@ FENUGREEK, SPICE AND HERB

FENUGREEK, is probably not a familiar name to most of us, yet it is found in curries and pickles. Once described by the Romans as “Greek Hay” because it was used to feed cattle, it has a history going back thousands of years even being found in Tutankhamon’s tomb. It is a surprise to me that so many things that are good for us have been associated with human diet and health for so many years. Is it an accident? What do you think?

This herb fights cancer, improves blood sugar profile for both type 1 and type 2 diabetics, and oddly has been used in traditional medicine to increase the flow of milk in nursing mothers.

My “raw” notes appear below, detailed discussion of the supporting studies will have to occur later.

–dose dependently inhibited breast and prostate cancer cell proliferation and migration.
–FENUGREEK saponins were cytotoxic to all cancer cells of the cell lines MCF-7 and DU145 at concentrations as low as 3 micromole. Killed all cells, inhibited proliferation, migration, and growth factors VEGF.
–DU145 are androgen independent cancer cells, one of the cell lines used in laboratories, they were “wiped out” in the study commented on above.
–source of saponins: DIOSGENIN, YAMOGENIN, GITOGENIN, TIPOGENIN, NEOTIGENIN
–contains TRIGONELLINE
–FLAVONOIDS: APIGENIN, LUTEOLIN, ORIENTIN, VITEXIN, QUERCETIN
–no reported side effects in the long history of FENUGREEK use
–study: FENUGREEK seed extract tested against a panel of cancer cell cultures and normal cells in vitro. The normal cells were not affected. Breast, pancreatic and prostate cancer cell lines were inhibited, partly due to the induction of cell death. PC-3 and DU145 prostate cancer cell lines were both inhibited.
–possible substitute for hormone replacement therapy in women, evidence found that it stimulates the expression of estrogen responsive gene pS2. While it may not be good for women who have breast cancer it may be good for HRT.
–DIOSGENIN an extract of FENUGREEK, a steroidal saponin was found to inhibit proliferation and potentiated the apoptotic effects of PACLITAXEL and DOXORUBICIN….as a novel blocker of the STAT3 activation pathway.
–compared to SOYBEAN extracts on the growth of MCF-7 cells (in vitro breast cancer cell line). In this study the SOYBEAN extract in a dose dependent manner promoted the growth and DNA synthesis in MCF-7. Contrarily the FENUGREEK extract decreased the cell viability and induced early apoptotic changes. Which is puzzlingly in contrast with the study reported above.
–another study looking at DIOSGENIN found that it besides suppressing inflammation, proliferation and induced apoptosis in several cancer cell lines also inhibits osteoclastogenesis (the formation of large multi-nuclear cells associated with bone loss).
–study: PROTODIOSCIN isolated from FENUGREEK demonstrated a strong growth inhibitory effect on human leukemia HL-60 cells, and a weak inhibitory effect on human stomach cancer KATO III cells. The effect on the leukemic cells was demonstrated in a time and dose dependent manner.
–study: reports both anti-inflammatory and anti-neoplastic effects of FENUGREEK in mice.
–contains BETA-SITOSTERYL GLUCOPYRANOSIDE and N,N’-dicarbazyl described as a “new natural product” (research incomplete re dicarbazyl)
–found in FENUGREEK: BIOCHANIN, FORMONONETIN, TRICIN, DAIDZEIN
–found to “encourage” a reduction of fat intake in overweight subjects
–the analgesic and anti-inflammatory characteristics of FENUGREEK were studied in mice, by “acetic acid induced writhing and the “hot plate” method”. (OUCH) FENUGREEK was found to be equal to or better than diclofenac sodium and pentazocine. The researchers concluded that FENUGREEK had significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity. (So the next time you reach for the aspirin bottle…try FENUGREEK)
–study examined the effect of a soluble dietary fiber extracted from FENUGREEK on male Sprague-Dawley rats and their blood lipid and glucose responses. …showed a reduction in body weight, significant reduction in glycemic response, plasma level of insulin significantly reduced, reduced plasma levels of triglycerides and total cholesterol, and a reduction in abdominal fat. (hmmmm maybe I’ll double my FENUGREEK supplement)
–study examined the potential of an allergic reaction to FENUGREEK since the world is trending toward a more international cuisine: the seed powder contained in several food ingredients was determined to contain several potential allergens. “there is evidence for a high rate of cross reactivity to peanut”.
So it would seem that if you have a problem with peanuts you may want to pass on the curry..
–some COUMARIN content. (study abstract did not indicate comparative amounts.)

