Maytenol™

1. Chu Chu Huasi:
A great, thick trunked tree yields this powerful bark, famous throughout the western Amazon Basin. Generally considered anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic, it also shows antitumoral and anticancer properties in trials. But its fame as the best known of all jungle remedies comes from its muscle relaxing and pain reducing abilities (46) (10-20).

2. 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
J Ethnopharmacol, 5: 1, 1982 Jan, 73-7

3. Tanacetum parthenium and Salix alba (Mig-RL) combination in migraine prophylaxis: a prospective, open-label study.
Shrivastava R, Pechadre JC, John GW.
Naturveda - Vitro-Bio Research Institute, ZAC de Lavaur, Issoire, France.
Clin Drug Investig. 2006;26(5):287-96.
PMID: 17163262 [PubMed - in process]

4. Efficacy and safety of 6.25 mg t.i.d. feverfew CO2-extract (MIG-99) in migraine prevention--a randomized, double-blind, multicentre, placebo-controlled study.
Diener HC, Pfaffenrath V, Schnitker J, Friede M, Henneicke-von Zepelin HH.
Neurologische Universitatsklinik, Essen, Germany. h.diener@uni-essen.de
Cephalalgia. 2005 Nov;25(11):1031-41.
PMID: 16232154 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

5. 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]

6. Anti-inflammatory 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]

7. The psychopharmacology of European herbs with cognition-enhancing properties.
Kennedy DO, Scholey AB.
Human Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, Division of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST UK. david.kennedy@unn.ac.uk

Chu Chu Huasi ~ Maytenus macrocarpa

1. Chu Chu Huasi:
A great, thick trunked tree yields this powerful bark, famous throughout the western Amazon Basin. Generally considered anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic, it also shows antitumoral and anticancer properties in trials. But its fame as the best known of all jungle remedies comes from its muscle relaxing and pain reducing abilities (46) (10-20).

2. 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
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 Co ombia 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.

3. Tanacetum parthenium and Salix alba (Mig-RL) combination in migraine prophylaxis: a prospective, open-label study.
Shrivastava R, Pechadre JC, John GW.
Naturveda - Vitro-Bio Research Institute, ZAC de Lavaur, Issoire, France.
BACKGROUND: Tanacetum parthenium (feverfew) has been used traditionally to treat migraine, and although its mechanism of action is not fully understood, serotonin 5-HT receptor blocking effects have been suggested. T. parthenium and Salix alba (white willow) either alone or in combination (Mig-RL) were recently shown to inhibit binding to 5-HT(2A/2C) receptors; T. parthenium failed to recognise 5-HT(1D) receptors, whereas S. alba or the combination did. It was hypothesised that S. alba in combination with T. parthenium may provide superior migraine prophylactic activity compared with T. parthenium alone. METHODS: A prospective, open-label study was performed in 12 patients diagnosed with migraine without aura. Twelve weeks’ treatment with T. parthenium 300 mg plus S. alba 300 mg (Mig-RL) twice daily was administered to determine the effects of therapy on migraine attack frequency (primary efficacy criterion), intensity and duration (secondary efficacy criteria), and quality of life, together with tolerability for patients. RESULTS: Attack frequency was reduced by 57.2% at 6 weeks (p < 0.029) and by 61.7% at 12 weeks (p < 0.025) in nine of ten patients, with 70% patients having a reduction of at least 50%. Attack intensity was reduced by 38.7% at 6 weeks (p < 0.005) and by 62.6% at 12 weeks (p < 0.004) in ten of ten patients, with 70% of patients having a reduction of at least 50%. Attack duration decreased by 67.2% at 6 weeks (p < 0.001) and by 76.2% at 12 weeks (p < 0.001) in ten of ten patients. Two patients were excluded for reasons unrelated to treatment. Self-assessed general health, physical performance, memory and anxiety also improved by the end of the study. Mig-RL treatment was well tolerated and no adverse events occurred. CONCLUSION: The remarkable efficacy of Mig-RL in not only reducing the frequency of migraine attacks but also their pain intensity and duration in this trial warrants further investigation of this therapy in a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled investigation involving a larger patient population.
Clin Drug Investig. 2006;26(5):287-96.
PMID: 17163262 [PubMed - in process]

