the Division of Geriatric Medicine (Drs. Masaki, Petrovitch, and Ross), University of Hawaii, John A. Burns School of Medicine, Honolulu, HI; the Epidemiology, Demography, and Biometry Program (Drs. Izmirlian, Havlik, and White, and K. Losonczy and D. Foley), National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD; and the Department of Veteran’s Affairs (Dr. Ross), Honolulu, HI.
Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Kamal H. Masaki, The Honolulu Heart Program, 347 North Kuakini Street, HPM 9, Honolulu, HI 96817; e-mail: kamal@hhp2.hawaii-health.com
http://www.neurology.org/cgi/content/abstract/54/6/1265

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High-dose antioxidant supplements and cognitive function in community-dwelling elderly women.
Grodstein F, Chen J, Willett WC. Channing Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
fran.grodstein@channing.harvard.edu
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12663300?dopt=Abstract

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Antioxidant intake and cognitive function of elderly men and women: the Cache County Study
Alternative Medicine Review, Sept, 2007 by H.J. Wengreen, R.G. Munger, C.D. Corcoran
Nutr Health Aging 2007;11:230-237.
COPYRIGHT 2007 Thorne Research Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FDN/is_3_12/ai_n21066505

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M De la Fuente
Departmento de Fisiología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Correspondence to: M de la Fuente, Departmento de Fisiología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Complutense, E-28040 Madrid, Spain
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2002) 56, Suppl 3, S5-S8.
doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601476
http://www.nature.com/ejcn/journal/v56/n3s/abs/1601476a.html

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Physiological Role of Antioxidants in the Immune System
Adrianne Bendich ^1
1 Human Nutrition Research, Hoffmann-LaRoche Inc., Nutley, NJ 07110
http://jds.fass.org/cgi/content/abstract/76/9/2789

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With over thirty years of experience working and researching for the United States Department of Agriculture, Dr. Duke is an expert in the field of holistic herbal healing. He has studied over 500 Rainforest botanicals in detail and has compiled extensive data on each species.

Download Camu Camu article from his Amazon Handbook of Medicinal Herbs