CLINICAL TRIALS-IMMUNITY
ACEMMANAN-
Acemmanan, a water-soluble, long-chain polymer found in Aloe Vera, is a potent immunostimulant. Its wide diversity of effects is believed to be exerted through potent effector cells such as macrophages.
Botanical Influences on Illness- Melvyn Werbach, M.D. and Michael T. Murray, N.D.-Third Line Press-2000
ASTRALAGUS
A traditional Chinese medicinal herb historically used in viral infections with immunostimulating properties. Administration may enhance T-lymphocyte function.
Botanical Influences on Illness-Melvyn Werbach, M.D. and Michael T. Murray, N.D.-Third Line Press-2000
ECHINACEA
REVIEW ARTICLE-
The chemistry, pharmacology and clinical applications of echinacea has been the subject of over 350 scientific studies. Echinacea possesses a broad-spectrum of effects on the immune system as a result of its content of a broad-range of active components affecting different aspects of immune function including activation of complement, thus promoting activity of neutrophils, monocytes, and eosinophils; solubilization of immune complexes, neutralization of viruses, and bacteriolosis. The high-molecular weight heteroglycan polysaccharide components of Echinacea have profound immunostimulatory effects. The majority of these effects seem to be mediated by the binding of active Echinacea polysaccharides to carbohydrate receptors on the cell surface of macrophages and T-lymphocytes. Echinacea promotes nonspecific T-cell activation,i.e. transformation, production of interferon, and secretion of lymphokines. The resultant effect is enhanced T-cell mitogenesis, macrophage phagocytosis, antibody binding, and natural killer cell activity. Echinacea polysaccharides have also been shown to enhance macrophage phagocytosis and stimulate macrophages to produce increased amounts of tumor-necrosis-factor, interferon, interleukin, interleukin 1, and destroy tumor cells in tissue cultures. Numerous studies have confirmed echinacea's immune enhancing properties. Various echinacea extracts or products have shown results in general infectious conditions, influenza, colds, upper respiratory tract infections, urogenital infections, and other infectious conditions. (Bauer R, Wagner H. Echinacea species as potential immunostimulatory drugs. Econ Med Plant Res 5:253-321,1991).
Unspecified fresh pressed juice may have immunostimulatory effects.
Ethanolic extracts may have immunostimulatory effects.
Water-soluble extracts seem to be ineffective.
Polysaccharide extracts produced from plant cell cultures of E. purpea may improve immune function.
GARLIC
Appears to have some notable immune enhancing properties.
While fresh garlic, and commercial products containing alliin or allicin may be effective, an aged garlic preparation
(Kyolic) has also demonstrated immune enhancing effects.
Administration may enhance T-lymphocyte and macrophage function.
Administration may increase interleukin-1 levels.
Administration may increase natural killer cell activity.
Administration may enhance phagocytic cell function.
Melvyn Werbach M.D, Botanical Influences on Illness, Michael Murray N.D. Third Line Press, 2000.
PICROHIZA KURROA
COMMENTARY; The immunobiological activity was investigated of certain medicinal plants widely used in Aryuvedic medicine for treatment of chronic infections and immunological disorders. Picrorhiza kurroa was found to be a potent immunostimulant, stimulating both cell-mediated and humoral immunity. (Atal CK, Sharma ML, Kaul A. Khajuria A. Immunomodulating agents of plant origins. 1: Preliminary screening. L Ethnopharmacol 18(2);133-41,1986).
SHITAKE MUSHROOM
Review Article:
Lentinan appears to be a T-cell oriented adjuvant. It triggers the increased production of various bioactive serum factors associated with immunity.
Experimental Study:
7 male and 16 female patients aged 14-77 with low natural killer cell syndrome responded well to the administration of lentinan despite no response to conventional fever treatments such as antipyretics and or antibiotics. (Aoki T et al. Low natural killer cell syndrome. Clinical and immunological features. Nat Immunol Cell Growth Regul 6(3):116-28, 1987).
CLINICAL OBSERVATION: Numerous studies have shown the benefit of 200 to 400 IU of selenium for immunity in HIV/AIDS.
"Vitamin A, Immunity and Infection", Semba, Richard D., Clinical Infectious diseases, 1994;19:489-499.
Summary: At least a dozen clinical trials have now been done with Vitamin A supplementation. These trial have shown a reduction in severe morbidity and mortality from infectious diseases among children who have acute measles or who are from areas where vitamin A deficiency is endemic. Vitamin A and its metabolites have immune enhancing properties and have been shown to potentate antibody responses to T-cell-dependent antigens, increase lymphocyte proliferation, and restore mucosal cell surfaces. An estimated 124 million children are deficient in vitamin A, and therefore at higher risk of death from infectious diseases. Improvement in vitamin A nurture is expected to prevent 1.3 million to 2.5 million death annually. High dose vitamin A supplementation for children with acute measles is expected to contribute to reduced mortality. Measles is responsible for 2 million deaths annually. (Vitamin A in large doses can be toxic only short term use of 100,00 IU daily or more is recommended. I use a liquid emulsible Vitamin A with much lower toxicity which can be taken 200,000 IU daily for 1 month with no problem). It is not known yet whether vitamin A will alter the outcomes for malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV.
AHCC-Active Hemicellulose Compound-Go to Cancer section for 2 Studies and Article Review
ARTICLE: "Thymus Therapy for Cancer? A Criteria-Based Systematic Review," Ernst, E., European Journal of Cancer,1997;(4):531-535.
Summary: The thymus is believed to be the key organ for the development of cell-mediated immunity. Thymic hormones assist in the maturation of T lymphocytes. Based on a computerized MEDLINE search, the methodological quality of most of the randomized clinical trials was poor. Only one was double-blind. This review found no compelling evidence for clinical benefit of thymus therapy in human cancers. Thymus extracts have restored lymphocyte function and improved immunological variables in preclinical studies. In vitro experiments have shown an activation of natural killer cells and an increase in cytotoxic activity. Thymopentin has increased mitogen-induced interferon levels in human lymphocytes. In animal models, thymus extracts have inhibited tumor growth in rats and mice. Further study is warranted.
Note-Thymus extracts have been used in the treatment of HIV/AIDS
ARTICLE: "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Lactic Acid Bacteria May be of Therapeutic Value,: Logan AC, Rao AV, Irani D, Med Hypotheses, 2003;60(6)915-923
Summary: Research shows that patients with chronic fatigue syndrome have altered microbial flora, with lowered amounts of bifidobacteria and small intestinal bacteria overgrowth. In chronic fatigue syndrome, there is increased oxidative stress, a dominance of type 2 helper cells and frequently reported allergy. Chronic fatigue patients have altered essential fatty acid metabolism and may alieve micronutrient malabsorbtion. Lactic acid bacteria may support T helper cell driven cellular immunity and may reduce allergies. Lactic acid bacteria are antioxidants, may improve essential fatty acids status and enhance absorption of micronutrients by protecting the intestinal epithelial barrier. Lactic acid bacteria have been used in the treatment of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.
ARTICLE: "A New Non-Degrading Isolation Process for 1,3-beta-D-Glucan of High Purity From Baker's Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisia," Freimund S, Sauter M, et al, Carbohydr Polymers,2003;54:159-171.
Summary: 1,3-beta-D-Glucan is a polysaccharide in microorganisms, mushrooms and plants that has been shown to have health benefits in humans and animals for approximately the last 50 years. It has bioactive and medicinal properties, which include immune stimulation, being anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-infective, anti-viral, anti-tumoral, cholesterol lowering, radioprotective and wound healing.