Adaptogenic / Antistress Hbs

[Guest guest]

Hi Nicholas

 

> Hello All- Cortisol is created in response to an exterior stress. What

> herb or herbal combination can someone use to deplete the amount of

> cortisol one has? I havent found anything yet. I would love some

> feedback and help. Nicholas

 

Stress is a complex area, involving far more than just the cortisol

response. The whole adaptation system is involved, including the

psyche and autonomic systems and their controllers.

 

Selye defined three stages: early/acute arousal; adaptation and

exhaustion. The cortisol respones differ in these 3 stages; in stage 3

(exhaustion) the ability of the adrenal to respond is weak or lost.

 

In TCM, there are many categories of herbs to Calm Shen, Nourish HT,

Calm LV Fire, Calm Yang, Build Yin, etc. All of these help to calm stress

in different ways.

 

I am not a student of the martial arts, and (apart from general reading

and taking the Silva Mind Control course twice) my skills in controlling

stress in myself are mainly by osmosis from many different sources.

However, I understand that two people, or animals, exposed to the

same stressor, can react in very different ways. One accepts it and

adapts quickly, with minimal damage. The other struggles, fights it, and

gets totally screwed up. So a lot of the stress response lies in the

psyche, and in the way we TRAIN our adaptive systems. Adaptation is

the key to survival in a rapidly changing environment. But diet is also

very important; dietary deficiencies of vitamins (including B1 and E) and

antioxidants can leave animals and humans very unprotected; their

cellular membranes become " leaky " (easier to stimulate, hypersensitive.

Correction of the dietary problem goes a long way to raising the capacity

of the adaptive response.

 

Also, in animals at least, some forms of stress-predisposition are

determined genetically, for example the halothane reaction in pigs.

Stress-susceptible lines develop massive hyperthermia under halothane

and may go into rigor and die under the anaesthetic.

 

MODERN oriental medicine includes a new class of herbals and

supplements (including selenium, vitamin E, and antioxidants) called

ADAPTOGENS (antistress agents). These are agents that help internal

adaptation to internal and external chaos - stressors.

 

Ginseng is probably the best known, but there are many others. The

Russians are said to have used Rhodiola rosea (Hongjingtian) in their

space-probe to ensure harmony in the claustrophobic space capsule.

 

Here are a few adaptogenic Hbs. They belong to several different Main

Classes of Hb:

 

_Main Hb CLass | _Hb Pinyin Name | _Hb Latin Name

Astringe Surface~Stop Sweat | Hezi; | Fr Chebulae

Astringe Surface~Stop Sweat | Wuweizi | Fr Schizandrae

Calm Shen~Build HT | Suanzaoren | S Zizyphi

Clear Heat + Clear Toxin | Jixuecao | Hb Centellae/Hydrocotylis

Clear Heat + Clear Toxin | Tufuling | Rz Smilacis

Clear Heat + Clear Xue Heat | Xuanshen | Rx Scrophulariae

Expel Damp~Diuretic | Fuling | Poria

Expel Wind; Spasmolytic | Gouteng | Rml + Uncis Uncariae

Haemostat~Clear Xue Heat | Cebaiye | Cacumen Biotae/Platycladi

Haemostat~Move Xue Stag | Sanqi | Rx Notoginseng Rx

Pseudoginseng

Move Xue Stag~Rectify Menstruation | Yimucao | Hb Leonuri

Release Surface~Expel Wind + Clear Heat | Shengma | Rz/Rx

Cimicifugae

Tonic; Build Qi; | Dangshen | Rx Codonopsis Pilosulae

Tonic; Build Qi; | Gancao | Rx Glycyrrhizae

Tonic; Build Qi; | Hongjingtian | Rx/Rz Rhodiolae/Rhodeolae

Tonic; Build Qi; | Hongrenshen | Rx Ginseng Rubrum

Tonic; Build Qi; | Huangqi | Rx Astragali/Hedysari; Rx Astragali

Hoantchy

Tonic; Build Qi; | Lingzhi | Ganoderma

Tonic; Build Qi; | Renshen | Rx Ginseng Rx Ginseng

Tonic; Build Qi; | Shanyao | Rz/Rx Dioscoreae

Tonic; Build Qi; | Xiyangshen | Rx Panacis Quinquefolii

Tonic~Build Xue | Ejiao | Colla Corii Asini (Gelatinum Nigrum)

