Lignans

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Conscious Eating Gabriel Cousens, M.D. See book keywords and concepts

High levels of lignans are associated with reduced rates of colon and breast cancer. Just ten grams, or about one to two teaspoons of flaxseed oil per day, raises levels of the lignans significantly. A third advantage of the flaxseed oil over fish oil is that fish and fish oil are high in cholesterol. Three and one-half ounces of cod liver oil contain 570 milligrams of cholesterol, which equals the amount found in two egg yolks. The fourth advantage of flaxseed oil over fish oil is the fact that fish are often high in toxic residues because they sometimes live in polluted waters.

Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals: A Handbook for Practice on a Scientific Basis Josef A. Brinckmann and Michael P. Lindenmaier See book keywords and concepts

The drug also contains a small amount of lignans (dimeric phenyl propanes) such as sesamin, desmethoxyaschantin, among others, as well as tannins and sterols, including sitosterol. Six alkaloids of the aporphine- and benzyl isoquino-line-type have been detected in the root bark [2]. Indications: Exclusively in folk medicine, as a diuretic and "blood-cleansing" remedy, also for exanthemas, catarrhs and rheumatic complaints, however, due to its safrole content the drug should be avoided (see: Side effects).

The Truth About Hormone Replacement Therapy: How to Break fee from the Medical Myths of Menopause National Women's Health Network See book keywords and concepts

Bacteria in our intestines convert plant lignans to mammalian lignans (enterolactone and enterodiol) and convert isoflavone precursors to active isoflavones (genistein, daidzein, and equol). Other phytoestrogens occur in some medicinal herbs, but these are different from the phytoestrogens in food plants, and, in terms of safety, we should treat them differ-endy (see chapter 8, "Herbs," and chapter 16, "Alternatives to Hormone Replacement Therapy").

Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy Dr. Michael Heinrich, Joanne Barnes, Simon Gibbons and Elizabeth M. Williamson See book keywords and concepts

Heinrich M 1994 lignans and other compounds from the Mixe Indian medicinal plant Hyptis verticillata. Phytochemistry 36:485^189 Kuhnt M, Probstle A, Rimpler H 1995 Biological and pharmacological activities and further constituents of Hyptis verticillata. Planta Medica 61:227-232 Lewis W 2000 Ethnopharmacology and the search for new therapeutics. In: Minnis PE. Elisens WJ (eds) Biodiversity and native America. University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, OK Moerman DE 1998 Native American ethnobotany. Timber Press. Portland, OR Neuwinger D 2000 African traditional medicines. Medpharm.

Eat To Beat Cancer: A Research Scientist Explains How You and Your Family Can Avoid Up to 90% of All Cancers J. Robert Hatherill See book keywords and concepts

It could be that lignans have an antiestrogen effect and suppress the growth of cancer. The primary sources for lignans are flax seed (linseed), rye, buckwheat, soy, millet, oats, and barley. Legume Group One serving of soy each day can keep cancer away! Because soybeans are excellent sources of protein, they have been consumed for thousands of years. In East Asia soy forms a significant part of the diet, starting from early childhood. And in Asia, incidence of breast cancer and colon cancer is considerably lower than in the West.

Indian Herbal Remedies: Rational Western Therapy, Ayurvedic and Other Traditional Usage, Botany C. P. Khare See book keywords and concepts

Active principles and pharmacology The heartwood gave lignans; leaves yielded luteo-lin, apigenin, quercetin, hentriacontanol and beta-sitosterol; roots gave apiosylskimmin, a coumarin characterized as umbelliferone-7-apiosylgluco-side and gmelofuran. Stem-wood bark was found to be hypoglycaemic; stem-bark antiviral; leaf demulcent; bark anticephalalgic; root galactogogue, demulcent, tonic, stomachic, laxative, antibilious, bark and root febrifuge. The leaf removes foetid discharges from ulcers. The root was found efficacious in anasarca. Malvaceae Gossypium herbaceum Linn.

