Research Update:Burdock and Its Constituents.

  seminal trace...Great Burdock Achene Extract.10:1Burdock Seed, Burdock Root.Burdock Root Extract.Chlorogenic Acid 0.35%HPLC.CAS No.327-97-9.....

 


   Phytochemical info of Burdock:

 Product Name:
 Synonym:
 Definition:Burdock are majorly composed of
 Chemical information disclosed as following table:


  Research Update:Burdock and Its Constituents:

  Study on condition for extraction of arctiin from fruits of Arctium lappa using supercritical fluid extraction:Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2006 Aug;31(15):1240-1, 1276.Dong WH, Liu B.Ningbo Institute of Technology, Zhejiang University, China

 OBJECTIVE: To study the feasibility of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) for arctiin from the fruits of Arctium lappa. METHOD: The extracts were analyzed by HPLC, optimum extraction conditions were studied by orthogonal tests. RESULT: The optimal extraction conditions were: pressure 40 MPa, temperature 70 degrees C, using methanol as modifier carrier at the rate of 0.55 mL x min(-1), static extraction time 5 min, dynamic extraction 30 min, flow rate of CO2 2 L x min(-1). CONCLUSION: SFE has the superiority of adjustable polarity, and has the ability of extracting arctiin.

  Lignans from Arctium lappa and their inhibition of LPS-induced nitric oxide production.:Chem Pharm Bull. 2007 Jan;55(1):150-2.

 A new butyrolactone sesquilignan, isolappaol C (1), together with four known lignans, lappaol C (2), lappaol D (3), lappaol F (4), and diarctigenin (5), were isolated from the methanolic extract of the seeds from the Arctium lappa plant. The structure of isolappaol C (1) was determined by spectral analysis including 1D- and 2D-NMR. All the isolates were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on the LPS-induced nitric oxide production using murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells. Lappaol F (4) and diarctigenin (5) strongly inhibited NO production in the LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells with IC(50) values of 9.5 and 9.6 microM, respectively.

  Arctigenin from Fructus Arctii is a novel suppressor of heat shock response in mammalian cells.:Cell Stress Chaperones. 2006 Summer;11(2):154-61.

 Because heat shock proteins (Hsps) are involved in protecting cells and in the pathophysiology of diseases such as inflammation, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders, the use of regulators of the expression of Hsps in mammalian cells seems to be useful as a potential therapeutic modality. To identify compounds that modulate the response to heat shock, we analyzed several natural products using a mammalian cell line containing an hsp promoterregulated reporter gene. In this study, we found that an extract from Fructus Arctii markedly suppressed the expression of Hsp induced by heat shock. A component of the extract arctigenin, but not the component arctiin, suppressed the response at the level of the activation of heat shock transcription factor, the induction of mRNA, and the synthesis and accumulation of Hsp. Furthermore, arctigenin inhibited the acquisition of thermotolerance in mammalian cells, including cancer cells. Thus, arctigenin seemed to be a new suppressive regulator of heat shock response in mammalian cells, and may be useful for hyperthermia cancer therapy

  Antioxidant activity of medicinal plant polysaccharides.:Fitoterapia. 2006 Jul;77(5):367-73. Epub 2006 May 24.Kardosov¨¢ A, Machov¨¢ E.Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, 845 38 Bratislava, Slovakia.

 Eleven polysaccharides have been isolated from the leaves of Arctium lappa var. herkules, Aloe barbadensis, Althaea officinalis var. robusta, Plantago lanceolata var. libor, aerial parts and roots of Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii, stems of Mahonia aquifolium, and peach-tree (Prunus persica) gum exudates. The polysaccharides were investigated for their ability to inhibit peroxidation of soyabean lecithin liposomes by OH radicals. The highest inhibition was found with glucuronoxylans of A. officinalis var. robusta and P. lanceolata var. libor, aerial parts. Their antioxidant activity accounted for approximately 69% of the activity of the reference compound alpha-tocopherol. The activity of eight polysaccharides ranged from 20 to 45%, while the fructofuranan from P. lanceolata var. libor roots was practically inactive.

  Antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of butyrolactone lignans from Arctium lappa on leukemic cells.:Planta Med. 2006 Feb;72(3):276-8.