I love Indian foods. My favorite restaurant in the Boston Metropolitan area is Welcome India and for those who haven’t been there it is indeed worth the trip. One can eat wisely. You don’t necessarily have to stuff yourself with avocados and herbs and curries. You can though, substitute a visit to Kelley’s up on the hill overlooking Route 9 and their very very greasy fish and fries for a delicious stop at Welcome India.
It is hundreds of these “small” substitutions that will and can change your life. Better now than later.

martin

@ PAPAYA, 4 PAPA

L. CARICA PAPAYA, the fruit of which is also known as pawpaw. NOT to be confused with the American PawPaw.

I’ve recently seen PAPAYA displayed in halves in my local Sudbury Farms store, dark seeds nestling in their cavity in the golden orange flesh. The seeds still left in the fruit puzzled me, was someone too lazy to remove them? The answer is found below.

My “raw” notes on PAPAYA appear below, more detailed discussion of the supporting studies will have to wait until later.

-seeds are edible, though slightly peppery.
– contains enzyme: papain, while the fruit contains very small amounts of papain it is found in the leaves, green fruit, skin and seeds that contain larger quantities.
-PAPAIN is effective in fighting cancer as it breaks down a protein substance called fibrin, found on all cancer cells and thus preventing metastasis
-enzyme MYROSIN similar to PAPAIN is also found in PAPAYA
-contains an alkaloid carpaine which calms heart , bronchus and muscles
-fibrin makes up a protective layer on cancer cells. PAPAIN degrades fibrin
-PAPAIN is combined with other ingredients in a formula called WOBE-MUGOS-E used in Europe since 1977 shown effective in increased survival times.
-LYCOPENE which exhibits antioxidant and anti-cancer properties is also found in PAPAYA.
-study: BENZYLISOTHIOCYANATE (BITC) a major phase II enzyme inducer …found in PAPAYA causes apoptosis (programmed cell death) in pancreatic, prostate and leukemic cells
-study: evaluated the effects of 14 plant foods commonly consumed in Mexico on the breast cancer cell line MCF-7….”only the PAPAYA had significant anti-proliferative effect”.
-several other studies confirm in various ways the impact that BITC has on cancer.

We are told that we should include more fruits and vegetables in our diet. This is one of them

martin

@ PROPOLIS: BEES KNOW SOMETHING!

PROPOLIS, BEES MAKE IT! Honey. Royal Jelly. Propolis. I believe that I had heard of PROPOLIS before I had begun doing this research, but did I really know what it was? No. Or why it would become important to me? No.

My notes read “an exceedingly complex product. Bees don’t make it they gather it from trees. Includes resins, vitamins, amino acids, minerals, high amounts of bioflavonoids and the anti-bacterial substance GALANGIN”. A very curious and fascinating product. How do bees even KNOW how to “make” this stuff? Though “gather” seems to be a more appropriate description. Not surprisingly it does vary from region to region.

My “raw” research notes appear below, more detailed discussion of the studies supporting this phytonutrient as a cancer fighting element of one’s defense will have to occur later:

