Herbal Science Research - pilot study

The effect of gender and ethnicity on children's attitudes and preferences for essential oils: a pilot study.

Site Editor — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:12:49 -0700

The effect of gender and ethnicity on children's attitudes and preferences for essential oils: a pilot study.: Explore (NY). 2007 Jul-Aug;3(4):378-85 Authors: Fitzgerald M, Culbert T, Finkelstein M, Green M, Johnson A, Chen S

CONTEXT: Aromatherapy is frequently recommended for children but children's preferences for specific essential oils are not well documented. OBJECTIVE: To measure preferences of school aged children for essential oils based on gender and ethnicity. DESIGN: Descriptive study measuring children's responses to and preferences for selected essential oils. SETTING: Pediatric integrative medicine clinic in a Midwestern children's hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Healthy school-age children of Latino (N = 39) and non-Latino Caucasian (NLC) (N = 48) ethnicity, 41.7% of the NLC group and 59.0% of the Latino Group were males. INTERVENTION: Participants smelled single essential oils, answered three forced choice questions and one open ended question, order of exposure was varied. OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants evaluated each scent's effect on mood and energy, stated their preferences, indicated if scents evoked particular thoughts and selected a favorite essential oil. RESULTS: Females were more likely to feel happy when smelling sweet orange (p = .043). Female Latinos were more likely than NLC females to find sweet orange calming (56.2% vs. 18.5%). Male Latinos were more likely (65.2%) to describe peppermint as "energetic" than male NLC (30%). Children chose an essential oil that they rated as "making them feel happy" (72.6%) and/or as "liking the most" (64.3%). Other results that approached statistical significance were: females felt more energetic with spearmint (p = .055). Latinos preferred spearmint over NLC (p = .075), and all males felt more energetic when smelling ginger (p = .091). Ginger and lavender were the least preferred. Results indicate that children have specific essential oil scent preferences. There is trend toward differences based on gender and ethnicity.

PMID: 17681258 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[...] the effects of naturopathic botanical and dietary interventions on sex steroid hormone metabolism in premenopausal women.

Site Editor — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 01:17:38 -0700

A pilot and feasibility study on the effects of naturopathic botanical and dietary interventions on sex steroid hormone metabolism in premenopausal women.: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2007 Aug;16(8):1601-9 Authors: Greenlee H, Atkinson C, Stanczyk FZ, Lampe JW

Naturopathic physicians commonly make dietary and/or dietary supplement recommendations for breast cancer prevention. This placebo-controlled, parallel-arm, pilot study tested the effects of two naturopathic interventions over five menstrual cycles on sex steroid hormones and metabolic markers in 40 healthy premenopausal women. The intervention arms were as follows: combination botanical supplement (Curcuma longa, Cynara scolymus, Rosmarinus officinalis, Schisandra chinensis, Silybum marinum, and Taraxacum officinalis; n = 15), dietary changes (3 servings/d crucifers or dark leafy greens, 30 g/d fiber, 1-2 liters/d water, and limiting caffeine and alcohol consumption to 1 serving each/wk; n = 10), and placebo (n = 15). Early-and late-follicular phase serum samples from cycles 1 and 5 were analyzed for estrogens (estrone, estrone-sulfate, total estradiol, and free estradiol), androgens (dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate, androstenedione, total testosterone, and free testosterone), sex hormone-binding globulin, and metabolic markers (insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3, and leptin). Serum samples collected during the mid-luteal phase of cycles 1 and 5 were analyzed for total estradiol, free estradiol, and sex hormone-binding globulin. Urine samples collected during the late follicular phase of cycles 1 and 5 were analyzed for 2-hydroxyestrone and 16alpha-hydroxyestrone. During the early follicular phase, compared with placebo, the botanical supplement decreased dehydroepiandrosterone (-13.2%; P = 0.02), dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (-14.6%; P = 0.07), androstenedione (-8.6%; P = 0.05), and estrone-sulfate (-12.0%; P = 0.08). No other trends or statistically significant changes were observed. When comparing dietary changes with placebo, no statistically significant differences were observed. Overall, in this pilot study, the naturopathic interventions had no substantial effects on estrogen measures. Early-follicular phase androgens decreased with the botanical supplement.

PMID: 17684134 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

The effect of Echinacea purpurea, Astragalus membranaceus and Glycyrrhiza glabra on CD25 expression in humans: a pilot study.