Medical Herbalism: The Science Principles and Practices Of Herbal Medicine David Hoffman, FNIMH, AHG See book keywords and concepts

A role for lignans has also been proposed in colon cancer prevention.81 Fig. 7.68. Fig. 7.69. Fig. 7.70. Enterolactone Matairesinol Enterodiol Podophyllotoxin Podophyllotoxin (podofilox) and its derivatives, etoposide and teniposide, are all antimitotic glucosides. OH OCH, Fig. 7.71. Podophyllotoxin Podofilox is an extract of mayapple (Podophyllum pelta-tum), which generally acts as a poison to cells undergoing mitosis. Podofilox itself is not used as a chemotherapy agent; instead, it is applied as an ingredient in creams for the treatment for genital warts.

Indian Herbal Remedies: Rational Western Therapy, Ayurvedic and Other Traditional Usage, Botany C. P. Khare See book keywords and concepts

It also contains lignans. Safrole is thought to be carcinogenic. The bark of the plant is sedative, antispasmodic, diaphoretic and anthelmintic. The roots are also anthelmintic. The roots and leaves are used for hardness of spleen and liver. Ethanolic extract (50 %) of fruits showed antibacterial activity against several Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Camphor inhibited the growth of Vibrio parahaemolyticus, which is one of the causative agents of diarrhoea and dysentery. The essential oil from the plant possesses potent antifungal activity against many fungi.

Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy Dr. Michael Heinrich, Joanne Barnes, Simon Gibbons and Elizabeth M. Williamson See book keywords and concepts

Much work has been done on the podophyllotoxin (aryltetralin) class of lignans, the major active cytotoxic principle, podophyllotoxin, being isolated in the 1940s. This compound inhibits the enzyme tubulin polymerase which is needed for the synthesis of tubulin, a protein that is a vital component of cell division (mitosis). Podophyllotoxin is highly toxic and not used clinically for the treatment of cancers, but this class of compounds was an excellent template on which to base the semisynthetic analogues etoposide and teniposide (see Chapter 8).

Heinerman's Encyclopedia of Healing Herbs and Spices John Heinerman See book keywords and concepts

Thompson believes these lignans may retard the growth of blood vessels in tumor tissue, thereby starving the tumor. "We now have clear proof," she said, "that flaxseed lignans have definite anticancer effects." FRANKINCENSE (BOSWELLIA Till RIFFRA) Frankincense (and myrrh—see separate entry) are prepared from large irregular lumps of light reddish to yellowish-brown gum exuded by several species of trees. Another name for it is olibanum. Frankincense was highly regarded by Egyptians for embalming and fumigating. The gum is used in the Near East as a masticatory, to clean the mouth.

The ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs Mark Blumenthal See book keywords and concepts

Flax oil contains 50-60% alpha-linolenic acid and is also one of the most concentrated sources of lignans (phenolic resins found in many plants), containing 100 to 800 times the amounts found in other foods. Uses Internal Elevated lipid levels (e.g., high cholesterol); breast cancer (risk reduction); osteoporosis; lupus nephritis; rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis; chronic constipation; irritable bowel and other colon disorders. External Local inflammation. Dosage Flax can be used long-term as a bulk laxative and as a nutritional supplement.

Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy Dr. Michael Heinrich, Joanne Barnes, Simon Gibbons and Elizabeth M. Williamson See book keywords and concepts

A number of natural product groups can be constructed from the amino acid phenylalanine, in particular the phenylpropenes, lignans, coumarins and flavonoids, all of which possess a common substructure based on an aromatic 6-carbon ring (C6 unit) with a 3-carbon chain (C3 unit) attached to the aromatic ring (Fig. 6.14).

Herbal Defense Robyn Landis See book keywords and concepts

Studies show that women who excrete more lignans in their urine (presumably from increased consumption of lignans), have much lower breast-cancer rates.14 Ayurveda also emphasizes sesame and almond oils for women at this time—they are light, sweet, warming, easy-to-digest oils. Many foods contain phytoestrogens (plant estrogens). Of these, soy is emerging as such a powerful winner that we will discuss it in its own separate section next.

Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy Dr. Michael Heinrich, Joanne Barnes, Simon Gibbons and Elizabeth M. Williamson See book keywords and concepts

Other widely reported groups of compounds from members of this family are flavonoids, condensed tannins and lignans (e.g. pinoresinol) (Fig. 4.21). OCH Pinoresinol Abietic acid Fig. 4.21 REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING Brimble LFJ 1942 Intermediate botany. Macmillan. London Evans WC 2000 Trease and Evans' pharmacognosy. 15th edn. Wli Saunders, London Fitch WH 1924 Illustrations of the British flora. Reeve, London Frohne D. Jensen U 1998 Systematik des Pfianzenreichs, 5 Aufl. Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft. Stuttgart Hey wood VH 1993 Flowering plants of the world.

Herbal Defense Robyn Landis See book keywords and concepts

Studies show that women who excrete more lignans in their urine (presumably from increased consumption of lignans), have much lower breast-cancer rates.14 Ayurveda also emphasizes sesame and almond oils for women at this time—they are light, sweet, warming, easy-to-digest oils. Many foods contain phytoestrogens (plant estrogens). Of these, soy is emerging as such a powerful winner that we will discuss it in its own separate section next.

Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy Dr. Michael Heinrich, Joanne Barnes, Simon Gibbons and Elizabeth M. Williamson See book keywords and concepts

The more toxic lignans are thus present in much smaller quantities in the tea, reducing the health risk of this preparation (Kuhnt etal 1995). The second example is drawn from ethnobotanical fieldwork in Eastern Guatemala with a Mayan-speaking people, the Chorti. The Chorti use the fruit of Ocimum micranthum Willd.(Lamiaceae) in the treatment of infectious and inflammatory eye diseases (Kufer et al, unpublished). The fruits are approximately 1 mm in diameter and hard, and several of these are applied directly into the eye.

Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth Sharol Tilgner, N.D. See book keywords and concepts

The highest concentrations of estrogenically-active lignans are in the defatted portion of flax seeds. They are converted by gut bacteria to mammalian lignans, the primary ones being enterolactone and enterodiol. They are structurally similar to estrogen and bind with low affinity to estrogen receptors. They also increase sex hormone binding protein.294 The most potent phytoestrogens are the phytosterols. Common foods, which contain phytosterols, are chestnuts, sesame, safflower, sunflower and pumpkin seeds. Phytosterols are most common in whole grains, nuts, seeds and legumes.

Medical Herbalism: The Science Principles and Practices Of Herbal Medicine David Hoffman, FNIMH, AHG See book keywords and concepts

The most important of these appear to be isoflavones, coumestans, lignans, and phytosterols. In the diet, the precursors of the biologically active compounds A Closer Look at "Estrogens" Estrogen There is no chemical called "estrogen." Estrogen is a term that describes an effect, not a particular chemical. We really should talk about estrogens, the spectrum of molecular structures that share this effect. These are various natural or synthetic substances that possess the biological activity of estrus-producing hormones.

The phytoestrogens in berries and nuts are believed to be mainly lignans.21 Coffee has phytoestrogenic effects, as do beer, bourbon, mescaline, and Cannabis. Actually, it is quite amazing how many substances that cause social issues also have estrogenic effects. Coffee extracts, unlike tea and cocoa, actively compete with estradiol for uterine cytosol binding sites.22 Isoflavones A number of phytoestrogens belong to chemically related classes of flavonoids, including chalcones, flavanones, flavones, flavonols, and isoflavones.

The ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs Mark Blumenthal See book keywords and concepts

Increases concentrations of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) by lignans (Adlercreutz etal, 1987, 1992). • Binds steroid hormones to its insoluble fiber, thereby reducing estrogen concentrations in circulation (Whitten and Shultz, 1988; Goldin etal, 1982). • Protects against degenerative disease by supplying omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs) (Budwig, 1953). Contraindications Ileus of any origin (flaxseeds) (Blumenthal et al, 1998). Pregnancy and Lactation: No known restrictions.

Defeating Diabetes Brenda Davis and Tom Barnard See book keywords and concepts

These beans provide a rich plant source of protein and plant sterols, as well as phytoestrogens such as lignans and isoflavones. The principle isoflavones in soy are genestein and daidzein. These isoflavones are powerful antioxidants and very effective inhibitors of the tyrosine kinase enzyme—a potent tumor promoter. Research suggests that isoflavones may provide protection against heart disease, certain forms of cancer, and osteoporosis. Some evidence also indicates that they may preserve cognitive function.

