Black Currant Extract Ribes Nigrum Anthocyanidins...

  seminal trace...Black Currant Extract,Black Currant Berry Extract.Black Currant Fruit Extract.Black Currant Seed Extract.5:1.Ribes Nigrum.Anthocyanidins.Black Currant Leaf Extract...

   Basic Botanical Data Sheet:

 BLACK CURRANT(Currant, Black)
 Botanical: Ribes nigrum (LINN.)
 Class: Magnoliopsida  Order: Saxifragales  Family: Grossulariaceae  Genus: Ribes
 Species: R. nigrum
 Latin Name: Ribes Nigrum
 Synonyms:Quinsy Berries. Squinancy Berries.
 Parts Used:Fruit, leaves, bark, roots,seed oil.
 Habitat:Europe,West China
 Synonyms/other Latin names: Botryocarpum nigrum Opiz, Grossularia nigra Rupre., Ribes olidum Moench
 Common name(s): cassis,black currant, red currant, European black currant, mustaherukka,Grosellero Negro, Quinsy Berries, Siyah Frenkuzumu, Squinancy Berries, Ribes nigrum.
 Other names for Black Currant include: Ribes Nigrum, Schwarze Johannisbeerblaetter, Gichtbeerblaetter, Cassis, Cassistee, and Feuilles de Cassis.
 Engl.: black currant, European black currant Deu.: Schwarze Johannisbeere, Ahlbeere Suom.: mustaherukka, mustaviinimarja Sven.: svarta vinb?r, solb?r, tistron Fran.: cassis, cassissier, groseillier noir Ital.: ribes nero
 

 

 Basic Botanical Data Sheet:
 Botanical Brief Description:
 Phytochemicals and Constituents:
 Common Uses of Black Currant and its extracts:
 Recipes and how to use black currant:
 Contemporary Formulas and Study of Black Currant:
 HPLC Determination of the Composition and Stability of Blackcurrant Anthocyanins:
 Research Update:Blackcurrant or Ribes nigrum.


   Botanical Brief Description:

 Black currant (Ribes nigrum) is a fruit native to woodlands. Black Currant is a perennial shrub native to Northern Europe, West China. The Black Currant plant produces a fruit similar to the American blueberry, but containing higher quantities of constituents useful for visual acuity and night blindness.

 The black currant is a perennial small shrub to 2m (6ft) with woody branches,lacking spines,which has five- lobed, aromatic leaves. The flowers are purplish-green and hang in spikes from the stems.Clusters of edible black berries, rich in vitamin C, are produced in mid-summer and are much loved by birds. Several moths are closely associated with this plant including the magpie moth. Black currant grows in the wild as a long-established garden escape, occurring in wet woods and shaded streamsides.The strongly perfumed leaves are dark green, dotted beneath, and borne on long stalks. Appearing in alternate pairs or in clusters, the leaves are divided into three or five rounded lobes with serrated margins. In spring, greenish-white flowers hang from the axils in clusters, followed by the familiar small, soft, dark purple berries.

 Harvest:The best time for gathering black currant leaves is early in the spring before any insect damage has appeared.
 


   Phytochemicals and Constituents:

  Parts Used:  The berries, seed oil, and leaves.In addition to the anthocyanin glycosides which are responsible for its color, black currant concentrate also contains sugars and acids (including citric acid) typical of fruits.

  Main content:  Linoleic acid, ( GLA ) gama Linolenic acid and alpha Linoleic acid.Flavonoids (about 0.5%) are present, including derivatives of quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin, isorhamnetin and sakuranetin. Essential oil, 0.4% proanthocyanidins, diterpenes and ascorbic acid (0.3%) are reported to be present.

  Vitamins: Blackcurrant fruits are a good source of minerals and vitamins, especially vitamin C. They have diuretic and diaphoretic actions, help to increase bodily resistance to infections and are a valuable remedy for treating colds and flu. The juice, especially when fresh or vacuum-sealed, helps to stem diarrhoea and calms indigestion.
 GLA:The seed is a source of gamma-linolenic acid, an unsaturated fatty acid which assists the production of hormone-like substances. This process is commonly blocked in the body, causing disorders that affect the uterine muscles, nervous system and metabolism. We have no records of the oil from this species being used medicinally, though it is used in cosmetic preparations.

