Codizone™

1.Chuchuhuasha - a drug used in folk medicine in the Amazonian and Andean areas. A chemical study of Maytenus laevis.
Gonzalez JG; delle Monache G; delle Monache F; Marini-Bettol GB
J Ethnopharmacol, 5: 1, 1982 Jan, 73-7

2. Traditional medicinal plant use in Northern Peru: tracking two thousand years of healing culture.
Bussmann RW, Sharon D.
University of Hawaii, Lyon Arboretum, 3860 Manoa Rd,, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA. bussmann@hawaii.edu.
PMID: 17090303 [PubMed - in process]
Cat’s Claw ‘Uncaria tomentosa’

3. Antiinflammatory actions of cat’s claw: the role of NF-kappaB.
Sandoval-Chacon M, Thompson JH, Zhang XJ, Liu X, Mannick EE, Sadowska-Krowicka H, Charbonnet RM, Clark DA, Miller MJ.
LSU Medical Center, Department of Paediatrics and Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 1998 Dec;12(12):1279-89.
PMID: 9882039 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

4. Antiinflammatory actions of cat’s claw: the role of NF-kappaB.
Sandoval-Chacon M, Thompson JH, Zhang XJ, Liu X, Mannick EE, Sadowska-Krowicka H, Charbonnet RM, Clark DA, Miller MJ.
LSU Medical Center, Department of Paediatrics and Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 1998 Dec;12(12):1279-89.
PMID: 9882039 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

5. “Tynnanthus panurensis (Bur.) Sandw. Bignoniaceae. “Clavo huasca”, “Inejkeu”, “Clove vine”.
http://www.rain-tree.com/clavohuasca.html

6. Ethnobotany of the Peruvian Amazon.
http://www.biopark.org/Plants-Amazon.html

7. RHP Ethnobotanical Dictonary
Tim Woodruff, 1995,

8. Headache Treatments By Native Peoples of theEcuadorian Amazon: A Preliminary Cross Disciplinary Assessment
Ethan B. Russo, M.D.
Deparment of Neurology, Western Montana Clinic, Box 7609, 515 W.Front St., Missoula, MT 59807 (U.S.A.)
Mexican Yam ‘Dioscorea villosa’

9. “Wild Yam”
www.2bnThewild.com-Wildflowers of the Southeastern United States

10. “ The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants”
Chevallier, Andrew
DK Publishing, 1996, pg 89

11. Isolation of a dihydrobenzofuran lignan from South American dragon’s blood (Croton spp.) as an inhibitor of cell proliferation.
Pieters L, de Bruyne T, Claeys M, Vlietinck A, Calomme M, vanden Berghe D.
University of Antwerp, Belgium.
J Nat Prod. 1993 Jun;56(6):899-906.
PMID: 14598201 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

12. South American plants II: taspine isolation and anti-inflammatory activity.
Perdue GP, Blomster RN, Blake DA, Farnsworth NR.
J Pharm Sci. 1979 Jan;68(1):124-6
PMID: 758452 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

13. Taspine is the cicatrizant principle in Sangre de Grado extracted from Croton lechleri
Vaisberg AJ, Milla M, Planas MC, Cordova JL, de Agusti ER, Ferreyra R, Mustiga MC, Carlin L, Hammond GB.
Planta Med. 1989 Apr;55(2):140-3.

14. Analgesic activity of a triterpene isolated from Scoparia dulcis L. (Vassourinha).
Freire SM, Torres LM, Roque NF, Souccar C, Lapa AJ.
Departamento de Fisiologia, UFMA, Sao Luis, Brasil.
PMID: 1841990 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

15. Analgesic, diuretic, and anti-inflammatory principle from Scoparia dulcis.
Ahmed M, Shikha HA, Sadhu SK, Rahman MT, Datta BK.
Department of Pharmacy, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh. mua@du.bangla.net
Pharmazie. 2001 Aug;56(8):657-60.
PMID: 11534346 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