 In the course of screening for pharmacologically active substances from extracts of crude drugs used traditionally in TCM, it was found that the 70 % ethanol extract from the fruits of Arctium lappa L. (Compositae) showed potent antiproliferative activity against B cell hybridoma cell, MH60. By bioassay-guided purification, a new lignan, (+)-7,8-didehydroarctigenin, together with the known lignans (-)-arctigenin and (-)-matairesinol were isolated as the active ingredients from an aqueous ethanolic extract of the fruits of A. lappa. Of these active compounds, (-)-arctigenin showed the most potent antiproliferative activity against MH60 cells (IC (50) : 1.0 microM), and the activity was suggested to be due to apoptosis.


  Identification of arctigenin as an antitumor agent having the ability to eliminate the tolerance of cancer cells to nutrient starvation.:Cancer Res. 2006 Feb 1;66(3):1751-7.

 Tumor cells generally proliferate rapidly and the demand for essential nutrients as well as oxygen always exceeds the supply due to the unregulated growth and the insufficient and inappropriate vascular supply. However, cancer cells show an inherent ability to tolerate extreme conditions, such as that characterized by low nutrient and oxygen supply, by modulating their energy metabolism. Thus, targeting nutrient-deprived cancer cells may be a novel strategy in anticancer drug development. Based on that, we established a novel screening method to discover anticancer agents that preferentially inhibit cancer cell viability under the nutrient-deprived condition. After screening 500 medicinal plant extracts used, we found that a CH(2)Cl(2)-soluble extract of Arctium lappa exhibited 100% preferential cytotoxicity under the nutrient-deprived condition at a concentration of 50 microg/mL with virtually no cytotoxicity under nutrient-rich condition. Further bioassay-guided fractionation and isolation led to the isolation of arctigenin as the primary compound responsible for such preferential cytotoxicity; the compound exhibited 100% preferential cytotoxicity against nutrient-deprived cells at a concentration of 0.01 microg/mL. Furthermore, arctigenin was also found to strongly suppress the PANC-1 tumor growth in nude mice, as well as the growth of several of the tested pancreatic cancer cell lines, suggesting the feasibility of this novel antiausterity approach in cancer therapy. Further investigation of the mechanism of action of arctigenin revealed that the compound blocked the activation of Akt induced by glucose starvation, which is a key process in the tolerance exhibited by cancer cells to glucose starvation.

  An experimental research into the anti-aging effects of Radix Arctii Lappae.:J Tradit Chin Med. 2005 Dec;25(4):296-9.Liu S, Li Y, Li S, Luo M, Liu X.Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China.

 PURPOSE: To delve into the anti-aging effects and mechanism of Niubanggen (Radix Arctii Lappae). METHOD: The activity of SOD and the content of MDA and lipofuscin in the tissues of the liver, brain and blood serum of the lab rats were observed 30 days after they had been fed with the Niubanggen decoction. RESULT: The activity of SOD in the liver tissue and blood serum of the decoction-fed lab rats was improved dramatically (P<0.05 or P<0.01), the content of MDA in the brain tissue and blood serum lowered obviously (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the content of lipofuscin dropped distinctly (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The mechanism of the anti-aging effects of the Niubanggen is mainly obtained by raising the activity of SOD and reducing the contents of MDA and lipofuscin.

  Antimicrobial activity of Arctium lappa constituents against microorganisms commonly found in endodontic infections.:Braz Dent J. 2005;16(3):192-6. Epub 2006 Jan 12.Pereira JV, Bergamo DC, Pereira JO, Fran?a Sde C, Pietro RC, Silva-Sousa YT.UNAERP, Ribeir?o Preto, SP, Brazil.

 This study evaluated in vitro the antimicrobial activity of rough extracts from leaves of Arctium lappa and their phases. The following microorganisms, commonly found in the oral cavity, specifically in endodontic infections, were used: Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis and Candida albicans. The agar-diffusion method allowed detection of the hexanic phase as an inhibitor of microbial growth. Bioautographic assays identified antimicrobial substances in the extract. The results showed the existence, in the rough hexanic phase and in its fractions, of constituents that have retention factors (Rf) in three distinct zones, thereby suggesting the presence of active constituents with chemical structures of different polarities that exhibited specificity against the target microorganisms. It may be concluded that the Arctium lappa constituents exhibited a great microbial inhibition potential against the tested endodontic pathogens.