-contains “CAPE”: CAFFEIC ACID PHENETHYL ESTER, which has demonstrated cancer inhibition and apoptosis (programmed cell death).
-more than 300 bio-active compounds…identified in bee PROPOLIS..from various regions of the world.
-no side effects
-numerous studies show effect with prostate cancer…”significant…effect”
-also includes TERPENES, FLAVONOIDS, STILBENES, FATTY ACIDS
-did have a “partial” effect on the DU 145 prostate cancer laboratory cell line ( Ewelina Szliszka et al, Evidence Based Complementary Alternative Medicine 2009 Nov 5)
-various anti-angiogenic (prevents development of new blood vessel formation) and antioxidant compounds were studied in PROPOLIS: ACACETIN, APIGENIN, ARTEPILLIN C, CAFFEIC ACID PHENETHYL ESTER, CHRYSIN, P-COUMARIC ACID, GALANGIN, KAEMFEROL, PINOCEMBRIN AND QUERCETIN. You may not have done this research but the above is quite a LIST of cancer fighting compounds. They were tested individually on in vitro models.
To have all of these in just one single natural and available source, is incredible. Bees produce several things, all of which have healthful cancer fighting effects. There is almost nothing else in the natural world that is so ‘chock full’ of different cancer fighting elements.
-“Our study…EEP (ethanolic extract of PROPOLIS) and its components…significantly sensitize to TRAIL-induced (tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) death in prostate cancer cells…and suggested the significant role of PROPOLIS in chemoprevention of prostate cancer”
-Brazilian PROPOLIS extracts found to have significant effects on proliferation of human prostate cancer cells …through regulation of protein expression of cyclin D1, B1 and cyclin dependent kinase as well as p21.
-study: considered the effects of both RESVERATROL and PROPOLIS as an adjunct to vinorelbine chemotherapy and considered the combination “as a potential useful tool for prostate cancer therapy”
-composition depends upon the vegetation of the area from where it was collected and on the bee species. -Chilean PROPOLIS was studied. ..capacity to scavenge free radicals and inhibit tumor growth..Was found to be effective against human mouth epidermoid carcinoma cells, colon adenocarcinoma cells and DU 145 androgen independent prostate cancer cells.
-study: Tunisian PROPOLIS extract tested against 35 oral pathogens, biofilms, and the cancer cell lines HT-29, A549, Hep-2, raw 264.7, and Vero. …strong anti-proliferative activity against all cancer lines studied. Was also able to inhibit caries and biofilms.
-study: Portuguese PROPOLIS, against human renal cancer cell carcinoma growth was inhibited in a dose dependent manner….exhibited selective toxicity against malignant cells and not normal cells. excellent source…antioxidants
-study: Mexican PROPOLIS extract isolates were tested against a human pancreatic cell line…GALANGIN seemed most preferential against the pancreatic cancer line.
-study: Greek PROPOLIS, extract and diterpenes found to be the most active against HT-29 human colon adenocarcinoma cells. MANOOL a diterpene extracted from the PROPOLIS was most active compound arresting cells at the G(2)/M phase.
-study: Myanmar PROPOLIS, 17 isolates were tested against a panel of six different cancer cell lines;
lung adenocarcinoma, cervix, fibrosarcoma, colon, melanoma, lung carcinoma, several isolates were shown to be cytotoxic against all or some of the cell lines. (chemical names too long to include)
-study: Chinese red PROPOLIS …showed strong suppressive effects against VEGF-induced angiogenesis.
-study: the estrogenic effects of CAPE (CAFFEIC ACID PHENETHYL ESTER) (found in PROPOLIS) …does not show any estrogenic effect on estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells .
-study: Chinese and Brazilian PROPOLIS vs four human colon cancer lines: CaCo2, HCT116, HT29, SW480
…caused a marked dose dependent growth inhibition.
-study: flavonoid components of PROPOLIS were tested on several different leukaemia cell lines. QUERCETIN, CAFFEIC ACID, CHRYSIN, NARINGENIN AND NARINGIN compared to their effects upon MOLT, JURKAT, HL-60, RAJI, AND U937 cell lines. QUERCETIN showed strongest cytotoxic effect in all cell lines. CAFFEIC ACID and CHRYSIN also highly effective against the cancer cells. low concentrations of CHRYSIN and NARIGENIN stimulated cell proliferation in what appears to be a “biphase” effect. While worrisome, it has been witnessed/seen over and over how whole herbs, extracts, phytonutrients succeed where individual isolates do not. It has been seen in whole soy vs GENISTEIN and others.
-study: Turkish PROPOLIS, 22 tissue samples were obtained from patients with bladder carcinomas. It was seen that exposure to PROPOLIS can decrease cell division.
-study: PROPOLIS exerts anti-angiogenic effects through induction of apoptosis (programmed cell death)
-study: PINOCEMBRIN shown to be effective through its ability to inhibit p53 expression.
-study: shown to be effective against mouse sarcoma line S-180. ..significantly inhibited tumor growth.
-study: Sonoran PROPOLIS …strong anti-proliferative activity on both murine and human cancer cell lines in a concentration dependent manner. Study also found that in these samples of PROPOLIS the most abundant constituents were PINOCEMBRIN, PINOBANKSIN 3-ACETATE, AND CHRYSIN. Additional constituents CAPE, GALANGIN, XANTHOMICROL AND CHRYSIN showed significant anti-proliferative activity as well.
-study: Argentinian PROPOLIS, composition depends on the vegetation predominating the area of the bee hive. All but one sample had strong radical scavenging activity, those samples also rated high on the antioxidant content too.
-study: Lithuanian PROPOLIS, analysis of content of phenolic acids: FERULIC and COUMARIC ACIDS are predominant phenolics in PROPOLIS. Both have shown anti-cancer characteristics.

