Panax Ginseng Improves Immune Function

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Panax ginseng (the root of Panax ginseng Meyer, Family Araliaceae) is an herb that grows in Korea and northern China. The active ingredients that trigger the medicinal effects of panax ginseng are called ginsenosides. Ginseng root is standardized on content of ginsenosides. Extracts usually contain from 4% to 7% ginsenosides. Some researches report that panax ginseng may boost the immune system, improve the effectiveness of antibiotic drugs in individuals with acute bronchitis, and improve the body’s response to flu vaccines.

Panax Ginseng Benefits and Immune System

Panax ginseng (Korean Red Ginseng) has been well known as an immunomodulator. Ginseng acts on the immune system by producing higher activity levels of natural killer cells, increasing total lymphocyte count and raising levels of T-helper cells. In vitro studies reveal enhanced natural killer cell activity and increased immune cell phagocytosis after ginsenoside exposure. A clinical trial in 60 healthy participants demonstrated enhanced chemotaxis, phagocytosis, increased total lymphocyte count, and increased numbers of  T helper cells in those who received ginseng extract in a dosage of 100 mg twice daily for 8 weeks. Natural Killer Cells are a type of cytotoxic lymphocytes of innate  immune system that are involved in the first line of defense against newly arising malignant cells and infected  cells. Korean Red Ginseng contains a polysaccharide called ginsan that stimulates natural killer cell activity, according to a study  reported in the Aug t 2011 edition of the journal Immunology Letters. Researchers have found that a combination of echinacea and ginseng increases the activity of natural killer cells, an substantial immune system component, in individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Panax GinsengWhen given in combination with 6-MFA, an interferon inducing antiviral agent, panax ginseng was found to preserve 82-100 percent of mice infected with semliki forest virus (SFV). Panax ginseng enhances the number of immune cells in the blood, thus helping the immune system fight illnesses such as the flu. In a study reported in 2004 in Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, scientists found that participants who took a ginseng had a lower incidence of acute respiratory illness than the control group. In a study of 75 participants with acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis who were treated with antibiotics or antibiotics plus panax ginseng, those in the panax ginseng group demonstrated faster bacterial clearance.

There is some findings that taking G115 (a specific panax ginseng extract) by mouth 4 weeks before a flu shot and continued for 8 more weeks can reduce the risk of getting the flu. When administered as the G115 in a 100mg dose to humans, it appears that G115 has the ability to reduce the occurrence of the flu when G115 is taken for twelve weeks and the vaccination is applied at week four. In a study using the polysaccharide of Panax Ginseng (Ginsan) in isolation, 100mg/kg injection once a day for 2 days prior to infection with an antigen resulted in appreciably higher levels of IgG1 and IgG2, as well as secretory IgA when compared to mice who did not receive Ginsan before infection. A study of 227 healthy participants showed that daily administration of 100 mg standardized Panax ginseng extract, for 12 weeks enhanced the efficacy of polyvalent influenza vaccine. The people who received panax ginseng had a lower incidence of colds and influenza, higher antibody titers, and higher natural killer cell activity levels.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 is a virus that causes AIDS, a condition in which the immune system fails due to the destruction of CD4+ helper T cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells. The immune system may  benefit from panax ginseng, especially the cell-mediated immune system, which is damaged in HIV infection. A test-tube study involving cells from HIV-positive individuals showed that ginseng might stimulate the production and function of immune cells. In a study found that steamed then dried panax ginseng had favorable effects in individuals infected with HIV, and increased the effectiveness of the anti-HIV medication, AZT. Cho YK, Lee, Oh and Kim report on a study comparing 5.4 g of panax ginseng daily on 16 HIV+ patients versus 10 people who took no anti-HIV drugs for 3 – 4 years. In the group using this form of  Korean Red Ginseng, the average CD4 count increased from baseline of 301 to 359. In the control group, the baseline CD4 count of 352 decreased to 156. Researchers concluded that “Korean Red Ginseng has definite long-term immune modulating effect without adverse effects on HIV-infected patients”.

