scholarly journals Natural Health Products, Modulation of Immune Function and Prevention of Chronic Diseases

2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 513-520 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre S. Haddad ◽  
Georges A. Azar ◽  
Simon Groom ◽  
Michel Boivin
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Immune Function ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Chronic Illnesses ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Immunomodulatory Activity ◽  
Natural Health Products ◽  
Natural Health ◽  
Health Products ◽  
Future Research Directions

The immune system is increasingly found to be involved in the development of several chronic illnesses, for which allopathic medicine has provided limited tools for treatment and especially prevention. In that context, it appears worthwhile to target the immune system in order to modulate the risk of certain chronic illnesses. Meanwhile, natural health products (NHPs) are generating renewed interest, particularly in the prevention and treatment of several chronic diseases. Over 20 scientists from fields related to immune function and NHPs were thus convened to establish the state of knowledge on these subjects and to explore future research directions. This review summarizes the result of discussions held during the symposium. It thus seeks to be thought provoking rather than to comprehensively cover such broad areas of research. Notably, a brief overview of the immune system is presented, including potentially useful targets and strategies to keep it in an equilibrated state, in order to prevent certain disorders. The pertinence and limitations of targeting the immune system to prevent chronic diseases is also discussed. The paper then discusses the usefulness and limitations of current experimental tools available to study the immune modulating effects of NHPs. Finally, a concise review of some of the most studied NHPs showing promising immunomodulatory activity is given, and avenues for future research are described.

Looking to the horizon: the role of bilirubin in the development and prevention of age-related chronic diseases

2015 ◽  
Vol 129 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl-Heinz Wagner ◽  
Marlies Wallner ◽  
Christine Mölzer ◽  
Silvia Gazzin ◽  
Andrew Cameron Bulmer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Resistance ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Elevated Serum ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Bile Pigment ◽  
Therapeutic Modalities ◽  
Age Related ◽  
All Cause Mortality ◽  
Novel Biomarkers ◽  
Future Research Directions

Bilirubin, the principal tetrapyrrole, bile pigment and catabolite of haem, is an emerging biomarker of disease resistance, which may be related to several recently documented biological functions. Initially believed to be toxic in infants, the perception of bilirubin has undergone a transformation: it is now considered to be a molecule that may promote health in adults. Data from the last decade demonstrate that mildly elevated serum bilirubin levels are strongly associated with reduced prevalence of chronic diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), as well as CVD-related mortality and risk factors. Recent data also link bilirubin to other chronic diseases, including cancer and Type 2 diabetes mellitus, and to all-cause mortality. Therefore, there is evidence to suggest that bilirubin is a biomarker for reduced chronic disease prevalence and a predictor of all-cause mortality, which is of important clinical significance. In the present review, detailed information on the association between bilirubin and all-cause mortality, as well as the pathological conditions of CVD, cancer, diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases, is provided. The mechanistic background concerning how bilirubin and its metabolism may influence disease prevention and its clinical relevance is also discussed. Given that the search for novel biomarkers of these diseases, as well as for novel therapeutic modalities, is a key research objective for the near future, bilirubin represents a promising candidate, meeting the criteria of a biomarker, and should be considered more carefully in clinical practice as a molecule that might provide insights into disease resistance. Clearly, however, greater molecular insight is warranted to support and strengthen the conclusion that bilirubin can prevent disease, with future research directions also proposed.

scholarly journals Current Advancements and Novel Strategies in the Treatment of Metastatic Melanoma

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 153473542199007
Author(s):  
Siddhartha Sood ◽  
Rahul Jayachandiran ◽  
Siyaram Pandey
Keyword(s):  
Metastatic Melanoma ◽  
Complementary Therapy ◽  
Natural Health Products ◽  
Combination Therapies ◽  
Natural Health ◽  
The Past ◽  
Health Products ◽  
Melanoma Treatment ◽  
New Research

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer in the world with a growing incidence in North America. Contemporary treatments for melanoma include surgical resection, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. However, apart from resection in early melanoma, the prognosis of patients using these treatments is typically poor. In the past decade, there have been significant advancements in melanoma therapies. Immunotherapies such as ipilimumab and targeted therapies such as vemurafenib have emerged as a promising option for patients as seen in both scientific and clinical research. Furthermore, combination therapies are starting to be administered in the form of polychemotherapy, polyimmunotherapy, and biochemotherapy, of which some have shown promising outcomes in relative efficacy and safety due to their multiple targets. Alongside these treatments, new research has been conducted into the evidence-based use of natural health products (NHPs) and natural compounds (NCs) on melanoma which may provide a long-term and non-toxic form of complementary therapy. Nevertheless, there is a limited consolidation of the research conducted in emerging melanoma treatments which may be useful for researchers and clinicians. Thus, this review attempts to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of current advancements in metastatic melanoma treatment by surveying new research into the molecular and cellular basis of treatments along with their clinical efficacy. In addition, this review aims to elucidate novel strategies that are currently being used and have the potential to be used in the future.