  Anthocyanosides: Black Currant is rich in anthocyanosides. Over 15 different anthocyanosides have been found in Black Currant. Anthocyanosides help to maintain the integrity of capillaries and to stabilize collagen. Anthocyanosides are also potent antioxidants. Numerous clinical studies have shown that Black Currant is effective in the treatment of circulation disorders, varicose veins, and other venous and arterial disorders. The anthocyanosides protect veins and arteries by stabilizing the phospholipids of the endothelial cells, and by increasing the synthesis of collagen and mucopolysaccharides which give the arterial walls their structural integrity. Antho-cyanosides also prevent the aggregation and adherence of platelets to endothelial surfaces. Studies have also shown that Black Currant can act as a coadjutant in heme-ralopy and diabetic retinopathy and can stimulate rhodopsin production.

  Nigrumin-5-p-coumarate and nigrumin-5-ferulate, two unusual nitrile-containing metabolites from black currant (Ribes nigrum) seed:
 Two novel nitrile-containing compounds, nigrumin-5-p-coumarate and nigrumin-5-ferulate, together with six known flavonoids, were isolated from the seed of black currant (Ribes nigrum). The chemical structures of nigrumin-5-p-coumarate and 5-ferulate were elucidated using NMR spectroscopy as 2-trans-p-coumaroyloxymethyl-4-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy-2(E)-butenenitrile and 2-trans-feruloyloxymethyl-4-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy-2(E)-butenenitrile, respectively.

 

   Common Uses of Black Currant and its extracts:

 "There is nobody who, having a garden, shouldn't plant a great number [of black currant bushes] for the needs of their family,"wrote the Abb¨¦ P. Bailly de Montaran in 1712. And he added: "Black currant is a fruit that promotes long life in human beings."

  Benefit In Brief:

  Traditional Uses: In Europe the leaves were used as a diuretic,and as a gargle for sore throat. The berries were made into a drink for colds and flu.

  Medicinal Uses: Diaphoretic; Diuretic; Febrifuge; Miscellany.Leaves of blackcurrant are a folk medicine and are taken against arthritis, spasmodic cough and diarrhea. Leaves and buds are taken in cases of rheumatism and urinary problems. As a tasty source of vitamin C, the fruits of blackcurrant are useful as a dietary supplement during the cold and flu season. Fresh ripe fruits and fruit juice are useful in cases of mild diarrhea. Seed oil has become popular as an alternative to evening primrose oil. It contains about 15% gamma-linolenic acid.

  More Other Uses:

 Cosmetic; Dye; Preservative.
 The oil from the seed is added to skin preparations and cosmetics. It is often combined with vitamin E to prevent oxidation[238].
 A yellow dye is obtained from the leaves.
 A blue or violet dye is obtained from the fruit.
 The leaves are used for vegetable preservation.
 The oil is generally used today. Black currant seed oil is a rich source of essential fatty acids. These are converted in the body to prostaglandin, which is necessary for fighting infection. Many women find this oil reduces breast tenderness associated with PMS.

 The Black Currant is occasionally found wild in damp woods as far north as the middle of Scotland, but is considered to be a true native only in Yorkshire and the Lake District - when found apparently wild in other parts of the country, its presence is due to the agency of birds. It is easily distinguished at all seasons by the strong perfume of its buds and leaves.

 This shrub shows the only instance of a process by which double flowers may become single, by changing petals into stamina. It has a solitary, one-flowered peduncle at the base of the raceme, and its leaves are dotted underneath. It was not so popular originally as the Red and Whitc Currants, for Gerard describes the fruit as being 'of a stinking and somewhat loathing savour.'