  Isolation and identification of arctiin and arctigenin in leaves of burdock (Arctium lappa L.) by polyamide column chromatography in combination with HPLC-ESI/MS..:

 A simple method involving polyamide column chromatography in combination with HPLC-PAD and HPLC-ESI/MS for isolating and identifying two kinds of lignans, arctiin and arctigenin, in the leaves of burdock (Arctium lappa L.) has been established. After extraction of burdock leaves with 80% methanol, the aqueous phase of crude extracts was partitioned between water and chloroform and the aqueous phase was fractionated on a polyamide glass column. The fraction, eluting with 100% methanol, was concentrated and gave a white precipitate at 4 degrees C from which two main compounds were purified by semi-preparative HPLC. In comparison with the UV and ESI-MS spectra and the HPLC retention time of authentic standards, the compounds were determined to be arctiin and arctigenin. The extraction/separation technique was validated using an internal standard method.

  Isolation and characterization of a xyloglucan from gobo (Arctium lappa L.)..:

 A xyloglucan was isolated from the 24% KOH extract of gobo (edible burdock, Arctium lappa L.). A methylation analysis and enzymic degradation studies on the polysaccharide showed that gobo-xyloglucan was built up predominantly of repeating-oligosaccharide units of hepta-(Glc:Xyl = 4:3), nona- (Glc:Xyl:Gal:Fuc = 4:3:1:1) and deca- (Glc:Xyl:Gal:Fuc = 4:3:2:1) saccharides in an approximate molar ratio of 14:12:5, which are the typical structural units of dicot xyloglucans.

  Pectin production from burdock (Arctium sp.).:

 The pectin complex of different morphological parts of burdock: leaf, leaf stems, main stock have been investigated. High quantity of pectic substances about 1.9% per wet mass, has been detected in the leaf stems of burdock. It has been also established that pressed leaf stems as to pectin content (about 21% of dry mass) do not give in to traditional raw material for pectin production: pressed apple, squeezed sugar-beet, citrus fruit peel, sunflower head, etc. The technological scheme of pectin production from burdock has been developed. Pectin powder obtained from burdock was of light grey colour. The total output was 17% of dry mass of raw material. Uronide component of burdock pectin was 66%, esterification rate 47%, methoxyl component 9%, equivalent weight 343, the free carboxyl group content 16%.

  The chemistry of lysozyme and its use as a food preservative and a pharmaceutical..:

 The chemistry and use of lysozyme as a food preservative and a pharmaceutical are reviewed. Lysozyme inhibits the growth of deleterious organisms, thus prolonging shelf life. Chemicals used to improve the preservative effect of lysozyme and those that inhibit the enzyme are discussed, along with the stability of lysozyme in various chemical environments. Lysozyme has been used to preserve fresh fruits and vegetables, tofu bean curd, seafoods, meats and sausages, potato salad, cooked burdock with soy sauce, and varieties of semihard cheeses such as Edam, Gouda, and some Italian cheeses. Lysozyme added to infant-feeding formulas makes them more closely resemble human milk. Lysozyme has been used clinically in the treatment of periodontitis, administered in chewing gum, and implemented to prevent tooth decay. It has also been administered to patients suffering from cancer for its analgesic effect and has been used as a potentiating agent in antibiotic therapy.


  A desmutagenic factor isolated from burdock (Arctium lappa Linne)..:

 A desmutagenic factor was isolated from burdock (Arctium lappa Linne). This factor reduced the mutagenicity of mutagens that are active without metabolic activation, such as 4-NO2-1,2-DAB and 2-NO2-1,4-DAB, as well as mutagens such as ethidium bromide, 2-aminoanthracene, Trp-P-1 and Trp-P-2 requiring S9 for metabolic activation. It is resistant to heat and proteolytic enzymes and sensitive to treatment with MnCl2. The partially purified principles had a molecular weight higher than 300 000 and showed characteristics of a polyanionic substance. An irreversible diminution of the mutagen was confirmed by treatment of 2-NO2-1,4-DAB or Trp-P-2 with the burdock factor.

  Structure of green pigment formed by the reaction of caffeic acid esters (or chlorogenic acid) with a primary amino compound..:

 A marked greening observed in some foods such as sweet potato, burdock, and others during food processing was shown to be due to green pigment formation by the condensation reaction of two molecules of chlorogenic acid or caffeic acid ester with one molecule of a primary amino compound under aeration in alkaline solution. Reduction of the green pigment by ascorbic acid or NaBH4 gave a yellow product, which readily turn green and then blue in air. The reduced and acetylated product of the green pigment was identified to be a novel trihydroxy benzacridine derivative, and the yellowish ethanol solution of this product immediately turned green upon addition of butyl amine or diluted alkali. Therefore, the green pigment was assumed to be an oxidized quinone type product of trihydroxy benzacridine. This identification of the structure was supported by the correspondence of the measured absorption spectra with those calculated by the molecular orbital method. A possible charge transfer complex between products of different oxidation steps in green solution was proposed.

