Saturday, March 8, 2014

Alzheimer's disease In Herbs' Points of View

Alzheimer's disease is a brain disorder correlated with major reductions in the addition of new neurons to the respective target areas and named after German physician Alois Alzheimer. Alzheimer's destroys brain cells, causing cognitive modalities severe enough to affect language communication, memory, lifelong hobbies or social life. Alzheimer's gets worse over time, and it is fatal. 
According to statistic, over 25 million people in the world today are affected by dementia and most are suffering from Alzheimer's diseas. It may be results of  cigarette smoking, midlife high blood pressure and obesity, diabetes, and cerebrovascular lesions) and the possible beneficial roles of psychosocial factors (eg, high education, active social engagement, physical exercise, and mentally stimulating activity)(1) Strong evidences emerged in epidemiological studies suggested that certain herbs(2) may have potential in reduced risk and treatments of Alzheimer's disease but geographic source of the plant material, climatation, and time of harvest may effect their effectiveness. It is understandable that commercially available herbal medicinal products with the same herbal ingredients vary in their content and concentration of chemical constituents when compared between manufacturers.

1. Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo biloba is oldest living tree species, genus Ginkgo, belonging to the family Ginkgoaceae, native to China, from temperate zone to subtropical zone and some parts of north America. It Has been used in traditional herbal medicine in treating impotence, memory loss,respiratory diseases, circulatory disorders and deafness as well as preventing drunkenness, and bedwetting.
 Extracts of the leaves of the maidenhair tree, Ginkgo biloba, in identified trails on 26 June 2002 through a search of the CDCIG Specialized Register which contains records from all main medical databases, showed a positive effect of Ginkgo biloba in improvement of cognition and function(3). Study from Hospital St. Naum, Sofia, in enrolled 96 outpatients, aged 50 years or above, who met the NINCDS/ADRDA criteria for probable AD, showed no significance effect in either EGb 761(R)(Ginkgo biloba extract) and donepezil, but the result of the combination of 2 both substances are efficacy in treatment in patients with AD and neuropsychiatric features(4). But in the study of the same extract, Maria-Hilf Hospital Krefeld, Krefeld indicated that EGb 761® improved cognitive functioning, neuropsychiatric symptoms and functional abilities in both types of dementia namely Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia(5)(6).

2. Ginseng
Ginseng is a slow-growing perennial plants with fleshy roots, the genus Panax, belonging to the family Araliaceae. Depending to the climate where it grows, ginseng can be classified mainly into Panax ginseng Asian ginseng (root), Red ginseng, wild ginseng, American ginseng (root).
In in an open-label study, conducted by Seoul National University Hospital, Ginseng improved ADAS and MMSE scores declined and may be considered as clinically effective in the cognitive performance of AD patients(7). Other study also showed the effect of KRG on cognitive functions which was sustained for 2 yr follow-up and may be an indication of  a feasible efficacies of long-term follow-up for Alzheimer's disease(9). Korean red ginseng (KRG) in high doses, significant improved on the ADAS and CDR after 12 weeks(8). Unfortunately, Study by the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, on Mini-Mental Status and the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS)-cognitive, showed inconclusive in the result of the efficacy of Ginseng(10).

3. Gotu Kola
Gotu Kola also known as centella, is a annual plant of the genus, belonging to the family Mackinlayaceae, native to India, Sri Lanka, northern Australia, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Melanesia, Papua New Guinea. The herb has been used in traditional medicine to treat nervous disorders, epilepsy, senility, premature aging, etc.
Centella asiatica (CA), commonly named gotu kola water extract of CA (GKW), in the Tg2576 mouse, a murine model of AD with high β-amyloid burden, showed to attenuated β-amyloid-associated behavioral abnormalities in these mice and protected SH-SY5Y cells and MC65 human neuroblastoma cells from toxicity(11) through the impact of the amyloid cascade altering amyloid beta pathology(12) and colchicine-induced memory impairment and oxidative damage(13).

4. Lemon Balm
Lemon Balm is is a perennial plant in the genus Melissa, belonging to the family Lamiaceae, native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean region. The herb has been used in traditional medicine to treat nervous complaints, lower abdominal disorders and as anti-inflammatory, antivirus, antibacterial agent.
 Aromatherapy consisted of the use of rosemary and lemon essential oils in the morning, and lavender and orange in the evening showed significant improvement in personal orientation related to cognitive function on both the GBSS-J and TDAS after therapy(14). In a study of 20 healthy, young participants received single doses of 600, 1000, and 1600 mg of encapsulated dried leaf at 7-day intervals, indicated that doses of Melissa officinalis at or above the maximum employed here can improve cognitive performance and mood(15). Other study of a standardized M. officinalis extract (300 mg, 600 mg), indicated a significantly increased self-ratings of calmness and reduced self-ratings of alertness and negated the negative mood effects of the DISS(16)(17).

5. Rosemary
Rosemary is a perennial herb with fragrant, evergreen, needle-like leaves, the genus Rosmarinus, belonging to the family Lamiaceae. Its fresh and dried leaves has been used frequently in traditional Mediterranean cuisine and as flavor foods while barbecuing. Rosnary has been used in traditional medicine as an antiseptic, antioxidant, and antispasmodic agent to treat circulatory problem, eczema, rheumatism, muscle pain, etc.
Carnosic acid (CA), a chemical compound found in rosemary and sage, reduces Aβ production, at least partially, by activating TACE in human astroglial cells(18) and  the University of Tlemcen, also indicated that CA may be potential against Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) which gradual and irreversible declines in cognitive functions in AD patients(19). In an aromatherapy consisted of the use of rosemary and lemon essential oils in the morning, and lavender and orange in the evening, showed that the combination may have some potential for improving cognitive function, especially in AD patients(20).

6. Chinese Cat's claw 
Chinese Cat's claw also known as Gou Teng, Uncaria rhynchophylla, a genus of Uncaria, belonging to the family Rubiaceae, native to China. The herb is said to consist neuroprotective, anticonvulsive, sedative and antipsychotic effect.
Mice given a subcutaneous injection of D-gal (50 mg/kg) and orally administered  Uncaria rhynchophylla (EUR) (100, 200, or 400 mg/kg) daily for 8 weeks, significantly increased exploratory behavior (assessed by an open-field test) and improved spatial learning and memory function (assessed by the Morris water maze test) as well as increasing the levels of acetylcholine and glutathione and decreasing the activity of acetylcholinesterase and the level of malondialdehyde in the brains through enhancement of the antioxidant status of brain tissue(21. Center for Asian Traditional Medicine Research, Tohoku University also indicated that Uncaria rhynchophylla has remarkably inhibitory effects on the regulation of Abeta fibrils(22), a significant step in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. 

7. Polygala tenuifolia
 Polygala tenuifolia also known as Yuan Zhi is a genus Polygala, belonging to family Polygalaceae, native to China. The herb has been used in TCM to insomnia, forgetfulness, emotional and disorientation with abundance of phlegm, seizures, anxiety, listlessness, boils, abscesses, sores,etc.
Extract of dried root of Polygala tenuifolia Willdenow was found to provide some protective effects against neuronal death and cognitive impairments in Alzheimer's disease (AD), in the study bythe Seoul National University(23). Tenuigenin, a crude extract of Polygala tenuifolia Willd. significantly decreased Abeta secretion from COS-7 cells without altering the ratio of Abeta1-40 and Abeta-42 (in differentiation of change in Abeta metabolism) probably through inhibition of the deposit of beta-site APP cleaving enzyme(causing increased levels of amyloid beta (Abeta) peptide, an early and critical feature of Alzheimer's disease)(24) or inhibited the secretion of A beta in SH-SY5Y APP 695 cells (amyloid precursor protein (APP)) via BACE1 inhibition(reduced risk of the build up of beta-amyloid and slow or stop Alzheimers disease)(25). Ninjin-yoei-to (NYT; Ren-shen-yang-rong-tang in Chinese formula, among 14 kinds of component herbs in NYT, the roots of Polygala tenuifolia  extracts increased nerve growth factor NGF levels from the astrocytes(star shaped glial cells with function of support to neurons and clean up debris within the brain)(26).

