On Sunday, February 02, 2003 2:51 PM, Paul wrote:

> [Your question re probiotics is a good one. In fact, we do take some
> probiotics and in the past I have tried several of them. However, if you
> have good digestion then I don't see any great advantage to using them.
> Currently, I prefer to spend my money and time on others supplements..]

Then why take supplements such as nettle leaf, astragalus, cat's claw,
cordyceps and gugulipid extracts, which are generally taken only by people
who have various health disfunctions?

[Many things which are generally thought of as only necessary when one has
certain health dysfunctions are also preventative of such dysfunction. However,
I don't put probiotics in such a class unless one already has a weak digestive
system (which, IMO, is totally avoidable until at least very old age, by eating
an excellent food diet).
With respect to the things which you have named, most of them are supplements
which I would likely not take (until older, at least) if I had to pay the normal
price for them (but would still take if I was wealthier). I have stated clearly
in the introduction to my regimen page, that the list is somewhat distorted
because I made a deal with LEF to get all supplements which they sell free for
myself and Kitty for life. However, here are some of the reasons why I take and
recommend those you have named.

(*Inserted after finishing the analysis below*: I am now even more impressed
than I was before about the value of taking most of these herbals and have
decided that I would take most of them even if I had to pay retail prices for
them.)

[This effort by Paul is being used as the beginning of an Herbal Extract page
that will be a sub to the existing MoreLife Supplements section; it was on the
back burner until this post but now that some of the work for its content has
been collected, it has been started. It will resemble the existing Pyridoxamine
and RLA pages in content. Eventually all the herbal extracts that we take will
have full information provided about them. **Kitty]

Nettle Leaf Extract

1: Schulze-Tanzil G, de SP, Behnke B, Klingelhoefer S, Scheid A, Shakibaei M.
Effects of the antirheumatic remedy hox alpha--a new stinging nettle leaf
extract--on matrix metalloproteinases in human chondrocytes in vitro.
Histol Histopathol. 2002 Apr;17(2):477-85.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1\
1962753&dopt=Abstract

Suppressed inflammatory joint degradation (which all of us get more of as we
age).

2: Randall C, Randall H, Dobbs F, Hutton C, Sanders H.
Randomized controlled trial of nettle sting for treatment of base-of-thumb pain.
J R Soc Med. 2000 Jun;93(6):305-9.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1\
0911825&dopt=Abstract

Significantly reduced osteoarthritic pain at the base of the thumb or index
finger. (I have had a possible osteoarthritic left thumb base and left knee.)

3: Teucher T, Obertreis B, Ruttkowski T, Schmitz H.
[Cytokine secretion in whole blood of healthy subjects following oral
administration of Urtica dioica L. plant extract]
Arzneimittelforschung. 1996 Sep;46(9):906-10. German.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8\
967906&dopt=Abstract

Oral use of extracts showed reduction of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and
IL-1 beta.


Astragalus - membranaceus extract & Radix (dried roots of Astragalus
membranaceus)

1: Wang RT, Shan BE, Li QX.
[Extracorporeal experimental study on immuno-modulatory activity of Astragalus
membranaceus extract]
Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2002 Jun;22(6):453-6. Chinese.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1\
2585195&dopt=Abstract

"Astragalus membranaceus extract (AME) has effect in enhancing human
immuno-function and anti-tumor activity, it could be applied in clinical
practice for immuno-modulation and tumor treatment."


2: Kim C, Ha H, Kim JS, Kim YT, Kwon SC, Park SW.
Induction of growth hormone by the roots of Astragalus membranaceus in pituitary
cell culture.
Arch Pharm Res. 2003 Jan;26(1):34-9.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1\
2568355&dopt=Abstract

"The traditional Asian medicinal herb, roots of Astragalus (A.) membranaceus
(Leguminosae), is used for many purposes, some of which are purported to
stimulate the release of growth hormone in vivo. Extracts of A. membranaceus
were tested to determine whether they stimulate the release of growth hormone in
rat pituitary cell culture. --- In conclusion, four compounds isolated from
extracts of A. Radix (dried roots of Astragalus membranaceus) induced growth
hormone release in the rat pituitary cell culture."

