Prunus Cerasus Fruit Extract

Prunus Cerasus (sour cherry tart cherry, or dwarf cherry) is a species of Prunus in the subgenus Cerasus (cherries), native to much of Europe and southwest Asia. It is closely related to the sweet cherry (Prunus avium), but has a fruit that is more acidic. Its sour pulp is edible.

Tart cherry (Prunus cerasus) produces various kinds of polyphenolics in its fruits that include cyanidin derivatives (mostly cyanidin 3 glucosyl rutinoside, cyaniding 3 rutinoside, cyanidin sophoroside), peonidin 3 glucoside; kaempferol, quercetin, and isorhamnetin and their derivatives as well as the alkaloid, melatonin.

Pharmacological Studies shown Tart Cherry has Antioxidant activities, with Melatonin levels and enhanced sleep quality, Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, antidiabetic activities, Antimicrobial activities and good for skin care and promoting health.

 

Traditional Medicinal Uses

In the traditional Unani system of medicine, Prunus cerasus, known as alubalu, is used in formulations to treat conditions such as urinary tract infections, nephrolithiasis (kidney stones), cystolithiasis (calculi [stones] in the urinary bladder), and dysuria (painful urination). For example, alubalu is listed as a component of formulations monographed in the Government of India’s National Formulary of Unani Medicine for the treatment of renal and vesicle calculi.

 

MODERN RESEARCH

More than 60 clinical trials on tart cherry with multiple designs, interventions, and outcomes have been identified

General health benefits, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and clinical data on the effects of tart cherry on exercise-induced muscle damage, exercise performance, reduction of serum uric acid concentrations and gout, vascular function, blood pressure, and pain have been reviewed extensively and meta-analyzed. In various exercise protocols, exercise-related muscle damage was shown to be alleviated, and muscle contractility and endurance improved with tart cherry preparations. A positive trend was noted for efficacy in gout or hyperuricemia (elevated uric acid in the blood).

Tart cherry has been shown to decrease pain levels in breast cancer patients over a 2 year study at the Edwards Comprehensive Cancer center .

Pain and inflammation was also reduced in osteoarthritis patients in a clinical trial by Oregon Health and Science University.

Another study by Michigan State University researchers found that tart cherry had the ability to reduce pain and arthritis.

Theses studies all suggest that tart cherry could be an excellent choice as a natural painkiller.

 

Apium Graveolens Seed Extract

 

Celery (Apium Graveolens) is traditionally used to treat rheumatism and cardiovascular disorders. Hyperuricemia is considered as a predisposing factor for gout and is also suggested to be associated with coronary artery disease.

Among the phytochemical compounds of celery, one can mention carbohydrates, phenols such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and steroids. Presence of compounds such as limonene, selinene, furocoumarin glycosides, flavonoids, and vitamins A and C are the reason that celery is the most widely used plant in traditional medicine

Study showed the effect of hydro alcoholic extracts from Apium Graveolens (AGE) seed demonstrated that AGE could reduce the serum uric acid level , and indicated its potential utility as an effective hypouricemic bioactive agent or functional food. The  pharmacological  activities  are  anti-inflammatory, uricosuric,  diuretic  and  for  the  treatment  of  rheumatoid and  osteoarthritis  has  been  documented.

Celery seed extract has  been  used  as  an  aphrodisiac,  anthelmintic,  antispasmodic,  carminative,  diuretic,  emmenagogue,  laxative,  sedative, stimulant, and toxic. Celery is known as mild diuretic and urinary antiseptic and has been in the relief of flatulence and griping pains.

In the medicinal –herbal market, celery oil or oil extract as well as ground seed or root are touted as herbal and dietary supplement that

“promote and regulate” healthy blood pressure, joint health and uric acid levels.

Anti fungal activity:
Apium  show anti  fungal  activity  against  Bactria,  like  –Staphylococcus  aureus,  Staphylococcus  album,  Shigella  dysenteries, Salmonella typhi.

Lowers blood pressure and cholesterol:
A daily dose of a compound extracts from celery seed experimental a 12% reduction in their blood pressure over a four week period.