Site Editor — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 17:48:35 -0700

The effect of Echinacea purpurea, Astragalus membranaceus and Glycyrrhiza glabra on CD25 expression in humans: a pilot study.: Phytother Res. 2007 Jul 27;
Zwickey H, Brush J, Iacullo CM, Connelly E, Gregory WL, Soumyanath A, Buresh R

This phase 0, double-blind, repeated within subject, randomized pilot study examined CD25 expression on T cells after ingestion of three commonly used herbs: Echinacea purpurea, Astragalus membranaceus and Glycyrrhiza glabra, administered singly and in combination. CD25 expression on T cells was significantly increased for subjects ingesting Echinacea at 24 h with notable increases in activation from Astragalus and Glycyrrhiza. CD25 expression remains elevated with daily use of Echinacea for at least 7 days. Copyright (c) 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Oral Echinacea purpurea extract in low-grade, steroid-dependent, autoimmune idiopathic uveitis: a pilot study.

Site Editor — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 17:44:14 -0700

Oral Echinacea purpurea extract in low-grade, steroid-dependent, autoimmune idiopathic uveitis: a pilot study.: J Ocul Pharmacol Ther. 2006 Dec; 22(6): 431-6
Neri PG, Stagni E, Filippello M, Camillieri G, Giovannini A, Leggio GM, Drago F

AIM: The aim of to test efficacy and safety of Echinacea purpurea (echinacea) extract in the control of low-grade uveitis. METHODS: Fifty-one (51) patients with low-grade, steroid dependent, autoimmune uveitis were recruited; posterior uveitis was excluded. The start therapy was represented by topical desamethazone for anterior uveitis and oral prednisone, rapidly tapered, for anterior uveitis with inflammatory scores equal to +2 and in all cases of intermediate uveitis. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) decrease or improvement was defined as a reduction or increase of 2 or more letters seen from the initial BCVA; ETDRS chart was used. Thirty-two (32) patients (21 with anterior uveitis and 11 with intermediate uveitis) received Echinacea (150 mg twice/day) as add-on therapy, whereas 20 patients (10 with anterior uveitis and 9 with intermediate uveitis) were treated with the conventional steroid therapy alone. RESULTS: Thirty-one (31) patients showed anterior uveitis and 20 intermediate uveitis. The follow-up duration was 9 months. At the last follow-up, 19/21 patients with anterior uveitis and 9/11 with intermediate uveitis treated with echinacea presented uveitis settled, with a steroid-off time of 209 and 146 days, respectively. BCVA was stable or improved in 19/21 of anterior uveitis and 9/11 of intermediate uveitis. No adverse reactions supposed to be resulting from commercial-grade echinacea were recorded. Patients who did not receive echinacea required a longer treatment period with steroids with a steroid-off time of 121 and 87 days. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic echinacea appears safe and effective in the control of low-grade autoimmune idiopathic uveitis.

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Lessertia frutescens in Healthy Adults.

Site Editor — Fri, 25 May 2007 02:17:54 -0700

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Lessertia frutescens in Healthy Adults.: PLoS Clin Trials. 2007;2(4):e16 Authors: Johnson Q, Syce J, Nell H, Rudeen K, Folk WR

OBJECTIVES: Indigenous medicines are widely used throughout Africa, despite a lack of scientific evidence for their safety or efficacy. The aims of this study were: (a) to conduct a pilot study of the safety of a common indigenous South African phytotherapy, Lessertia frutescens (Sutherlandia), in healthy adults; and (b) to contribute to establishing procedures for ethical and scientifically rigorous clinical trials of African indigenous medicines. DESIGN: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Sutherlandia leaf powder in healthy adults. SETTING: Tiervlei Trial Centre, Karl Bremer Hospital, Bellville, South Africa. PARTICIPANTS: 25 adults who provided informed consent and had no known significant diseases or allergic conditions nor clinically abnormal laboratory blood profiles during screening. INTERVENTION: 12 participants randomized to a treatment arm consumed 400 mg capsules of Sutherlandia leaf powder twice daily (800 mg/d). 13 individuals randomized to the control arm consumed a placebo capsule. Each participant received 180 capsules for the trial duration of 3 mo. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary endpoint was frequency of adverse events; secondary endpoints were changes in physical, vital, blood, and biomarker indices. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in general adverse events or physical, vital, blood, and biomarker indices between the treatment and placebo groups (p > 0.05). However, participants consuming Sutherlandia reported improved appetite compared to those in the placebo group (p = 0.01). Although the treatment group exhibited a lower respiration rate (p < 0.04) and higher platelet count (p = 0.03), MCH (p = 0.01), MCHC (p = 0.02), total protein (p = 0.03), and albumin (p = 0.03), than the placebo group, these differences remained within the normal physiological range, and were not clinically relevant. The Sutherlandia biomarker canavanine was undetectable in participant plasma. CONCLUSION: Consumption of 800 mg/d Sutherlandia leaf powder capsules for 3 mo was tolerated by healthy adults.