3: Zhu X, Zhu B.
[Effect of AMI on proliferative cycle phase of bone marrow cells in mice]
Zhong Yao Cai. 2000 Oct;23(10):625-7. Chinese.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1\
2575040&dopt=Abstract

"The results suggested AMI (Astragalus membranaceus injection) maybe enhance
hematopoietic function in mice."

4: Zhou JY, Fan Y, Kong JL, Wu DZ, Hu ZB.
[Effects of components isolated from Astragalus membranaceus Bunge on cardiac
function injured by myocardial ischemia reperfusion in rats]
Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2000 May;25(5):300-2. Chinese.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1\
2512456&dopt=Abstract

"The effects of different components isolated from A. membranaceus on protecting
the cardiac function in the process of ischemia reperfusion may be related to
the mechanism of improving energy metabolism, scavenging the oxygen free
radicals and inhibiting the production of free radicals in the ischemic
myocardium."

5: Cui R, He J, Wang B, Zhang F, Chen G, Yin S, Shen H.
Suppressive effect of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge on chemical
hepatocarcinogenesis in rats.
Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 2003 Jan;51(1):75-80.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1\
2497209&dopt=Abstract

"Astragalus membranaceus (AM) has been widely used for treating liver diseases
in traditional Chinese medicine. Experimental evidence indicates that it has
antitumor potential. In this study, the effect of AM on hepatocarcinogenesis
induced by diethylnitrosamine (DEN), two-thirds partial hepatectomy, and
2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) (DEN-PH-AAF) was evaluated using glutathione
S-transferase placenta form (GST-P) as marker. First, rats were injected
intraperitoneally (i.p.) with DEN (200 mg/kg in saline), a two-thirds partial
hepatectomy was carried out 2 weeks later, and the rats were then placed on a
basal diet containing 0.02% AAF from week 3 to week 8 to induce
hepatocarcinogenesis. The rats were given AM (90 mg/kg or 180 mg/kg body weight)
by gavage from week 3 to week 8 (treatment groups). The formation of
GST-P-positive foci and the expression of GST-P protein and mRNA caused by
DEN-PH-AAF were reduced in the treatment groups, which clearly suggests that AM
is effective in delaying DEN-PH-AAF-induced hepatocarcinogenesis."

6: Toda S, Yase Y, Shirataki Y.
Inhibitory effects of astragali radix, crude drug in Oriental medicines on lipid
peroxidation and protein oxidative modification of mouse brain homogenate by
copper.
Phytother Res. 2000 Jun;14(4):294-6.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1\
0861978&dopt=Abstract

"It was shown to have inhibitory effects on lipid peroxidation and protein
oxidative modification by copper. The effects were similar to and stronger than
those of mannitol and superoxide dismutase as free radical scavengers. These
results demonstrated that Astragali Radix has inhibitory effects on oxidative
stress induced by metal."

Cat's Claw - Uncaria tomentosa (UT) and Uncaria guianensis (UG)

1: Sandoval M, Okuhama NN, Zhang XJ, Condezo LA, Lao J, Angeles' FM, Musah RA,
Bobrowski P, Miller MJ.
Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa
and Uncaria guianensis) are independent of their alkaloid content.
Phytomedicine. 2002 May;9(4):325-37.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1\
2120814&dopt=Abstract

"Cat's claw is an herbal medicine from the Amazon that is used widely to treat
inflammatory disorders. The purpose of this study was to characterize the
antioxidative and antiinflammatory properties of cat's claw, Uncaria tomentosa
(UT) and Uncaria guianensis (UG). --- Oral pretreatment for 3 d with UT
protected against indomethacin-induced gastritis, and prevented TNFalpha mRNA
expression and apoptosis. These results indicate that while both species of
cat's claw provide effective antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, U.
guianensis is more potent."