It doesnt matter what country you live in, the PROPOLIS that is available in some way shape or form will help fight your cancer, whether it is prostate or other. It is not just a matter of eating “naturally”, or avoiding foods that you know are “bad” for you, it is a matter of eating and taking care of yourself wisely and with an eye to prevention. It is better to take a supplement and eat the foods that will give you the best chance at a disease free life and NOT KNOW that you avoided cancer…than to get cancer and worry about what to do next.

with best wishes
martin

@ ECHINACEA, not for colds

ECHINACEA, if you’ve heard of it…it is because you might take it to help knock down a cold, but would you take it to push back the effects of aging? Would you take it in a capsule or as an ingredient in a tea, if you knew it would also fight (effectively) several kinds of cancer including prostate? Would you be even more inclined to make it a part of your daily health plan if you knew that it increased the numbers of NK cells in your body (Natural Killer cells) and made your immune system stronger? Do I hear a maybe? You want proof though? Coming right up, (btw, you are my kind of person!).

ECHINACEA, latin name: ECHINACEA purpurea, E. angustifolia, E. pallida and others, is that odd purple cone flower sometimes seen in gardens and occasionally seen in the local CVS-Shaw’s parking lot as a landscape planting.

According to the American Cancer Society there is no proof that it affects any cancer or does what it is touted to do: reduce colds. I do think that the American Cancer Society does a lot of good, I am just not so sure that their specialty lies in the area of research.

-one study reported “Our results have shown that daily consumption of ECHINACEA is indeed prophylactic, extends the lifespan of aging mice significantly, abates leukemia and extends the lifespan of leukemic mice. Given that humans are 97% genetically common with mice and that virtually all our basic physiology is identical it is neither unjustified to extrapolate these observations to humans nor would it be an arduous task to perform many of these studies in humans.” I usually do not like to quote other sources directly, but the clarity of the above statement, even though it is only one study makes some things very clear. It is not as great a leap to human beings from mice as some institutions and professionals would like one to believe. Understand that I am NOT saying that what works in a mouse, (who knows what the dosage is or what the purity or what fractions were used), will WORK in a human. Just that where does one think that it all begins? With the mouse? Or with earlier humans who had a diet so unlike ours as to be almost utterly unrecognizable? Are we reinventing the wheel? How many teas, how many herbs, can you think of that you would put into a cup with hot water? Five? Ten? Or …hundreds? Individually or in combination?

I go to sleep at night with a tea of CHAMOMILE and RED CLOVER, or I add BURDOCK ROOT, or sometimes I will substitute MILK THISTLE for the BURDOCK OR RED CLOVER. During the day, with my GREEN TEA, I will add a bit of TULSI, or ECHINACEA or ROOIBOS. Seems unorthodox having two or three or a dozen herbs in one tea? Not really. Read on and be convinced.

Below find my RAW early research notes on ECHINACEA, more detailed discussion and polishing will occur later.