A study reported in Aug 2009 in the journal Clinical and Vaccine Immunology, indicates that panax ginseng may have favorable effects against HIV when combined with HAART (highly active antiretroviral therapy). HIV-1 (Human immunodeciency virus type 1) is a virus that causes AIDS, a condition in which the immune system fails due to the destruction of  CD4+ helper T cells macrophages, and dendritic cells. Owing to the introduction of  highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and the improvement of many anti-retroviral medications the rates of mortality and morbidity related to HIV-1 disease have lessen significantly. But, anti-retroviral drug-resistant mutants are incessantly occurring and limit the availability of effective medications. Korean red ginseng has been shown to exert favorable effects on HAART by maintaining CD4+ T cell counts and delaying the development of resistance mutations in HIV-1 patients treated with HAART.

Arginine Can be an Effective Treatment for Erectile Dysfunction

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Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid. L-arginine is converted in the body into a chemical named nitric oxide. Nitric oxide (NO) is a strong neurotransmitter that helps blood vessels relax and develops circulation. Arginine are increasingly being recommended in urology to support the therapy of erectile problems of a mild or medium severity.

L-arginine Erectile Dysfunction Treatment

L-arginine is the precursor of nitric oxide, which is a substance that helps dilate blood vessels and improves circulation. A dose of 5 g per day might be effectual in treating male erectile dysfunction because the erectile process requires nitric oxide synthesized by arginine. Researches have shown that L-arginine may help treat erectile dysfunction in men with low nitrate levels in their blood.

In a study, 2 groups of rats were given free access to arginine which was dissolved in their drinking water. Serum and penile tissue levels of arginine in the treated rats were increased by 64 – 148 percent compared to control animals. A 1999 study reported in the online journal BJU International found that high doses of arginine can help improve sexual function. In a study, men with erectile dysfunction were given 2800 mg of arginine per day for 2 weeks. Six of the fifteen men in the study were helped, though none improved while taking placebo. In another study men with erectile dysfunction were given 1670 mg of arginine per day or a matching placebo for 6 weeks. Arginine supplement was found to be especially efficacious at improving erectile dysfunction in men with abnormal nitric oxide metabolism.

L-arginine used in combination with proanthocyanidins or yohimbine, has been used as a therapy for erectile dysfunction. In clinical trials, an on-demand oral preparation of an yohimbine/arginine combination significantly improved erectile function in men with mild-to-moderate disease whereas neither arginine alone nor yohimbine alone was significantly better than placebo. In a study of 45 men found that one-time use of this combination treatment (3.25 g of arginine plus 6 mg of yohimbine) an hour or two prior to intercourse improved erectile function, particularly in those with just moderate erectile dysfunction scores. Combination therapy was considered successful by 40% of the subjects, compared with 28 % with yohimbine alone and 17 % with placebo.

L-arginine and Pycnogenol

Five clinical trials have found that arginine aspartate and pycnogenol work together to restore sexual function, enable erections, performance, boost libido,and sperm motility, viability, and quantity. Study by researchers at Seminological Laboratory, and reported in the May issue of  Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy in 2003 discovered that administration of  Pycnogenol and L-arginine important enhances sexual function in men with erectile dysfunction. During the three-month study period participants received 3 ampoules Sargenor a day, a drinkable solution of the dipeptide arginyl aspartate. (equivalent to 1.7 g L-arginine). Throughout the second month, participants were additionally supplemented with 40 mg Pycnogenol 2 times per day;  during the third month, the daily dosage was increased to 3 time 40 mg Pycnogenol. After one month of therapy with arginine, a statistically non significant number of 2 participant (5%)  experienced a normal erection. Therapy with a combination of  Pycnogenol and L-arginine for the subsequent month increased the number of men with restored sexual function to 80%. After the third month of treatment, 92.5% of the men experienced a successful erection. In another study, investigated 50 middle-aged men with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction who were treated for one month with placebo or with arginine aspartate and pycnogenol. Therapy with arginine aspartate and pycnogenol for one month restored erectile function to normal, and intercourse frequency doubled.

