Tradition
and research join together to create OsteoFlex. Its formula
is based on an in-depth study of herbs. Research has confirmed
their effectiveness in the relief of inflammation and other symptoms
of osteoarthritis and rheumatism. All the ingredients work in
synergy to help relieve symptoms and reduce inflammation. Its
effect is both very potent and very mild.
Glucosamine Sulfate
Glucosamine is an amino sugar found
throughout the body. It is made of glucose and the ammoniated
glutamine combined by the glucosamine synthetase. Since the
early 80's, research has shown that supplementation in glucosamine
stimulates the generation of articular tissues: synovial fluids and
cartilages. Durable relief is felt after only two weeks of treatment.
(For more information, see the Glucosamine
monograph.)
Curcumine from Curcuma longa and
the gum resin of Boswellia serrata, which were demonstrated to act
as antiinflammatories in in vivo animal models, were studied in a
set of in vitro experiments in order to elucidate the mechanism of
their beneficial effects.
Curcumine inhibited the 5-lipoxygenase
activity in rat peritoneal neutrophils as well as the 12-lipoxygenase
and the cyclooxygenase activities in human platelets. In a cell free
peroxidation system curcumine exerted strong antioxidative activity.
Thus, its effects on
the dioxygenases are probably due
to its reducing capacity. Boswellic acids were isolated from the gum
resin of Boswellia serrata and identified as the active principles.
Boswellic acids inhibited the leukotriene synthesis via 5-lipoxygenase,
but did not affect the 12-lipoxygenase and the cyclooxygenase activities.
Additionally, boswellic acids did not impair the peroxidation of arachidonic
acid by iron and ascorbate. The data suggest that boswellic acids
are specific, non-redox inhibitors of leukotriene synthesis either
interacting directly with 5-lipoxygenase or blocking its translocation.
Boswellia
Serrata
Boswellia serrata is a moderate
to large branching tree found in India, Northern Africa, and the Middle
East. Strips of bark are peeled away, yielding a gummy oleo-resin
which contains oils, terpenoids, and gum. Up to 16 percent of the
resin is essential oil, the majority being alpha thujene and p-cymene.
Four pentacyclic triterpene acids are also present, with ß-Boswellic
acid being the major constituent. Extracts of this gummy exudate have
been traditionally used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine as an
anti-arthritic. These gum resins are also known as guggals. S. Nityanand
et al showed the guggal of Commiphora mukul to be an effective hypolipidemic
agent, but it does not have the anti-inflammatory action of the gum
resin of Boswellia serrata.
Mechanism of Action:
Studies performed in India showed
ingestion of a defatted alcoholic extract of Boswellia decreased polymorphonuclear
leukocyte infiltration and migration, decreased primary antibody synthesis,
and caused almost total inhibition of the classical complement pathway.
In an in vitro study of the effects of ß-Boswellic acid on the
complement system, the extract demonstrated a marked inhibitory effect
on both the classical and alternate complement systems.
In vitro testing revealed Boswellia
specifically, and in a dose-dependent manner, blocks the synthesis
of pro-inflammatory 5-lipoxygenase products, including 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic
acid (5-HETE) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4), which cause bronchoconstriction,
chemotaxis, and increased vascular permeability. Other anti-inflammatory
plant constituents, such as quercetin, also block this enzyme, but
they do so in a more general fashion,
as an antioxidant; whereas, Boswellia seems to be a specific inhibitor
of 5-lipoxygenase. Boswellia has also been observed to inhibit human
leukocyte elastase (HLE), which may be involved in the pathogenesis
of emphysema. HLE also stimulates mucus secretion and thus may play
a role in cystic fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, and acute respiratory
distress syndrome.
It is known that non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs can cause a disruption of glycosaminoglycan
synthesis which can accelerate the articular damage in arthritic conditions.
A recent in vivo study examined Boswellia extract and ketoprofen for
their effects on glycosaminoglycan metabolism. Boswellia significantly
reduced the degradation of glycosaminoglycans compared to controls,
whereas ketoprofen
caused a reduction in total tissue
glycosaminoglycan content.
Turmeric
(Curcuma Longa)
Turmeric is a spice from Asia,
in the ginger family. It is mainly used in curries and as a
yellow coloring agent in food. The active ingredients are curcuminoïds,
mostly curcumin (diferuloylmethane). A staple of ayurvedic medicine
for inflammation and osteoarthritis, it has been used for thousands
of years. The anti-inflammatory property may be due to its effect
on the eïcosanoïd biosynthesis and the arachidonic acid
pathway enzymes. In studies on AIDS, curcuminoïds have
shown results as anti-infectious and anti viral (HIV-1 integrase inhibition)agents.