-contains high molecular weight polysaccharides, essential oils, alkylamides, isobutylamides, polyacetylene, tannins, inulin, heteroxylan, flavonoids and vitamin C.
-some of the natural contents of ECHINACEA are natural killer (NK) cell stimulants while others, alkylamides, inhibit suppressors of  NK cells (prostaglandins) .
-NK cells are considered a first line of defense in the cancer wars. Stimulate them: better health, inhibit them: illness. Some herbs do the former.
-another study indicated that long term intake of ECHINACEA was not only very healthful but distinctly prophylactic. It also indicated that the life spans of the mice were increased over the control group.
Levels of NK cell were higher. Enzymes needed for the production of prostaglandins are inhibited by compounds within ECHINACEA.
-NK cells decrease with age and this defense against cancer is weakened by their loss. There seems to be an inverse relationship with their decline and the increase of certain cancers. To test that relationship elderly mice were used and given ECHINACEA. The mice were injected with leukemia cells. The results were clear, not only were NK cells produced at levels comparable in “normal” younger mice, but so were other cell “lineages” in both bone marrow and spleen. ECHINACEA extended life span and survival advantage.
-there also seems to be other compounds in ECHINACEA that have the capacity to adversely affect tumors and viruses.
-ECHINACEA contains another anti-cancer compound MELATONIN a neuroimmunomodulator (and you thought it was for jet lag).
-published in “Evidence Based Complementary Alternative Medicine 2005 Sept 2(3): 309-314 is a publicly available report in full detail, not just an abstract. Go to pubmed.org type into the search box: 1193558.
This report “Echinacea a Miracle Herb against Aging and Cancer?: Evidence In Vivo in Mice” is outlined in red in my files so that I may easily find it. If you dont want to take my word for it and really want to know in greater detail the nature of and how this herb works, then take a look. They report on several studies and experiments they did with ECHINACEA. In my opinion it is a singularly important report.
-prevents the development of BPH, (benign prostatic hyperplasia)
-arrests the cell cycle in the G1 phase
-five of the nine species of ECHINACEA grow in Arkansas.
-the three species most commonly found in herbal products are: ECHINACEA purpurea, E. angustifolia, and E. pallida.
-was used widely by American physicians before the advent of antibiotics. Used against gangrene,tuberculosis, diptheria. (I have no idea how effective they were “back then”.) It is reported that they slow down the spread of bacteria rather then kill outright.
-ECHINACEA works as a multifaceted herb to help the body help itself.
-DIENYNONE extracted from ECHINACEA is cytotoxic to leukemic, breast and melanoma cell lines
-DIENONE extracted from ECHINACEA…time and dose dependent effect on human t cell leukemia.
-compounds of an n-hexane extract of ECHINACEA were found to have direct cytotoxicity against colon and pancreatic cell lines in a dose and time dependent manner.
-the studies seen, seem to indicate that ALKYLAMIDES are of particular importance in the war against cancer.

One study seemed to indicate with as much emphasis as these things can that ECHINACEA is safe in long term use, and not only safe but can (in my words) reverse time. No it wont make a body “new”. But as you lose NK cell ability to fight abnormal cells (bacterial or cancerous) you can regain some of that ability, possibly when you need it most, after finding out you have cancer by making it a part of your life regimen.

ECHINACEA IS NOT JUST FOR COLDS…

martin

@ RESVERATROL

There seems to be a disconnect between the world of phytonutrients, traditional medicine and the medical establishment in the “West”. Some phytochemicals are recognized as being healthful such as RESVERATROL. Numerous studies have supported the assertions regarding its benefits. Yet RESVERATROL is not the only thing that is supported by, as many if not more, studies. The research on RESVERATROL, was surprising in many ways.
My initial somewhat haphazard notes follow below, a discussion of the published studies will have to follow at a later date.

-only red wine, not white or other alcoholic beverages
-study: “Those who drink red wine less likely to develop PCa”
-decreased by 6% each glass consumed per week
-four or more equaled 50% reduction in “relative risk”
-60% reduction in diagnosis of Gleason 8 disease
-a PHYTOALEXIN
-made also from JAPANESE KNOTWEED, most RESVERATROL supplements on the market made from J KNOTWEED
-belongs to a class of compounds called STILBENES.
-occurs in both a ‘TRANS’ and a ‘CIS’ configuration, both TRANS and CIS occur as GLUCOSIDES
-found in RED WINE, PEANUTS, BLUEBERRIES, BILBERRIES, CRANBERRIES, MULBERRIES
-boiled PEANUTS have highest RESVERATROL levels
-inhibits cytochrome P450 3A4
-ability to inhibit each stage of multistage carcinogenesis, scavenge incipient populations of androgen-independent PC cells, scavenge incipient populations of androgen-independent PC cells by short circuiting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) dependent autocrine loops in the cancer cells
-present in especially high concentrations in peanuts, mulberry skins and grapeskins
-5 to 10% of the biomass of grapeskins
-efficient intestinal uptake of RESVERATROL
-rapid appearance in bloodstream
-accumulation over the short term to significant if not bioactive levels by various organs: liver, kidneys, heart
-significant anti-proliferative in vitro effects on cultured human colon cancer cells
-sensitizes androgen independent PC cells to death receptor mediated apoptosis through multiple mechanisms….Prostate 2007 Nov 1
-RESVERATROL regulates the PTEN/AKT pathway through androgen receptor-dependent and -independent mechanisms in prostate cancer cell lines.
-has been reported to prevent tumor growth and metastasis in human lung carcinoma, in pancreatic and prostate cancer and in bronchial epithelioma cancer models. It may also be useful in Huntington’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
-induces apoptosis in PC-3 and C4-2B cancer cell lines. Efficacy of RESVERATROL confirmed in animal studies
-inhibits hedgehog signaling pathway in prostate cancer
-inhibits androgen independent CWR22Rv1 cells