Rational Phytotherapy: A Reference Guide for Physicians and Pharmacists volker schulz and Rudolf Hansel See book keywords and concepts

Morton MS, Chan PSF, Cheng C, Blacklock N, Matos-Ferreira A, Abranches-Monteiro L, Correia R, Lloyd S, Griffiths K (1997) lignans and isoflavonoids in plasma and prostatic fluid in men: samples from Portugal, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom. Prostate 32:122-128. Nestel PJ, Pomeroy S, Kay S, Komesaroff P, Behrsing J, Camron JD, West L (1999) Isoflavones from red clover improve systemic arterial compliance but not plasma lipids in menopausal women. J Clin End Met 84: 895-899. Notelovitz M (1989) Estrogen replacement therapy indications, contraindications, and agent selection.

The ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs Mark Blumenthal See book keywords and concepts

Flax is also one of the most concentrated sources of lignans (phenolic resins found in many plants), containing 100 to 800 times the amount found in other foods.

The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook: Everything You Need to Know About Chinese, Western, and Ayurvedic Herbal Treatments Alan Keith Tillotson, Ph.D., A.H.G., D.Ay. See book keywords and concepts

There is some evidence that lignans in the oil may be active in cancer prevention (Nesbitt et al., 1997). GARLIC BULB_ Latin: Allium sativum Sanskrit: Lasunam Chinese: Da suan WHAT IT DOES: Garlic bulb is pungent in taste, and warming in action. It penetrates deeply into the system to protect the internal organs and vessels against infection and blockage. It moves the blood and aids in the digestion of fats and oils.

Lignans obtained from stinging nettle roots attach to and alter prostate membranes (Schottner et al., 1997). This in turn leads to less prostate tissue stimulation, and a reduction in prostate swelling (Lichius et al., 1997). • Stinging nettle is an approved medicine for the treatment of prostate diseases in Germany (Vahlensieck Jr. et al., 1996). • Nettle leaf contains a lectin called UDA that has been shown to stimulate the production of a protein-digesting enzyme called gelatinase B.

The Origin Diet: How Eating Like Our Stone Age Ancestors Will Maximize Your Health Elizabeth Somer, M.A., R.D. See book keywords and concepts

Finally, numerous studies spanning decades of research show that (14Q) whole grains and their fibers, phytochemicals (such as ferulic and caffeic acids and lignans), and vast vitamin and mineral contents help lower disease risk, boost our health, and possibly even trim our waistlines. Researchers at Harvard Medical School in Boston, who studied the effects of diet on health status in 75,521 women in the Nurses' Health Study, showed that women who consumed the most whole grains every day lowered their risk for heart disease by 33 percent.

Preliminary evidence already shows, for example, that a phytochemical called gingerol in ginger is a potent antioxidant, that the lignans in whole grains enhance fiber's protective effects against colon cancer, and that phenolic compounds in green tea might be major players in pro- Compare to Our Ancestors' Our bodies evolved on levels of vitamins and minerals that are difficult to get today from diet alone. Dr. S. Boyd Eaton at Emory University in Atlanta has estimated our ancestors' intakes based on diets of 35 percent lean wild meat and 65 percent wild plants.

Viral Immunity J. E. Williams, O.M.D. See book keywords and concepts

The resin and bark are used medicinally and contain proanthocyanidins, flavonoids, phenols, lignans, and plant sterols. Sangre de drago is used as an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antifungal, and antiviral against herpes and upper respiratory tract viruses. It is also used for the treatment of diarrhea, and for this purpose has been developed into a patented standardized extract by Shaman Pharmaceuticals of San Francisco, and manufactured as Normal Stool Formula (NSF). The active ingredient in NSF is an oligomeric proan-thocyanidin compound called SP-303.

The compounds in phyllanthus include tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, lignans, phenols, and terpenes. In addition to antiviral activity, they have a considerable liver-protective function, giving this herb great therapeutic potential in the treatment of chronic hepatitis and hepatocellular (liver) cancer. The majority of patients with chronic hepatitis B show improvement in their blood tests within one month of treatment.

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