 The berries are sometimes put into brandy like Black Cherries. The Russians make wine of them, with or without honey or spirits, while in Siberia a drink is made of the leaves which, when young, make common spirits resemble brandy. An infusion of them is like green tea, and can change the flavour of black tea. Goats eat the leaves, and bears especially like the berries, which are supposed to have medicinal properties not possessed by others of the genus.

 The juice can be boiled to an extract with sugar, when it is called Rob, and is used for inflammatory sore throats. Excellent lozenges are also prepared from it.

 The juice,especially when fresh or vacuum-sealed, helps to stem diarrhoea and calms indigestion The leaves are cleansing, diaphoretic and diuretic.The raw juice is diuretic and diaphoretic, and is an excellent beverage in febrile diseases.

 The infusion of the leaves is cleansing and diuretic, while an infusion of the young roots is useful in eruptive fevers and the dysenteric fevers of cattle.

 An infusion of the young roots is useful in the treatment of eruptive fevers.An infusion is used in the treatment of dropsy, rheumatic pain and whooping cough, and can also be used externally on slow-healing cuts and abscesses

 A decoction of the bark has been found of value in calculus, dropsy, and haemorrhoidal tumours.

 The berries can be used as a gargle for sore throats and mouth ulcers
 The oil from the seed is added to skin preparations and cosmetics. It is often combined with vitamin E to prevent oxidation.

  Anti-aging:Maintaining Health in Old Age

 So important is the use of Ribes nigrum in French phytotherapy that Dr. L¨¦on Binet, an often quoted authority at the beginning of the last century, made a point of indicating how strongly he felt about the benefits of using black currant on a regular basis,as part of a daily herbal regime.

 He wrote that one of the best ways of maintaining health in old age was to: have an infusion of the leaves of black currant in the morning; an infusion of mint at noon; and, an infusion of linden flowers in the evening. (Ed: For more on Linden, see Vitality archives here.) Since Dr Binet lived to a ripe old age, it might not be a bad idea.

  Antioxidants King:

 Black currants, a forgotten fruit in most American diets (but extremely popular in Europe), may be just what the doctor ordered. This dark-colored fruit is jam packed with antioxidants, which have been shown to have significant health benefits. Studies show that antioxidants can prevent various types of degenerative diseases, such as heart disease and cancer, as well as slow down the aging process and protect the body's vision and neurological functions.

 Until now, blueberries have long been regarded as the "king of antioxidants." Research has shown that the black currant has a much higher source of antioxidants than the blueberry and has three times the amount of Vitamin C found in oranges. Black currants also contain significant amounts of vitamin B6, vitamin E, potassium, copper and soluble fiber. They are rich in phytochemicals called anthocyanins which are known for their outstanding anti-inflammatory benefits. Anthocyanins are the plant pigments that give black currants their dark color - the darker the fruit, the higher the amount of anthocyanin and the more antioxidant benefits available.

  Building Up Resistance:

 The fruit of the blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) has a very high vitamin C content and tastes wonderful in the form of jelly, syrup or fruit juice, says Rolf Stmer in his book The Big Book of Health. Thus it is good for building up resistance; one glass of hot blackcurrant juice when you have the flu, sweetened with honey, works wonders.

  Black Currants May Help Thwart Alzheimer's:

 Compounds in black currants may help protect against Alzheimer's disease, according to a study in the current issue of Chemistry & Industry magazine.

 Researchers found that these compounds -- anthocyanins and polyphenolics -- had a strong protective effect in cultured neuronal cells. Darker black currants contain more anthocyanins and are likely to be more potent."These compounds also work in hippocampal cells taken straight from the brain," researcher James Joseph of Tufts University said in a prepared statement. He said these protective effects will likely be reproduced in the human body and that these compounds may prevent or significantly delay the onset of Alzheimer's.

 While previous research found that compounds in black currants acted as antioxidants, this is the first study to demonstrate that they may help protect brain cells. Exactly how they do this remains unclear, the study said. "We have evidence that the compounds protect against Alzheimer's by influencing the early gene expression in learning and memory, which influences cell signaling pathways that help neuronal cells communicate with each other," Joseph said.