Tonic~Build Xue | Longyanrou | Arillus Longanae

Tonic~Build Yang | Bajitian | Rx Morindae

Tonic~Build Yang | Dongchongxiacao | Cordyceps

Tonic~Build Yang | Lurong | Cornu Cervi Pantotricium/Parvum

Tonic~Build Yang | Wujiashen | Rx Acanthopanacis/Eleutherococci

Senticosi

Tonic~Build Yang | Xianmao | Rz Curculiginis

Warm Interior + Expel Cold | Huajiao | Fr/Pc Zanthoxyli Bungeani

 

Kelly GS. Rhodiola rosea: a possible plant adaptogen. Altern Med Rev.

2001 Jun;6(3):293-302. Rhodiola rosea is a popular plant in traditional

medical systems in Eastern Europe and Asian with a reputation for

stimulating the nervous system, decreasing depression, enhancing work

performance, eliminating fatigue, and preventing high altitude sickness.

Rhodiola rosea has been categorized as an adaptogen by Russian

researchers due to its observed ability to increase resistance to a variety

of chemical, biological, and physical stressors. Its claimed benefits

include antidepressant, anticancer, cardioprotective, and central

nervous system enhancement. Research also indicates great utility in

asthenic conditions (decline in work performance, sleep difficulties, poor

appetite, irritability, hypertension, headaches, and fatigue) developing

subsequent to intense physical or intellectual strain. The adaptogenic,

cardiopulmonary protective, and central nervous system activities of

Rhodiola rosea have been attributed primarily to its ability to influence

levels and activity of monoamines and opioid peptides such as beta-

endorphins. Publication Types: Review Review, Tutorial PMID:

11410073 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

 

Below are some Medline hits re herbs and cortisone. It is clear that

some herbs decrease cortisone in stressful situations, but some do not.

Even those that do not can have some beneficial effects on wellveing

and the capacity to adapt.

 

Amri H, Drieu K, Papadopoulos V. | Use of ginkgolide B and a

ginkgolide-activated response element to control gene transcription:

example of the adrenocortical peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor. |

Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand). 2002 Sep;48(6):633-9. | Dept of Cell

Biology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.

| Identification of the molecular switch controlling glucocorticoid

synthesis might facilitate the development of pharmacological tools to

control circulating cortisol levels. The transport of cholesterol from

intracellular sources to the inner mitochondrial membrane represents

the rate-determining step in the cascade of reactions leading to cortisol

synthesis. A key element in this step is the peripheral-type

benzodiazepine receptor (PBR). Several studies have indicated the

beneficial effects of Ginkgo biloba on memory and stress control. Using

pharmacological, biochemical and proteomic methods, we

demonstrated that the standardized Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761 and

its isolated component ginkgolide B (GKB) inhibit PBR ligand binding

and protein expression, resulting in decreased serum corticosterone

levels. We further demonstrated that EGb 761- and GKB-induced

inhibition of PBR protein is preceded by a decrease in mRNA-levels due

to transcriptional suppression of PBR gene expression. Further studies

indicated that the action of GKB is mediated by a transcription factor

binding to the PBR gene promoter, thereby regulating PBR gene

expression. These data indicate that EGb 761-induced inhibition of

glucocorticoid production is due to specific transcriptional suppression

of the adrenal PBR gene by GKB, and suggest that EGb 761 and GKB

might serve as pharmacological tools to control excess glucocorticoid

formation. | Publication Types: Review Review, Tutorial PMID:

12396073 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

 

Bradshaw RH, Marchant JN, Meredith MJ, Broom DM. | Effects of

lavender straw on stress and travel sickness in pigs. | J Altern

Complement Med. 1998 Fall;4(3):271-5. | Dept of Clinical Veterinary

Medicine, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom. | OBJECTIVE: To

observe pigs during road journeys in order to establish whether lavender

straw was likely to decrease stress and incidence of travel sickness.