4. Efficacy and safety of 6.25 mg t.i.d. feverfew CO2-extract (MIG-99) in migraine prevention--a randomized, double-blind, multicentre, placebo-controlled study.
Diener HC, Pfaffenrath V, Schnitker J, Friede M, Henneicke-von Zepelin HH.
Neurologische Universitatsklinik, Essen, Germany. h.diener@uni-essen.de
The efficacy and tolerability of a CO(2)-extract of feverfew (MIG-99, 6.25 mg t.i.d.) for migraine prevention were investigated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre, parallel-group study. Patients (N = 170 intention-to-treat; MIG-99, N = 89; placebo, N = 81) suffering from migraine according to International Headache Society criteria were treated for 16 weeks after a 4-week baseline period. The primary endpoint was the average number of migraine attacks per 28 days during the treatment months 2 and 3 compared with baseline. Safety parameters included adverse events, laboratory parameters, vital signs and physical examination. The migraine frequency decreased from 4.76 by 1.9 attacks per month in the MIG-99 group and by 1.3 attacks in the placebo group (P = 0.0456). Logistic regression of responder rates showed an odds ratio of 3.4 in favour of MIG-99 (P = 0.0049). Adverse events possibly related to study medication were 9/107 (8.4%) with MIG-99 and 11/108 (10.2%) with placebo (P = 0.654). MIG-99 is effective and shows a favourable benefit-risk ratio.
Cephalalgia. 2005 Nov;25(11):1031-41.
PMID: 16232154 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

5. Analgesic activity of a triterpene isolated from Scoparia dulcis L. (Vassourinha (NP)™).
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]

6. 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]

7. The psychopharmacology of European herbs with cognition-enhancing properties.
Kennedy DO, Scholey AB.
Human Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, Division of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST UK. david.kennedy@unn.ac.uk
Extensive research suggests that a number of plant-derived chemicals and traditional Oriental herbal remedies possess cognition-enhancing properties. Widely used current treatments for dementia include extracts of Ginkgo biloba and several alkaloidal, and therefore toxic, plant-derived cholinergic agents. Several non-toxic, European herbal species have pan-cultural traditions as treatments for cognitive deficits, including those associated with ageing. To date they have not received research interest commensurate with their potential utility. Particularly promising candidate species include sage (Salvia lavandulaefolia/officinalis), Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis). In the case of sage, extracts possess anti-oxidant, estrogenic, and anti-inflammatory properties, and specifically inhibit butyryl- and acetyl-cholinesterase. Acute administration has also been found to reliably improve mnemonic performance in healthy young and elderly cohorts, whilst a chronic regime has been shown to attenuate cognitive declines in sufferers from Alzheimer’s disease. In the case of Melissa officinalis, extracts have, most notably, been shown to bind directly to both nicotinic and muscarinic receptors in human brain tissue. This property has been shown to vary with extraction method and strain. Robust anxiolytic effects have also been demonstrated following acute administration to healthy humans, with mnemonic enhancement restricted to an extract with high cholinergic binding properties. Chronic regimes of aromatherapy and essential oil respectively have also been shown to reduce agitation and attenuate cognitive declines in sufferers from dementia. Given the side effect profile of prescribed cholinesterase inhibitors, and a current lack of a well tolerated nicotinic receptor agonist, these herbal treatments may well provide effective and well-tolerated treatments for dementia, either alone, in combination, or as an adjunct to conventional treatments.
Curr Pharm Des. 2006;12(35):4613-23.
PMID: 17168769 [PubMed - in process]