Project Description
Studies have shown that GoldenSeal (berberine) can suppress chemical-induced carcinogenesis, tumor promotion, tumor invasion, prostate cancer, neuroblastoma, and leukemia. It is a radiosensitizer of tumor cells but not of normal cells. Berberine seems to act as an herbal antidepressant and a neuroprotector against neurodegenerative disorders.
Wikipedia: Goldenseal has been ascribed the following herbal properties (whole herb): bitter, hepatic, alterative, anticatarrhal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, laxative, emmenagogue, and oxytocic. Goldenseal is also taken internally as a digestion aid, and may remove canker sores when gargled.
Traditional doctors stated that goldenseal increases the secretion of the mucous membranes. At the same time, goldenseal contains astringent factors, which also counter that flow. Thus it was referred to as a mucous membrane “alterative”, increasing deficient flow but decreasing excessive flow. How this happens has not been determined by science, but is thoroughly supported by the traditional uses…. It is my opinion that goldenseal acts as an “antibiotic” to the mucous membranes not by killing germs directly, but by increasing the flow of healthy mucous, which contains its own innate anti biotic factors—
IgA antibodies. Interestingly, there is some evidence for other berberine-containing species synthesizing an efflux pump inhibitor that tends to prevent antibiotic resistance, a case of solid scientific evidence that the herb is superior to the isolated active principle.
Cuthbertson gave hydrastis canadensis as a tonic to a pregnant woman who had a goitre (swelling of the adrenal gland) of recent appearance. The goitre was promptly cured. As a result of this observation, he treated twenty-five other cases of goitre at the time of puberty, or during the pregnant state. At times when interference with the function of the reproductive organs seemed to produce reflex irritation. He claims that every case was cured by this remedy
Bioinformation. 2011; 6(7): 262–265. Published online 2011 June 23. Computer aided screening of inhibitors to 5-α reductase type 2 for prostate cancer
This study has investigated the effects of naturally occurring nonprotein compounds berberine and mono caffeoyl tartaric acid. Our results reveal that these compounds use less energy to bind to 5-α reductase and inhibit its activity. In addition, they are freely available natural compounds that can be safely used to prevent prostate cancer.Health effects in blood, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal system, kidney, liver, and lungs were predicted. Berberine and Monocaffe Tartaric acid were non-commercially available hence both Berberine and Monocaffe Tartaric acid were considered as a better lead compound than our reference drug (Finasteride)The above synthetic Finasteride inhibitors, prevent or slow down the growth of cancer by dihydrotestosterone suppression, and in turn reduce the prostate size.
Berberine has drawn extensive attention towards its antineoplastic effects. It seems to suppress the growth of a wide variety of tumor cells including breast cancer, leukemia, melanoma, epidermoid carcinoma, hepatoma, oral carcinoma, tongue carcinoma, glioblastoma, prostate carcinoma, gastric carcinoma. Animal studies have shown that berberine can suppress chemical-induced carcinogenesis, tumor promotion, tumor invasion, prostate cancer, neuroblastoma, and leukemia. It is a radiosensitizer of tumor cells but not of normal cells. Berberine seems to act as an herbal antidepressant and a neuroprotector against neurodegenerative disorders.