8. Salvia officinalis (Sage)
Sage is a ornamental plant of the genus Salvia, belonging to family Lamiaceae, native to the Central and South America, Central, Eastern Asia and Mediterranean. The herb has been used in traditional medicine as carminative, antiperspirant, antispasmodic, astringent, antiseptic, and antibiotic agent and to calm the central nervous system, treat spasms in smooth and skeletal muscles, relieve digestive problems, regulate menstruation, etc.
According to the Northumbria University, extracts Salvia officinalis exerted its anti-oxidant, estrogenic, anti-inflammatory properties, and specifically inhibited butyryl- and acetyl-cholinesterase (to prevent impeded neurotransmission)(27). Rosmarinic acid from Sage, in mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD), enhanced the neuroprotective effect of sage against Abeta-induced toxicity, through inhibition of reactive oxygen species formation, lipid peroxidation, DNA fragmentation, caspase-3 activation(cell apoptosis), and tau protein hyperphosphorylation(neurofibrillary degeneration)(28)

9. Papaver somniferum (Opium poppy)
Papaver somniferum is a genus of Papaver, belonging to the family Papaveraceae, native to the Mediterranean Basin, Southeastern Europe, and Western Asia. The herb has been used in folk medicine for treating asthma, stomach illnesses, and bad eyesight.
Opium poppy exerted it neuroprotective effect through interaction of alkaloid opioids of herb with endogenous opiate receptors in the brain, according to Medical Research Council, Newcastle General Hospital(29). Some alkaloids isolated from plants, or are derived from templates of compounds from plant sources have been in clinical use for treatment of cognitive disorders(30).

10. saffron (Crocus sativus) 
Saffron is a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus which is a genus Crocus, belonging to the family Iridaceae, native to Southeast Asia.
Saffron extract, showed moderate AChE inhibitory activity, verified by in silico docking studies(31) and some promising effects in clinical studies with dementia patients(32). In a double-blind, placebo-controlled Tehran University of Medical Science study, suggested a positive mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease effect through inhibition of the aggregation and deposition of amyloid β in the human brain(33). Crocin isolated from Saffron, in Alzheimer's disease induced by intracerebroventricular (icv) streptozocin (STZ) in male rats, significantly attenuated learning and memory impairment(34).

11. Bacopa  monnieri
Bacopa  monnieri  is a genus Bacopa, belonging to family Plantaginaceae, native to the wetlands of southern India and Australia. The herb has been used in Indian traditional medicine as a neurological tonic and cognitive enhancer.
In intracerebroventricular administration of colchicine induced cognitive impairment in rats, Bacopa  monnieri decreased in activity of antioxidant enzyme, reversed memory impairment and altered activity of membrane bound enzymes(35). Other study of Bacopa monnieri extract indicated an improvement of   the escape latency time (p<.01) in Morris water maze test with reduction of neurons and cholinergic neuron densities were also mitigated(36). Researchers at the suggested that Bacopa monnieri may be effective in improving memory performance and exerted protective effects against AD by increasing expression or activity of Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase.Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase which plays an important role in AD, and may be a potent neuroprotective modulator against AD(37).

12. Alpinia galanga
Alpinia galanga is the genus Alpinia, belonging to the family Zingiberaceae, native to Indonesia and South Asia. The herb has been used in folk medicine in treating arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, relieving discomfort caused due to inflammation of the abdomen and ulcers, etc.
On oxidative stress induced Alzheimer's type amnesia in mice, Alphinia galanga attenuated the elevated levels of acetylcholinesterase and monoamine oxidase enzymes in amnesia induced mic(38) and acted as Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors which are widely used for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD)(39). The Lalitha College of Pharmacy study suggested that Alpinia galanga fractions increases habituation memory and decreased escape latency in Alzheimer's type of amnesia in mice induced by Aβ((25-35), through increment in Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and antioxidant activity depicts brain membrane integrity improvement and free radical scavenging property(40).

13. Calabar bean
 Calabar bean is the seed of climbing perennial plant, a genus Physostigma, belonging to the family Fabaceae, native to the tropical Africa. The herb has been used in folk medicine in contract the pupil, manage ocular pressure in glaucoma, etc.
Physostigmine, a major alkaloids from Physostigma venenosum exhibited its neuroprotective affect in Alzheimers' disease through inhibition of acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activities(41) and alleviated of AD pathology and associated symptoms, for cognitive and for behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD)(42). The University of Massachusetts study showed that Calabar bean in dose-response relationships, enhances memory, and improves drug discovery activities(42).

14. The Compositions
14.1. Yi-Gan San
Yi-Gan San also known as Yokukansanin Japan, is a Bupleurum Formula consisting Chai Hu,  Fu Ling,  Chuan Xiong, Gan Cao, Dang Gui, Gou Teng and Cang Zhu. The composition has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for treatment of calms impatience, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.
Yi-Gan San exhibited a clinically significant decrease in terms of hallucinations, agitation, anxiety, irritability or abnormal behavior(44)(45) and improved behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and activities of daily living (ADL)(46). In olfactory bulbectomized (OBX) mice, The composition reversed spatial working memory and non-spatial working memory impairments, through reversed OBX-induced down-regulation of choline acetyltransferase and muscarinic muscarinic M1 receptor expression without affecting muscarinic M₃ receptor expression or AChE activity(47). The Kanto Central Hospital study reported a case of 81 years of age patient with symptoms of metabolic alkalosis with hypokalemia, due to intake of Yokukansan for 6 months(48).

14.2.  Ba Wei Di Huang Wan (BDW)
Ba Wei Di Huang Wan (BDW) is also known as Rehmannia Eight Formula, cosisting, Chinese herbs Fu Zi, Rou Gui, Shu Di Huang, Shan Yao, Shan Zhu Yu, Mu Dan Bi, Fu Ling and Ze Xie. The formula has been used in traditional Chniese medicine in tonifying Kidney and enhancing kidney Qi.
In the search combined the terms Alzheimer disease, dementia, cognition disorders, Herbal, Phytotherapy, tthe composition found to be effective in treating cognitive impairment of AD(49). The Tohoku University suggested that Ba Wei Di Huang Wan (BDW) improved Cognitive function and activities of daily living (ADLs)(50).

Taking altogether, without going into reviews. the list of herbs above may be effective in alleviating symptoms and treating Alzheimer's disease through inhibition of of acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activities. Some researchers suggested that the use of herbal medicines in the treatment of AD should be comparable to the pharmacological treatment currently in use, including the identification of the active ingredients in order to improve the validation of the clinical trial with large-scale, multicenter studies(51).