1. Chuchuhuasha - a drug used in folk medicine in the Amazonian and Andean areas. Achemical study of Maytenus laevis.
Gonzalez JG; delle Monache G; delle Monache F; Marini-Bettol GB
In the high Amazonian basin a plant named chuchuasha, (or chuchuaso) is used in traditional medicine for several purposes in the form of an alcoholic extract. This plant, a Maytenus species, most probably Maytenus laevis, grows in the subandean region of the Amazonian basin (Peru, Ecuador, Colombia). Antitumor and anti-inflammatory properties were recently attributed to the extracts of the root bark of the plant. The composition of the extract of M. laevis from the Putumayo area of Colombia was studied in order to establish the active principle responsible for these activities. The presence of phenoldienones (tingenone, 22-hydroxytingenone), a catechin (4’-methyl-(-)-epigallocatechin) and proanthocyanidins (Ouratea-proanthocyanidins A and B) was established. The biological activities of these compounds confirm the properties of the extracts of the plant claimed by traditional medicine.
J Ethnopharmacol, 5: 1, 1982 Jan, 73-7
(The possibility exists that the therapeutic effects for headache may be related to the caffeine content.)

2. Traditional medicinal plant use in Northern Peru: tracking two thousand years of healing culture.
Bussmann RW, Sharon D.
University of Hawaii, Lyon Arboretum, 3860 Manoa Rd,, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA. bussmann@hawaii.edu.
ABSTRACT: This paper examines the traditional use of medicinal plants in Northern Peru, with special focus on the Departments of Piura, Lambayeque, La Libertad, Cajamarca, and San Martin.Northern Peru represents the center of the old Central Andean “Health Axis,” stretching from Ecuador to Bolivia. The roots of traditional healing practices in this region go at least as far back as the Moche period (AC 100-800).Although about 50% of the plants in use reported in the colonial period have disappeared from the popular pharmacopoeia, the plant knowledge of the population is much more extensive than in other parts of the Andean region.510 plant species used for medicinal purposes were collected, identified and their vernacular names, traditional uses and applications recorded. The families best represented were Asteraceae with 69 species, Fabaceae (35), Lamiaceae (25), and Solanaceae (21). Euphorbiaceae had twelve species, and Apiaceae and Poaceae 11 species.The highest number of species was used for the treatment of “magical/ritual” ailments (207 species), followed by respiratory disorders (95), problems of the urinary tract (85), infections of female organs (66), liver ailments (61), inflammations (59), stomach problems (51) and rheumatism (45).Most of the plants used (83%) were native to Peru. Fresh plants, often collected wild, were used in two thirds of all cases, and the most common applications included the ingestion of herb decoctions or the application of plant material as poultices.
PMID: 17090303 [PubMed - in process]

3. Antiinflammatory actions of cat’s claw: the role of NF-kappaB.
Sandoval-Chacon M, Thompson JH, Zhang XJ, Liu X, Mannick EE, Sadowska-Krowicka H, Charbonnet RM, Clark DA, Miller MJ.
LSU Medical Center, Department of Paediatrics and Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 1998 Dec;12(12):1279-89.
BACKGROUND: Uncaria tomentosa is a vine commonly known as cat’s claw or ‘una de gato’ (UG) and is used in traditional Peruvian medicine for the treatment of a wide range of health problems, particularly digestive complaints and arthritis. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the proposed anti-inflammatory properties of cat’s claw. Specifically: (i) does a bark extract of cat’s claw protect against oxidant-induced stress in vitro, and (ii) to determine if UG modifies transcriptionally regulated events. METHODS: Cell death was determined in two cell lines, RAW 264.7 and HT29 in response to peroxynitrite (PN, 300 microM). Gene expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in HT29 cells, direct effects on nitric oxide and peroxynitrite levels, and activation of NF-kappaB in RAW 264.7 cells as influenced by UG were assessed. Chronic intestinal inflammation was induced in rats with indomethacin (7.5 mg/kg), with UG administered orally in the drinking water (5 mg/mL). RESULTS: The administration of UG (100 microg/mL) attenuated (P < 0.05) peroxynitrite-induced apoptosis in HT29 (epithelial) and RAW 264.7 cells (macrophage). Cat’s claw inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced iNOS gene expression, nitrite formation, cell death and inhibited the activation of NF-kappaB. Cat’s claw markedly attenuated indomethacin-enteritis as evident by reduced myeloperoxidase activity, morphometric damage and liver metallothionein expression. CONCLUSIONS: Cat’s claw protects cells against oxidative stress and negated the activation of NF-kappaB. These studies provide a mechanistic evidence for the widely held belief that cat’s claw is an effective anti-inflammatory agent.
PMID: 9882039 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