  Enzymatic production of caffeic acid by koji from plant resources containing caffeoylquinic acid derivatives..:

 The effect of a koji (Aspergillus awamori mut.) extract on the caffeoylquinic acid derivatives purified from sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L.) leaves was examined to develop the mass production of caffeic acid. A koji extract hydrolyzed the caffeoylquinic acid derivatives, chlorogenic acid, 3,4-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 4,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid and 3,4,5-tri-O-caffeoylquinic acid, to caffeic acid. Furthermore, the koji extract also converted the major polyphenolic components from sweetpotato, burdock (Arctium lappa L.), and mugwort (Artemisia indica var. maximowiczii) leaves to caffeic acid. These results suggest that the production of caffeic acid from plant resources containing caffeoylquinic acid derivatives is possible.

  Decreased hardness of dietary fiber-rich foods by the enzyme-infusion method.:

 A novel technique is reported for softening plant tissues while retaining their shape by impregnating them with macerating enzymes under reduced pressure after defrosting the frozen plants. Samples were removed immediately from the enzyme solution after the freeze-infusion treatment, and the hardness was measured. Six enzymes and three enzymes were respectively chosen from 18 commercial enzymes for softening burdock roots and bamboo shoots. The tissue degradation due to impregnation of the tissues with the enzymes and the reaction time were investigated. Burdock roots and bamboo shoots were progressively softened during the reaction: the hardness reached 1.0x10(4) N/m(2) or less. The water-soluble dietary fiber contents increased as a result of the freeze-infusion treatment. This softening technique, which retained the food shape, could enhance the production of food products for elderly persons and those under nursing care. Foods produced by this method can replace current minced and liquid dietary components.
 


  Lack of significant modifying effect of arctiin on prostate carcinogenesis in probasin/SV40 T antigen transgenic rats..:

 Arctiin, a plant lignan that can be extracted from the Arctium lappa (burdock) seeds, is a possible environmental endocrine disruptor compounds and have been shown to influence sex hormone metabolism as well as protein synthesis, steroid biosynthesis. Modifying effects of arctiin on prostate carcinogenesis in probasin/SV 40 T antigen (Tag) transgenic (TG) rats were examined. A total of 64 male TG rats, 6 weeks old, were randomly divided to three experimental groups (soybean free Oriental MF diet with 0.1, 0.02, or 0.004% arctiin) and a control group (soybean free Oriental MF diet). Animals were killed at the end of week 18. Histopathological evaluation of prostate revealed that all the rats in any group developed adenocarcinoma in dorsolateral lobe of prostate, except two rats in 0.1% arctiin treated and one rat in 0.002% arctiin treated groups without prostate adenocarcinoma development. However, there were no definite treatment-related changes with statistical significance in all parameters for prostate carcinomas measured in this experiment. These results indicated that arctiin might not exert significant modifying effect on prostate carcinogenesis in SV 40 Tag TG rats at least under the present experiment.

  Evaluation of the health aspects of methyl paraben: a review of the published literature..:

 Methyl paraben (CAS No. 99-76-3) is a methyl ester of p-hydroxybenzoic acid. It is a stable, non-volatile compound used as an antimicrobial preservative in foods, drugs and cosmetics for over 50 years. Methyl paraben is readily and completely absorbed through the skin and from the gastrointestinal tract. It is hydrolyzed to p-hydroxybenzoic acid, conjugated, and the conjugates are rapidly excreted in the urine. There is no evidence of accumulation. Acute toxicity studies in animals indicate that methyl paraben is practically non-toxic by both oral and parenteral routes. In a population with normal skin, methyl paraben is practically non-irritating and non-sensitizing. In chronic administration studies, no-observed-effect levels (NOEL) as high as 1050 mg/kg have been reported and a no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) in the rat of 5700 mg/kg is posited. Methyl paraben is not carcinogenic or mutagenic. It is not teratogenic or embryotoxic and is negative in the uterotrophic assay. The mechanism of cytotoxic action of parabens may be linked to mitochondrial failure dependent on induction of membrane permeability transition accompanied by the mitochondrial depolarization and depletion of cellular ATP through uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation. Parabens are reported to cause contact dermatitis reactions in some individuals on cutaneous exposure. Parabens have been implicated in numerous cases of contact sensitivity associated with cutaneous exposure; however, the mechanism of this sensitivity is unknown. Sensitization has occurred when medications containing parabens have been applied to damaged or broken skin. Allergic reactions to ingested parabens have been reported, although rigorous evidence of the allergenicity of ingested paraben is lacking.