References
(1) Epidemiology of Alzheimer's disease: occurrence, determinants, and strategies toward intervention. by Qiu C, Kivipelto M, von Strauss E.(PubMed)
(2) The Use of Herbal Medicine in Alzheimer's Disease—A Systematic Review by Leopoldo Luiz dos Santos-Neto,1 Maria Alice de Vilhena Toledo,2 Patrícia Medeiros-Souza,3 and Gustavo Almeida de Souza(PubMed)
(3) Ginkgo biloba for cognitive impairment and dementia by Birks J, Grimley EV, Van Dongen M.(PubMed)
(4) Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761(R), donepezil or both combined in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease with neuropsychiatric features: a randomised, double-blind, exploratory trial by Yancheva S, Ihl R, Nikolova G, Panayotov P, Schlaefke S, Hoerr R; GINDON Study Group(PubMed)
(5) Efficacy and tolerability of a once daily formulation of Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761® in Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia: results from a randomised controlled trial by Ihl R, Tribanek M, Bachinskaya N; GOTADAY Study Group(PubMed)
(6) Ginkgo biloba special extract in dementia with neuropsychiatric features. A randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trialby Napryeyenko O, Borzenko I; GINDEM-NP Study Group(PubMed)
(7) Panax ginseng enhances cognitive performance in Alzheimer disease by Lee ST, Chu K, Sim JY, Heo JH, Kim M(PubMed)
(8) An open-label trial of Korean red ginseng as an adjuvant treatment for cognitive impairment in patients with Alzheimer's disease by Heo JH, Lee ST, Chu K, Oh MJ, Park HJ, Shim JY, Kim M.(PubMed)
(9) Improvement of cognitive deficit in Alzheimer's disease patients by long term treatment with korean red ginseng by Heo JH, Lee ST, Oh MJ, Park HJ, Shim JY, Chu K, Kim M(PubMed)
(10) Ginseng for cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review by Lee MS, Yang EJ, Kim JI, Ernst E(PubMed)
(11) Centella asiatica Extract Improves Behavioral Deficits in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease: Investigation of a Possible Mechanism of Action by Soumyanath A, Zhong YP, Henson E, Wadsworth T, Bishop J, Gold BG, Quinn JF(PubMed)
(12) Neuroprotective Effects of Centella asiatica against Intracerebroventricular Colchicine-Induced Cognitive Impairment and Oxidative Stress by Kumar A, Dogra S, Prakash A(PubMed)
(13) Centella asiatica extract selectively decreases amyloid beta levels in hippocampus of Alzheimer's disease animal model by Dhanasekaran M, Holcomb LA, Hitt AR, Tharakan B, Porter JW, Young KA, Manyam BV(PubMed)
(14) Effect of aromatherapy on patients with Alzheimer's disease by Jimbo D, Kimura Y, Taniguchi M, Inoue M, Urakami K(PubMed)
(15) Modulation of mood and cognitive performance following acute administration of single doses of Melissa officinalis (Lemon balm) with human CNS nicotinic and muscarinic receptor-binding properties by Kennedy DO, Wake G, Savelev S, Tildesley NT, Perry EK, Wesnes KA, Scholey AB.(PubMed)
(16) Attenuation of laboratory-induced stress in humans after acute administration of Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm) by Kennedy DO, Little W, Scholey AB(PubMed)
(17) Modulation of mood and cognitive performance following acute administration of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) by Kennedy DO, Scholey AB, Tildesley NT, Perry EK, Wesnes KA.(PubMed)
(18) Carnosic acid suppresses the production of amyloid-β 1-42 and 1-43 by inducing an α-secretase TACE/ADAM17 in U373MG human astrocytoma cells by Yoshida H1, Meng P2, Matsumiya T2, Tanji K3, Hayakari R2, Xing F2, Wang L2, Tsuruga K4, Tanaka H5, Mimura J6, Kosaka K7, Itoh K6, Takahashi I8, Imaizumi T(PubMed)2.
(19) Molecular Interaction of Acetylcholinesterase with Carnosic Acid Derivatives: A Neuroinformatics Study by Merad M, Soufi W, Ghalem S, Boukli F, Baig MH, Ahmad K, Kamal MA.(PubMed)
(20) Effect of aromatherapy on patients with Alzheimer's disease by Jimbo D, Kimura Y, Taniguchi M, Inoue M, Urakami K(PubMed)
(21) Uncaria rhynchophylla ameliorates cognitive deficits induced by D-galactose in mice.
Xian YF, Lin ZX, Zhao M, Mao QQ, Ip SP, Che CT(PubMed)
(22) Uncaria rhynchophylla, a Chinese medicinal herb, has potent antiaggregation effects on Alzheimer's beta-amyloid proteins by Fujiwara H, Iwasaki K, Furukawa K, Seki T, He M, Maruyama M, Tomita N, Kudo Y, Higuchi M, Saido TC, Maeda S, Takashima A, Hara M, Ohizumi Y, Arai H(PubMed)
(23) Novel cognitive improving and neuroprotective activities of Polygala tenuifolia Willdenow extract, BT-11 by Park CH, Choi SH, Koo JW, Seo JH, Kim HS, Jeong SJ, Suh YH.(PubMed)
(24) Tenuifolin, an extract derived from tenuigenin, inhibits amyloid-beta secretion in vitro by Lv J, Jia H, Jiang Y, Ruan Y, Liu Z, Yue W, Beyreuther K, Tu P, Zhang D(PubMed)
(25) Tenuigenin treatment decreases secretion of the Alzheimer's disease amyloid beta-protein in cultured cells by Jia H, Jiang Y, Ruan Y, Zhang Y, Ma X, Zhang J, Beyreuther K, Tu P, Zhang D(PubMed)
(26) Induction of NGF synthesis in astrocytes by onjisaponins of Polygala tenuifolia, constituents of kampo (Japanese herbal) medicine, Ninjin-yoei-to by Yabe T, Tuchida H, Kiyohara H, Takeda T, Yamada H.(PubMed)
(27) The psychopharmacology of European herbs with cognition-enhancing properties by Kennedy DO, Scholey AB(PubMed)
(28) The spice sage and its active ingredient rosmarinic acid protect PC12 cells from amyloid-beta peptide-induced neurotoxicity by Iuvone T, De Filippis D, Esposito G, D'Amico A, Izzo AA(PubMed)
(29) Medicinal plants and Alzheimer's disease: from ethnobotany to phytotherapy by Perry EK, Pickering AT, Wang WW, Houghton PJ, Perry NS.(PubMed)
(30) Plants with traditional uses and activities, relevant to the management of Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive disorders by Howes MJ, Perry NS, Houghton PJ(PubMed)
(31) Saffron as a source of novel acetylcholinesterase inhibitors: molecular docking and in vitro enzymatic studies by Geromichalos GD, Lamari FN, Papandreou MA, Trafalis DT, Margarity M, Papageorgiou A, Sinakos Z.(PubMed)
(32) Ethnobotanical treatment strategies against Alzheimer's disease by Howes MJ, Houghton PJ.(PubMed)
(33) Saffron in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease: a 16-week, randomized and placebo-controlled trial by Akhondzadeh S, Sabet MS, Harirchian MH, Togha M, Cheraghmakani H, Razeghi S, Hejazi SSh, Yousefi MH, Alimardani R, Jamshidi A, Zare F, Moradi A.(PubMed)
(34) Effects of active constituents of Crocus sativus L., crocin on streptozocin-induced model of sporadic Alzheimer's disease in male rats by Khalili M, Hamzeh F.(PubMed)
(35) Neuroprotective effects of Bacopa monnieri in experimental model of dementia by Saini N, Singh D, Sandhir R.(PubMed)
(36) Cognitive enhancement and neuroprotective effects of Bacopa monnieri in Alzheimer's disease model by Uabundit N, Wattanathorn J, Mucimapura S, Ingkaninan K.(PubMed)
(37) Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase, a potent neuroprotective modulator against Alzheimer disease by Zhang LN, Sun YJ, Pan S, Li JX, Qu YE, Li Y, Wang YL, Gao ZB.(PubMed)
(38) Neurotransmitter metabolic enzymes and antioxidant status on Alzheimer's disease induced mice treated with Alpinia galanga (L.) Willd by Hanish Singh JC, Alagarsamy V, Sathesh Kumar S, Narsimha Reddy Y.(PubMed)
(39) Galangin, a flavonol derived from Rhizoma Alpiniae Officinarum, inhibits acetylcholinesterase activity in vitro by Guo AJ, Xie HQ, Choi RC, Zheng KY, Bi CW, Xu SL, Dong TT, Tsim KW.(PubMed)
(40) Neuroprotective effect of Alpinia galanga (L.) fractions on Aβ(25-35) induced amnesia in mice by Hanish Singh JC, Alagarsamy V, Diwan PV, Sathesh Kumar S, Nisha JC, Narsimha Reddy Y.(PubMed)
(41) Alkaloids as a source of potential anticholinesterase inhibitors for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease by Konrath EL, Passos Cdos S, Klein LC Jr, Henriques AT(PubMed)
(42) Ethnobotanical treatment strategies against Alzheimer's disease.
Howes MJ, Houghton PJ(PubMed)