Can Arginine Help Heart Disease?

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Arginine is a chemical precursor to nitric oxide. Research findings shown that arginine may help treat health conditions that improve with increased vasodilation. These conditions include chest pain, atherosclerosis, heart disease or failure, intermittent claudication/peripheral vascular disease, and vascular headaches.

Arginine Heart Benefits

Arginine is a important amino acid that plays a role in a number of physiological functions in the body, however, is best known for its cardiovascular effects. Researches indicate arginine may help treat health problems that improve with vasodilation, such as clogged arteries, chest pain, coronary artery disease, heart failure, intermittent claudication/peripheral vascular disease, and blood vessel swelling that causes headaches. L-arginine is the precursor of nitric oxide, which is a substance that helps dilate blood vessels and improves circulation. Nitric oxide is 1000 times more strong than any naturally occurring antioxidant in the body. Its antioxidant effects are especially important for numerous body systems and may help protect against heart disease, stroke, and cancer, as well as slowing the aging process.

Angina is chest pain caused by restricted blood flow to the heart. Taking arginine seems to reduce symptoms and increase exercise tolerance and quality of life in individuals with angina. Taking 2 g of arginine 3 times per day for as little as 3 days has improved the ability of angina sufferers to exercise. Seven of ten participants with severe angina improved significantly after taking 9 g of arginine per day for 3 months in an study. In a study, of 36 participants with heart disease found that use of L-arginine (in combination with antioxidant vitamins and minerals) at a daily dose of 6.6 g decreased symptoms of angina. A small-scale a study showed that use of arginine (700 mg 4 times daily) may support transdermal nitroglycerin treatment for angina.

In the body, arginine is converted to nitric oxide, which relaxes the blood vessels. This lowers stress on the heart and develops circulation. Three small-scale study enrolling a total of 70 participant with congestive heart failure (CHF) found that L-arginine at a dose of 5 g to 15 g daily could significantly improve symptoms as well as objective measurements of heart function. L-arginine may enhance cardiac performance in patients with congestive heart failure, according to a 2000 study reported in “Clinical Cardiology”.

Individuals with advanced hardening of the arteries, frequently have difficulty walking because of lack of blood flow to the legs, a problem known as intermittent claudication. The intensity of intermittent claudication is usually measured in the distance a person can walk without pain. Intermittent claudication is primarily caused by peripheral artery disease. Claudication generally occurs in individuals aged over 50 years; but it can occur much earlier in people who smoke and those who have diabetes, high blood pressure. Intravenous injections of the arginine have been shown to be significantly efficacious at improving intermittent claudication. In a study, 8 g of arginine, injected twice daily for 3 weeks, improved pain-free walking distance by 230% and absolute walking distance by 155%, compared to no healing with placebo.

Arginine Shown to Increase Male Fertility

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L-arginine is an amino acid necessary in the replication of cells, and is considered substantial for male fertility. Researches shows that several months of arginine supplement enhances sperm count, quality, and fertility.

L-arginine Fertility Benefits

Infertility is the failure of a couple to become pregnant after one year of regular, unprotected intercourse. In approximately 50% of cases, couple infertility is due to sperm quality, including low sperm count, misshapen sperm and decreased sperm motility. The normal amount of semen produced during ejaculation ranges from 1mL to 5.6mL. 40 million to 300 million is the normal range for the number of sperm per milliliter. Counts below 10 million are considered unfavorable; counts of 20 million or more may be fine if motility and morphology are normal. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a healthy sperm count is 20 million sperm cells per ml, with 50% of sperm cells moving forward and at least 2 ml of semen volume.