SUBJECTS: Forty 70-kg Large White pigs were transported by road for

2 hours, 20 animals each day, over a 2-day period. DESIGN: On day 1,

ample wheat straw was provided as bedding such that the floor of the

vehicle was entirely covered (straw condition). On day 2, lavender straw

was provided as bedding (lavender condition). During the journey, direct

behavioral observations of the individually marked pigs were made by

scanning every 10 minutes for incidence of standing and lying along with

the less severe symptoms of travel sickness (foaming at the mouth and

repetitive chomping). Incidences of retching and vomiting were noted as

they occurred. A general activity index was also scored every 10

minutes (5=high activity, 1=low activity). Saliva samples were taken from

each animal at different stages of the journey for analysis of cortisol.

RESULTS: Pigs stood more when in the straw condition, but were more

active when standing in the lavender condition. Symptoms of travel

sickness appeared to be less acute in the lavender condition, with more

animals exhibiting the less severe symptom, foaming and chomping (a

total of 3 in straw compared with 6 in lavender), but fewer animals

showing the more severe symptoms of retching and vomiting (in straw,

3 retched, 6 vomited; in lavender 0 retched, 3 vomited). A total of 6

animals retched or vomited in the straw condition but only 3 in the

lavender. There was a significant difference in mean concentrations of

cortisol between conditions but this was due to a difference in mean

baseline concentrations between groups. CONCLUSION: Addition of

lavender straw appeared to decrease incidence and severity of travel

sickness but not overall levels of stress (as measured by concentrations

of salivary cortisol). | PMID: 9764765 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

 

Chen J, Ma Y, Liang H. | [Effect of different injections of Chinese herbal

medicine on stress hormones and immune cell factors in patients of

type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with acute cerebral infarction]

[Article in Chinese] | Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2000

Nov;20(11):815-7. | Affiliated Zhuhai TCM Hospital, Guangzhou

University of TCM, Guangdong (519015). | OBJECTIVE: To investigate

the effect and clinical significance of different injections of Chinese

herbal medicine on stress hormones and immune cell factors in treating

patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with acute cerebral

infarction. METHODS: Patients were divided into three groups, treated

with Defibrase injection (DI, n=32), Acanthopanax injection (AI, n=20)

and Ginaton injection (GI, n=12) respectively. Parameters, including

corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocoticortropic hormone

(ACTH), cortisol (CS), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and

interleukin-6 (IL-6) were determined using RIA in patients before and

after treatment. The changes of parameters were analyzed and

compared with those of healthy subjects for control. RESULTS: (1)

Levels of all the above-mentioned parameters in all the three treated

groups were higher than those in the healthy control group (P < 0.01);

(2) All parameters were reduced after treatment in the three treated

groups and the optimal effect was shown in the DI group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: The beneficial action of the three injections is closely

related with the levels of stress hormones and immune cell factors,

therefore, to monitor dynamically the changes of CRH, ACTH, CS, TNF

alpha and IL-6 is of important significance in evaluation of therapeutic

effect and elucidation of the pharmacology of Chinese herbal medicine. |

Publication Types: Clinical Trial Randomized Controlled Trial PMID:

11938824 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

 

Chen Y, Qu C, Zhong H, Xue Y, Zhou C, Li W, Cheng X. | Effects of

liuwei dihuang wan [symbol: see text:bd and some other TCM drugs on

bone biomechanics and serum 25 (OH)D3 content in rats. | J Tradit

Chin Med. 1994 Dec;14(4):298-302. | Institute of Orthopedics and

Traumatology, China Academy of Traditional , Beijing.

| After a relatively long-term injection of hydrocortisone into rats, the

strength of bone (anti-stress capacity) reduced evidently, while the

rigidity (anti-deformity capacity) increased markedly (ie, bone fragility

elevated). At the same time, the content of serum 25(OH)D3 decreased

remarkably. After oral administration of Liuwei Dihuang Wan, anti-stress

capability of bone increased evidently and its anti-deformity capability

returned to normal; however, there was no elevation of serum

25(OH)D3 content. The effect of Longmu Zhuanggu Chongji or Jisheng

Shenqi Wan was lower than that of Liuwei Dihuang Wan. The

experiments suggests that Liuwei Dihuang Wan is beneficial to

preventing and curing osteoporosis, but no correlation between its

mechanism and the metabolism of 25(OH)D3 was demonstrated. |

PMID: 7877343 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

 

Clostre F. | [Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761). State of knowledge in the

dawn of the year 2000] [Article in French] | Ann Pharm Fr. 1999 Jul;57

Suppl 1:1S8-88. | Institut Henri Beaufour, Les Ulis. | EGb 761 is a

standardized extract of dried leaves of Ginkgo biloba containing 24%

ginkgo-flavonol glycosides, 6% terpene lactones such as ginkgolides A,

B, C, J and bilobalide. Its broad spectrum of pharmacological activities

allows it to be in adequacy to the numerous pathological requirements--

hemodynamic, hemorheological, metabolic--which occur in cerebral,

retinal, cochleovestibular, cardiac or peripheral ischemia. Moreover,

EGb 761 has direct effects against necrosis and apoptosis of neurons

and improves neural plasticity as evidenced in vestibular compensation.