(43) Alzheimer's disease drugs: an application of the hormetic dose-response model by Calabrese EJ.(PubMed)
(44) Treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms of Alzheimer-type dementia with Yokukansan in clinical practice by Hayashi Y, Ishida Y, Inoue T, Udagawa M, Takeuchi K, Yoshimuta H, Kiue K, Ninomiya Y, Kawano J, Sameshima T, Kawahara T, Goto I, Shudo K, Kurayama S, Nakamura J, Okahara K, Mitsuyama Y.(PubMed)
(45) Effects of Yokukansan on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in regular treatment for Alzheimer's disease by Okahara K, Ishida Y, Hayashi Y, Inoue T, Tsuruta K, Takeuchi K, Yoshimuta H, Kiue K, Ninomiya Y, Kawano J, Yoshida K, Noda S, Tomita S, Fujimoto M, Hosomi J, Mitsuyama Y.(PubMed)
(46) A randomized, observer-blind, controlled trial of the traditional Chinese medicine Yi-Gan San for improvement of behavioral and psychological symptoms and activities of daily living in dementia patients by Iwasaki K, Satoh-Nakagawa T, Maruyama M, Monma Y, Nemoto M, Tomita N, Tanji H, Fujiwara H, Seki T, Fujii M, Arai H, Sasaki H.(PubMed)
(47) Ameliorative effects of yokukansan on learning and memory deficits in olfactory bulbectomized mice by Yamada M, Hayashida M, Zhao Q, Shibahara N, Tanaka K, Miyata T, Matsumoto K.(PubMed)
(48) [A case of severe hypokalemia caused by a Chinese herbal remedy (Yokukansan) in an 81-year-old woman with dementia].[Article in Japanese]by Nishiyama N, Takeshita M, Tanaka K, Miyao M, Mizuno Y.(PubMed)
(49) The use of herbal medicine in Alzheimer's disease-a systematic review by Dos Santos-Neto LL, de Vilhena Toledo MA, Medeiros-Souza P, de Souza GA.(PubMed)



(50) A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of the Chinese herbal medicine "ba wei di huang wan" in the treatment of dementia by Iwasaki K, Kobayashi S, Chimura Y, Taguchi M, Inoue K, Cho S, Akiba T, Arai H, Cyong JC, Sasaki H.(PubMed)
(51) The Use of Herbal Medicine in Alzheimer's Disease—A Systematic Review by Leopoldo Luiz dos Santos-Neto,1 Maria Alice de Vilhena Toledo,2 Patrícia Medeiros-Souza,3 and Gustavo Almeida de Souza(PubMed)3









Friday, March 7, 2014

Alzheimer's disease in Foods Points of View

 Kyle J. Norton(Draft Article)

Alzheimer's disease is a brain disorder correlated with major reductions of neurons to the respective target areas, named after German physician Alois Alzheimer. Alzheimer's destroys brain cells, causing cognitive modalities severe enough to affect language communication, memory, lifelong hobbies or social life. Alzheimer's gets worse over time, and it is fatal. 
According to statistic, over 25 million people in the world today are affected by dementia and most are suffering from Alzheimer's disease. It may be a result of  cigarette smoking, midlife high blood pressure and obesity, diabetes, and cerebrovascular lesions and psychosocial factors (eg, high education, active social engagement, physical exercise, and mentally stimulating activity)(1) Strong evidences emerged in epidemiological studies suggested that certain foods(2) may have potential in reduced risk and treatments of Alzheimer's disease.

1. Cruciferous vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables are the group of vegetables belonging to the family Brassicaceae, including cauliflower, cabbage, cress, bok choy, broccoli etc..
Epidemiological studies has demonstrated reduced risk of prostate cancer in cruciferous consumption. The study of 2148 community-based elderly subjects (aged > or = 65 years) without dementia in New York, after 3.9 years,  253 subjects developed AD during a follow-up. Dietary pattern (DP) analysis of food combination indicated that higher intakes of salad dressing, nuts, fish, tomatoes, poultry, cruciferous vegetables, fruits, and dark and green leafy vegetables and a lower intake of high-fat dairy products, red meat, organ meat, and butter are associated to reduced risk of  AD.(1)

2. Tomatos
Tomato is a red, edible fruit, genus Solanum, belonging to family Solanaceae, native to South America. Because of its health benefits, tomato is grown world wide for commercial purpose and often in green house.
Lycopene and alpha carotene found in tometos induced symptoms of AD through inhibition of amyloid beta (Aβ) formation, deposition and fibril formation either by reducing the levels of p35 or inhibiting corresponding enzymes(2). In the study of Antioxidants, such as tocopherols and carotenoids, have been implicated in the prevention of degenerative diseases showed that aging population exhibit a age related decline of levels retinol, total tocopherols, total xanthophylls and total carotenoids(3).

3. Garlic
Garlic is a natural superfood healer for its natural antibiotic with antiviral, antifungal, anticoagulant and antiseptic properties.
 S-allyl-L-cysteine (SAC), an active chemical constituents of garlic, showed to inhibit several pathological cascades related to the synaptic degeneration and neuroinflammatory pathways associated with AD. through up and down regulations(4) with intervention to prevent free radicals causes of deterioration of cognitive functions and neurobehavioral activities(5). The Central Food Technological Research Institutesupported the binding ability of SAC to Abeta and inducing a partially folded conformation in Abeta.(6) and suggested that consumption of garlic may reduced risk of AD, due to inhibition of Abeta aggregation in human brain(7).

4. Ginger
Ginger (
Zingiber officinale) or ginger root is the genus Zingiber, belonging to the family Zingiberaceae, native to Tamil. It has been used in traditional and Chinese medicine to treat dyspepsia, gastroparesis, constipation, edema, difficult urination, colic, etc.

In the Alzheimer disease (AD) rat model, ginger root extract (GRE) was administered intra-gastrically to rats after 35 days, exhibited the protective effect against AD through reversed behavioral dysfunction and prevented AD-like symptoms(8).  [6]-gingerol, a pungent ingredient of ginger, pretreatment protected against Aβ(25-35)-induced cytotoxicity and apoptotic cell death such as DNA fragmentation, disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential, elevated Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and activation of caspase-3 via augmentation of antioxidant capacity(9) and inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activities and prevention of lipid peroxidation in the brain(10).

5. Turmeric
Turmeric is a perennial plant in the genus Curcuma, belonging to the family Zingiberaceae, native to tropical South Asia. The herb has been used in traditional medicine as anti-oxidant, hypoglycemic, colorant, antiseptic, wound healing agent, and to treat flatulence, bloating, and appetite loss, ulcers, eczema, inflammations, etc.
 

Evidences of epidemiological studies suggestion of curcumin in reduced risk of Ad progression. Suggestion of curcumin in treating Alzheimer's disease (AD) depend on the ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier(11) and showed to inhibit progression of deposit of  beta-amyloid aggregation.(12).
A novel polymeric nanoparticle (PEG-PLGA) encapsulated curcumin, induce adult neurogenesis through activation of the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway(secreted signalling proteins  released by one cell population will trigger concentration-dependent responses in other cells located some distance away)(13) triggering brain self-repair mechanis(14).  Unfortunately, a 24-week randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study conducted by the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, oral administration showed no biochemical evidence of efficacy of Curcumin C3 Complex® in AD(15).

6. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a spice derived from the inner bark of tree, native to South East Asia, of over 300 species of the genus Cinnamomum, belonging to the family Lauraceae.. The herb has been use in herbal and traditional medicine as anti-fungal and bacteria level to improve reproductive organ, prevent flatulence and intestinal cramping, treat indigestion, diarrhea, bad breath, headache, migraine, etc.
Aqueous extract of cinnamon showed to inhibit tau aggregation in vitro and can even induce dissociation of tangles isolated from AD brain and cinnamaldehyde (CA), the organic compound of cinnamon
protected tau from oxidation caused by the reactive oxygen species, H2O2, and prevented subsequent formation of high molecular weight species that are considered to stimulate tangle formation(16) and inhibited tau aggregation associated with Alzheimer's disease in vitro(17). Other study insisted that cinnamon extract (CEppt), markedly inhibits the formation of toxic Aβ oligomers and prevents the toxicity of Aβ on neuronal PC12 cells and oral administration in AD patients, showed to reduce longevity, fully recovered their locomotion defects and totally abolished tetrameric species of Aβ in the brain(18).

7. Black pepper
Black pepper is a  is a flowering vine in the genus Pipper, belonging to the family Piperaceae. It has been used in folk medicine in treating constipation, diarrhea, earache, gangrene, heart disease, hernia, hoarseness, indigestion, insect bites, insomnia, joint pain, etc.
Piperine, a main active alkaloid in black pepper exhibited significantly improved memory impairment and neurodegeneration in hippocampus associated with the decrease lipid peroxidation and acetylcholinesterase enzyme(19). In the evaluation the Piperine therapeutic effects in Alzheimer's Disease. at 2 mg/kg dose, reduced the SOD values, increased the acetylcholenesterase values, and reduced immobility and has shown superior results than Donepezil (5 mg/kg), AD drug(20).

