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Objectives Extracts of the tubers of H arpagophytum procumbens (devil's claw, DC) inhibit different proinflammatory mediators important in the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis. Many plant-derived preparations interfere with cytochrome P450 liver enzymes, which influence their different biological activities. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the influence of an external metabolic activation of a DC extract on the cytotoxicity and the release of proinflammatory cytokines. Methods A screening experiment with a panel of 12 inflammatory cytokines identified three as suitable for the study: tumour necrosis factor- α ( TNF- α), interleukin ( IL) IL-6 and IL-8. They were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in lipopolysaccharide ( LPS)-stimulated monocytic THP-1 cells, which were treated with rat liver S9 mix metabolically activated DC extract ( DCm). For the cytotoxity experiments, a WST-1 assay was used. Key findings DC dose-dependently suppressed the release of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 in LPS-stimulated monocytic THP-1 cells at non-cytotoxic concentrations (50-250 μg/ml). The metabolic activation of the DC extract by S9 mix did not alternate its cytotoxicity and did not diminish its inhibitory effect. This effect was improved in the case of TNF- α inhibition as reflected by their EC50 values of 116 ± 8.2 μg/ml and 49 ± 3.5 μg/ml for DC and DCm ( P < 0.01). Conclusions Cytokines inhibitory activity of DC was not affected after its external metabolic activation. However, the amount of harpagoside and caffeic acid derivates was decreased. Other components of the extract might have contributed to its anti-inflammatory effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Preparations containing saw palmetto berries are used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia ( BPH). There are many products on the market, and relatively little is known about their chemical variability and specifically the composition and quality of different saw palmetto products notwithstanding that in 2000, an international consultation paper from the major urological associations from the five continents on treatments for BPH demanded further research on this topic. Here, we compare two analytical approaches and characterise 57 different saw palmetto products. Methods An established method - gas chromatography - was used for the quantification of nine fatty acids, while a novel approach of metabolomic profiling using 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance ( NMR) spectroscopy was used as a fingerprinting tool to assess the overall composition of the extracts. Key findings The phytochemical analysis determining the fatty acids showed a high level of heterogeneity of the different products in the total amount and of nine single fatty acids. A robust and reproducible 1 H NMR spectroscopy method was established, and the results showed that it was possible to statistically differentiate between saw palmetto products that had been extracted under different conditions but not between products that used a similar extraction method. Principal component analysis was able to determine those products that had significantly different metabolites. Conclusions The metabolomic approach developed offers novel opportunities for quality control along the value chain of saw palmetto and needs to be followed further, as with this method, the complexity of a herbal extract can be better assessed than with the analysis of a single group of constituents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Preparations containing saw palmetto berries are used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). There are many products on the market, and relatively little is known about their chemical variability and specifically the composition and quality of different saw palmetto products notwithstanding that in 2000, an international consultation paper from the major urological associations from the five continents on treatments for BPH demanded further research on this topic. Here, we compare two analytical approaches and characterise 57 different saw palmetto products., Methods: An established method - gas chromatography - was used for the quantification of nine fatty acids, while a novel approach of metabolomic profiling using (1) H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was used as a fingerprinting tool to assess the overall composition of the extracts., Key Findings: The phytochemical analysis determining the fatty acids showed a high level of heterogeneity of the different products in the total amount and of nine single fatty acids. A robust and reproducible (1) H NMR spectroscopy method was established, and the results showed that it was possible to statistically differentiate between saw palmetto products that had been extracted under different conditions but not between products that used a similar extraction method. Principal component analysis was able to determine those products that had significantly different metabolites., Conclusions: The metabolomic approach developed offers novel opportunities for quality control along the value chain of saw palmetto and needs to be followed further, as with this method, the complexity of a herbal extract can be better assessed than with the analysis of a single group of constituents., (© 2014 The Authors. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Royal Pharmaceutical Society.)