At the molecular and the cellular levels, some evidence obtained with

animal models indicates that EGb 761 can interact as a free radical-

scavenger and a inhibitor of lipid peroxidation with all, or nearly all

reactive oxygen species; maintains ATP content by a protection of

mitochondrial respiration and preservation of oxidative phosphorylations;

exerts arterial and venous vasoregulator effects involving the release of

endothelial factors and the catecholaminergic system. Moreover, EGb

761 regulates ionic balance in damaged cells and exerts a specific and

potent Platelet-activating factor antagonist activity. Numerous well-

controlled clinical studies, realized in Europe and in USA, have revealed

that EGb 761 is an effective therapy for a wide variety of disturbances of

cerebral function, ranging from cerebral impairment of ischemic

vascular origins (i.e. multi infarct dementia), early cognitive decline to

mild-to-moderate cases of the more severe types of senile dementias

(including Alzheimer's disease) or mixed origins (i.e. psychoorganic

origin). Improvement of signs and symptoms have been demonstrated

for cognitive functions, particularly for memory loss, attention, alertness,

vigilance, arousal and mental fluidity. Some clinical studies have

showed that EGb 761 treatment may improve the capacity of geriatric

patients to cope with the stressful demands of daily life. The explanation

is a dual stress-alleviating action of EGb 761: its facilitates behavioral

adaptation to stress and may decrease the excess of cortisol release to

stress. Moreover, EGb 761 shows a specific neuroprotective effects to

hippocampic cells. Regarding the visual system, experimental studies

have shown that EGb 761 can inhibit or reduce the functional retinal

impairments resulting from ischemia-reperfusion, photo-degeneration,

diabetic or proliferative retinopathy. Clinical studies have revealed that

EGb 761 may be useful in treating visual activity impairments and

damages to the visual field associated with chronic cerebrovascular

insufficiency, senile macular degeneration and diabete mellitus.

Regarding the vestibular and auditory systems, experimental and clinical

studies have shown the efficacy of EGb 761 in treating hypoacusis,

tinnitus, vertigo, dizziness and other symptoms of vestibulocochlear

disorders. At least, adequatly controlled studies in patients with

peripheral arterial occlusive disease have provided good evidence for

therapeutic efficacy in intermittent claudication. The future of EGb 761 is

undoubtedly in the promise in slowing the progression of Alzheimer's

disease. Indeed, two recent american clinical studies have shown the

efficacy and safety of EGb 761 in patients with mild to severe

Alzheimer's disease and multi-infarct dementia. In clinical terms,

progression of symptoms was delayed by approximately 6 months.

Actually new clinical studies are undertaken in USA and Europe. At the

dawn of the third millenium (the Sixth for Ginkgo biloba) we propose a

state of art about it. | Publication Types: Review PMID: 10481350

[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

 

Filaretov AA, Bogdanova TS, Podvigina TT, Bodganov AI. | Role of

pituitary-adrenocortical system in body adaptation abilities. | Exp Clin

Endocrinol. 1988 Dec;92(2):129-36. | I.P. Pavlov Institute of Physiology,

USSR Academy of Sciences, Leningrad. | The role of the pituitary-

adrenocortical system (PACS) in body adaptation abilities was studied

on rats. The adaptation abilities were tested by a body working capacity

(the running time in a treadmill till fatigue). The single administration of

ginseng results in the increase of a working capacity up to 132%, the

seven-day one up to 179%. This makes it possible to speak about two

levels of adaptation, each being characterized by a specific PACS status

and a degree of PACS involvement in adaptation abilities. The single

administration of ginseng is accompanied by an increase in the basal

level of ACTH and corticosteroids. At a 7-day administration the basal

level of ACTH and corticosteroids does not change but PACS reactivity

to the immobilising stress increases. The preliminary administration of

15 mg/100 g b. w. hydrocortisone, 7 days before testing of the working

capacity and PACS status, causes the block in PACS function. It results

in the decrease of the basal corticosteroid content in plasma and the

inability of stress factor to cause the rise in the corticosteroid level. The

PACS blocking results in the decrease of a working capacity in normal

rats not treated with ginseng and in animals singly treated with ginseng.

