A novel boswellic acids delivery form (Casperome (R)) in the management of musculoskeletal disorders: a review

Standard pharmacological treatment of musculoskeletal conditions is often associated with relevant side effects. Botanical preparations endowed with a good tolerability profile, therefore, could have a role in the management of these disorders. Among different natural products, Boswellia serrata extracts have long been used for the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, given their marked anti-inflammatory activity and their ability to promote tissue regeneration. However, standard preparations of Boswellia serrata show overall modest pharmacokinetic properties, a limitation which may ultimately lead to reduced efficacy. In an effort to improve the pharmacokinetic properties, Casperome\uae, a lecithin-based formulation of Boswellia serrata extract representing the whole natural bouquet, has been developed. This formulation was effective in the treatment of Achilles tendonitis, epicondylitis, radiculopathies, ankle sprains and sport injuries as shown in several clinical studies, the majority of which with a randomized design and all evaluating a number of well-recognized parameters of efficacy for the therapy of musculoskeletal disorder. All studies were consistent in showing a prompt decrease of pain and improvement of functionality of the affected area after supplementation with Casperome\uae, without any relevant adverse effect. Remarkably, these symptomatic improvements were paralleled by reduced plasmatic levels of inflammatory markers and by a diminished need for rescue analgesics. On these bases, Casperome\uae may have a role in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. Clinical studies in other similar conditions (e.g., osteoarthritis) appear warranted to further investigate the efficacy of this botanical product in more specific settings

The effect of a natural, standardized bilberry extract (Mirtoselect (R)) in dry eye: a randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: Dry eye, a chronic disease of lachrymal fluid and corneo-conjunctival epithelium, could significantly impact visual function, affects quality of life and work productivity. Beside several conventional treatments, nutritional supplements based on bilberry extract have been identified as effective contributors to eye health. Here, we aim at investigating the bioavailability of a standardized bilberry extract, its ability to alleviate dry eye symptoms and its antioxidant potential.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Either bilberry dried standardized extract derived from Vaccinium myrtillus L. fresh frozen fruits (Mirtoselect (R)) or a highly purified anthocyanin-rich extract, devoid of the non anthocyanin component and supported on maltodextrins, were each orally a dministrated to 5 male rats. Blood samples were collected at 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120 minutes after treatment, processed and analyzed by UV spectrophotometric method. In a parallel analysis, 22 otherwise healthy subjects suffering from dry eye symptoms were enrolled randomly assigned to receive the more bioavailable bilberry extract or placebo. Ophthalmological and clinical examinations including Schirmer's test, pupil constriction, diacron-reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) test and biological antioxidant potential (BAP) test were performed at inclusion and after the 4-week study period.RESULTS: The area under the curve of plasmatic levels of anthocyanosides in rats resulted 202.34 +/- 24.23 mu g . min/ml for Mirtoselect (R) and 130.93 +/- 4.93 mu g . min/ml for the highly purified anthocyanin-rich bilberry extract, notwithstanding the fact that the highly purified anthocyanin-rich extract group received an anthocyanins dosage much higher than the Mirtoselect (R) group (354 mg/Kg in anthocyanosides vs. 136 mg/Kg in anthocyanosides). 21 subjects, 11 subjects in the bilberry extract (Mirtoselect (R)) group and 10 subjects in the placebo group completed the clinical study. Schirmer's test values indicating the volume of tear secretion were significantly improved in the bilberry extract group (p=0.019), whereas no significant changes were observed in the placebo group. A subset analysis revealed that Mirtoselect (R) could be more effective in subjects with higher tendency of dry eye. In terms of antioxidant potential, the bilberry extract produced significant improvement of BAP (p=0.003) and an increase of modified BAP/d-ROMs ratio, an indicator of overall balance between antioxidant potential and oxidative stress.CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that natural, standardized bilberry extract (Mirtoselect (R)) is a natural more bioavailable delivery form anthocyanins, suggesting a strong matrix effect exerted by the non-anthocyanin component. Furthermore, it can improve tear secretion and plasmatic antioxidant potential in subjects suffering from DED symptoms

A novel phospholipid delivery system of curcumin (Meriva\uae) preserves muscular mass in healthy aging subjects

Curcumin is known to interrupt pro-inflammatory signalling and increases anti-oxidant protection, thus inhibiting the expression of inflammatory cytokines and the expression and function of inducible inflammatory enzymes. Together, these effects contribute to limit the onset and the progression of sarcopenia, due to the major role played by inflammation in the pathophysiology of this disease. This registry study evaluates the effects of Meriva\uae supplementation in otherwise healthy elderly subjects

A natural pharma standard supplement formulation to control treatment-related toxicity and oxidative stress in genitourinary cancer: a preliminary study

Oncological treatments are associated with toxicities that may decrease compliance to treatment in most genitourinary cancer patients. Supplementation with pharmaceutical-standardized supplement may be a supplementary method to control the side effects after chemo- and radiotherapy and the increased oxidative stress associated to treatments. This registry study evaluated a natural combination of supplements containing curcumin, cordyceps, and astaxanthin (Oncotris\u2122) used as supplementary management in genitourinary cancer patients who had undergone oncological therapy

Effects of a curcumin-based supplementation in asymptomatic subjects with low bone density: a preliminary 24-week supplement study

Osteopenia is a chronic bone condition characterized by decreased calcification, density, or bone mass that, if untreated, can lead to osteoporosis and bone fractures. Although its increasing prevalence, nowadays osteopenia is not adequately prevented and managed. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy, in term of changes in bone density, and safety of an oral formulation based on turmeric phytosome (Meriva\uae), in subjects suffering from low bone density