PEANUTS who would’ve thought that PEANUTS would be high in RESVERATROL, or JAPANESE KNOTWEED? The MULBERRY trees I have growing in my backyard offer each year edible berries rich in RESVERATROL, just for the picking. PEANUTS! It is just amazing that they are a health food when one is trying to inhibit or prevent prostate cancer! The bag of PEANUTS that I ate at Fenway Park as the Redsox played, contained a phytonutrient that I need! Corn chips, candy, cookies, crackers, cheese whip….or PEANUTS. Your choice!

PEANUTS, amazing!
mm

* DAIDZEIN (ISOFLAVONE/SOY BEANS)

We know that soy beans are good for us. Not quite why but that they are. Certainly taste better than lima beans. Partly it is because they have ISOFLAVONES. ISOFLAVONES are free radical scavengers and are anti-angiogenic (interfere with blood vessel growth in tumors). There are several different types of ISOFLAVONES in soy beans. Some studies have indicated that they work synergisticly together, other studies show problems with the ISOFLAVONE GENISTEIN by itself alone.

from my notes, not necessarily in order, re: DAIDZEIN
-the safe ISOFLAVONE is more effective than GENISTEIN at building bone and preventing cancer in both men and women
-found mostly in soybeans, legumes, and peas.
-beneficial effects against some forms of cancer
-asians typically consume 15 to 20 mg/day, compared to western consumption of 1 to 2 mg/day
-in countries where ISOFLAVONE consumption is high such as Japan, there is an approx. 80% lower incidence of PC
-in a study that followed Japanese men to the USA, with in one generation there was a 4 to 9 fold increase in their rates of PC
-in a UK study comparing with GENISTEIN, GENISTEIN caused DNA damage. DAIDZEIN did not.
-in a study the consumption of peas, high in DAIDZEIN, dramatically reduce risk of PC. Peas contain no GENISTEIN.
-study at the U of Illinois/Chicago: DAIDZEIN reduced breast tumor growth by 32% in lab rats.
-DAIDZEIN stimulates bone formation and mineralization
-inhibits pancreatic cancer cells
-induces apoptosis in breast cancer cell line MCF-7
-the findings from a study indicate the prostate tissue has the ability to concentrate dietary soy ISOFLAVONES to potentially anti-carcinogenic levels.
-among soy foods ONLY tofu yielded a significant value (inhibitory). soy milk, miso and natto no significant reduction of PC
– GENISTEIN and DAIDZEIN were together associated with a lower risk of PC
-effects of four phytoestrogens were studied on PC, all four had an effect, DAIDZEIN and GENISTEIN affected PC cell lines, LNCaP and PC3 “at physiologically relevant levels”.
-whole soy extract showed much better effect than GENISTEIN, or DAIDZEIN alone against PCa
-a mixture of soy ISOFLAVONES: GENISTEIN, DAIDZEIN and GLYCITEIN together potentiated radiotherapy. DAIDZEIN inhibited cell growth and synergized with radiation.
-phytoestrogens are hormone-like bioregulators that come from plants without the harmful side effects related to some estrogens.
-available in supplement form

It IS clear that even in the very initial stages of my research that so many things have a quantifiable beneficial effect on our health that one has to ask the question “If we are eating all these things anyway, how come we are not seeing a reduction in PCa?”
It would seem logical then, that other things we are doing and eating must be negating, somehow, the beneficial effects of these phytonutrients.

above notes are partial and incomplete. additional information regarding studies to come later

mm

@ Chinese Skullcap: Baicalen, Baicalein, Wogonin

Also known as Scutellaria baicalensis. It is a member of the mint family Lamiaceae, which contains 300 species. Native to Eastern Asia. It is often confused with American Skullcap, consequently look for preparations that contain and go by the latin name. Also known as Huang Qin in Traditional Chinese Medicine where it is one of the “fifty fundamental herbs”. It has been shown to be effective against prostate cancer in numerous formal published studies. Also was one of the ingredients in PC Spes.
Scutellaria’s primary and somewhat unique active ingredients are considered to be Baicalen, Baicalein and Wogonin in addition there are others, that I’ve come across before, having some proven effect on PCa are listed below:

APIGENIN, BETA SISTOSTEROL, CAMPESTEROL, CHRYSIN, LINALOOL among others.