Background: In Chinese medicine, Ginkgo biloba is used for a variety of indications. In the current study, the safety and efficacy of a traditional fresh plant extract was investigated in patients with mild cognitive impairment., Patients and Methods: 59 elderly patients were treated for 6 weeks with a twice daily tablet containing 90 mg of fresh plant Ginkgo biloba extract. The patients suffered from age-related mild cognitive impairment of the non-Alzheimer type assessed by the DemTect score and the presence of symptoms, such as forgetfulness, memory problems, and difficulties in concentration. At the end of the treatment period, safety was primarily assessed by the occurrence of adverse events and efficacy by the DemTect score, the SF-12 quality of life questionnaire, and the change in cognitive symptoms, as well as the judgment of the investigators and patients., Results: At the final visit, the SF-12 mental score had increased significantly from 48.3 +/- 10.1 to 51.3 +/- 7.9, whereas the SF-12 body score (44.5 +/- 9.2 to 45.3 +/- 8.1) and the DemTect score (15.9 +/- 2.0 to 16.0 +/- 2.3) had not changed significantly. About half of all patients experienced an improvement in their memory and their ability to concentrate, as well as a decrease in symptoms of forgetfulness. The majority of investigators and patients judged the treatment to be effective. The tablets were very well tolerated and, as a treatment for their cognitive impairment, highly accepted (90% would take them again)., Conclusion: This newly developed, holistic fresh leaf extract of Ginkgo biloba is a safe, effective, and, at least, adjuvant treatment option for patients with mild cognitive impairments., (Copyright 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Background: Phytotherapy is a third approach for treating lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The lipido-sterolic extract of the fruit of Serenoa repens is one of the more widely used phytotherapeutic agents in this regard., Materials and Methods: The effect of an ethanolic extract of S. repens (10-1000 microg/ml) was tested in hormone-sensitive LNCaP, MCF-7 and hormone-insensitive DU 145, MDA MB231 prostate, breast carcinoma cell lines, renal Caki-1, urinary bladder J82, colon HCT 116 and lung A 549 cancer cells. Its cell growth inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing effects were tested using WST-1 assay and flow cytometry (Annexin V/PI stain) and/or by colorimetric assay (APOPercentage assay)., Results: The S. repens extract induced a dose-dependent antiproliferative effect on all human malignant cells tested, with GI50 values between 107 and 327 pmicro/ml. In hormone-sensitive prostate LNCaP and breast MCF-7 cell lines, the effect of extract expressed in GI50 was 2.2- and 2.5-fold more potent (p < 0.01) than in hormone-insensitive DU 145 and MDA MB231 cells. The proportion of apoptotic cells, except in A549 cells, lay between 22.5-36.3%. S. repens extract did not induce apoptosis in lung cancer A 549 cells., Conclusion: This study showed that the antiproliferative effect exerted by the ethanolic extract of S. repens is at least triggered by induction of apoptosis. These in vitro data provide some information that may be useful for clinical use and render S. repens extract an interesting tool for new applications.

Echinacea plant preparations are widely used in the prevention and treatment of common cold. However, so far no molecular mechanism of action has been proposed. We analyzed the standardized tincture Echinaforce and found that it induced de novo synthesis of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) mRNA in primary human monocytes/macrophages, but not TNF-alpha protein. Moreover, LPS-stimulated TNF-alpha protein was potently inhibited in the early phase but prolonged in the late phase. A study of the main constituents of the extract showed that the alkylamides dodeca-2E,4E,8Z,10E/Z-tetraenoic acid isobutylamides (1/2), trienoic (3) and dienoic acid (4) derivatives are responsible for this effect. The upregulation of TNF-alpha mRNA was found to be mediated by CB2 receptors, increased cAMP, p38/MAPK and JNK signaling, as well as NF-kappaB and ATF-2/CREB-1 activation. This study is the first to report a possible molecular mechanism of action of Echinacea, highlighting the role of alkylamides as potent immunomodulators and potential ligands for CB2 receptors.

An open study was carried out to assess, primarily, the safety and tolerability of Aesculus hippocastanum in the treatment of CVI. Patients underwent 8 consecutive weeks of treatment and were asked to take one 50 mg Aesculus hippocastanum tablet, twice daily. In total, 91 adverse events were reported, of which only 4 were rated as probably related to the study drug. Patients judged the tolerability of the study medication in the majority of the cases at visits 2 and 3 (90 and 95%, respectively) to be "good" or "fairly good." Only 2 patients rated tolerability as poor at visit 3. For each of the symptoms investigated the difference in the median value between baseline and visit 3 was found to be statistically significant and both the ankle and lower leg circumference decreased. The PPG measurements were rejected after analysis since validation measurements carried out after the trial showed that the PPG technique had an internal error of around 30%. Nevertheless, the majority of patients rated efficacy to be "very good" or "good," with only 10 patients reporting no effect by the end of the study. The results of this study indicate that Aesculaforce 50 mg tablets are a safe, well-tolerated and efficacious treatment for Widmer stage I and II CVI.