8. Green Tea
Green tea contains more amount of antioxidants than any drinks or food with the same volume, and is the leaves of Camellia sinensis, undergone minimal oxidation during processing, originated from China. Green tea has been a precious drink in traditional Chinese culture and used exceptional in socialization for more than 4000 thousand years. Because of their health benefits, they have been cultivated for commercial purposes all over the world.
Green tea polyphenols (GTPs) may be a next potential agent in protection of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). GTPs have found to inhibit amyloid fibril formation and protect neurons from toxicity induced by β-amyloid and OA-induced neurotoxicity by enhancing the amelioration of learning and memory impairments and also reduction of tau hyperphosphorylation(21). Epigallocatechin gallate polyphenols, isolated from green tea, in a a selective inhibitor of PKC., combination of EGCG and resveratrol protected against GF 109203X-induced cell death and cytoskeleton degeneration, with a maximal effect at 1 and 3 μM, respectively and cells treated increased PKC gamma (γ) activation and promoted neuronal interconnections(22). (-)-epigallocatechin-3 gallate (EGCG) alone also showed to reduce amyloid-β (Aβ) production in both neuronal and mouse Alzheimer's disease (AD) models(23).

9. Coffee
Coffee made from the roasted seeds of the genus Coffee, belonging to the family Rubiaceae native to southern Arabia. Coffee may consist certain substances, effecting the risk of Alzheimers' disease. AD mice given caffeine in their drinking water from young adulthood into older age showed to inhibit memory and cgnitive impairment and lower brain levels of amyloid-beta; Abeta)(24)(25). In mice with Alzheimers' disease caused by dysregulated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) calcium (Ca 2+), induced deletion of RyanR3, showed the enhancement of coffee in activation of RyanRs which protects AD neurons from synaptic and network dysfunction(26). Intake of 5 cups of coffee per day(moderate caffeine intake) found to protect against the development of certain cognitive impairment and decreased hippocampal amyloid-beta (Abeta) levels through suppression of both beta-secretase (BACE1), a beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 and presenilin 1 (PS1)/gamma-secretase expression(mutations in the presenilin proteins)(27) and  protect against or treat AD in a mouse model(28)

10. Red wine
Red wine made from made  dark-coloured (black) grape varieties as a result of anthocyan pigments  present in the skin of the grape.
Red wine may be a therapeutic potential  for treating AD patinets through reduction of forming of beta-amyloid peptid. In human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), black grape skin extract rinhibited the ROS production, protects the cellular membrane from oxidative damage, and consequently prevents DNA fragmentation(29).  Red wine extract resveratrol, inother study inhibited the expression of soluble oligomers of of the amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide cause neurotoxicity, synaptic dysfunction, and memory impairments(30). Polyphenols derived from red wine, according to Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, may protect against cognitive deterioration of Alzheimer's disease, thriugh generation and assembly of β-amyloid peptides into neurotoxic oligomeric aggregated species(31).

10. Olive oil
Olive is belongs to the the family Oleaceae, native to the coastal areas of the eastern Mediterranean Basin and south end of the Caspian Sea. Its fruit, is also called the olive and the source of olive oil.
Oleuropein aglycone, the main polyphenol derived from extra virgin olive oil, in the study of the double transgenic TgCRND8 mice, showed to improve the cognitive performance and reduce ß-amyloid levels and plaque deposits, through  increase of autophagic markers expression and of lysosomal (break down waste materials and cellular debris)activity(32), induction of the Aβ transgene expression(33) and enhancement of Aβ clearance from the brain(34). the study by VA Medical Center, aslo dound that EVOO inhibited learning and memory deficits found in aging and diseases, due to overproduction of amyloid-β protein, and reversed oxidative damage in the brain(35).

11. Fish oil
Fish oil derived from the tissues of oily fish, contains high amount of omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), etc.
Epidemiological studies suggested that higher dietary intake of ω-3 PUFA reduced risk of incident AD and slower cognitive decline(36) through reduction of plasma levels of Aβ42(37) and may induce the PTEN expression(ova tumor suppressor gene) by activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor(regulating the expression of genes)(38). genetically, defection of the ε4 allele of the APOE gene (APOE4), the Central Michigan University, in the mu-p75 saporin (SAP)-induced mouse model of AD, daily treatments of Cerise(®) Total-Body-Rhythm™ (TBR; containing tart cherry extract, Nordic fish oil, and refined emu oil), reduced the severity of cognitive deficits in disorders involving cholinergic deficits(39). 

Taking altogether, without going into reviews, The list of foods above may be effective in reduced risk and treatment of Alzheimers' disease through improvment of cognitive function in reduced plasma levels of Aβ42 and ß-amyloid levels and plaque deposits. Some researchers suggested that larger sample and multi centers studies are necessary to indentify the principle ingredients and validate their effectiveness. As always, all articles written by Kyle J. Norton are for information & education only, please consult your Doctor & Related field specialist before applying

References
(1) Food combination and Alzheimer disease risk: a protective diet by Gu Y1, Nieves JW, Stern Y, Luchsinger JA, Scarmeas N.(PubMed)
(2) Carotenoids and Alzheimer's disease: an insight into therapeutic role of retinoids in animal models by Obulesu M1, Dowlathabad MR, Bramhachari PV.(PubMed)
(3) Carotenoid, tocopherol, and retinol concentrations in elderly human brain by Craft NE1, Haitema TB, Garnett KM, Fitch KA, Dorey CK.(PubMed)
(4) The "aged garlic extract:" (AGE) and one of its active ingredients S-allyl-L-cysteine (SAC) as potential preventive and therapeutic agents for Alzheimer's disease (AD) by Ray B1, Chauhan NB, Lahiri DK.(PubMed)
(5) S-allyl cysteine attenuates oxidative stress associated cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration in mouse model of streptozotocin-induced experimental dementia of Alzheimer's type by Javed H1, Khan MM, Khan A, Vaibhav K, Ahmad A, Khuwaja G, Ahmed ME, Raza SS, Ashafaq M, Tabassum R, Siddiqui MS, El-Agnaf OM, Safhi MM, Islam F.(PubMed)
(6) Anti-amyloidogenic activity of S-allyl-L-cysteine and its activity to destabilize Alzheimer's beta-amyloid fibrils in vitro by Gupta VB1, Rao KS.(PubMed)
(7) Garlic extract exhibits antiamyloidogenic activity on amyloid-beta fibrillogenesis: relevance to Alzheimer's disease by Gupta VB1, Indi SS, Rao KS(PubMed)
(8) Protective effects of ginger root extract on Alzheimer disease-induced behavioral dysfunction in rats by Zeng GF1, Zhang ZY, Lu L, Xiao DQ, Zong SH, He JM.(PubMed)
(9) [6]-Gingerol attenuates β-amyloid-induced oxidative cell death via fortifying cellular antioxidant defense system by Lee C1, Park GH, Kim CY, Jang JH.(PubMed)
(10) Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activities and some pro-oxidant induced lipid peroxidation in rat brain by two varieties of ginger (Zingiber officinale) by Oboh G1, Ademiluyi AO, Akinyemi AJ.(PubMed)

