ANTI-INFLAMMEX
The Ultimate Anti-Inflammatory - It Puts the Fire Out!
Curcumin, the active component of Turmeric
Boswellia (Boswellin serrata) contains
(Curcuma longa), is well known for its anti-inflammatory
anti-inflammatory phytochemicals.7 The anti-
properties. Several clinical trials have found Curcumin to
inflammatory action of boswellic acid hasbeen demonstrated in clinical studies.8
be an effective anti-inflammatory and analgesic
compound.1 In one study Curcumin directly inhibited the
mediator, leukotrienes.9 In controlled, double-
enzymatic activity of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which
blind studies, Boswellia extract demonstrated
initiates the release of proinflammatory prostaglandins.2
positive outcomes for ulcerative colitis.10Rheumatoid arthritis and Osteoarthritis have
This may suggest that Curcumin could have some
beneficial applications in modulating inflammatory
agents of Boswellia serrata.11 Standard dose
disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. According to
as an anti-inflammatory is 1,200 mg per day in
investigators at the University of California, San Diego, and
the Veterans Administration Medical Center, San Diego,
Bilberry (Vaccinum Myrtillus) contains
research found Curcumin to be a safe COX-2 inhibitor in
high concentrations of anthocyanosides.
humans.3 Curcumin appears to exhibit a number of direct
Anthocyanosides increase intracellular levelsof vitamin C, which build and strengthen
anti-inflammatory actions, and it acts as a scavenger of
nitric oxide, a COX-2 inducer and proinflammatory
substance.4 Clinically, Curcumin has worked well as an
integrity improves circulation of blood to
anti-inflammatory for postoperative inflammation,
connective tissue, promoting healing after
rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis.1,5,6 The
injury and reducing inflammation. DuringWWII pilots of the British Royal Airforce
recommended dose for Curcumin, as an anti-inflammatory
is 1,200 – 1,800 mg per day in three divided doses. To
achieve a similar amount of Curcumin with Turmeric would
confirmed that bilberry extracts improve visual
require that a dose of 8,000 – 60,000 mg be taken per day.
acuity and the ability to see at night.13
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis). As an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant,
Rosemary is able to scavenge nitric oxide, an inducer of the COX-2 enzyme.14,
Supplement Facts
15 The flavonoids contained in the leaves of this medicinal herb have been
reported to decrease the permeability and fragility of capillaries.16, 17
Amount Per ServingVitamin C (esterfied-acid free) 45 mg.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale Root) has been used for a number of different
conditions with positive effects. It works well as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidantand protease component.18 A number of experimental, double-blind studies
have shown gingers effective action in cases of nausea, vomiting and motion
sickness.19-21 Ginger may provide relief to those living with rheumatoid arthritis.
Boswellin® Extract (from Boswellia serrata
Experimental studies have suggested that it may help to reduce pain and
Resin, standardized to 70% Boswellic Acid),
L-Lysine (from 300 mg. of L-Lysine HCl), L-
Ashwagandha (from Withania sominfera Root). When taken in combination
with Boswellia serrata, Curcumin, and Zinc, Ashwagandha has been shown to
bring some relief to osteoarthritis patients.24 Contained within the construct of
Vaccininum myrtillus Fruit, standardized to
Ashwagandha are at least 26 bioactive alkaloids and steroidal lactones called
withanolides, the most active of which appears to be withaferin A. Studies have
Extract (from Rosmarinus officinalis Leaf),
shown that Ashwagandha modulates the immune system, and aids in cases of
anxiety and psychological complaints.25-27 Therapeutically, this Ayurvedic plant
has been used as an adaptogen, anti-inflammatory, aphrodisiac, alterative,
Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC), L-Citrulline, Ginger
astringent, nervine, respiratory stimulant, sedative, and tonic.28 Ashwagandha is
a sweet/bitter root and, according to Ayurvedic theory, it can penetrate the deeptissue of the body and evoke deep-tissue cleansing.
Bromelain is a sulfur containing proteolytic enzyme that is harvested from
the stem of the pineapple plant. The proteolytic enzymes demonstrate
NO corn, soy, salt, yeast, wheat, milk & egg
powerful anti-inflammatory properties that break down scar tissue, and
products, sugar, starch, artificial flavors,
edema. Eighty milligrams of bromelain (divided equally) was given to patients
suffering from edema. The results showed that 62.5 percent of the patients
healed more rapidly than expected.29 In another controlled test of 146 boxer’s
bromelain past the challenge. Seventy-four of the boxers received bromelainto treat a number of bruises. The remaining seventy-two boxers were given aplacebo. In Fifty-eight of the boxers treated with bromelain bruising clearedwithin four days. In contrast, the placebo treated boxers took eight to ten days
The Food and Drug Administration have not
to clear of bruises.30 Flavonoids act as antioxidants, they inhibit lipid
evaluated the statements contained within thisdocument. This product is provided for its nutri-
peroxidation by scavenging superoxide anions and hydroxyl radicals.31
tional benefits only and is not intended to diagnose,
Flavonoids act as anti-inflammatories by inhibiting the activity of the pro-
treat, cure or prevent any disease.
inflammatory enzymes COX-2 and Lipoxygenase.32
Satoskar PR, et al. Evaluation of anti-inflammatory property of curcumin (diferuloyl methane) in patients with postoperative inflammation. Int J Clin Pharmacal Ther Toxicol1986;24(12):651-4.
Zhang F, et al. Curcumin inhibits cyclooxygenase-2 transcription in bile acid- and phorbol ester-treated human gastrointestinal epithelial cells. Carcinogenesis 1999;20(3):445-51.