  Action of chlorogenic acid in vegetables and fruits as an inhibitor of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine formation in vitro and in a rat carcinogenesis model..:

 Various plant extracts, such as carrot, burdock (gobou), apricot and prune, showed inhibitory effects in an in vitro assay of lipid peroxide-induced 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) formation. The major inhibitor purified from various plants extracts was identified as chlorogenic acid (CA), on the basis of UV- and mass-spectra and comparison with a standard sample. To examine whether CA also inhibits 8-OH-dG formation in animal organs, an oxygen radical-forming carcinogen, 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide, was administered to rats, with or without CA. The 8-OH-dG level in the DNA of the rat tongue, the target organ, was significantly reduced in the CA-treated group.

  Evaluation of safety of inulin and oligofructose as dietary fiber..:

 In the United States, most individuals consume far less dietary fiber than the daily value (DV) set at 25 g. The average daily consumption for inulin and oligofructose is estimated to be between 1 and 4 g in this country, with a higher intake of 3 to 11 g seen in Europe. Inulin and oligofructose are soluble, fermentable dietary fibers, of low net caloric value having many of the possible health benefits attributed to fiber. Such fiber consists of poly- and oligomers of fructose joined by beta(2-->1) fructosyl-fructose bonds. This class of fiber has been studied in a series of standard toxicological test systems. The studies have demonstrated that inulin-type fructans, when administered in the diet at high levels, do not result in mortality, morbidity, target organ toxicity, reproductive or developmental toxicity, or carcinogenicity. Several in vitro studies have also shown the absence of mutagenic or genotoxic potential. The only basis for limiting use of such fiber in the human diet relates to gastrointestinal tolerance. A series of clinical studies has been reported which shows that up to 20 g/day of inulin and/or oligofructose is well tolerated. As foods marketed in the United States bear labels stating both the quantity per serving size and the corresponding percentage of the daily value (% DV) of fiber, consumers can make appropriate choices and decisions about daily consumption without exceeding individual tolerance.

  The mechanisms of the anti-ulcer action of plant drug agents.:

 The mechanisms of the gastroprotective effect of well-known drugs (plantaglucid, befungin, plantain juice), extractions of birch bark (Betula pendula Roth,) and burdock seeds (Arctium tomentosum Mill.) on various links of gastric ulcer pathogenesis were compared. Phytopreparations were found to have a variety of effects on gastric secretion in rats. Differences in their action on the smooth muscles of the stomach and intestine were detected.
 


  A review of the studies of the safety of polydextrose in food..:

 Polydextrose (CAS no. 68424-04-4) is a water-soluble polymer of glucose that provides to foods the bulk and texture of sucrose. There are two main forms of polydextrose, an acidic form (PD-A) and a neutralized potassium salt (PD-N). Polydextrose is resistant to mammalian metabolic and microbial degeneration, rendering it both low in caloric value and non-cariogenic. Little polydextrose is absorbed intact although some is metabolized by caecal/colonic bacteria. At high enough levels of ingestion, this bacterial metabolism results in flatus, bloating, loose stools and ultimately a frank diarrhoea. Microbial metabolism also produces some volatile fatty acids that are absorbed by the animal and have calorigenic value. The species and dose threshold for persistent loose stools/watery diarrhoea determines the degree of electrolyte loss by the animal. In the dog, an obligate carnivore, sodium-sparing activity by the kidney and concomitant and obligatory calcium reuptake result in a well-defined aetiology of hypercalcaemia and subsequent nephrocalcinosis, particularly for PD-N. Of the species tested, the dog was the most sensitive to this carbohydrate with a no-effect level of 2000 mg/kg body weight/day. Omnivores, including the rat, mouse and monkey, have a no-effect level ranging from 2500 to 10,000 mg/kg body weight/day. No toxicity has been demonstrated in man, although the dose for laxation (to be distinguished from diarrhoea) is approximately 90 g/day (v. sorbitol at 70 g/day). Polydextrose did not show any reproductive toxicity, teratology, carcinogenesis, mutagenicity or genotoxicity. Polydextrose has been approved for food additive use (21 CFR 172.841) in the US, and an "ADI not specified" by the Joint WHO/FAO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA, 1987). It has been approved in over 50 countries around the world and has been used extensively in the diet for over15 years. Specification monographs are published in the Food Chemicals Codex (FCC) (NAS, 1996) and the FAO Compendium (JECFA, 1995). This review provides an overview of the studies and salient data, not previously reported in the scientific literature, which had been submitted to regulatory agencies in support of these approvals.