The PACS blocking effected the increment in a working capacity caused

by a 7-day ginseng administration to a lesser extent, however, the

decrease in a working capacity took place even in this case. The

conclusion is made that PACS status changes with the transition of a

body to a higher level of adaptation: PACS excitation occurs or the

system excitability increases. | PMID: 2854076 [PubMed - indexed for

MEDLINE]

 

Gaffney BT, Hugel HM, Rich PA. | The effects of Eleutherococcus

senticosus and Panax ginseng on steroidal hormone indices of stress

and lymphocyte subset numbers in endurance athletes. | Life Sci. 2001

Dec 14;70(4):431-42. | School of Nursing. Faculty of Nursing and

Health, Griffith University, Meadowbrook, Queensland, Australia.

B.Gaffney | A clinical trial was undertaken to

investigate the effects of Eleutherococcus senticosus (ES) and Panax

ginseng (PG) on competitive club-level endurance athletes engaged in

their normal in-season training. Participants were matched for training

stress and received a 33% ethanolic extract (8 mL/day) containing either

ES, PG (equivalent to 4 g and 2 g/day of dried root, respectively), or a

placebo. A pre-test and post-test were used to evaluate the effects of

six weeks of supplementation on cortisol, testosterone, and testosterone

to cortisol ratio (TCR) as well as circulating numbers of total T-cells, T-

helper cells (CD4), T-suppressor cells (CD8), CD4 to CD8 ratio, natural

killer cells, and B lymphocytes. None of the immune system variables

changed significantly nor showed any clear trend from pre to post test in

any of the treatment groups. No significant change in testosterone,

cortisol or TCR was observed in the PG group. In the ES group,

however, TCR decreased by 28.7% from 0.0464 to 0.0331 (P=0.03).

The main contribution to this decrease appeared to be a non-significant

(P= 0.07) 31% trend towards increased cortisol rather than a very small

non-significant (P=0.36) 7% decrease in the calculated mean for

testosterone. This result suggested that contrary to initial expectation,

ES increased rather than decreased hormonal indices of stress, which

may be consistent with animal research suggesting a threshold of stress

below which ES increases the stress response and above which ES

decreases the stress response. | Publication Types: Clinical Trial

Controlled Clinical Trial PMID: 11798012 [PubMed - indexed for

MEDLINE]

 

Jezova D, Duncko R, Lassanova M, Kriska M, Moncek F. | Reduction of

rise in blood pressure and cortisol release during stress by Ginkgo

biloba extract (EGb 761) in healthy volunteers. | J Physiol Pharmacol.

2002 Sep;53(3):337-48. | Laboratory of Pharmacological

Neuroendocrinology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava.

ueenjezo | The standardized extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGb

761) was found not only to improve memory and aging associated

cognitive deficits but also to exert beneficial effects on mood. An

antistress action of the extract has been suggested but not directly

proven. The present study was aimed to evaluate the effects of EGb

761 on salivary cortisol and blood pressure responses during stress in

healthy young volunteers (n=70) in a double blind placebo controlled

design. A stress model involving a combination of static exercise

(handgrip) and mental stimuli was used. Single treatment with EGb 761

(120 mg) reduced stress-induced rise in blood pressure without

affecting the heart rate. Salivary cortisol responses showed differences

with respect to the gender and the time of day of the stress exposure,

with the activation only in male subjects in the afternoon. This activation

was absent if they were treated with EGb 761. The performance in a

short memory test with higher scores achieved by women remained

unaffected by EGb 761 treatment. Thus, this study provides evidence

that EGb 761 has an inhibitory action on blood pressure and it may

influence cortisol release in response to some stress stimuli. |

Publication Types: Clinical Trial Randomized Controlled Trial PMID:

12369732 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

 

