Herbal Formulations and Their Bioactive Components as Dietary Supplements for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis

Aim: This study investigated the ability of some herbal formulations to ameliorate extra-articular effects of some herbal formulations used in the management of rheumatoid arthritis in Nigeria. Methodology: Forty-nine (49) female albino Wistar rats were used for this study. They were divided into seven groups: A, B, C, D, E, F and G of seven rats each, with Group A serving as negative control while Group B was a positive control. Groups B, C, D, E, F and G were induced with rheumatoid arthritis by injecting 0.1 ml of Complete Freund's Adjuvant into the right hind paw of each rat. The rats were treated with the standard drug and herbal formulations respectively for 28 days as follows: Group C (treated with a standard drug, Celebrex), Group D (treated with the herbal drug, Jointeez), Group E (treated with a herbal drug, Arthropower), Group F (treated with combination therapy of Jointeez and Celebrex) and Group G (treated with combination therapy of Arthropower and Celebrex). At the end of the 28-day treatment period, the rats were anaesthetized with chloroform and sacrificed through puncture of the jugular vein. Five millilitres (5 ml) of blood samples were put into plain bottles for the analysis of biochemical parameters and 3 ml into K3EDTA bottles for haematological analysis. The lipid parameters were analysed using Mindray autoanalyzer while haematological parameters were determined using Sysmex haematology auto analyzer. Results: Total cholesterol (p<0.001), HDL (p=0.005) and LDL (p=0.004) were significantly reduced in the treated rats compared to the positive control group. Conversely, Packed Cell Volume (p<0.001) and Haemoglobin levels (p<0.001) were significantly reduced in the positive control rats compared to the treated rats. However, Total WBC count was significantly higher in the positive control rats than in the treated rats (p=0.001). The combination therapies used in this study did not offer a significantly different therapeutic advantage over the monotherapies used. The herbal formulations gave therapeutic effects on the extra-articular effects similar to that obtained from the orthodox drug used in this study. Conclusion: The herbal formulations can be used as alternative regimens for rheumatoid arthritis. It is recommended that herbal formulations be considered for integration into our healthcare system for the management of rheumatoid arthritis.

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Nutritional supplements: prevalence of use and contamination with doping agents

Nutrition Research Reviews ◽

10.1079/nrr2006122 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 147-158 ◽

Cited By ~ 48

Author(s):

W Van Thuyne ◽

P Van Eenoo ◽

F. T Delbeke

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Dietary Supplements ◽

Health Risks ◽

Elite Athletes ◽

Anabolic Steroids ◽

Nutritional Supplements ◽

Naturally Occurring ◽

The World ◽

World Anti Doping Agency ◽

Herbal Formulations

AbstractBased upon recent sales numbers, nutritional supplements play a key role in the lifestyle of a substantial proportion of the population. As well as products such as vitamins or minerals, several precursors of anabolic steroids are marketed as nutritional supplements. Another group of commercially available supplements are products for weight loss based upon herbal formulations originating fromEphedraspecies. Apart from supplements indicating the presence of these active compounds, numerous non-hormonal nutritional supplements were found that were contaminated with non-labelled anabolic steroids. Stimulating agents other than naturally occurring analogues of ephedrine were detected. A major group using dietary supplements are sportsmen, ranging from amateur level to elite athletes. Besides the possible health risks associated with the use of dietary supplements, athletes should take care not to violate the rules of the World Anti-Doping Agency because athletes remain responsible for substances detected in their biofluids, irrespective of their origin. Several analytical methods have been developed to determine the presence of doping agents as contaminants. The present review attempts to address the issues concerning the use of nutritional supplements and the detection of doping agents as contaminants in dietary supplements.

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Characterization of the selected honeybee products based on omics techniques

Journal of Medical Science ◽

10.20883/jms.328 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 88 (2) ◽

pp. 129-132

Author(s):

Eliza Matuszewska ◽

Paweł Dereziński ◽

Agnieszka Klupczyńska ◽

Agata Światły-Błaszkiewicz ◽

Szymon Plewa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mass Spectrometry ◽

Dietary Supplements ◽

Royal Jelly ◽

Biologically Active ◽

Human Organism ◽

Pharmacological Properties ◽

Bioactive Components ◽

Honeybee Venom ◽

Harmful Effects

to comprehensively characterize honeybee venom, royal jelly, propolis, and pollen, by applying advanced analytical and bioinformatics methodologies. Honeybee products (HBP) contain many bioactive components with both beneficial and harmful effects on the human organism. Nevertheless, the overall composition of the HBP remains not fully investigated. Thus, this research is focused on complementary proteomic and metabolomic characterization of biologically active compounds derived from HBP, regarding their toxicological and pharmacological properties. The objectives of the study will be achieved by the application of up to date mass spectrometry techniques. Due to increasing interest in using of HBP in medicine, this project will contribute to improving the safety of HBP‑derived dietary supplements and drugs.