  Effects of different types of dietary fiber preparations isolated from bamboo shoots, edible burdock, apple and corn on fecal steroid profiles of rats.:

 This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different types of dietary fibers (DF) under the conditions with or without cholesterol (Chol) loading on the amount and composition of steroids in rat feces. Rats were fed Chol-unsupplied diets containing 10% lard and 5% DF preparation isolated from four kinds of food, bamboo shoots, edible burdock, apple and corn, for three weeks. The respective diets were supplemented with 0.5% Chol and then given to the rats for a further two weeks. The excretion of total bile acid (BA) and several major BAs increased significantly in the apple group with or without Chol loading when compared with that in the cellulose (CP) or other DF groups. The tendency in the apple group was more noticeable when the diet was supplemented with Chol. This is presumably a major reason for the tendency of decrease in serum and liver Chol concentrations in the apple group. The ratio of secondary BAs to total BA in the feces was significantly low in the apple group. Although the lithocholic acid (LCA)/deoxycholic acid (DCA) ratio, a risk index for colorectal cancer, was significantly lower in the bamboo, burdock and apple groups than in the CP or corn groups when given the diet without Chol, the differences disappeared with the addition of Chol. The proportion of coprostanol, a secondary metabolite of Chol, was smaller in the former three groups than in the CP or corn groups. These results suggest that the intake of some DF by host animals works beneficially for the microbial conversion of BA and Chol in the large intestine but that the addition of Chol acts to cancel such beneficial effects.

  Glycaemic effects of traditional European plant treatments for diabetes. Studies in normal and streptozotocin diabetic mice..:

 Twelve plants used for the traditional treatment of diabetes mellitus in northern Europe were studied using normal and streptozotocin diabetic mice to evaluate effects on glucose homeostasis. The plants were administered in the diet (6.25% by weight) and/or as decoctions or infusions in place of drinking water, to coincide with the traditional method of preparation. Treatment for 28 days with preparations of burdock (Arctium lappa), cashew (Anacardium occidentale), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), elder (Sambucus nigra), fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), guayusa (Ilex guayusa), hop (Humulus lupulus), nettle (Urtica dioica), cultivated mushroom (Agaricus bisporus), periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus), sage (Salvia officinale), and wild carrot (Daucus carrota) did not affect the parameters of glucose homeostasis examined in normal mice (basal plasma glucose and insulin, glucose tolerance, insulin-induced hypoglycaemia and glycated haemoglobin). After administration of streptozotocin (200 mg/kg) burdock and nettle aggravated the diabetic condition, while cashew, dandelion, elder, fenugreek, hop, periwinkle, sage and wild carrot did not significantly affect the parameters of glucose homeostasis studied (basal glucose and insulin, insulin-induced hypoglycaemia, glycated haemoglobin and pancreatic insulin concentration). Guayusa and mushroom retarded the development of hyperglycaemia in streptozotocin diabetes and reduced the hyperphagia, polydipsia, body weight loss, and glycated haemoglobin. Mushroom also countered the initial reduction in plasma insulin and the reduction in pancreatic insulin concentration, and improved the hypoglycaemic effect of exogenous insulin. These studies suggest the presence of potentially useful antidiabetic agents in guayusa and mushroom.

  Crime and violence among mental patients..:

 The authors studied the arrest rates of 867 patients from the Bellevue catchment area who were discharged from the psychiatric division of Bellevue Hospital. They found that the arrest rates of these patients for two years preceding and two years following their admissions to the study were higher than the arrest rates for the general population of the Bellevue catchment area as well as those for 4,601 cities in the United States. They discuss the implications of this finding for the post discharge care of mental patients, particularly in the light of current discharge policies.


  Scientific References:

  1.Research Update:Burdock and Its Constituents.
  2.Arctium lappa L.Great Burdock Achene Extract.Burdock Seed.Burdock Root.