Kelly GS. | Nutritional and botanical interventions to assist with the

adaptation to stress. | Altern Med Rev. 1999 Aug;4(4):249-65. | |

Prolonged stress, whether a result of mental/emotional upset or due to

physical factors such as malnutrition, surgery, chemical exposure,

excessive exercise, sleep deprivation, or a host of other environmental

causes, results in predictable systemic effects. The systemic effects of

stress include increased levels of stress hormones such as cortisol, a

decline in certain aspects of immune system function such as natural

killer cell cytotoxicity or secretory-IgA levels, and a disruption of

gastrointestinal microflora balance. These systemic changes might be a

substantial contributor to many of the stress-associated declines in

health. Based on human and animal research, it appears a variety of

nutritional and botanical substances - such as adaptogenic herbs,

specific vitamins including ascorbic acid, vitamins B1 and B6, the

coenzyme forms of vitamin B5 (pantethine) and B12 (methylcobalamin),

the amino acid tyrosine, and other nutrients such as lipoic acid,

phosphatidylserine, and plant sterol/sterolin combinations - may allow

individuals to sustain an adaptive response and minimize some of the

systemic effects of stress. | Publication Types: Review Review, Tutorial

PMID: 10468649 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

 

Komori T, Fujiwara R, Tanida M, Nomura J, Yokoyama MM. | Effects of

citrus fragrance on immune function and depressive states. |

Neuroimmunomodulation. 1995 May-Jun;2(3):174-80. | Dept of

Psychiatry, Mie University School of Medicine, Japan. | In our previous

experiments on animals evidence was found that citrus fragrance can

restore the stress-induced immunosuppression, suggesting that citrus

fragrance may have an effect on restoring the homeostatic balance.

Since a dysregulation of the neuroendocrine and immune function is

thought to be associated with psychosomatic or psychiatric disorders an

attempt was made to restore their mental health by stimulation of one of

the sensory systems. Fragrance (citrus was our choice) which comforts

through stimulation of the olfactory system was applied to depressive

patients. It was given to 12 depressive subjects and the results indicated

that the doses of antidepressants necessary for the treatment of

depression could be markedly reduced. The treatment with citrus

fragrance normalized neuroendocrine hormone levels and immune

function and was rather more effective than antidepressants. |

Publication Types: Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial PMID: 8646568

[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

 

Lishmanov IuB, Amosova EN, Slepushkin VD, Iremenko KV. | [Anti-

stress effect of D-Ala2-Leu5-Arg6-enkephalin] [Article in Russian] | Biull

Eksp Biol Med. 1984 Aug;98(8):199-200. | | In experiments on white

rats and mice, stress was induced by suspending the animals by the

neck fold. The evaluation of the degree of the stress and antistressor

properties of a hexapeptide arginine-containing analog of leu-enkephalin

was performed according to the changes in the weight of the thymus,

spleen, adrenals, and appearance of ulceration in the gastric mucosa.

At the same time the level of immunoreactive cortisol was measured in

the rat blood by radioimmunoassay, whereas the content of 11-

hydroxycorticosteroids by fluorometry. It has been demonstrated that the

leu-enkephalin analog possesses marked antistressor properties

comparing very favourably with the action of adaptogens obtained from

eleutherococcus extract. | PMID: 6466857 [PubMed - indexed for

MEDLINE]

 

Naito T, Itoh H, Takeyama M. | Some gastrointestinal function regulatory

Kampo medicines have modulatory effects on human plasma

adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol levels with continual stress

exposure. | Biol Pharm Bull. 2003 Jan;26(1):101-4. | Dept of Clinical

Pharmacy, Oita Medical University, Hasama-machi, Oita 879-5593,

Japan. naitou | Rikkunshi-to, a gastrointestinal function

regulatory traditional Chinese herbal (Kampo) medicine, has recently

been evaluated for its clinical usefulness in stress and depression. This

medicine has modulatory effects on the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal

axis and autonomic nervous function. We examined the effect of

Rikkunshi-to and the other gastrointestinal function regulatory Kampo

medicines, Hange-shashin-to, Hange-koboku-to, and Ninjin-to, on the

plasma levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol

under stress conditions by repetitive blood sampling. Rikkunshi-to,

Hange-shashin-to, and Hange-koboku-to significantly suppressed

increases in plasma ACTH-immunoreactive substance (IS) levels

compared with the response to a placebo. Rikkunshi-to and Hange-

shashin-to significantly suppressed increases in plasma cortisol levels

compared with the response to placebo. Ninjin-to had no significant

effect on plasma ACTH-IS and cortisol levels. In this study, Rikkunshi-

to, Hange-shashin-to, and Hange-koboku-to (partially) regulated plasma

ACTH and cortisol levels under stress. These modulatory effects might

be beneficial in stress-related disease and suggest that these medicines

have clinical pharmacologic activity. | PMID: 12520183 [PubMed -

indexed for MEDLINE]