  Cleansing, diaphoretic and diuretic actions:Blackcurrant leaves

 The leaves are cleansing, diaphoretic and diuretic. By encouraging the elimination of fluids they help to reduce blood volume and thereby lower blood pressure. An infusion is used in the treatment of dropsy, rheumatic pain and whooping cough, and can also be used externally on slow-healing cuts and abcesses. It can be used as a gargle for sore throats and mouth ulcers. The leaves are harvested during the growing season and can be used fresh or dried.

  Cortisol secretions&stress-related conditions treatment:Blackcurrant leaves

 It is believed that an infusion of the leaves increases the secretion of cortisol by the adrenal glands, and thus stimulates the activity of the sympathetic nervous system. This action may prove useful in the treatment of stress-related conditions.

  Diuretic and diaphoretic actions:Blackcurrant fruits

 Blackcurrant fruits are a good source of minerals and vitamins, especially vitamin C. They have diuretic and diaphoretic actions, help to increase bodily resistance to infections and are a valuable remedy for treating colds and flu. The juice, especially when fresh or vacuum-sealed, helps to stem diarrhea and calms indigestion. Tea made from the leaves of the blackcurrant increases the flow of urine and induces heavy perspiration. This is why the tea is also used for rheumatic diseases. A decoction 30 grams to one liter of water of which two to three cups are sipped daily, makes an excellent kidney treatment, says Stmer.

  Drainer of the tissues or Deep Tissue DeToxifier:

 Modern French phytotherapy has looked at this plant primarily as a drainer of the tissues. This means that it is exceedingly useful anywhere in the body where the tissues have become congested: inflammatory, toxic, or auto-toxic conditions. These include arthritis, gout and prostatitis. It has also been used successfully to relieve skin problems.

 Because they are a tissue drainer, black currant leaves have the ability, unlike any drug, to "drain" tissues especially those in the area of the kidneys and urinary tract and the liver. Tissue drainage was first observed by French phytotherapists in the second half of the 20th century. It allows the affected tissue to be cleansed internally by stimulating the body's own internal restoration processes. This means that natural healing is encouraged by providing an ideal terrain, which also requires a balanced whole food diet and a lifestyle that keeps stress to a minimum and outdoor exercise plentiful.

 One might well ask why is it so important to get rid of the congestion in the tissues? If congestion is allowed to remain in tissues, the life supply to the cells in the region is compromised. It also means that the toxic wastes of normal metabolism are accumulating in the area. Herbal medicine is able to relieve congestion in specific tissues by using external applications. "Drawing" poultices such as clay or chickweed draw out the metabolites of the inflammatory process. But botanical tissue drainers such as black currant leaves can work from the inside too, enhancing the body¡¯s ability to rid itself of the encumbrance.

 Now it is easy to understand why taking black currant leaves as an infusion (herbal tea) will help with a skin problem such as dermatitis, psoriasis or eczema. Skin problems always respond well to liver remedies and black currant leaves are widely used in France as a liver remedy. But black currant is doubly effective here because it is also a "tissue drainer." This means that it reaches down into the tissues of the skin and extracts any toxic irritants which may be stored there. At the same time, it stimulates liver activity, making sure that these same toxins are carried right out of the body.

 The fresh leaves are also a friend to our skin because they can be crushed and rubbed on insect bites as well as rubbed on the skin to prevent insects from biting. It seems that even waving whole branches of black currant bushes at flying insects will make them feel unwanted; however I wouldn't advise testing this out in the face of a cloud of swarming wasps!

  Eruptive fevers treatment:Blackcurrant young root

 An infusion of the young roots is useful in the treatment of eruptive fevers. A decoction of the bark has been found of use in the treatment of calculus, dropsy and hemorrhoidal tumours.