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CYTOKINE AND PROSTAGLANDIN PRODUCTION BY MONOCYTES OF VOLUNTEERS AND RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS TREATED WITH DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS OF BLACKCURRANT SEED OIL

Rheumatology ◽

10.1093/rheumatology/32.12.1055 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 32 (12) ◽

pp. 1055-1058 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

J. WATSON ◽

M. L. BYARS ◽

P. MCGILL ◽

A. W. KELMAN

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Dietary Supplements ◽

Seed Oil ◽

Prostaglandin Production

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Do Interventions with Diet or Dietary Supplements Reduce the Disease Activity Score in Rheumatoid Arthritis? A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12102991 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (10) ◽

pp. 2991 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Josefine Nelson ◽

Helen Sjöblom ◽

Inger Gjertsson ◽

Stine M. Ulven ◽

Helen M. Lindqvist ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Disease Activity ◽

Randomized Controlled Trials ◽

Dietary Supplements ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Disease Activity Score ◽

Activity Score ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Randomized Controlled

The aim was to compile the evidence from Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) of diet or dietary supplements used to reduce disease activity in adults with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Searches were performed in the databases PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane. Only RCT studies of diets, foods or dietary supplements, looking at effects on the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28) among adults with RA, published in peer-reviewed journals, were included. A total of 27 articles were included—three of whole diets (Mediterranean diet, raw food and anti-inflammatory diet), five of food items, five of n-3 fatty acids, five of single micronutrient supplements, four of single antioxidant supplements and five of pre-, pro- or synbiotics. Studies that showed moderate strength evidence for positive effects on disease activity in RA included interventions with a Mediterranean diet, spices (ginger powder, cinnamon powder, saffron), antioxidants (quercetin and ubiquinone), and probiotics containing Lactobacillus Casei. Other diets or supplements had either no effects or low to very low strength of evidence. In conclusion, RCT studies on diet or dietary supplements are limited in patients with RA, but based on the results in this review there is evidence that some interventions might have positive effects on DAS28.

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UPLC-MS/MS Determination of Twelve Ginsenosides in Shenfu Tang and Dushen Tang

International Journal of Analytical Chemistry ◽

10.1155/2019/6217125 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Dawai Yang ◽

Xiaofang Yang ◽

Han Yan ◽

Bin Fan ◽

Jingang Dai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mass Spectrometry ◽

Liquid Chromatography ◽

Tandem Mass Spectrometry ◽

Simultaneous Determination ◽

Tandem Mass ◽

Bioactive Components ◽

Chinese Herbal ◽

High Yields ◽

Herbal Formulations

Shenfu Tang and Dushen Tang (one of the composite medicines for Shenfu Tang) are widely used Traditional Chinese herbal formulations and ginsenosides are their main bioactive components. However, there are rare studies about simultaneous analysis of ginsenosides in Shenfu Tang and Dushen Tang. In order to identify ginsenosides in Shenfu Tang and Dushen Tang and to explore law of compatibility of medicines in the decoction, a method for simultaneous determination of twelve ginsenosides in Shenfu Tang and Dushen Tang was developed by ultraresolution liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). The method showed satisfactory linearity (r > 0.9915), repeatability (RSD < 9.58%), intra- and interday precisions (RSD<11.90%), and high yields of recovery (92.26-113.20%) for twelve major constituents, namely, ginsenosides-Rb1, Rb2, Rb3, Rc, Rd, Rg1, Re, Rf, Rg2, Rg3, Rh1, and F2. Furthermore, the concentration of twelve ginsenosides in Dushen Tang and Shenfu Tang was also simultaneously analyzed. Most of ginsenosides except Rg1 and Rb1 showed higher contents in Shenfu Tang compared to Dushen Tang. The compatibility of the formula had the effect of promoting or inhibiting the dissolution of some major components. The present research provided a reliable evidence for the illustration of chemical basis and compatibility regularity of Shenfu Tang. This study demonstrated the utility of the developed method for assessment of the quantity of the major constituents in Dushen Tang and Shenfu Tang.

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Anti-arthritic Activity of a Herbal Formulation (Jointeez) in Albino Wistar Rats

Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medical Research ◽

10.9734/jocamr/2019/v7i430109 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Kemzi N. Elechi-Amadi ◽

Edna O. Nwachuku ◽

Davies G. Tamuno-Emine ◽

Nsirim Nduka ◽

Ojoye N. Briggs ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Combination Therapy ◽

Wistar Rats ◽

Positive Control ◽

C Reactive Protein ◽

Standard Drug ◽

Reactive Protein ◽

Herbal Formulation ◽

Tnf Α ◽

Herbal Formulations

Aim: This study evaluated the anti-arthritic activity of a herbal formulation used in the management of rheumatoid arthritis in Nigeria. Design: Thirty-five (35) albino wistar rats were used. They were divided into seven groups of seven rats each, with Group A serving as negative control while Group B was the positive control. Groups B, C, D and E were induced with rheumatoid arthritis by injecting 0.1 ml of Complete Freund’s Adjuvant into the right hind paw of each rat. The rats were treated with the standard drug and herbal formulation respectively for 28 days as follows: Group C (treated with a standard drug, Celebrex), Group D (treated with the herbal drug, Jointeez), Group E (treated with a combination therapy of Jointeez and Celebrex). At the end of the 28-day treatment period, the rats were anaesthesized with chloroform and sacrificed through puncture of the jugular vein. Five millilitres (5 ml) of blood samples were put into plain bottles for the analysis of biochemical parameters. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in the Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, from September to December, 2018. Methodology: The inflammatory markers, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein, were analysed using ELISA technique. Results: The levels of TNF-α (p<0.001), IL-6 (p =0.01) and C-reactive protein (p <0.001) were significantly reduced in the treated rats compared to the positive control group. There were significant reduction in the paw diameters of the treated rats (p <0.001). The combination therapy used in this study did not offer significantly different therapeutic advantage over the monotherapies used in this study. The herbal formulation used in this study offered similar therapeutic activities as the orthodox drug used in this study. Conclusion: The herbal formulations can be used as safe therapies for the management of rheumatoid arthritis in our population. It is recommended that herbal formulations be integrated into our healthcare system in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.

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