4. In vitro Effects of Two Extracts and Two Pure Alkaloid Preparations of Uncaria tomentosa on Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells.
Winkler C, Wirleitner B, Schroecksnadel K, Schennach H, Mur E, Fuchs D.
Institute of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Planta Med. 2004 Mar;70(3):205-10.
In the traditional Peruvian medicine, hot aqueous extracts of Uncaria tomentosa have been used for the treatment of a wide range of health problems, particularly digestive complaints and arthritis. Some of the beneficial effects observed in patients two mixtures of tetracyclic and pentacyclic oxindole alkaloids of Uncaria tomentosa were investigated in freshly isolated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) stimulated with the mitogens phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A (Con A) in vitro. Neopterin production and tryptophan degradation were monitored in culture supernatants to determine the effects of the test substances on immunobiochemical pathways induced by interferon-gamma. Compared to unstimulated cells PHA and Con A increased the production of neopterin and degradation of tryptophan (p < 0.01). HCl and ethanol extracts and mixtures of alkaloids of Uncaria tomentosa inhibited both effects in a dose-dependent manner, the lowest effective concentrations of the extracts were 500 - 1000 microg/mL and of the alkaloid mixtures 100 - 175 microg/mL (p < 0.05 and < 0.01). With the highest concentrations of extracts and mixtures complete suppression of mitogen-induced neopterin production and tryptophan degradation was observed. These data demonstrate that Uncaria tomentosa extracts and mixtures of alkaloids modulate the immunobiochemical pathways induced by interferon-gamma. The findings imply a potential application of the extracts as immunoregulators and would be in line

5. “Tynnanthus panurensis (Bur.) Sandw. Bignoniaceae. “Clavo huasca”, “Inejkeu”, “Clove vine”.
Duke, James A and Vasquez, Rodolfo,
The pieces of roots and stems are macerated in aguardiente to make a stimulant liqueur, good for rheumatism (RVM). Resin used for fevers (DAT). Some explorama visitors have used it, effectively, for toothache, being as effective as, and probably chemically similar to clove oil (JAD). Some visitors believe, others disbelieve, that the rays of the cross, steeped in aguardiente, are aphrodisiac, some for females, some for males, some for both. We have no incontrovertible empirical evidence, one way or the other.
Amazonian Ethnobotanical Dictionary, CRC Press, Inc., 1994.

6. Ethnobotany of the Peruvian Amazon.
“Clavo huasca is a forest liana vine in the same botanical family as the legendary ayahuasca. The name means ‘clovevine’ (‘clavo’ = ‘clove’ or ‘nail’; ‘huasca’ = ‘vine’) and refers to the rich clove-like scent of the trunk and leaves. Sections of the trunk and stems are macerated in aguardiente (sugar cane liquor), producing a drink said to be an aphrodisiac and an effective treatment for fever and rheumatism. It contains the clove-scented chemical eugenol, which soothes toothache. It is a fundamental component of the famed Amazonian tonics siete raices (seven roots) and veinti uno raices (twenty-one roots). Clavo huasca is comonly sold in the Belén medicinal market in Iquitos, Perú.”
http://www.biopark.org/Plants-Amazon.html

7. RHP Ethnobotanical Dictonary
Tim Woodruff, 1995,
“Clavohuasca
This viny cousin of ayahuasca produces no hallucinations and is good for rheumatism and arthritis when cuttings from the stem are steeped in aguardiente. Also, the root has anaesthetic properties good for tooth pain when sap is squeezed onto the tooth.”