Healthy joints:
Celery has been used and suggested as on alternative therapy for arthritis, rheumatism, and gout. Celery has been found to have anti inflammatory properties that reduce swelling and pain around the joints.

Anti septic properties:
Celery seed has an antiseptic property that makes it useful to the health of urinary tract and a diuretic propriety to help relevance fluid retention. It is aid in the elimination of uric acid.

Acts as diuretic:
It is also benefits arthritis and gout patient, as it help to flush away the uric acid crystals that build up around the joints.

Menstrual discomfort:
Celery may promote the onset of menstruation.

Cancer agents:
Contain eight different families of anti cancer compound, such as phthalide, and polyacetylens, that detoxify carcinogenic in cigarette smoke.

Anxiety:
Celery seed help smooth nerves and relieve pain.

Genitourinary condition:
Celery seed diuretic action combined with its antibacterial compound make it useful herb in the genitourinary condition.

 

Boswellia Serrata Extract

Boswellia serrata is a tree native to India that produces special compounds that have been found to have strong anti-inflammatory, and potentially anticancer, effects. In fact, long before inflammation-lowering medications and supplements existed, extracts derived from different species of the boswellia tree were used to treat all sorts of inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and heart disease.

Boswellia extracts seem to lower inflammation and support immune function on multiple levels, including:

• interfering with cytokine production that raises inflammation (interferon gamma, interleukin-4 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha)
• delaying reactions to sensitivities
• helping regulate lymphocytes (white blood cells) and T-cells interactions
• regulating production of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies, which protect the body from bacterial and viral infections
• regulating production of immunoglobulin M (igM) antibodies, which are found mainly in the blood and lymph fluid

 

Resins from different species of the boswellia tree contain numerous protective compounds, including:

• monoterpenes
• diterpenes
• triterpenes
• tetracyclic triterpenic acids
• four major pentacyclic and boswellictriterpenic acids, one of which is acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid, considered the most potent inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase, an enzyme responsible for inflammation

 

5 Benefits of Boswellia 

1. Lowers Inflammation
Among the valuable boswellia tree extracts that researchers have identified, several stand out as being most beneficial, including terpenes and boswellic acids, which are strongly anti-inflammatory and protective over healthy cells. Terpenes are strong-smelling chemicals found in certain plants, including some we associate with having antioxidant abilities, such as eucalyptus, basil, peppermint and citrus trees.

Terpenes play a vital role in protecting the plants that contain them, since their strong aroma can fight off insect predators, defend plants from environmental stresses and act as building blocks for important chemical processes. In the human body, terpenes can do the same thing, lowering free radical damage and prolonging health.

Other chemical compounds have been identified in boswellia that naturally reduce the inflammatory response by controlling T-lymphocytes, especially one called AKBA (3-O-acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid). Although it works similarly to NSAID pain relievers, AKBA’s exact mechanisms of action are very different because they target different inflammatory enzymes. Because they’re better able to preserve the integrity of the stomach and gut lining, boswellia extracts cause less side effects and pose less risk for toxicity compared to NSAIDs.

AKBA helps fight pain thanks in part to its ability to inhibit an enzyme called 5-LOX (5-lipoxygenase) and therefore shuts down mechanisms of leukotrienes, which are inflammatory mediators produced by the process of oxidation (specifically of arachidonic acid). AKBA has shown to be effective in helping to fight against a large number of inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis, bronchial asthma, chronic colitis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and cancer.

Another active component of boswellia is called incensole acetate, which has similar powers over lowering inflammatory reactions, especially those that target the brain and speed up cognitive decline. Studies show that incensole acetate is protective over neurons, helps fight the formation of tumors and has mood-enhancing benefits, making it a potential natural antidepressant and anti-anxiety compound.

2. Reduces Joint and Arthritis Pain
A study published in the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database showed that boswellia serrata extract can help reduce pain, swelling and trouble moving in people with arthritis or osteoarthritis (a common, chronic, progressive, skeletal, degenerative disorder, which commonly affects the knee joint) and other forms of inflamed joints. Some experienced a significant reduction in joint pain by up to 32 percent to 65 percent, which is comparable to prescription medications, showcasing boswellia’s ability as a potential natural arthritis treatment.

