Herbal Science Research - intestinal flora

Tulbaghia alliacea phytotherapy: a potential anti-infective remedy for candidiasis.

Site Editor — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 18:57:40 -0700

Tulbaghia alliacea phytotherapy: a potential anti-infective remedy for candidiasis.: Phytother Res. 2006 Jul 11; Thamburan S, Klaasen J, Mabusela WT, Cannon JF, Folk W, Johnson Q

The reproductive health of individuals is severely compromised by HIV infection, with candidiasis being the most prevalent oral complication in patients. Although not usually associated with severe morbidity, oropharyngeal candidiasis can be clinically significant, as it can interfere with the administration of medications and adequate nutritional intake, and may spread to the esophagus. Azole antifungal agents are commonly prescribed for the treatment and prophylaxis of candidal infections, however, the emergence of drug resistant strains and dose limiting toxic effects has complicated the treatment of candidiasis. Consequently, safe and effective and affordable medicine is required to combat this fungus. Commercial garlic (Allium sativum) has been used since time immemorial as a natural antibiotic, however, very little is known about the antifungal properties of two indigenous South African species of garlic, namely Tulbaghia alliacea and Tulbaghia violacea, used as folk medicines for a variety of infections. This study compares the in vitro anticandidal activity of Tulbaghia alliacea, Tulbaghia violacea and Allium sativum extracts. It was found that the greatest concentrations of inhibitory components were extracted by chloroform or water. The IC50 concentrations of Tulbaghia alliacea were 0.007-0.038% (w/v). Assays using S. cerevisiae revealed that the T. alliacea extract was fungicidal, with a killing half-life of approximately 2 h. This inhibitory effect of the T. alliacea extracts was observed via TLC, and may be due to an active compound called marasmicin, that was identified using NMR. This investigation confirms that extracts of T. alliacea exhibit anti-infective activity against candida species in vitro.

[Effectiveness of oral administration of Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei F19 in association with vaginal suppositories

Site Editor — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 17:07:03 -0700

[Effectiveness of oral administration of Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei F19 in association with vaginal suppositories of Lactobacillus acidofilus in the treatment of vaginosis and in the prevention of recurrent vaginitis]: Minerva Ginecol. 2006 Jun;58(3):227-31 Authors: Delia A, Morgante G, Rago G, Musacchio MC, Petraglia F, De Leo V

AIM: The aim of this paper was to estimate the effectiveness of the contemporary oral administration of Lactobacilllus paracasei subsp paracasei F19 in association with vaginal suppositories containing Lactobacilllus acidofilus in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis and in the prevention of recurrent vaginitis. METHODS: We have recruited 60 women in good health, aged between 18 and 40 years with suspect or confirmed diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis. The women were randomized in 2 groups: Group A treated with vaginal suppositories containing Lactobacillus acidofilus (Calagin, SIFFRA, Florence); Group B treated with the same vaginal suppositories + probiotic containing Lactobacilllus paracasei subsp paracasei F 19 for oral administration (Gene-filus F19, SIFFRA, Florence). The patients were examined at the end of therapy (3 months) and then after 3 months from the end of treatment. RESULTS: In both groups at end of therapy there was a significant reduction of vaginal pH, an improvement of sniff test and of the subjective symptomatology after 3 months of treatment which still decreased during follow-up (3 months). In Group B there was a meaningful reduction of vaginal pH and of sniff test at the end of therapy and a maintenance of positive effect also after 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained in this study show that the therapy with vaginal Lactobacillus in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis is successful. The association of oral administration is useful to balance the vaginal environment with the intestinal microflora with improvement of long-term results. The use of probiotics was determinant in the treatment of a pathology like bacterial vaginosis and as an alternative to the conventional local antibiotic therapies.

[Effect of intestinal cytochrome P450 3A on phytochemical presystemic metabolism.]

Site Editor — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 04:21:09 -0700

[Effect of intestinal cytochrome P450 3A on phytochemical presystemic metabolism.]: Chin J Integr Med. 2005 Sep;11(3):232-6 Authors: Xia F, Chen XY

Phytochemicals, orally administered substances, are found to undergo presystemic metabolism mainly in the intestine. Although early researches confirmed the role of intestinal bacteria in phytochemical presystemic metabolism, along with the development of molecular biology in investigating intestinal metabolism, a breakthrough has been won in research into metabolizing enzymes and transporters in intestine, which demands more attention and further studies. Recently, Cytochrome P450 3A has been found to be the most effective enzyme in mediating both oxidative (PhaseI) and conjugative (PhaseII) metabolism in the intestine. The present review summarizes the current findings correlated with the effect of intestinal cytochrome P450 3A on phytochemical presystemic metabolism, which provides a good basis for further research on phytochemical pharmacokinetics.