Pilot study of urinary biomarkers of phytoestrogens, phthalates, and phenols in girls.

Site Editor — Fri, 11 May 2007 16:18:53 -0700

Pilot study of urinary biomarkers of phytoestrogens, phthalates, and phenols in girls.: Environ Health Perspect. 2007 Jan;115(1):116-21 Authors: Wolff MS, Teitelbaum SL, Windham G, Pinney SM, Britton JA, Chelimo C, Godbold J, Biro F, Kushi LH, Pfeiffer CM, Calafat AM

BACKGROUND: Hormonally active environmental agents have been measured among U.S. children using exposure biomarkers in urine. However, little is known about their variation by race, age, sex, and geography, and no data exist for newly developed biomarkers. OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to characterize relevant, prevalent exposures for a study of female pubertal development. METHODS: In a pilot study among 90 girls from New York City, New York, Cincinnati, Ohio, and northern California, we measured 25 urinary analytes representing 22 separate agents from three chemical families: phytoestrogens, phthalates, and phenols. Exposures occur chiefly from the diet and from household or personal care products. RESULTS: Participants represented four racial/ethnic groups (Asian, black, Hispanic, white), with mean age of 7.77 years. Most analytes were detectable in > 94% of samples. The highest median concentrations for individual analytes in each family were for enterolactone (298 microg/L), monoethylphthalate (MEP; 83.2 microg/L), and benzophenone-3 (BP3; 14.7 microg/L). Few or no data have been reported previously for four metabolites: mono(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate, tridosan, bisphenol A (BPA), and BP3; these were detected in 67-100% of samples with medians of 1.8-53.2 microg/L. After multivariate adjustment, two analytes, enterolactone and BPA, were higher among girls with body mass index < 85th reference percentile than those at or above the 85th percentile. Three phthalate metabolites differed by race/ethnicity [MEP, mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, and mono-3-carboxypropylphthalate]. CONCLUSIONS: A wide spectrum of hormonally active exposure biomarkers were detectable and variable among young girls, with high maximal concentrations (> 1,000 microg/L) found for several analytes. They varied by characteristics that may be relevant to development.

Preliminary evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction associated with...Epstein Barr Virus.

Site Editor — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 04:35:35 -0700

Preliminary evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction associated with post-infective fatigue after acute infection with Epstein Barr Virus

Background: Acute infectious diseases are typically accompanied by non-specific symptoms including fever, malaise, irritability and somnolence that usually resolve on recovery. However, in some individuals these symptoms persist in what is commonly termed post-infective fatigue. The objective of this pilot study was to determine the gene expression correlates of post-infective fatigue following acute Epstein Barr virus (EBV) infection. Methods: We followed 5 people with acute mononucleosis who developed post-infective fatigue of more than 6 months duration and 5 HLA-matched control subjects who recovered within 3 months. Subjects had peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples collected at varying time points including at diagnosis, then every 2 weeks for 3 months, then every 3 months for a year. Total RNA was extracted from the PBMC samples and hybridized to microarrays spotted with 3,800 oligonucleotides. Results: Those who developed post-infective fatigue had gene expression profiles indicative of an altered host response during acute mononucleosis compared to those who recovered uneventfully. Several genes including ISG20 (interferon stimulated gene), DNAJB2 (DnaJ [Hsp40] homolog and CD99), CDK8 (cyclin-dependent kinase 8), E2F2 (E2F transcription factor 2), CDK8 (cyclin-dependent kinase 8), and ACTN2 (actinin, alpha 2), known to be regulated during EBV infection, were differentially expressed in post-infective fatigue cases. Several of the differentially expressed genes affect mitochondrial functions including fatty acid metabolism and the cell cycle. Conclusions: These preliminary data provide insights into alterations in gene transcripts associated with the varied clinical outcomes from acute infectious mononucleosis.