So much has been published about this phytonutrient that it is one of the more remarkable herbs that I’ve researched. It has been shown effective against not just PCa but other cancers as well. Well tolerated, dose dependent effects, synergistic with a number of other phytonutrients/chems.

It has inhibited bladder cancer cells, induced apoptosis in SCC-4 human tongue cancer cells, found to inhibit three human liver cancer cell lines, induced apoptosis in human gastric cancer cell lines, it is anti-proliferative against bladder and pancreatic cell lines and t-lymphoid leukemia. Baicalein has shown “impressive anti-inflammatory effects”. It even has been shown to have a positive effect on gingivitis.
In a rat model, it has been shown to inhibit the formation of amyloid beta peptide, and possibly inhibit as well, brain inflamation in alzheimers patients. Gout has also been shown to be affected by baicalein.

Studies-

From the International Journal of Oncology January 2005:
– investigated baicalein and baicalin on human umbilical vein endothelial cells and on human PCa cell lines Du 145 and PC3. DU145 cells were also injected into mice and the oral administration of baicalein was studied as well. (DU 145 and PC3 are androgen independent cell lines). The mice were divided into four groups: one a control the other 3 with escalating doses of baicalin.
-in vivo treatment of mice demonstrated “significant tumor volume reduction”
-baicalein and baicalin demonstrated dose dependent growth inhibitory effects on human PCa cells.

From a study performed by the University of California and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center:
-an herbal combination containing baicalein, was shown to demonstrate reversal and or stabilization of metastatic prostate cancer patients with “significantly improved survival, quality of life scores and other positive outcomes in almost all patients”.
-“researchers attribute much of the antitumor effects of this herbal combo to the presence of baicalein”
-“it appears to be of particular benefit in prostate cancer treatment…in combination with other phytonutrients…may help to prevent the developement of clinically important prostate cancer”

Pubmed study # 16550232:
-six known anti-PCa herbs were studied. The two most effective were Scutellaria baicalensis and Dendrathema morifolium (common chrysanthemum). All inhibited in a dose dependent manner the PCa human cell line 22Rv1 (androgen indendent) except Serenoa repens (Saw Palmetto). Several were studied in two-extract combos. Skullcap and chrysanthemum “were additive with a trend toward synergy”.
-all four extracts together were more effective than any one alone.

Pubmed study # 15897592:
-four compounds isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis produced anti-androgenic effects, reduced androgen receptor expression and suppressed androgen regulated genes.
-in vivo: reduced the growth of PCa xenografts and slowed down tumor growth substantially.

Pubmed study # 12470437:
-this study was an attempt to study various concentrations of Scutellaria baicalensis against a variety of common human cancer cell lines IN VIVO. Squamous cell carcinoma, breast cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, prostate carcinoma (PC3 and LNCaP) and colon cancer.
-effective against all lines.
-most effective against prostate and breast cancer cell lines.

Pubmed study # 12421879:
-It was determined that the two ingredients in PC-Spes that accounted for virtually the total effect against prostate cancer were Scutellaria baicalensis and Glycyrrhiza uralensis (licorice root, one of the 50 fundamental herbs in Trad. Ch. Medicine)
-further study of baicalein alone showed that while it could not account for all of the PC-Spes effect, it could suppress growth and PSA expression in LNCaP cells and could also arrest cell division at G(1)S.

Pubmed study # 11053652:
-This study looked into the effect of baicalin on several PCa cancer lines: DU 145, PC3, LNCaP and CA-HPV-10.
-the line most affected was DU 145, least was LNCaP. This was based on exposure to baicalin of just a few days. This is important because anything that induces apoptosis in the androgen independent cell lines can be of vital importance when predominately androgen dependent cancer becomes unresponsive to hormone blocking therapy.

Pubmed study # 19004559: (A review of the studies of the last 20 yrs)
-“the bioactive components of Scutellaria confirmed to be flavones.
-“major constituents… are wogonin, baicalin, baicalein
-they’ve been shown to have both in vitro and in vivo effects against cancer
-while showing almost no toxicity to various normal internal cells.
-suppress COX-2 gene expression
-attenuate NF-KappaB activity
-inhibits several genes important to cell cycle activity (in cancer cells)
-scavenges oxidative radicals

Pubmed study # 16193657:
(I am going to copy excerpts of a very brief abstract of a Russian study. Primarily for its importance to me as someone who has spent much of the last year fighting anemia.)