 

Panossian A, Wikman G, Wagner H. | Plant adaptogens. III. Earlier and

more recent aspects and concepts on their mode of action. |

Phytomedicine. 1999 Oct;6(4):287-300. | Guelbenkian Research

Laboratories of Armenian Drug Agency, Yerevan, Armenia.

phanos | Stimulus-response coupling systems responsible

for defence and adaptation of organism to stressors are multi-target and

very complicated pharmacological systems, including the

neuroendocrine (stress) and immune system. The mode of action of

adaptogens is basically associated with the stress-system

(neuroendocrine-immune complex) and can be directed on the various

targets of the system involved in regulation (activation and inhibition) of

stimulus-response coupling. However, clinical studies performed

according to the most modern standards are quite limited. On the other

hand there is an extensive amount of clinical experience and also

established use in self care etc. These aspects are planned to be dealt

within a subsequent article which will be devoted to the application in

three areas: self care, adjuvants in medicine and curative action in

some diseases. At this stage, nevertheless, it seems possible to define

some most important " stress-markers " for evaluation of efficiency of

adaptogens in experimental and clinical pharmacological studies. They

can be both activating (catecholamines, LT-s, cytokines, NO, etc.--

" switch on " system--which activates energetic and other resources of

the organism), and deactivating (corticosteroids and PGE2-endogenous

mediators of cellular communications, which protect cells and whole

organism from overreacting to the activating messengers-- " switch off "

system) stress-messengers. The balance between the activities of the

" switch on " and " switch off " systems reflects the well being of the

organism. It could be established on different levels of the homeostasis

(heterostasis) with different levels of the sensitivity to stressors (Figure

8). The response of stress system-- " reactivity " is different at the various

levels of heterostasis and depends on adaptation--capacity of the

organism (or a cell) to protect itself. In the process of adaptation to

stressor's effects the basal levels mediators of switch on (e.g. NO) and

switch of (e.g. cortisol) systems are increasing but their balance (the

ratio) does not change. In other words, adaptogens increase the

capacity of stress system to respond to external signals at the higher

level of the equilibrium of activating and deactivating mediators of stress

response. Consequently, plant adaptogens can be defined as " smooth "

pro-stressors which reduce reactivity of host defense systems and

decrease damaging effects of various stressors due to increased basal

level of mediators involved in the stress-response. In further studies of

adaptogens it seems important to find correlation between adaptogenic

activity (a decrease in the " reactivity " of the organism--the basal level of

activating and deactivating messengers: ILs, LTB4, NO, PGE2, cortisol,

but not their ratio) and their therapeutic efficiency (symptomatic

evaluation). | Publication Types: Review Review, Tutorial PMID:

10589450 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

 

Panossian AG, Oganessian AS, Ambartsumian M, Gabrielian ES,

Wagner H, Wikman G. | Effects of heavy physical exercise and

adaptogens on nitric oxide content in human saliva. | Phytomedicine.

1999 Mar;6(1):17-26. | Guelbenkian Research Laboratory of Armenian

Drug and Medical Technology Agency, Yerevan, Armenia.

phanos | Since heavy physical exercise increases the

content of nitric oxide and cortisol in blood and saliva, standardized

extracts of the adaptogen herbal drugs Schizandra chinensis and

Bryonia alba roots were applied to several groups of athletes in a

placebo controlled double blind study. In the beginning of a test with

athletes Schizandra chinensis and Bryonia alba extracts increased the

concentration of NO and cortisol in blood plasma and saliva similar to

athletes with heavy physical exercise. These results correlate with an

increased physical performance in athletes taking adaptogens versus

athletes taking placebo. In contrast after treatment with the adaptogen

heavy physical exercise does not increase salivary NO and cortisol in

athletes, whereas athletes treated with placebo heavy physical exercise

increased salivary NO. These results show that the salivary NO test can

be used both for evaluation of physical loading and stress protective

effect of an adaptogen. | Publication Types: Clinical Trial Randomized

Controlled Trial PMID: 10228607 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