(11) Highly stabilized curcumin nanoparticles tested in an in vitro blood-brain barrier model and in Alzheimer's disease Tg2576 mice by Cheng KK1, Yeung CF, Ho SW, Chow SF, Chow AH, Baum L.(PubMed)
(12) Oral curcumin for Alzheimer's disease: tolerability and efficacy in a 24-week randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study by Ringman JM1, Frautschy SA, Teng E, Begum AN, Bardens J, Beigi M, Gylys KH, Badmaev V, Heath DD, Apostolova LG, Porter V, Vanek Z, Marshall GA, Hellemann G, Sugar C, Masterman DL, Montine TJ, Cummings JL, Cole GM.(PubMed)
(13) Curcumin-Loaded Nanoparticles Potently Induce Adult Neurogenesis and Reverse Cognitive Deficits in Alzheimer's Disease Model via Canonical Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway by Tiwari SK1, Agarwal S, Seth B, Yadav A, Nair S, Bhatnagar P, Karmakar M, Kumari M, Chauhan LK, Patel DK, Srivastava V, Singh D, Gupta SK, Tripathi A, Chaturvedi RK, Gupta KC.(PubMed)
(14) Curcumin-Loaded Nanoparticles Potently Induce Adult Neurogenesis and Reverse Cognitive Deficits in Alzheimer's Disease Model via Canonical Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway by Tiwari SK1, Agarwal S, Seth B, Yadav A, Nair S, Bhatnagar P, Karmakar M, Kumari M, Chauhan LK, Patel DK, Srivastava V, Singh D, Gupta SK, Tripathi A, Chaturvedi RK, Gupta KC.(PubMed)
(15) Oral curcumin for Alzheimer's disease: tolerability and efficacy in a 24-week randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study by Ringman JM1, Frautschy SA, Teng E, Begum AN, Bardens J, Beigi M, Gylys KH, Badmaev V, Heath DD, Apostolova LG, Porter V, Vanek Z, Marshall GA, Hellemann G, Sugar C, Masterman DL, Montine TJ, Cummings JL, Cole GM.(PubMed)
(16) Interaction of cinnamaldehyde and epicatechin with tau: implications of beneficial effects in modulating Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis by George RC1, Lew J, Graves DJ.(PubMed)
(17) Cinnamon extract inhibits tau aggregation associated with Alzheimer's disease in vitro by Peterson DW1, George RC, Scaramozzino F, LaPointe NE, Anderson RA, Graves DJ, Lew J.(PubMed)
(18) Orally administrated cinnamon extract reduces β-amyloid oligomerization and corrects cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease animal models by Frydman-Marom A1, Levin A, Farfara D, Benromano T, Scherzer-Attali R, Peled S, Vassar R, Segal D, Gazit E, Frenkel D, Ovadia M(PubMed)
(19) Piperine, the main alkaloid of Thai black pepper, protects against neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment in animal model of cognitive deficit like condition of Alzheimer's disease. by Chonpathompikunlert P1, Wattanathorn J, Muchimapura S.(PubMed)
(20) Preparation, characterization, in vivo and biochemical evaluation of brain targeted Piperine solid lipid nanoparticles in an experimentally induced Alzheimer's disease model by Yusuf M1, Khan M, Khan RA, Ahmed B.(PubMed)
(21) Green tea polyphenols protect against okadaic acid-induced acute learning and memory impairments in rats by Li H1, Wu X1, Wu Q1, Gong D1, Shi M1, Guan L1, Zhang J1, Liu J1, Yuan B1, Han G2, Zou Y3(PubMed)
(22) Neuroprotective effects of resveratrol and epigallocatechin gallate polyphenols are mediated by the activation of protein kinase C gamma. Menard C1, Bastianetto S2, Quirion R3(PubMed)
(23) Octyl gallate markedly promotes anti-amyloidogenic processing of APP through estrogen receptor-mediated ADAM10 activation by Zhang SQ1, Sawmiller D, Li S, Rezai-Zadeh K, Hou H, Zhou S, Shytle D, Giunta B, Fernandez F, Mori T, Tan J.(PubMed)
(24) Caffeine and coffee as therapeutics against Alzheimer's disease by Arendash GW1, Cao C.(PubMed)
(25) Caffeine reverses cognitive impairment and decreases brain amyloid-beta levels in aged Alzheimer's disease mice by Arendash GW1, Mori T, Cao C, Mamcarz M, Runfeldt M, Dickson A, Rezai-Zadeh K, Tane J, Citron BA, Lin X, Echeverria V, Potter H.(PubMed)
(26) The role of ryanodine receptor type 3 in a mouse model of Alzheimer disease by Liu J1, Supnet C2, Sun S1, Zhang H1, Good L3, Popugaeva E4, Bezprozvanny I5.(PubMed)
(27) Caffeine reverses cognitive impairment and decreases brain amyloid-beta levels in aged Alzheimer's disease mice by Arendash GW1, Mori T, Cao C, Mamcarz M, Runfeldt M, Dickson A, Rezai-Zadeh K, Tane J, Citron BA, Lin X, Echeverria V, Potter H.(PubMed)
(28) Caffeine and coffee as therapeutics against Alzheimer's disease by Arendash GW1, Cao C.
(PubMed)
(29) Red wine micronutrients as protective agents in Alzheimer-like induced insult by Russo A1, Palumbo M, Aliano C, Lempereur L, Scoto G, Renis M.(PubMed)
(30) rion protein-mediated toxicity of amyloid-β oligomers requires lipid rafts and the transmembrane LRP1 by Rushworth JV1, Griffiths HH, Watt NT, Hooper NM(PubMed)
(31) Novel role of red wine-derived polyphenols in the prevention of Alzheimer's disease dementia and brain pathology: experimental approaches and clinical implications by Pasinetti GM.(PubMed)
(32) The polyphenol oleuropein aglycone protects TgCRND8 mice against Aß plaque pathology by Grossi C1, Rigacci S, Ambrosini S, Dami TE, Luccarini I, Traini C, Failli P, Berti A, Casamenti F, Stefani M(PubMed)
(33) Oleuropein aglycone protects transgenic C. elegans strains expressing Aβ42 by reducing plaque load and motor deficit by Diomede L1, Rigacci S, Romeo M, Stefani M, Salmona M(PubMed)
(34) Olive-oil-derived oleocanthal enhances β-amyloid clearance as a potential neuroprotective mechanism against Alzheimer's disease: in vitro and in vivo studies by Abuznait AH1, Qosa H, Busnena BA, El Sayed KA, Kaddoumi A(PubMed).
(35) Extra virgin olive oil improves learning and memory in SAMP8 mice by Farr SA1, Price TO, Dominguez LJ, Motisi A, Saiano F, Niehoff ML, Morley JE, Banks WA, Ercal N, Barbagallo M.(PubMed)
(36) Current evidence for the clinical use of long-chain polyunsaturated n-3 fatty acids to prevent age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease by Dacks PA1, Shineman DW, Fillit HM.(PubMed)
(37) Nutrient intake and plasma β-amyloid by Gu Y1, Schupf N, Cosentino SA, Luchsinger JA, Scarmeas N.(PubMed)
(38) Diets involved in PPAR and PI3K/AKT/PTEN pathway may contribute to neuroprotection in a traumatic brain injury by Kitagishi Y1, Matsuda S.(PubMed)
(39) Combinatorial treatment of tart cherry extract and essential fatty acids reduces cognitive impairments and inflammation in the mu-p75 saporin-induced mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.
Matchynski JJ1, Lowrance SA, Pappas C, Rossignol J, Puckett N, Sandstrom M, Dunbar GL.(PubMed)

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Vitamin B12 and Endometrial Cancer

Kyle J. Norton

The incidence of endometrial cancer among white women are higher in comparison of black. According to the statistic, the risk of endometrial cancer among women is 1 in 7000. Every year, about 40,000 women in US are diagnosed with the disease. Women who carry certain mutation genes, such as BRCA1 or the BRCA2 are associated to increased risk of endometrial cancer.
Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is a water-soluble vitamin, found abundantly in a variety of foods, such as fish, shellfish, meat, eggs, dairy products, etc. and plays an important role in regulating the functions of nervous system and formation of blood.

Epidemiological studies, focusing vitamin B12 in reduced risk of endometrial cancer have produced inconsistent results, but in certain studies, vitamin B12 composted with other micro nutrients was found to be effective. Neurotoxicity caused by Paclitaxel/carboplatin chemotherapy for cancer (TC therapy) may induce peripheral neuropathy, the study of Goshajinkigan (a traditional Japanese herbal medicine) composed with vitamin B12, showed to inhibit the progression of peripheral neuropathy, thus alleviating the symptoms of endometrial cancer(1). One-carbon metabolism, vitamin B12 showed no influence endometrial cancer risk but for women with with the MTHFR 677 TT or MTHFR 1298 CC genotype, the dietary factors including vitamin B12 are associated to the protective effect against endometrial cancer(2). Due to the influence of Folate, methionine, vitamin B(6) and vitamin B(12)  in the one-carbon metabolism pathway which is critical for DNA synthesis, methylation and repair some researchers suggested that intake of these nutrients may be associated with an reduced risk of breast, colon and endometrial cancers(3).

Taking altogether. without going into reviews, vitamin B12 composed with other micronutrients may be efective in reduced risk and treatment of endometrial cancer but large example size are necessary to validate their claims. Over doses of the vitamin may induce symptoms of toxicity, including headache, giddiness and abnormal heart functioning, etc., please make sure to follow the guideline of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies.