Effect of Ginkgo biloba extract on plasma steroid concentrations in healthy volunteers: a pilot study.

Site Editor — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 04:00:40 -0700

Effect of Ginkgo biloba extract on plasma steroid concentrations in healthy volunteers: a pilot study.: Pharmacotherapy. 2005 Oct;25(10):1337-40 Authors: Markowitz JS, DeVane CL, Lewis JG, Chavin KD, Wang JS, Donovan JL

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine if a standardized ginkgo supplement significantly alters concentrations of circulating androgenic steroids in humans. DESIGN: Open-label, fixed-treatment order, crossover study. SETTING: University general clinical research center. SUBJECTS: Eleven healthy volunteers (six men, five women). INTERVENTION: Volunteers received ginkgo biloba 240 mg/day for 14 days. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Plasma concentrations of cortisol, 11-deoxycortisol, 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, sex hormone-binding globulin, androstenedione, and free testosterone, as well as free androgen index and combined concentrations of androsterone sulfate and epiandrosterone sulfate, were analyzed in all subjects before and after their 14-day course of ginkgo biloba. Ginkgo biloba did not significantly alter endogenous steroid levels compared with baseline values (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A 14-day oral administration of a widely used, standardized ginkgo extract at a generally advocated dosage of 240 mg/day did not significantly alter concentrations of major circulating steroids in men and women.

Effect of supplementation of traditional medicinal plants on blood glucose in non-insulin-dependent diabetics: a pilot study.

Site Editor — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 03:55:42 -0700

Effect of supplementation of traditional medicinal plants on blood glucose in non-insulin-dependent diabetics: a pilot study.: J Med Food. 2005; 8(4): 545-9 Kochhar A, Nagi M

The effect of supplementation of a powdered mixture of three traditional medicinal plants-bittergourd, jamun seeds, and fenugreek seeds-in raw and cooked form on blood glucose was studied in 60 non-insulin-dependent male diabetics. The patients were divided into two groups of 30 each. The patients of group I were given the raw powdered mixture in the form of capsules; the patients of group II were given this mixture in the form of salty biscuits. Daily supplementation of 1 g of this powered mixture for a 1.5-month period and then a further increase to 2 g for another 1.5 months significantly reduced the fasting as well as the postprandial glucose level of the diabetic patients. A significant decrease in oral hypoglycemic drug intake and decline in percentage of the subjects who were on hypoglycemic drugs were found after the 3-month feeding trial. It was concluded that 2 g of a powdered mixture of traditional medicinal plants in either raw or cooked form can be successfully used for lowering blood glucose in diabetics.

Effects of St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) extract on plasma androgen concentrations in healthy men and women...

Site Editor — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 03:46:46 -0700

Effects of St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) extract on plasma androgen concentrations in healthy men and women: a pilot study.: Phytother Res. 2005 Oct;19(10):901-6 Authors: Donovan JL, DeVane CL, Lewis JG, Wang JS, Ruan Y, Chavin KD, Markowitz JS

St John's wort extract (SJW; Hypericum perforatum L.) is taken extensively as a putative herbal antidepressant. It has been shown to induce the activity of cytochrome P-450 3A4 (CYP3A4) and to increase the clearance of numerous drugs and steroids such as cortisol and ethinyl estradiol. This study was conducted to determine if SJW exposure also alters the concentrations of circulating androgenic steroid hormones. The study was conducted using healthy volunteers (6M, 6F) studied before and after a 14-day treatment period with a SJW preparation previously demonstrated to induce the activity of CYP3A4. Plasma concentrations of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and the combined concentrations of androsterone sulfate (AoS) and epiandrosterone sulfate (epiAoS) were measured by immunoassay methods. The results of analysis demonstrated that SJW did not significantly alter the majority of the androgens studied (p > 0.05) although the combined concentrations of the 5alpha-reduced steroids, AoS and epiAoS, significantly declined following treatment in all subjects (p = 0.02), and in males (p = 0.04). Furthermore, the testosterone to DHT ratio was increased in both men and women. Although the latter increase did not reach statistical significance, it is also consistent with the possible inhibition of 5alpha-reductase by SJW. It is concluded that despite significant induction of CYP3A4, short term administration of SJW does not significantly alter the concentrations of most circulating androgens in men and women but may produce a dimunition in some of the circulating 5alpha-reduced androgens.