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Peter C Dartsch
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ABSTRACT: Asparagus-P is a traditional herbal medicinal product consisting of a combination of dried and pulverized asparagus roots and parsley leaves in equal parts. It is commonly used to support aquaretic kidney function, i.e. the increased excretion of water from the kidneys without affecting electrolyte balance. The mechanisms of this aquaretic effectiveness are widely unknown and are controversial. By using two different kidney cell lines (distal tubule-derived Madin-Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cells and proximal tubule-derived opossum kidney (OK) cells) the study investigated whether a stimulation of basal kidney cell metabolism might be responsible for the increased excretion of water from the kidneys. The results demonstrate that Asparagus-P was able to stimulate the metabolism of both kidney cell lines in a dose-dependent manner with a maximum stimulation at the recommended daily dosage after distribution in the whole body fluid. Metabolic stimulation was much more pronounced for OK than for MDBK cells. Whether a stimulation of cell metabolism correlates with an increased water excretion is currently unknown, but in vitro data might deliver the first evidence for a better understanding of the mechanism of action. Moreover, Asparagus-P inhibited the metabolism of inflammation-mediating cells (differentiated human promyelocytes). This increases the information on the antiinflammatory efficacy of Asparagus-P as already shown by its potential to inactivate reactive oxygen radicals.
Phytotherapy Research 12/2008; 22(11):1477-81. · 2.09 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The present study was undertaken to investigate the antioxidative effects of three different functional drink concepts especially designed to improve the body's performance and function and to possess high antioxidant activities. The concepts based on the mixture of various plant ingredients were: (1) eQ - equalize your nutrient balance, brain line [acerola-dragon fruit], (2) eQ - equalize your nutrient balance, beauty line [honey-pepper] and (3) Let's get red [intense]. By using a cell-based test assay, the study investigated the potential of the functional drinks to inactivate reactive superoxide anion radicals generated by inflammation-mediating cells as well as the effect on basal metabolism of these cells (antioxidant and antiinflammatory potential). In addition, by using a cell-free test assay the potential of the drinks to inactivate free exogenous superoxide anion radicals (scavenger effect) was investigated. The data presented here demonstrate the different radical scavenging, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of the functional drink concepts. In particular Let's get red [intense] turned out to be the most potent drink in this respect and demonstrated marked efficacy in scavenging, antioxidant and antiinflammatory action.
Phytotherapy Research 10/2008; 23(2):165-71. · 2.09 Impact Factor
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Peter C Dartsch
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ABSTRACT: Recent studies suggest that Spirulina, a unicellular blue-green alga, may have a variety of health benefits and therapeutic properties and is also capable of acting as an antioxidant and antiinflammatory agent. In this study, a cell-free and a cell-based test assay were used to examine the antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties of four selected Spirulina platensis preparations: (1) Biospirulina, (2) SpiruComplex, a preparation with naturally bound selenium, chromium and zinc, (3) SpiruZink, a preparation with naturally bound zinc, (4) Zinkspirulina + Acerola, a preparation with naturally bound zinc and acerola powder. The cell-free test assay used potassium superoxide as a donor for superoxide radicals, whereas the cell-based test assay used the formation of intracellular superoxide radicals of functional neutrophils upon stimulation by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate as a model to investigate the potential of Spirulina preparations to inactivate superoxide radicals. In accordance with the recommended daily dosage, test concentrations ranging from 50 to 1000 microg/mL were chosen. The results showed a dose-dependent inactivation of free superoxide radicals (antioxidant effect) as well as an antiinflammatory effect characterized by a dose-dependent reduction of the metabolic activity of functional neutrophils and a dose-dependent inactivation of superoxide radicals generated during an oxidative burst. The results demonstrate that the tested Spirulina preparations have a high antioxidant and antiinflammatory potential. Especially SpiruZink and Zinkspirulina + Acerola might be useful as a supportive therapeutic approach for reducing oxidative stress and/or the generation of oxygen radicals in the course of inflammatory processes.
Phytotherapy Research 06/2008; 22(5):627-33. · 2.09 Impact Factor
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Peter C Dartsch
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ABSTRACT: Asparagus-P is a traditional herbal medicinal product consisting of a combination of asparagus roots and parsley leaves in equal shares. It is used to support aquaretic kidney function. The present study was undertaken to shed light on the antioxidative effects of both main ingredients and their combination as in Asparagus-P. For that purpose, differentiated promyelocytic HL60 cells (functional neutrophils) capable of generating superoxide radicals upon stimulation, were used. Parsley leaves and, hence, also Asparagus-P had a marked dose-dependent antioxidant effect, whereas asparagus roots had only a minor efficacy in this respect. In conclusion, Asparagus-P does not only support kidney function, but is also able to inactivate reactive oxygen radicals which might occur by a metabolic or exogenous overload (oxidative stress) or in the course of inflammatory processes. This antioxidant efficacy is primarily related to the content of parsley leaves; asparagus roots seem to enhance this efficacy by promoting the potential of parsley leaves, thus generating a synergistic effect in the combination product Asparagus-P.
Phytotherapy Research 03/2008; 22(2):217-22. · 2.09 Impact Factor