8. Headache Treatments By Native Peoples of the Ecuadorian Amazon: A Preliminary Cross-Disciplinary Assessment
Ethan B. Russo, M.D.
Deparment of Neurology, Western Montana Clinic,
Box 7609, 515 W.Front St., Missoula, MT 59807 (U.S.A.)
Headache, specifically migraine, is an extremely frequent and debilitating syndrome with worldwide prevalence, including indigenous cultures of Amazonia. This paper considers headache as perceived within the medical philosophy of 5 Indian tribes of the Ecuadorian Amazon Basin. Their ethnobotanical treatments for headache are examined, along with the limited available biochemical assay data. This information is analyzed by means of an Ethnopharmacology Rating Scale. Suggestions are offered as to methods of biochemical analysis that may be fruitful in assessment of potential clinical headache remedies. Key among these is the screening of ethnobotanical samples for serotonin receptor activity. The potential may exist for the discovery of more effective, less toxic headache drugs, as well as for the development of a new industry for the local economy that could promote conservation of an endangered ecosystem.

9. “Wild Yam”
Native Americans and early herbalist had many uses for this plant including the treatment of many female and child birth related problems. It was also used to treat various gastrointestinal problems, muscle spasms, various painful conditions such as arthritis and rheumatism. There seems to be no scientific evidence of its effectiveness for these conditions. Nonetheless, plants of this genus are valuable to modern medicine. Many of our modern steroids are manufactured from diosgenin extracted from them. Drugs like birth control pills are affordable due to this genus. The steroids in the plant could explain its possible effectiveness in some herbal remedies.
www.2bnThewild.com-Wildflowers of the Southeastern United States

10. “ The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants”
Chevallier, Andrew
Dioscorea villosa (Dioscoreaceae)
Antispasmodic, Anti-inflammatory, Antirheumatic, Increaes sweating, Diuretic
DK Publishing, 1996, pg 89

11. Isolation of a dihydrobenzofuran lignan from South American dragon’s blood (Croton spp.) as an inhibitor of cell proliferation.
Pieters L, de Bruyne T, Claeys M, Vlietinck A, Calomme M, vanden Berghe D.
University of Antwerp, Belgium.
J Nat Prod. 1993 Jun;56(6):899-906.
Dragon’s blood is a red viscous latex extracted from the cortex of various Croton spp. (Euphorbiaceae), most complement pathways activities were determined in human serum. Intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and monocytes, and phagocytosis of opsonised fluorescent microspheres were measured by flow cytometry. Free radical scavenging activity was evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Activity on proliferation of murine lymphocytes was also investigated. In addition, anti-inflammatory activity was assayed in vivo by carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema test. Some of the activities were compared with those of the isolated alkaloid taspine. Sangre de drago from Croton lechleri showed immunomodulatory activity. It exhibited a potent inhibitory activity on CP and AP of complement system and inhibited the proliferation of activated T-cells. The latex showed free radical scavenging capacity. Depending on the concentration, it showed antioxidant or prooxidant properties, and stimulated or inhibited the phagocytosis. Moreover, the latex has strong anti-inflammatory activity when administered i. p. Taspine cannot be considered the main responsible for these activities, and other constituents, probably proanthocyanidins, should be also involved.
PMID: 14598201 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

12. South American plants II: taspine isolation and anti-inflammatory activity.
Perdue GP, Blomster RN, Blake DA, Farnsworth NR.
J Pharm Sci. 1979 Jan;68(1):124-6
Croton lechleri L. (Euphorbiaceae), a plant from the Upper Amazon Valley of Peru, yielded the alkaloid taspine. The anti-inflammatory activity of taspine hydrochloride was studied using the carrageenan-induced pedal edema method, the cotton pellet-induced granuloma method, and the adjuvant polyarthritis model.
PMID: 758452 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

