A double‐blind study with a new monodrug Kan Jang: Decrease of symptoms and improvement in the recovery from common colds

In a placebo‐controlled double‐blind study, the therapeutic effect of Kan Jang tablets made from Andrographis paniculata (Barm. F.) (Ness) dried extract was tested in patients with common colds. The patients were divided in two groups, in which group 1 (n = 33) received 1200 mg of Andrographis paniculata and group 2 (n = 28) a placebo (P). On day 3–4 after treatment the possible effect of Kan Jang tablets on selected symptoms and clinical signs of common cold was evaluated. A significant reduction in clinical symptoms at day 4 of administration of the Kan Jang tablets was observed. A better efficacy against the placebo is discussed. The differences in the total ‘sumscores’ of clinical and symptomatic findings indicate that the Kan Jang treated group did far better than the placebo group. We conclude that Kan Jang in a dose of 1200 mg daily has the capacity to significantly shorten the course/duration of the disease and therefore is indicated for an enhanced resistance to common colds

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study to assess the efficacy of Andrographis paniculata standardized extract (ParActin®) on pain reduction in subjects with knee osteoarthritis

Andrographis paniculata Wall (Acanthaceae) is becoming more recognized for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted to assess the efficacy of an andrographolide-containing supplement, ParActin® (300 and 600 mg daily), on Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain reduction in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Joint stiffness, physical function, changes in the SF-36 quality of life questionnaire, a fatigue scale, and safety were also evaluated. A total of 103 male and female patients with I-II osteoarthritis of the knee joint were assessed. Patients treated with 300 or 600 mg/day of ParActin® showed a significant reduction in pain at days 28, 56, and 84 compared with a placebo group. WOMAC stiffness scores, physical function score, and the fatigue score showed a significant improvement in both ParActin®-treated groups compared with the placebo group. At the end of the study, the quality of life (SF-36 questionnaire) and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT) scores showed significant improvements in both ParActin®-treated groups compared with the placebo group. Overall, it can be concluded that ParActin® in 300 and 600 mg/day dosages were found to be effective and safe in reducing pain in individuals suffering from mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis

Hepatotoxic effect of Aralia mandshurica dried root extract in pigs

The hepatotoxic effect of a dried root extract of Aralia mandshurica over a period of 60 days (0.16 g/kg, 1.5 g/kg and 3 g/kg) was studied in Landrace pigs of both sexes. The toxic effect of Aralia mandshurica was evaluated by measuring serum alanine amino transferase (ALT), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (gGT) and serum alkaline phosphatase (SAP). Blood samples were obtained by venopuncture on days 0, 7, 30, and 60 after the administration of Aralia mandshurica and the body weight was registered weekly. At the end of the experiment the liver was examined histologically. The levels of ALT and gGT were increased significantly with all the concentrations of Aralia mandshurica at day 60. A subclinical hepatitis characterized by the presence of lymphocytes and polymorphonuclears in the portal and periportal region was observed. An hepatobiliary toxic effect of Aralia mandshurica dried root extract after chronic administration in pigs is concluded

Short communication. Hepatotoxic Effect of Aralia mandshurica Dried Root Extract in Pigs

Artículo de publicación ISIThe hepatotoxic effect of a dried root extract of Aralia mandshurica over a period of 60 days (0.16 g/kg, 1.5 g/kg and 3 g/kg) was studied in Landrace pigs of both sexes. The toxic effect of Aralia mandshurica was evaluated by measuring serum alanine amino transferase (ALT), gamma glutamil transpeptidase (gGT) and serum alkaline phosphatase (SAP). Blood samples were obtained by venopuncture on days 0, 7, 30, and 60 after the administration of Aralia mandshurica and the body weight was registered weekly. At the end of the experiment the liver was examined histologically. The levels of ALT and gGT were increased significantly with all the concentrations of Aralia mandshurica at day 60. A subclinical hepatitis characterized by the presence of lymphocytes and polymorphonuclears in the portal and periportal region was observed. A hepatobiliary toxic effect of Aralia mandshurica dried root extract after chronic administration in pigs is concluded

Andrographolide interferes with binding of nuclear factor-κB to DNA in HL-60-derived neutrophilic cells

1. Andrographolide, the major active component from Andrographis paniculata, has shown to possess anti-inflammatory activity. Andrographolide inhibits the expression of several proinflammatory proteins that exhibit a nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) binding site in their gene. 2. In the present study, we analyzed the effect of andrographolide on the activation of NF-κB induced by platelet-activating factor (PAF) and N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) in HL-60 cells differentiated to neutrophils. 3. PAF (100 nM) and fMLP (100 nM) induced activation of NF-κB as determined by degradation of inhibitory factor B α (IκBα) using Western blotting in cytosolic extracts and by binding to DNA using electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) in nuclear extracts. 4. Andrographolide (5 and 50 μM) inhibited the NF-κB-luciferase activity induced by PAF. However, andrographolide did not reduce phosphorylation of p38 MAPK or ERK1/2 and did not change IκBα degradation induced by PAF and fMLP. 5. Andrographolide reduced the DNA binding of NF-κB in whole cells and in nuclear extracts induced by PAF and fMLP. 6. Andrographolide reduced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression induced by PAF and fMLP in HL-60/neutrophils. 7. It is concluded that andrographolide exerts its anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting NF-κB binding to DNA, and thus reducing the expression of proinflammatory proteins, such as COX-2

Delphinidin activates NFAT and induces IL-2 production through SOCE in T cells

Delphinidin is an anthocyanidin that possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects; however, some reports suggest that delphinidin has pro-inflammatory properties. For this reason, we assessed the effect of delphinidin on cytokine production in T cells. We demonstrated that delphinidin increased the cytosolic-free Ca2+ concentration by releasing Ca2+ from intracellular stores and increasing Ca2+ entry. The putative Ca2+ release activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channel inhibitors BTP2 and gadolinium reduced the calcium entry stimulated by the anthocyanidin. Delphinidin induced nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) translocation and NFAT-Luc activity in Jurkat cells and was dependent on the CRAC channel and calcineurin pathway. Delphinidin increased the mRNA expression and production of IL-2 in Jurkat cells and was inhibited by BTP2 and cyclosporine A. Using peripheral blood lymphocytes, we demonstrated that delphinidin increased the production of IL-2 and IFN-¿ and was inhibited by BTP2. Taken together, our results suggest that delphinidin exerts immunostimulatory effects on T cells by increasing cytokine production through CRAC channel and NFAT activation. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York.This work was supported by Grants from Consorcio de Tecnología e Innovación para la Salud CTI-Salud (CTE-06), Chile (CONICYT 21090900 and CONICYT T-24100037).Peer Reviewe