Another study published in the Journal of Phytotherapy and Phytopharmacology found that boswellia serrata assisted in treating osteoarthritis symptoms such as knee pain, knee jerking and pain while walking significantly better than treatment with a placebo. Researchers concluded that the anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic and analgesic activities of boswellia make it a promising treatment for decreasing knee pain, increasing knee flexion and increasing walking distances in those prone to frequent swelling in the knee joints.

3. May Help Fight Cancer
Frankincense oil, which is formed by purifying the resin taken from the trunk of the boswellia tree, has been used for thousands of years medicinally, as well in religious and cultural ceremonies. Today, research tell us that frankincense essential oil is strongly tied to cancer prevention. Frankincense is taken by many people around the world with no known side effects. It effectively helps target cancer cells while preserving healthy cells, which is why it’s used in conjunction with traditional cancer treatments by many holistic practitioners.

Research shows a link between AKBA and protection against brain, breast, colon, pancreatic, prostate and stomach cancers. The potential cancer-killing properties of boswellia extracts and frankincense oil are in part due to how they influence our genes to promote healing, plus how they curb serious side effects of cancer treatments.

One of the most challenging and devastating things about battling cancer is suffering through the life-threatening and painful side effects that treatments like chemotherapy and radiation often cause. However boswellia extracts, such as those derived from the species boswellia carteri, shows promise for fighting these complications.

For example, frankincense and boswellia extracts have been shown to fight joint pain, swelling in the brain, digestive complications and migraine headaches without destroying healthy cells that leave people vulnerable to infections. In addition to helping fight cancer, frankincense also supports the immune system in other ways by preventing infections, lowering inflammation, promoting hormonal balance, improving skin health and lowering anxiety (sometimes described as improving “spiritual awareness”).

4. Speeds Up Healing From Infections
Boswellia is capable of lowering severity of infections of the respiratory or sinus tracts, which means you can experience relief from coughing, colds, the flu or a sore throat faster. Indeed, it’s one of the best essential oils for sore throat pain. Research shows boswellia also helps prevent allergies and asthma, eliminates phlegm in the lungs and acts as an anti-inflammatory in the nasal passages, which makes it easier to breath.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, frankincense has been used as a natural remedy for improving blood circulation, speeding up healing time and in relieving pain from a variety of bacterial or viral infections, such as colds or the flu, leprosy or gonorrhea. Studies also show that boswellia carteri and boswellia serrata extracts serve as a natural antiviral and can help treat strong and serious viruses, such as the flu or those caused by insect bites.

5. Helps Prevent Autoimmune Disease
One of the oldest uses of frankincense oil and boswellia is treating a variety of autoimmune ailments, especially common inflammatory diseases including asthma, arthritis and chronic bowel diseases. Boswellia interferes with autoimmune disease development, since it seems to help control the production of immunoglobulins, or antibodies, which are made by the immune system to fight potential threats: bacteria, viruses, fungi and toxins.

The fact that boswellia serrata has inhibitory actions that decrease production of leukotrienes has received high attention by researchers who study chronic inflammatory diseases that are rooted in increased leukotriene activity. As one study published in the International Journal of Phytotherapy and Phytopharmacology puts it,

At the end of the cascade of events in the cellular immune system, as far as it directs to various tissues of the body — i.e. autoimmune diseases — formation of oxygen radicals and proteases play an important destructive role … it’s not surprising that positive effects of boswellia in some chronic inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, bronchial asthma, osteoarthritis, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease have been reported.

Body immune system constantly makes different types of antibodies to fight off various diseases (or “antigens“), but sometimes this process goes wrong and antibodies can actually be created that fight body own bodily tissue, including healthy tissue that forms the organs. When this takes place, autoimmune disease occurs, which can affect nearly every system within the body.

 

Active Ingredients

Each vegecapsule (675mg) contains :
Prunus cerasus (Tart cherry) fruit extract 250mg
Apiumgraveolens (celary) seed extract 100mg
Bowellia Serrata Extract 200mg

 

Indication

Used as health supplement

Dosage

Adults : Take 1 capsule three times daily after meal

Precautions

Keep out of reach of children

Storage

Store below 30°C, protect from light and moisture