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References
(1) Objective evaluation of the alleviating effects of Goshajinkigan on peripheral neuropathy induced by paclitaxel/carboplatin therapy: A multicenter collaborative study by Kaku H1, Kumagai S, Onoue H, Takada A, Shoji T, Miura F, Yoshizaki A, Sato S, Kigawa J, Arai T, Tsunoda S, Tominaga E, Aoki D, Sugiyama T.(PubMed)
(2) One-carbon metabolism factors and endometrial cancer risk by Liu JJ1, Hazra A, Giovannucci E, Hankinson SE, Rosner B, De Vivo I.(PubMed)
(3) Folate, vitamin B(6) , vitamin B(12) , methionine and alcohol intake in relation to ovarian cancer risk by Harris HR1, Cramer DW, Vitonis AF, DePari M, Terry KL.(PubMed)

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Folate and Endometrial Cancer

The incidence of endometrial cancer among white women are higher in comparison of black women. According to the statistic, the risk of endometrial cancer among women is 1 in 7000. Every year, about 40,000 women in US are diagnosed with the disease. Women who carry certain mutation genes, such as BRCA1 or the BRCA2 are associated to increased risk of endometrial cancer.

Folate, also known as folic acid, vitamin B9, is a water soluble vitamin, found abundantly in leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, beans, whole grain, etc. The vitamin plays an important role in synthesize DNA, repair DNA, and methylate DNA as well as to act as a cofactor in certain biological reactions, production of red blood cells for anemia prevention.

Epidemiological studies, focusing Folate receptor alpha (FRA) in diagnosis of  risk and  dietary in reduced risk of endometrial cancer have been inconclusive. Folate receptor alpha (FRA)  can be overexpressed by a number of epithelial-derived tumors including ovarian, breast, renal, lung, colorectal, and brain, the study emphasized the correlation of the receptor expression in endometrial cancer showed no significant difference in women with endometrial cancer after chemotherapy(1) but an associated growth advantage, rather than the process of tumorigenesis resulting in aberrant expression of FRA per se.(2). But in  "high risk" endometrial carcinomas, Moderate/strong FRalpha staining was significantly associated with other poor prognostic factors including: advanced stage, nonendometrioid histology and high grade of the diseases(3)
One-carbon metabolism dietary factors, including levels of folate, choline, methionine, vitamin B2, vitamin B6 or vitamin B12, do not effect the endometrial incidence(4). But in Type I and II endometrial cancer study, intake of use of supplements containing folate and vitamins B2, B6, and B12 was associated with an increased risk of type II endometrial cancer.(5). The Folate (FOL) mediated poly-lactide-co-glycolide-polyethylene glycol nanoparticles (FOL-PEG-PLGA NPs) bearing paclitaxel (PTX),  was found to be effective in  indcution of cytotoxicity against HEC-1A cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, through possibly induced apoptosis(6). The joint study of the effects of dietary folate and other methyl-related nutrients, as well as three polymorphisms of MTHFR (677C>T, 1298A>C, and 1793G>A), on endometrial cancer risk among women between the ages of 30 and 69 years in urban Shanghai, China, showed an inverse association of folate intake and risk of endometrial cancer and modufied effects in women with encode gene MTHFR polymorphisms(7).

Taking altogether, without going into reviews, dietary folate may associated to reduced risk and treatment of endometrial cancer, but further studies are necessary to validate its effectiveness with large example size. Overdoses of folate may cause stomach problems, sleep problems, skin reactions, seizures, etc., please make sure you follow the guideline of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies.

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References
(1) Folate receptor alpha (FRA) expression remains unchanged in epithelial ovarian and endometrial cancer after chemotherapy by Despierre E1, Lambrechts S, Leunen K, Berteloot P, Neven P, Amant F, O'Shannessy DJ, Somers EB, Vergote I.(PubMed)
(2) Expression of folate receptor-α (FRA) in gynecologic malignancies and its relationship to the tumor type by O'Shannessy DJ1, Somers EB, Smale R, Fu YS.(PubMed)
(3) Rationale for folate receptor alpha targeted therapy in "high risk" endometrial carcinomas.
Brown Jones M1, Neuper C, Clayton A, Mariani A, Konecny G, Thomas MB, Keeney G, Hartmann L, Podratz KC.(PubMed)
(4) One-carbon metabolism factors and endometrial cancer risk by Liu JJ1, Hazra A, Giovannucci E, Hankinson SE, Rosner B, De Vivo I.(PubMed)
(5) Dietary and supplemental intake of one-carbon nutrients and the risk of type I and type II endometrial cancer: a prospective cohort study by Uccella S1, Mariani A, Wang AH, Vierkant RA, Robien K, Anderson KE, Cerhan JR.(PubMed)
(6) Improved therapeutic effect of folate-decorated PLGA-PEG nanoparticles for endometrial carcinoma by Liang C1, Yang Y, Ling Y, Huang Y, Li T, Li X.(PubMed)
(7) Dietary folate intake, MTHFR genetic polymorphisms, and the risk of endometrial cancer among Chinese women by Xu WH1, Shrubsole MJ, Xiang YB, Cai Q, Zhao GM, Ruan ZX, Cheng JR, Zheng W, Shu XO(PubMed)

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Vitamin B6 and Endometrial Cancer

Kyle J. Norton(Draft Article)

The incidence of endometrial cancer among white women are higher in comparison of black. According to the statistic, the risk of endometrial cancer among women is 1 in 7000. Every year, about 40,000 women in US are diagnosed with the disease. Women who carry certain mutation genes, such as BRCA1 or the BRCA2 are associated to increased risk of endometrial cancer.

Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, is a water soluble vitamin found abundantly in green peas, yams, broccoli, asparagus and turnip greens,Peanuts, sunflower seeds, cashews and hazelnuts, meat, fish etc., with functions of amino acid, carbohydrate  metabolism, brain health, and liver detoxification, etc.

Epidemiological studies linking vitamin B6 in reduced risk of endometrial cancer have been inconclusive, but the composition of vitamin B6 and other micro nutrient have found to be effective in some studies. One-carbon metabolism in 26 years of follow-up data from the Nurses' Health Study, do not appear to influence endometrial cancer incidence but showed protective effect for women with MTHFR 677 TT or MTHFR 1298 CC genotype(1) and a case of case-control study in Greece, indicated that intkae of Retinol, nicotinic acid, vitamin B- 6, and riboflavin  were  inversely associated with the disease(2).
But in a study between 1997 and 2003, 1,204 newly diagnosed endometrial cancer cases and 1,212 controls recruited among women between the ages of 30 and 69 years in urban Shanghai, China, showed dietary intake of vitamin B6 was not related to risk of endometrial cancer for women with enzyme 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), encoded by the MTHFR gene(3). Due to small size of some studies, some researchers suggested that large example size and multi centers studies are necessary to validate the effectiveness of any micro nutrient in endometrial cancer risk.

Taking altogether, without going into reviews, the composition of vitamin B6 and other micro nutrients may be effective in reduced risk and treatment of endometrial cancer. Over doses may induced the symptoms of difficulty coordinating movement, numbness, sensory changes, etc., please make sure you follow the guideline of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies.

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References
(1) One-carbon metabolism factors and endometrial cancer risk by Liu JJ1, Hazra A, Giovannucci E, Hankinson SE, Rosner B, De Vivo I.(PubMed)
(2)Diet in relation to endometrial cancer risk: a case-control study in Greece by Petridou E1, Kedikoglou S, Koukoulomatis P, Dessypris N, Trichopoulos D.(PubMed)

(2) Dietary folate intake, MTHFR genetic polymorphisms, and the risk of endometrial cancer among Chinese women by Xu WH1, Shrubsole MJ, Xiang YB, Cai Q, Zhao GM, Ruan ZX, Cheng JR, Zheng W, Shu XO.(PubMed)

Monday, March 3, 2014

Vitamin B2 and Endometrial Cancer

Kyle J. Norton (Draft Article)

Depending to the stage and grade of the cancer, chemotherapy such as Doxorubicin, Cisplatin. Paclitaxel, Carboplatin, Topotecan may be necessary after surgery with certain side effects. Although epidemiological studies focusing the effective of vegetables and fruits in reduced risk and treatment of endometrial cancer with inconclusive results(1)(2)(3)(4), certain Vitamins, through clinical studies have found to be effective in reduced risk and treatment of endometrial cancer with little or no side effect.