  Improves Venous Circulation:

 There is also a circulatory role for black currant. It has been shown to have vasoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties or "so-called vitamin P activity." Its traditional use as an antihypertensive has been substantiated in some studies. This activity is attributed to the presence of flavonoids, rutin and isoquertin, all substances that are widely prescribed by natural practitioners for treating breakdown of the venous system. Hence it is used in circulatory troubles of venous origin, i.e. varicose veins. Black currant leaves increase microcirculation (hence its use in capillary fragility), and improve visual acuity.

 Additional applications include: as a vermifuge for intestinal parasites, a remedy for diarrhea and dysentery, jaundice, and arteriosclerosis.

 Black currant is rich in tannins,a favourite constituent of herbal medicine for treating wounds. This is because tannins pull together the two parts of flesh in a wound. In the old days they were called vulneraries. Black currant leaves are also bactericidal which allows them to be used as an infusion (tea) externally to treat abscesses, furuncles (boils), and contusions (scraped skin).

  Menopausal Ally:

 And menopausal symptoms are said to improve as a result of its hormone regulating power. Many women have experienced relief from menopausal symptoms using black currant leaf tea because it is a hormone regulator. It is in the same class as all the other useful botanical hormone regulators including English marigold (Calendula officinalis), red raspberry leaves (Rubus idaeus), and vervain (Verbena officinalis), which seem to be helpful for any woman. Rina Nissim calls black currant a hormonal regulator specific to the adrenals and the ovaries, as well as a decongesting agent, indicated for menopausal complaints. However, it would not be wise to take black currant or any other herb during pregnancy without the advice of a qualified herbal practitioner.

  Applications of Black Currant Seed Oil:

 This thorn less shrub belongs to the red currant family. The leaves and berries are used medicinally. In European folk medicine, black currant once had a considerable reputation for controlling diarrhea, promoting urine output (as a diuretic) and reducing arthritic and rheumatic pains. Black currant oil is a source of gamma-linoleic acid (GLA) to treat a wide range of ailments.

  Role for Anti-aging: Factors such as high cholesterol, aging, stress, alcohol, diabetes, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), aging, viral infections, and other conditions may interfere with the normal conversion of linoleic acid into GLA. Thus, people who obtain little GLA from their diet and those whose systems are unable to metabolize linoleic acid into GLA may benefit from taking GLA-rich supplements like black currant seed oil. According to a study published in February 2000 by researchers at Tufts University in Boston, 4.5 gm daily of black currant seed oil was able to promote cell-mediated immune function. In addition, a similar study found that black currant seed oil had an immune-enhancing effect attributable to its ability to reduce prostaglandin E (2) production. Other studies have found that the extract has anti-inflammatory properties due to its capability of stimulating the production of prostaglandin-1, an anti-inflammatory hormone.

  Therapeutic Daily Amount: A daily dosage of 600 to 6,000 milligrams is typical. Capsules containing black currant oil are available in 200 to 400 milligram doses - the capsules typically have a fixed oil component, and usually contain 14 to 19% GLA.

  Side Effects and Contraindications: No side effects have been reported, however German health authorities warn that people with fluid accumulation, because of heart or kidney problems, should not take the leaf preparations. It should be noted, that no studies appear to have been done to determine the safety of black currant seed extract over the long term, although preliminary findings for other GLA-rich oils suggest that the supplements are relatively safe.


   Recipes and how to use black currant:
 

 Black Currant Jelly is deservedly prized for its usefulness in colds and is both laxative and cooling. It should not be made with too much sugar or its medicinal properties will be impaired. For a sore throat, take a tablespoonful of the jam or jelly; put it in a tumbler and fill the tumbler with boiling water. This 'Black Currant Tea' has a soothing, demulcent effect, taken several times in the day and drunk while hot.

 A delicious wine can be made from the fruit. The following is a recipe from an old Cookery Book:

 Black Currant Wine, very fine:To every 3 quarts of juice, put the same of water, unboiled; and to every 3 quarts of the liquor, add 3 lb . of very pure, moist sugar. Put it in a cask, preserving a little for filling up. Put the cask in a warm, dry room, and the liquor will ferment itself. Skim off the refuse, when the fermentation shall be over, and fill up with the reserved liquor. When it has ceased working, pour 3 quarts of brandy to 40 quarts of wine. Bung it close for nine months, then bottle it and drain the thick part through a jelly-bag, until it be clear, and bottle that. Keep it ten or twelve months.