 

Tode T, Kikuchi Y, Hirata J, Kita T, Nakata H, Nagata I. | Effect of

Korean red ginseng on psychological functions in patients with severe

climacteric syndromes. | Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 1999 Dec;67(3):169-74.

| Dept of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Defense Medical College,

Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan. qw104765 | OBJECTIVE: To

evaluate the degree of psychological dysfunction and levels of stress

hormones in postmenopausal women with climacteric syndromes and

effect of Korean red ginseng (RG) on them. METHODS: ACTH, cortisol

and DHEA-S in peripheral blood from 12 postmenopausal women with

climacteric syndromes or 8 postmenopausal women without any

climacteric syndrome were measured before and 30 days after

treatment with daily oral administration of 6 g RG. Blood samples were

collected in the early morning on the bed-rest. In postmenopausal

women with climacteric syndromes such as fatigue, insomnia and

depression, psychological tests using the Cornell Medical Index (CMI)

and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were performed before and

30 days after treatment with RG. RESULTS: CMI score as well as

anxiety (A)-state in STAI score in postmenopausal women with

climacteric syndromes was significantly higher than that without

climacteric syndrome, while DHEA-S levels in postmenopausal women

with climacteric syndromes were about a half of those without

climacteric syndrome. Consequently, cortisol/DHEA-S (C/D) ratio was

significantly higher in postmenopausal women with climacteric

syndromes than in those without climacteric syndrome. When

postmenopausal women with climacteric syndromes were treated with

daily oral administration of 6 g RG for 30 days, CMI and STAI A-state

scores decreased within normal range. Although the decreased DHEA-

S levels were not restored to the levels in postmenopausal women

without climacteric syndrome, the C/D ratio decreased significantly after

treatment with RG. CONCLUSIONS: Improvement of CMI and STAI

scores in postmenopausal women suffering climacteric syndromes,

particularly fatigue, insomnia and depression, by RG seemed to be

brought about in part by effects of RG on stress-related hormones as

shown by a decrease in C/D ratio. | PMID: 10659900 [PubMed - indexed

for MEDLINE]

 

Zhao ZD. | [Experimental treatment of smoke inhalation injury with anti-

lipid peroxidation agents] [Article in Chinese] | Zhonghua Zheng Xing

Shao Shang Wai Ke Za Zhi. 1990 Dec;6(4):294-8, 319. | Burn Institute,

Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical College, Chongqing. | The

role of oxygen free radicals in the mechanism of lung damage after

smoke inhalation injury was investigated. 42 dogs were used and

equally divided into control and treated group. In treated group, a

comprehensive anti-lipid peroxidation treatment including Ginseng-

ophiopgon, hydrocortisone sodium succinate, Vit. C and E were used at

5 min, 6 hr, and 12 hr postinjury. SOD activity in blood, hypoxanthine,

xanthine, uric acid, MDA and SCL in plasma, C2H6 and C2H4 in

exhaled breath of dogs after smoke inhalation injury were measured. In

addition, blood gas analysis and EVLW were determined to evaluate the

lung damage. The results demonstrated that the injured dogs suffered

from lung edema and acute lung dysfunction. MDA, SCL in plasma and

C2H6, C2H4 in exhaled breath increased markedly, reaching their first

peaks at 30 min. and second peaks at 24-72 hours postinjury. The

values revealing in first peak in treated group were lower than that in

control group. The increase of SOD activity, however, was higher in

treated group than in control group. Changes of oxygen free radicals

and lipid peroxidation were closely related to lung damage and

respiratory dysfunction. These data showed that in early postinjury

period increase of oxygen free radicals and excessive lipid peroxidation

existed in lungs of dogs. And in treated group, anti-lipid peroxidation

activity was increased and lipid peroxidation was inhibited. Lung

damage was improved obviously. It was believed that the first peak of

changes in oxygen free radicals and lipid peroxidation was related to the

onset of early pulmonary damage and the stress response, and the

second peak to the development of pulmonary infection and lung

repaired. | PMID: 2282597 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

 

 

 

 

 

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