“The skullcap extract produced a significant erythropoiesis-stimulating effect under the conditions of cytostatic myclosuppression. Activation of the erythroid branch of hemopoiesis was related to the growing number of erythropoiesis precursor cells in the bone marrow and also to an increase in the concentration of humoral factors of erythropoiesis regulation in the peripheral blood serum.”

These are not my words. They are the words of the abstract of a published study. I repeat them here because of the excitement I feel in reading them. Anyone who has suffered anemia because of treatment for cancer might find some encouragement in the above quote. I have read thousands of abstracts and quite a few full studies. I have learned much in regards to some 3 to 400 “nutraceuticals”. While it didnt say in the abstract WHICH fraction increased production of blood cells (something I will find out when I obtain the full study) it is clear enough that it is one of the primary fractions in Scutellaria baicalensis.

No you probably cant go into a grocery store and buy some Scutellaria (except maybe as a supplement) and I doubt that you might find it even in a large plant nursery, (though if I had to give one a try, I’d try Russell’s in Wayland). If most of them can do what Scutellaria can do, then there is certainly hope for those with ALL stages of prostate cancer…. and you’d be surprised at the number of nutraceuticals that can effectively repress prostate cancer.

It gave me tremendous satisfaction working on this post.
I hope that this helps anyone with prostate cancer or a significant other suffering from it.
My life and heart have gone into this.
good luck in your journey
mm

* QUERCETIN

Quercetin a flavonol, plant derived flavonoid. Found quite broadly throughout the range of foods that we eat. The foods richest in quercetin are black and green teas, capers, apples, onions – especially red onions, red grapes, citrus fruit, tomatoes, broccoli, leafy green vegetables, raspberries, lingon berries, cranberries, fenugreek seeds, and honey. Non cancer fighting benefits include, the reduction of blood pressure, reduction of LDL cholesterol in the obese, and when combined with resveratrol inhibits the production of fat cells. Those individuals and cultures that eat the most quercetin have lower rates of colorectal, kidney, pancreatic, prostate, leukemia, and lung cancers. The Mayo Clinic has announced “quercetin prevents prostate cancer”.

It has been surmised that the reason some cancers recur is because of “cancer stem cells”. This area of cancer research I find to be extremely exciting. These cancer stem cells can arise in other parts of the body as undifferentiated cells and become cancerous. This is important in prostate cancer, because prostate cancer cell lines contain a small population of cancer stem cells.

Some phytonutrients have been found to have a specific, clinically proven effect upon these cell populations. (The first time I came across this was in studying Feverfew.) Quecetin combined with EGCG (epigallocatechin 3-gallate) synergistically repress these cells. EGCG, a compound found in tea, affects a number of targets in cancer cells.

Quercetin is effective against androgen independent PC-3 cancer cells. “Quercetin inhibited cell proliferation. Modulated expression of genes involved in cell repair, matrix degradation…tumor invasion, angiogenesis, apoptosis, cell cycle, metabolism, and glycolysis.”

This is just one of many compounds that work synergisticly with other compounds. It is found in a lot of the foods that are eaten frequently even in today’s “diet”. It is hard to not consume quercetin but some of us manage it! Numerous studies have repeatedly shown it to be effective against not just androgen dependent cancer but the more frightening and serious androgen independent cancer. It attacks a variety of cancer cell targets. It is benign. It is found in foods that are known to be “healthy”. Why would anyone eat a potato chip or a corn chip when you could pick up a food that wont kill you. Okay sure I exaggerate, go ahead the next time you are in the grocery store stand next to the apple display with a bag of corn chips and make your choice: LIFE or DEATH? Okay sure I exaggerate…have another potato chip. If you dont like apples have some dried cranberries or a bottle of wine (it too has quercetin) or both.

But please what ever you do, dont think “well it aint organic so what’s the point?” because there is a point, maybe you cant go paleolithic over night but that doesn’t mean you cant begin somewhere. Every step, every small incremental change adds up. It adds up to one thing, living.

choose well, enjoy an apple, or add some capers to that salad of watercress.
best wishes, eat intelligently
mm