Advising Cancer Patients on Natural Health Products— A Structured Approach

2004 ◽  
Vol 38 (9) ◽  
pp. 1406-1411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mário L de Lemos ◽  
Leela John ◽  
Lynne Nakashima ◽  
Robin K O'Brien ◽  
Suzanne CM Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Natural Health Products ◽  
Natural Health ◽  
Health Products ◽  
Structured Approach

scholarly journals Molecular targets of natural health products in arthritis

2011 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Khalifé ◽  
Muhammad Zafarullah
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Targets ◽  
Natural Health Products ◽  
Natural Health ◽  
Health Products

scholarly journals Strategic Responses to New Zealand-China Free Trade Agreement: A Case Study of New Zealand Natural Health Products Industry

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Jiang Chang
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Free Trade Agreement ◽  
Trade Agreement ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Natural Health Products ◽  
Competitive Advantages ◽  
Chinese Market ◽  
Natural Health ◽  
Health Products ◽  
Resources And Capabilities

<p>The rise of global consumption, as well as technological innovation in transportation and telecommunications, have increased international exchange of goods, services and factors of production. Economic globalization in terms of production and markets has been accompanied by an unprecedented intensification of economic and financial linkages within geographic regions. The world economy is shifting towards greater regional economic integration. As open and dynamic economies, New Zealand and China heavily rely on international trade and investment to stimulate economic growth. Strengthened international linkages and improved access to markets are major economic strategies for both countries. As they have been committed to building up longstanding and healthy bilateral trade and economic partnerships, these two countries signed a free trade agreement (FTA) that aims to liberalize and facilitate trade in goods, services and investment, and improve the business environment and strengthen cooperation in a wide range of economic areas. From the perspective of New Zealand's businesses, the FTA will not only improve the business environment, and open up market access opportunities, but it will also pose threats. To take advantage of these opportunities, neutralize threats, and consequently achieve a stronger market position in the Chinese marketplace, New Zealand's businesses must strategically respond to the fast-changing environment arising from the FTA. Due to the special meaning of the FTA to New Zealand's economic growth and the significance of the Chinese market to New Zealand's businesses operating in China, it is important to explore how New Zealand's firms perceive the New Zealand-China FTA; and what strategic decisions and adjustments they have made or they are going to make in response to shifts in the business environment arising from the FTA. Besides several studies with limited empirical evidence were conducted at the macro-economic level by some of interested groups such as New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade during the FTA negotiations, little research has been conducted to examine the impact of the New Zealand-China FTA on New Zealand individual companies' business strategic performance. Building on case studies of two representative companies in the New Zealand natural health products industry, this study aims to discover the nature of salient companies under the New Zealand-China FTA and to ascertain what particular patterns of strategy and performance these companies will adopt in response to trade liberalization. The findings of this study suggest that: 1) With the New Zealand-China FTA, the Chinese fast-growing market is typical of the mix of the opportunities and challenges facing New Zealand's businesses. The FTA provides them with a strong incentive to undertake strategic adjustments for further development in the Chinese market. 2) Strategic adjustments made by a firm depend upon the nature of its firm-specific advantages and country-specific advantages, as well as its existing competitive advantages. Firms that are able to secure their resources and capabilities necessary to exploit opportunities and counter threats are more likely to gain international competitive advantages; 3) Small firms with limited resources and capabilities are more likely to engage in the formation of strategic alliances in order to strengthen their competitive positions both domestically and internationally.</p>

scholarly journals Delphinidin and Its Glycosides’ War on Cancer: Preclinical Perspectives

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (21) ◽  
pp. 11500
Author(s):  
Anshul Sharma ◽  
Hyo-Kyoung Choi ◽  
Yeon-Kye Kim ◽  
Hae-Jeung Lee
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Natural Health Products ◽  
Cell Protection ◽  
Anticancer Properties ◽  
Dietary Antioxidant ◽  
Health Products ◽  
Antioxidant Supplements

Until now, several studies have looked at the issue of anthocyanin and cancer, namely the preventive and inhibitory effects of anthocyanins, as well as the underlying molecular processes. However, no targeted review is available regarding the anticarcinogenic effects of delphinidin and its glycosides on various cancers and their plausible molecular mechanisms. Considerable evidence shows significant anticancer properties of delphinidin-rich preparations and delphinidin alone both in vitro and in vivo. This review covers the in vitro and preclinical implications of delphinidin-mediated cell protection and cancer prevention; thus, we strongly recommend that delphinidin-rich preparations be further investigated as potential functional food, dietary antioxidant supplements, and natural health products targeting specific chronic diseases, including cancer. In addition to in vitro investigations, future research should focus on more animal and human studies to determine the true potential of delphinidin.

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