 Black Currant Cheese:is delicious and is made by putting equal parts of stalked currants and loaf sugar into a pan; place over low heat and stir until the sugar has dissolved, then bring slowly to the boil, stirring all the time. Remove all scum and simmer for an hour, stirring often. Rub the fruit through a hair sieve, return the puree to the pan, and stir until it boils, then put it into small pots and cover like jam.

  Blackcurrant cordials:

 In UK bars, blackcurrant cordials are referred to simply as "black", as in "vodka and black", "snakebite and black", "Pernod and black", or "black and lemonade". In North America, blackcurrant cordial is more commonly known as creme de cassis whilst in Britain and France cr¨¨me de cassis is an alcoholic blackcurrant liqueur, used for making the popular aperitif Kir;

 In Britain, Australia, and New Zealand, a blackcurrant cordial under the brand name of Ribena (from the genus name) is principally marketed as a 'healthy' (if extremely sweet) drink for children.

  Blackcurrant Cooking:

 Other than being juiced and used in jellies, syrups, and cordials, blackcurrants are much prised in cooking because their astringent nature brings out the flavor in many sauces and meat dishes and their complex flavor lends them to wonderful desserts.


  Cautions:Before Using,Tell your doctor if you

 are taking medicine or are allergic to any medicine (prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) or dietary supplement).
 Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine,before taking Black Currant Leaf, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
 Are breastfeeding.
 Have any other health problems, such as high blood pressure or heart or blood vessel disease.

  Dosage:

 Talk with your caregiver about how much Black Currant you should take. The amount depends on the strength of the medicine and the reason you are taking Black Currant. If you are using this medicine without instructions from your caregiver, follow the directions on the medicine bottle. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than the directions tell you to.

 To store this medicine: Keep all medicine locked up and away from children. Store medicine away from heat and direct light. Do not store your medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down and not work the way it should work. Throw away medicine that is out of date or that you do not need. Never share your medicine with others.

 To make an infusion of black currant leaves, a tablespoon (or 30-50 grams per litre) is added to a cup of boiling water. It is allowed to steep ten minutes. Three or four cups a day can be taken and it is a very agreeable infusion.A tea is made from 2-4 g of finely chopped leaves and is taken several times a day. The leaves of blackcurrant are sometimes included in diuretic tea mixtures and other herbal teas.

  Drug and Food Interactions:

 Do not take Black Currant Leaf without talking to your doctor first if you are taking:Blood thinning medicine Blood thinning medicine (examples: warfarin (Coumadin(R)), clopidogrel (Plavix(R)), aspirin, enoxaparin (Lovenox(R)), dalteparin (Fragmin(R)))


  Side Effects:

 Stop taking your medicine right away and talk to your doctor if you have any of the following side effects. Your medicine may be causing these symptoms which may mean you are allergic to it.
 Breathing problems or tightness in your throat or chest
 Chest pain
 Skin hives, rash, or itchy or swollen skin

  Other Possible Side Effects: This medicine may also cause other side effects. Tell your doctor if you have side effects that you think are caused by this medicine.

 

   Contemporary Formulas and Study of Black Currant:

 Increasing cerebral performance with monoamine oxidase inhibitor or black currant juice; US Patent 5,262,162
 A saponin containing anti-inflammatory which contains omega 3 (flax) or omega 6 (borage, currant, canola) oils; US Patent 5,674,853
 Currant oil is one of the components of a complex mixture for bone or joint inflammation; US Patent 5,888,514


  Pharmacodynamics:

 Antioxidant activity to superoxide radicals was greater than expected based on the content of anthocyanins & polyphenols in the berries of Ribes, Rubus, and Vaccinium