13. Taspine is the cicatrizant principle in Sangre de Grado extracted from Croton lechleri.
Vaisberg AJ, Milla M, Planas MC, Cordova JL, de Agusti ER, Ferreyra R, Mustiga MC, Carlin L, Hammond GB.
Planta Med. 1989 Apr;55(2):140-3.
Sangre de Grado extract used by Peruvian natives as a cicatrizant agent, was collected from trees of the species Croton lechleri growing in the Peruvian jungle. The Sangre de Grado was found to contain one alkaloid identified as taspine and which was shown to be the active cicatrizant principle by an in vivo test in mice. This alkaloid exhibited a dose-related cicatrizant effect and an ED50 of 0.375 mg/kg. Experiments with taspine hydrochloride in order to study its mechanism of action in cell culture systems showed that the alkaloid was non-toxic to human foreskin fibroblasts at concentrations below 150 ng/ml and that it had no effect on cell proliferation. On the other hand, taspine hydrochloride was found to increase the migration of human foreskin fibroblasts. This effect on the migration of fibroblasts is probably the mechanism by which Sangre de Grado and taspine hydrochloride accelerate the wound healing process. Using the two-stage mouse skin carcinogenesis system, we have been able to show that neither Sangre de Grado nor taspine hydrochloride had carcinogenic or tumour promoter activity after 17 months of treatment.
PMID: 2748730 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

14. Analgesic activity of a triterpene isolated from Scoparia dulcis L. (Vassourinha).
Freire SM, Torres LM, Roque NF, Souccar C, Lapa AJ.
Departamento de Fisiologia, UFMA, Sao Luis, Brasil.
Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of water (WE) and ethanolic (EE) extracts of Scoparia dulcis L. were investigated in rats and mice, and compared to the effects induced by Glutinol, a triterpene isolated by purification of EE. Oral administration (p.o.) of either WE or EE (up to 2 g/kg) did not alter the normal spontaneous activity of mice and rats. The sleeping time induced by sodium pentobarbital (50 mg/kg, i.p.) was prolonged by 2 fold in mice pretreated with 0.5 g/kg EE, p.o. Neither extract altered the tail flick response of mice in immersion test, but previous administration of EE (0.5 g/kg, p.o.) reduced writhings induced by 0.8% acetic acid (0.1 ml/10 g, i.p.) in mice by 47%. EE (0.5 and 1 g/kg, p.o.) inhibited the paw edema induced by carrageenan in rats by respectively 46% and 58% after 2 h, being ineffective on the paw edema induced by dextran. No significant analgesic or anti-edema effects were detected in animals pretreated with WE (1 g/kg, p.o.). Administration of Glutinol (30 mg/kg, p.o.) reduced writhing induced by acetic acid in mice by 40% and the carrageenan induced paw edema in rats by 73%. The results indicate that the analgesic activity of S. dulcis L. may be explained by an anti-inflammatory activity probably related to the triterpene Glutinol.
PMID: 1841990 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

15. Analgesic, diuretic, and anti-inflammatory principle from Scoparia dulcis.
Ahmed M, Shikha HA, Sadhu SK, Rahman MT, Datta BK.
Department of Pharmacy, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh. mua@du.bangla.net
Pharmazie. 2001 Aug;56(8):657-60.
Scoparinol, a diterpene, isolated from Scoparia dulcis showed significant analgesic (p < 0.001) and anti-inflammatory activity (p < 0.01) in animals. A sedative action of scoparinol was demonstrated by a marked potentiation of pentobarbital-induced sedation with a significant effect on both onset and duration of sleep (p < 0.05). Measurement of urine volume after administration of scoparinol indicated its significant diuretic action.
PMID: 11534346 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]