Vitamin B2 also known as  Riboflavin, is a water-soluble, yellow-orange organic compound found abundantly in milk, meat, eggs, nuts, enriched flour, green vegetables, etc. The vitamin is essential for normal cellular growth and function and best known for converting energy from protein, fat, and carbohydrates during metabolism and its antioxidant effects in oxidation-reduction reactions.

Epidemiological studies. linking dietary vitamin B2 in reduced risk of endometrial cancer have produced inconclusive results. The study of Harvard School of Public Health showed a inverse association of vitamin B2  related to the risk of endometrial cancer in a relatively small size of study(5). the co administration of  riboflavin (45 mg/kg bw/day), niacin (100 mg/kg bw/day) and ascorbic acid (200 mg/kg bw/day) along with tamoxifen (45 mg/kg bw/day), in experimental animals with endometrial cancer bearing rats, exhibited a significant decrease in the activity of glycolytic enzymes and a significant increase in the deficient activities of gluconeogenic enzymes to near normal levels, but not individually(6). Unfortunately, the study of Fu Dan University School of Public Health indicted no significant association was observed for dietary vitamin B1 or vitamin B2 and risk of endometrial cancer, in a population-based case-control study of 1,204 newly diagnosed endometrial cancer cases and 1,212 age frequency-matched controls(7)(8). IN the study of one-carbon metabolism correlated to the incidence of endometrial cancer using 26 years of follow-up data from the Nurses' Health Study, indicated a no association of endometrial cancer risk with dietary levels of folate, choline, methionine, vitamin B2, vitamin B6 or vitamin B1(9).

Taking altogether, without going into reviews, composition administration of vitamin B2  and other micro nutrients such as niacin  and ascorbic acid, but not vitamin B2 itself may be associated in reduced risk and treatment of endometrial cancer. But large example and multi-centers studies are necessary to identify their effectiveness. Over doses for a prolong period may cause symptoms of skin rashes, hypersensitivity, high blood pressure etc., please make sure you follow the guideline of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies.

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Permanently Eliminate All Types of Ovarian Cysts Within 2 Months 


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References
(1) Conference on "Multidisciplinary approaches to nutritional problems". Symposium on "Nutrition and health". Cruciferous vegetable intake and the risk of human cancer: epidemiological evidence BY Kim MK, Park JH(PubMed)
(2) Epidemiological studies on brassica vegetables and cancer risk by Verhoeven DT, Goldbohm RA, van Poppel G, Verhagen H, van den Brandt PA(PubMed)
(3) Brassica vegetables and cancer prevention. Epidemiology and mechanisms by van Poppel G, Verhoeven DT, Verhagen H, Goldbohm RA.(PubMed)
(4) Fruits and vegetables and endometrial cancer risk: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis by Bandera EV, Kushi LH, Moore DF, Gifkins DM, McCullough ML(PubMed)(5) Diet in relation to endometrial cancer risk: a case-control study in Greece by Petridou E1, Kedikoglou S, Koukoulomatis P, Dessypris N, Trichopoulos D(PubMed)
(6) Therapeutic potential of riboflavin, niacin and ascorbic acid on carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes in secondary endometrial carcinoma bearing rats by Sundravel S1, Shanthi P, Sachdanandam P.(PubMed)
(7) Nutritional factors in relation to endometrial cancer: a report from a population-based case-control study in Shanghai, China by Xu WH1, Dai Q, Xiang YB, Zhao GM, Ruan ZX, Cheng JR, Zheng W, Shu XO.(PubMed)
(8) Dietary folate intake, MTHFR genetic polymorphisms, and the risk of endometrial cancer among Chinese women by Xu WH1, Shrubsole MJ, Xiang YB, Cai Q, Zhao GM, Ruan ZX, Cheng JR, Zheng W, Shu XO.(PubMed)


Sunday, March 2, 2014

Vitamin E and Endometrial Cancer

The incidence of endometrial cancer among white women are higher in comparison of black women. According to the statistic, the risk of endometrial cancer among women is 1 in 7000. Every year, about 40,000 women in US are diagnosed with the disease. Women who carry certain mutation genes, such as BRCA1 or the BRCA2 are associated to increased risk of endometrial cancer.

Depending to the stage and grade of the cancer, chemotherapy such as Doxorubicin, Cisplatin. Paclitaxel, Carboplatin, Topotecan may be necessary after surgery with certain side effects. Although epidemiological studies focusing the effective of vegetables and fruits in reduced risk and treatment of endometrial cancer with inconclusive results(1)(2)(3)(4), certain Vitamins, through clinical studies have found to be effective in reduced risk and treatment of endometrial cancer with little or no side effect.

Vitamin E, a fat soluble vitamin, consisting eight different variants (alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocopherol and alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocotrienol) with varying levels of biological activity(2), found abundantly in corn oil, soybean oil, margarine, wheat germ oil, sunflower,safflower oils, etc. plays an important role in neurological functions and inhibition of platelet aggregation, regulation of enzymatic activity, free radical scavenger, etc..

Antioxidants in epidemiological evidences, are associated to reduced risk of endometrial cancer caused by DNA damage have been controversal. In dose-response meta-analyse, the study bu suggested that dietary intakes of beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E from food sources, consisted an inverse relationship of endometrial cancer risk(5)(6). The study association between intakes of selected food groups and nutrients with EC risk among 541 women with histologically confirmed EC and 541 women with an intact uterus and noncancer diagnoses seen at Roswell Park Cancer Institute between 1982 and 1998, indicated that intake of vegetable dietary vitamin E are associated with decreased risk of EC(7)(8)(9). But in the study of Instituto de Biotecnología y de Biomedicina with endometrial cells incubated at several hydrogen peroxide concentrations, alpha-tocopherol included in liposomes (1.6 microg) found to no antioxidant effect was detected in cells in culture(7)


Taking altogether, vitamin E may be effective in reduced risk and treatment of endometrial cancer, but large example size and muticenter studies are necessary to validate its effectiveness. Over doses of vitamin E supplement can cause symptoms of blurred vision, weakness, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, etc., please make sure you follow the guideline of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies.

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References
(1) Conference on "Multidisciplinary approaches to nutritional problems". Symposium on "Nutrition and health". Cruciferous vegetable intake and the risk of human cancer: epidemiological evidence BY Kim MK, Park JH(PubMed)
(2) Epidemiological studies on brassica vegetables and cancer risk by Verhoeven DT, Goldbohm RA, van Poppel G, Verhagen H, van den Brandt PA(PubMed)
(3) Brassica vegetables and cancer prevention. Epidemiology and mechanisms by van Poppel G, Verhoeven DT, Verhagen H, Goldbohm RA.(PubMed)
(4) Fruits and vegetables and endometrial cancer risk: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis by Bandera EV, Kushi LH, Moore DF, Gifkins DM, McCullough ML(PubMed)
(5)  Antioxidant vitamins and the risk of endometrial cancer: a dose-response meta-analysis by Bandera EV1, Gifkins DM, Moore DF, McCullough ML, Kushi LH(PubMed)
(6) Higher intakes of vegetables and vegetable-related nutrients are associated with lower endometrial cancer risks. by Yeh M1, Moysich KB, Jayaprakash V, Rodabaugh KJ, Graham S, Brasure JR, McCann SE(PubMed)
(7) Higher intakes of vegetables and vegetable-related nutrients are associated with lower endometrial cancer risks by Yeh M1, Moysich KB, Jayaprakash V, Rodabaugh KJ, Graham S, Brasure JR, McCann SE(PubMed)
(8) Nutritional factors in relation to endometrial cancer: a report from a population-based case-control study in Shanghai, China by Xu WH1, Dai Q, Xiang YB, Zhao GM, Ruan ZX, Cheng JR, Zheng W, Shu XO.(PubMed)
(9) Intake of selected micronutrients and the risk of endometrial carcinoma by Negri E1, La Vecchia C, Franceschi S, Levi F, Parazzini F.(PubMed)



(10) Antioxidant activity of N-acetylcysteine, flavonoids and alpha-tocopherol on endometrial cells in culture by Estany S1, Palacio JR, Barnadas R, Sabes M, Iborra A, Martínez P(PubMed)