 Tick-borne encephalitis virus was inactivated by aqueous extracts of ledum, motherwort, celandine, black currant, cowberry and bilberry and partially by St. John's wort, pot marigold, tansy, chamomile, milfoil, and inula.
 Hydroxylapatite dissolution by 8 drinks was greatest by orange and black currant
 Stearidonic acid (18:4 n-3), in some plant oils, inhibits platelet aggregation induced by thrombin, collagen, arachidonic acid or U46619 as potently as eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5 n-3)
 Total flavonoid extract from Ribes nigrum leaves was more effective at inhibiting biosynthesis and release of prostaglandins than the major components, rutin and isoquercitrin

 

  Animal Studies:

 Nerve conduction velocity reduction in streptozotocin-diabetic rats is alleviated by the GLA containing oils of black currant, borage, primrose, or fungus.Dines 1996
 Heart & liver plasma membrane content of linoleic & arachidonic acid, and a concomitant decrease of oleic acid, resulted from black currant oil diets, high in 18:2 (n-6), 18:3 (n-6), 18:3 (n-3).Baracca 1994
 Urate induced inflammation was reduced by black currant seed oil in the diet of rats.Tate 1994

 GLA rich oils (primrose, currant, borage, fungal) reduce blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Lack of effect by norepinephrine or verapamil indicates the benefit is not mediated by vasoconstrictor hormones or intracellular calcium.Engler 1993.
 Resistance to tick-borne encephalitis virus with fruit aqueous extracts of Vaccinium, Ribes & Celandine in mice.Fokina 1993
 Genetically obese rats supplemented with currant seed oil resulted in lower food intake and weight gain.Phinney 1993
 Liver microsome delta desaturase activities varied with age and dietary lipids, more by the black currant than by the borage diet, in rats.Ulmann 1991
 In vivo, vessel wall thrombogenicity was decreased in animals fed a black currant seed oil rich diet for 4 weeks.Bertomeu 1990
 Tumor burden in DMBA treated rats was highest in those fed a diet with 20% currant seed oil and lowest with menhaden oil.Bunce 1990

 Currant seed oil for 40 days increased dGLA (20:3 n-6) in liver lipids, while arachidonic acid (20:4 n-6) remained stable. Dietary n-3 fatty acids had been desaturated and elongated to longer chain analogues, notably 22:5 n-3 & 22:6 n-3.Crozier 1989.
 Leaf alcoholic extract inhibits carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema as well as indomethacin and niflumic acid.Declume 1989
 Blood filtrability improved 21% by black currant anthocyanosides in cynomologus monkeys on a fat diet for 3 months.Millet 1984

  Black Currant Legal Status:

 Ribes nigrum and R. americanum (Black Currant / Blackcurrant) are uncontrolled in the United States. This means all parts of the plant and its extracts are legal to cultivate, buy, possess, and distribute (sell, trade or give) without a license or prescription. If sold as a supplement, sales must conform to U.S. supplement laws. If sold for consumption as a food or drug, sales are regulated by the FDA.

  

   HPLC Determination of the Composition and Stability of Blackcurrant Anthocyanins:

 High-performance liquid chromatography with UV and mass spectrometry detectors are used to monitor the composition and stability of anthocyanins in blackcurrants harvested from different Ribes nigrum breeds at various ripeness phases. The highest amounts of pigments are found in overripe berries. The concentration of anthocyanins is higher in the berries of late blackcurrant breeds (Vakariai and Ben Alder).

 Delphinidin- 3-rutinoside is the dominant component in the reddish color berries (onset of ripening), and cyanidin-3-rutinoside is a major pigment in the black ones (ripe berries). Studies of the effect of temperature and light on the stability of the main pigments in blackcurrants show that aqueous solution prepared from a dry colorant is more stable when compared with the liquid water and ethanol extracts of coloring substances. Cyanidin-3-rutinoside is found to be the most thermally stable anthocyanin.


  Scientific References:

  1.Black Currant Extract Ribes Nigrum Anthocyanidins...