L-arginine is a precursor of different compounds (spermidine, spermine and putrescine) that are thought to play a role in sperm motility. For infertile men with sperm counts greater than 10 million per milliliter, some physicians recommend up to 4 g of arginine per day for several months. In 1973, researchers reported a study in which L-arginine was given to 178 men with low sperm count. 74% of  the participants had significant development in sperm count and motility after taking 4 g/day for 3 months. Dr. Cesare Battaglia explained in his 1999 in the Human Reproduction journal that daily ingestion of large doses of arginine increased blood flow to the reproductive organs.

Oral use of 500 mg arginine-HCl per day to infertile men for six-eight weeks significantly increased sperm counts and motility in a majority of patients, and resulted in successful pregnancies. But, when baseline sperm counts were less than 10 million/mL, arginine supplement produced little or no amelioration. A study reported in the January 2006 issue of Biology of Reproduction concluded that sperm cells synthesize nitric oxide, necessary to enhance sperm vitality, from  arginine. Another study, researchers evaluated the clinical efficacy of L-arginine in 40 infertile men. Participants were given 80 ml of a 10-percent arginine HCl solution for 6 months. L-arginine supplement significantly developed sperm motility without any adverse effects.

Antiviral Effects of Bitter Melon

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Bitter melon (Momordica charantia) is cultivated in Asia, Africa and South America. It has biologically active substances which have been shown to exhibit antiviral effect.

Bitter Melon and Herpes Cure

Herpes is an infection that is caused by a herpes simplex virus. This virus usually causes infections of the skin and mucous membranes. Sometimes it can cause more important infections in other parts of the body. HSV-1 (herpes simplex virus 1) is the main cause of herpes infections that occur on the mouth and lips. HSV-2 (herpes simplex virus 2) is the main cause of genital herpes. Bitter melon extract has been shown to possess strong antiviral activities stimulate the immune system and activate the body’s natural killer cells to help fight off viruses such as herpes simplex virus 1. In a 1982 study of the effects of bitter melon on the herpes simplex virus-1, MAP30 inhibited the reproduction of the virus,
as well as reducing its capability to form plaques.  According to certified nutritional consultant Phyllis Balch, Momordica charantia extracts are more effective than the drug acyclovir at killing strains of herpes virus that are not resistant to acyclovir.

Bitter Melon and HIV Treatment

Since the early 1980’s, bitter melon fruits and seeds have been investigated in vitro and in vivo as an efficacious treatment for HIV. Scientists have found that Momordica charantia contains some proteins that can inhibit HIV in the test-tube. These proteins, known collectively as ribosome-inactivating proteins are alpha-momorcharin, beta-momorcharin and MAP-30. MAP30 is an anti-HIV plant protein. It is capable of acting against different stages of the viral life cycle, on acute infection as well as replication in chronically infected cells. In addition to antiviral action, MAP30 furthermore possesses topological inactivation of viral DNA, inhibition of viral integrase and cell-free ribosome-inactivation effects.

In lab experiments, bitter melon extracts inhibit the ability of  HIV to insert its DNA into the chromosomes of human cells. In vitro antiviral effect has been showed with bitter melon and its inhibitory effects on HIV integrating into host cells. In vitro research has demonstrated decreased, rates of T lymphocyte infections with HIV-1 and decreased viral replication in infected cells. Scientists at the “New York University School of Medicine” explained that MAP 30 protein is able to slow down HIV-1 infection in T-lymphocytes and monocytes as well as replication of  HIV-1 in infected cells. In one experiment, HIV-infected cells treated with alpha- and beta-momorcharin demonstrated a almost complete loss of viral antigen while normal cells were unaffected. According to study published in June 2001 edition in the Planta Medica; protein extracted from the ripe seed and fruit  decreased viral protein in HIV-infected cells by 82% and inhibited one process involved in viral replication by 50%.