Goel A, et Al. Inhibition of cyclooegenase –2 (COX-2) expression by dietary curcumin in HT-29 human colon cancer cells. Proceedings of the American Association for CancerResearch Annual Meeting 1999;40:528-29.
Salvemini D, Masferrer JL. Interactions of nitric oxide with cyclooxygenase in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies. Methods Enzymol. 1996;269:12-25.
Deodhar SD, Sethi R, Srimal RC. Preliminary study on anti-rheumatic activity of curcumin (diferuloyl methane). Ind J Med Res. 1980;71(12):632-634.
Kulkarni RR, Patki PS, Jog VP, et al. Treatment of osteoarthritis with a herbomineral formulation: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. J Ethnopharmacol 1991;33:91-95.
Ammon HPT, et al. Mechanism of anti-inflammatory actions of curcumine and boswellic acids. J Ethnopharm 1993;38:113-9.
Safayhi H, Mack T, Saieraj J, et al. Boswellic acids: Novel, specific, nonredox inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 1992;261:1143-46.
Singh GB, Atal CK. Pharmacology of an extract of salai guggal ex-Boswellia serrata, a new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent. Agents Actions 1986;18:407-12.
Gupta I, Parihar A, Malhotra P, et al. Effects of Boswellia serrata gum resin in patients with ulcerative colitis. Eur J Med Res 1997;2:37-43.
Etzel R. Special extract of Boswellia serrata (H15) in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Phytomed 1996;3:91-94.
Detre Z, Jellinek H, Miskulin R. Studies on vascular permiability in hypertension. Clin Physiol Bichem. 1986;4:143-149.
Murray MT. The Healing Power of Foods. Rocklin, CA: Prima Publishing, 1993.
Chan MM-Y, Ho C-T, Huang H-I. Effects of three dietary phytochemicals from tea, rosemary and turmeric on inflammation-induced nitrite production. Cancer Lett. 1995;96:23-29.
Offord Ea, Mace K, Avanti O, Pfeifer AMA. Mechanisms involved in the chemoprotective effects of rosemary extract in human liver and bronchial cells. Cancer Lett. 1997;114:275-281.
Leung AY. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. New York, NY: J Wiley and Sons, 1980.
Tyler VE. The New Honest Herbal. Philadelphia, PA: G.F. Stickley Co., 1987.
Kiuchi, F., & Shibuyu, M., et al. “Inhibition of prostaglandin and leukotriene biosynthesis by gingerols and diarylheptanoids,” Chem Pharm Bull, 40:387-91, 1992.
Bone ME, Wilkinson DJ, Young JR, et al. Ginger root – a new antiemetic. The effect of ginger root on postoperative nausea and vomiting after major gynaecological surgery . Anaesthesia45(8):669-71, 1990.
Grontved A, et al. Ginger root against seasickness. A controlled trial on the open sea. Acta Otolaryngol 105(1-2):45-9, 1988.
Mowrey DB, Clayson DE, Motion sickness, ginger, and psychophysics. Lancet i:655-7, 1982.
Srivastava KC, Mustafa T. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) in rheumatism and musculoskeletal disorders. Med Hypothesis 39:342-8, 1992.
Srivastava KC, Mustafa T. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and rheumatic disorders. Med Hypothesis 29:25-8, 1989.
Kulkarni RR, Patki PS, Jog VP, et al. Treatment of osteoarthritis with a herbomineral formulation: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. J Ethnopharmacol 33(1-2):91-5, 1991.
Upadhaya, L., Et al. “Role of an indigenous drug Geriforte on blood levels of biogenic amines and its significance in the treatment of anxiety neurosis,” Acta Nerv Super, 32(1):1-5, 1990.
Ghosal, S., et al. “Immunomodulatory and CNS effects of sitoindosides IX and X, two new glycowithanolides from Withania somnifera,” Phytother Res, 3(5): 201-6, 1989.
Bhattacharya, S.K., et al. “Anti-stress activity of sitoindosides VII and VIII, new acylsterylglycosides from Withania somnifera,” Phytother Res, 1(1):32-37, 1987.
Kapoor, L.D. Handbook of Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants: 337. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1990.
Cirelli, M.G. “Inflaqmmation and Edema,” Medical Times, 92:919-922, 1964.
Blonstein, G.L. “Control of swelling in boxing injuries,” Practitioner, 203: 206, 1969.
van Acker SA, Berg DJ, Tromp MN, et al. Structural aspects of antioxidant activity off flavonoids. Free Radical Biol Med 1996; 20:331-42.
Landolfi R, Mower RL, Steiner M. Modification of platelet function and arachadonic acid metabolism by bioflavonoids: Structure-activity relations. Biochem Pharmacol 1984; 33:1525-30.
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO - SCHOOL OF MEDICINE CURRICULUM LAURA A. STROM Office Address: EDUCATION/TRAINING M.D. The Pennsylvania State University, College of Medicine 2004-present Clinical Science Research Certificate POST GRADUATE TRAINING AND FELLOWSHIP APPOINTMENTS Internship, (Psychiatry) Pennsylvania State University, College of Medicine Internship, (Medicin
St. John’s wort as Effective as Popular Prescription Anti-Depressant New Trial Demonstrates Herb’s Benefit and Safety Compared to Paroxetine A new clinical study shows that a proprietary standardized extract of St. John’s wort (SJW) was as effective as a common prescription antidepressant drug in reducing symptoms of depression. The study was published Friday, February 11 in the B