In another study, turmeric reduced the number and size of tumors as
a chemopreventive agent. Turmeric's main effect is its antioxidation
property, up to 5 times more potent than vitamin E. It also
increases stomach's mucus secretion.
The following excerpt is from
Turmeric and the Healing Curcuminoids
(Keats Publishing, Inc.) by Muhammed
Majeed, Ph.D., Vladimir Badmaev, M.D., Ph.D., et al.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The need for antioxidants, like
curcuminoids, to stop free radical damage is well recognized. This
can be accomplished by either minimizing or preventing the oxidants'
initial formation, or by neutralizing the existing free radicals in
the body. As we will learn in this and subsequent sections, curcuminoids,
unlike many antioxidants, are capable of both functions, i.e., prevention
of free radical formation and intervention to neutralize existing
free radicals….
Inflammation in the body, as is
encountered in the course of certain diseases (e.g., arthritis), infection
or wound healing, is nothing more than the outcome of the defense
reaction of the body producing oxidants that cause collateral damage
to tissues and organs, which in turn results in inflammation. Moderate
inflammation is necessary for the healing process; continuous inflammation,
however, leads to chronic conditions like arthritis and associated
pain....
Steroidal drugs like cortisone,
and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as phenylbutazone
and indomethacin, are used in clinical practice to subdue inflammation.
However, many of these drugs have dangerous side effects. On the other
hand, curcuminoids and other constituents of turmeric are known for
their natural anti-inflammatory activity. In fact, turmeric is one
of the oldest natural, anti-inflammatory drugs used in Ayervedic medicine....
Turmeric has also been evaluated
as a treatment for inflammation associated with arthritis. Oral administration
of curcumin at a dose of 3 mg per kilogram and sodium curcumin at
a dose of 0.1 mg/kg inhibited formalin-induced arthritis in rats.
In fact, curcumin was comparably effective to phenylbutazone in this
application. [1] In another study, oral administration of 0.1 mg/kg
of the volatile oil isolated from [turmeric] also decreased arthritis
induced in rats.[2]
The antirheumatic properties of
curcuminoids were tested in double-blind trial in 49 patients who
had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.[3] When curcumin was
given at a dose of 1200 mg/day for five to six weeks, significant
improvement was observed in all patients. There was an overall improvement
in morning stiffness and physical endurance. Again, the therapeutic
effects were comparable to those obtained with phenylbutazone.
Turmeric was also used to treat
patients with chronic respiratory disorders, which resulted in significant
relief in symptoms such as cough and shortness of breath…[4]
Curcumin has a similar action
to that of aspirin and aspirin-like anti-inflammatory agents.[5] There
is, however, an important advantage for curcumin over aspirin, since
curcumin, unlike aspirin, selectively inhibits synthesis of inflammatory
prostaglandins but does not affect the synthesis of prostacyclin.[5]
Prostacyclin is an important factor in preventing vascular thrombosis,
and any drug that affects its synthesis, especially when used in large
doses, may increase the risk of this dangerous condition. Curcumin
may therefore be preferable for patients who are prone to vascular
thrombosis and require anti-inflammatory and/or antiarthritic therapy.
1. Srimal, R.C., and Dhawan, B.N.
(1985). "Pharmacological and Clinical Studies on Curcuma Longa," Hamdard
Nat'l. Found. Monograph, New Delhi, India, Section 3B(ii).
2. Chandra, D., and Gupta, S.S.
(1972). "Anti-inflammatory and Anti-arthritic Activity of Volatile
Oil of C. Longa," Ind. J. Med. Res. 60:138.
3. Deodhar, S.D., et al. (1980).
"Preliminary Studies on Anti-Rheumatic Activity of Curcumin," Ind.
J. Med. Res. 71:632.
4. Jain, J.P., et al. (1979). "Clinical
Trials of Haridra in Cases of Tamak Swasa and Kasa," J. Res. Indian.
Med. Yoga and Homeo. 14:110.
5. Srivastava, V., et al. (1986).
"Effect of Curcumin on Platelet Aggregation and Vascular Prostacyclin
Synthesis," Arzneim. Forsch
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