2: Piscoya J, Rodriguez Z, Bustamante SA, Okuhama NN, Miller MJ, Sandoval M.
Efficacy and safety of freeze-dried cat's claw in osteoarthritis of the knee:
mechanisms of action of the species Uncaria guianensis.
Inflamm Res. 2001 Sep;50(9):442-8.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1\
1603848&dopt=Abstract

"Cat's claw is an effective treatment for osteoarthritis. The species, U
guianensis and U tomentosa are equiactive. They are effective antioxidants, but
their anti-inflammatory properties may result from their ability to inhibit
TNFalpha and to a lesser extent PGE2 production."

3: Sheng Y, Li L, Holmgren K, Pero RW.
DNA repair enhancement of aqueous extracts of Uncaria tomentosa in a human
volunteer study.
Phytomedicine. 2001 Jul;8(4):275-82.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1\
1515717&dopt=Abstract

"The Uncaria tomentosa water extracts (C-Med-100) have been shown to enhance DNA
repair, mitogenic response and leukocyte recovery after chemotherapy-induced DNA
damage in vivo. In this study, the effect of C-Med-100 supplement was evaluated
in a human volunteer study. Twelve apparently healthy adults working in the same
environment were randomly assigned into 3 groups with age and gender matched.
One group was daily supplemented with a 250 mg tablet containing an aqueous
extract of Uncaria tomentosa of C-Med-100, and another group with a 350 mg
tablet, for 8 consecutive weeks. DNA repair after induction of DNA damage by a
standard dose of hydrogen peroxide was measured 3 times before supplement and 3
times after the supplement for the last 3 weeks of the 8 week-supplement period.
There were no drug-related toxic responses to C-Med-100 supplement when judged
in terms of clinical symptoms, serum clinical chemistry, whole blood analysis
and leukocyte differential counts. There was a statistically significant
decrease of DNA damage and a concomitant increase of DNA repair in the
supplement groups (250 and 350 mg/day) when compared with non-supplemented
controls (p < 0.05). There was also an increased tendency of PHA induced
lymphocyte proliferation in the treatment groups. Taken together, this trial has
confirmed the earlier results obtained in the rat model when estimating DNA
repair enhancement by C-Med-100."

4: Lamm S, Sheng Y, Pero RW.
Persistent response to pneumococcal vaccine in individuals supplemented with a
novel water soluble extract of Uncaria tomentosa, C-Med-100.
Phytomedicine. 2001 Jul;8(4):267-74.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1\
1515716&dopt=Abstract

"A human intervention study was carried out using male volunteers attending a
General Practice Clinic in New York City involving comparison of individuals
supplemented with 350 mg x 2 C-Med-100 daily dose for two months with untreated
controls for their abilities to respond to a 23 valent pneumococcal vaccine.
C-Med-100 is a novel nutraceutical extract from the South American plant Uncaria
tomentosa or Cat's Claw which is known to possess immune enhancing and
antiinflammatory properties in animals. There were no toxic side effects
observed as judged by medical examination, clinical chemistry and blood cell
analysis. However, statistically significant immune enhancement for the
individuals on C-Med-100 supplement was observed by (i) an elevation in the
lymphocyte/neutrophil ratios of peripheral blood and (ii) a reduced decay in the
12 serotype antibody titer responses to pneumococcal vaccination at 5 months."

5: Sandoval M, Charbonnet RM, Okuhama NN, Roberts J, Krenova Z, Trentacosti AM,
Miller MJ.
Cat's claw inhibits TNFalpha production and scavenges free radicals: role in
cytoprotection.
Free Radic Biol Med. 2000 Jul 1;29(1):71-8.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1\
0962207&dopt=Abstract

"Cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa) is a medicinal plant from the Amazon River basin
that is widely used for inflammatory disorders and was previously described as
an inhibitor of NF-kappaB. Cat's claw was prepared as a decoction (water
extraction) of micropulverized bark with and without concentration by
freeze-drying. Murine macrophages (RAW 264.7 cells) were used in cytotoxicity
assays (trypan blue exclusion) in response to the free radical 1,
1-diphenyl-2-picrilhydrazyl (DPPH, 0.3 microM) and ultraviolet light (UV) light.
TNFalpha production was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS 0.5 microg/ml). Cat's
claw was an effective scavenger of DPPH; the EC(50) value for freeze-dried
concentrates was significantly less than micropulverized (18 vs. 150 microg/ml,
p <.05). Cat's claw (10 microg/ml freeze-dried) was fully protective against
DPPH and UV irradiation-induced cytotoxicity. LPS increased TNFalpha media
levels from 3 to 97 ng/ml. Cat's claw suppressed TNFalpha production by
approximately 65-85% (p <.01) but at concentrations considerably lower than its
antioxidant activity: freeze-dried EC(50) = 1.2 ng/ml, micropulverized EC(50) =
28 ng/ml. In conclusion, cat's claw is an effective antioxidant, but perhaps
more importantly a remarkably potent inhibitor of TNFalpha production. The
primary mechanism for cat's claw anti-inflammatory actions appears to be
immunomodulation via suppression of TNFalpha synthesis."

6: Sheng Y, Bryngelsson C, Pero RW.
Enhanced DNA repair, immune function and reduced toxicity of C-MED-100, a novel
aqueous extract from Uncaria tomentosa.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2000 Feb;69(2):115-26.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1\
0687868&dopt=Abstract

"Female W/Fu rats were gavaged daily with a water-soluble extract (C-MED-100) of
Uncaria tomentosa supplied commercially by CampaMed at the doses of 0, 5, 10,
20, 40 and 80 mg/kg for 8 consecutive weeks. Phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulated
lymphocyte proliferation was significantly increased in splenocytes of rats
treated at the doses of 40 and 80 mg/kg. White blood cells (WBC) from the
C-MED-100 treatment groups of 40 and 80 mg/kg for 8 weeks or 160 mg/kg for 4
weeks were significantly elevated compared with controls (P < 0.05). In a human
volunteer study, C-MED-100 was given daily at 5 mg/kg for 6 consecutive weeks to
four healthy adult males. No toxicity was observed and again, WBC were
significantly elevated (P < 0.05) after supplement. Repair of DNA single strand
breaks (SSB) and double strand breaks (DSB) 3 h after 12 Gy whole body
irradiation of rats were also significantly improved in C-MED-100 treated
animals (P < 0.05). The LD50 and MTD of a single oral dose of C-MED-100 in the
rat were observed to be greater than 8 g/kg. Although the rats were treated
daily with U. tomentosa extracts at the doses of 10-80 mg/kg for 8 weeks or 160
mg/kg for 4 weeks, no acute or chronic toxicity signs were observed
symptomatically. In addition, no body weight, food consumption, organ weight and
kidney, liver, spleen, and heart pathological changes were found to be
associated with C-MED-100 treatment."


Cordyceps

1: Koh JH, Kim JM, Chang UJ, Suh HJ.
Hypocholesterolemic Effect of Hot-Water Extract from Mycelia of Cordyceps
sinensis.
Biol Pharm Bull. 2003 Jan;26(1):84-7.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1\
2520179&dopt=Abstract

"The serum total cholesterol (TC) of all mice groups administered HW (150 and
300 mg/kg/d, respectively) with the cholesterol-enriched diet decreased more
than in the control group. Among the mice fed the cholesterol-enriched diet, HW
also increased the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level, but
decreased the very low-density lipoprotein plus low-density lipoprotein
(VLDL+LDL) cholesterol level."

2: Balon TW, Jasman AP, Zhu JS.
A fermentation product of Cordyceps sinensis increases whole-body insulin
sensitivity in rats.
J Altern Complement Med. 2002 Jun;8(3):315-23.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1\
2165189&dopt=Abstract

"We conclude that CordyMax Cs-4 may have potential beneficial effects by
maintaining whole-body glucose disposal with a less pronounced increase in
insulin secretion after a carbohydrate challenge, however, its effects on
endurance performance remain questionable."

3: Zhao CS, Yin WT, Wang JY, Zhang Y, Yu H, Cooper R, Smidt C, Zhu JS.
CordyMax Cs-4 improves glucose metabolism and increases insulin sensitivity in
normal rats.
J Altern Complement Med. 2002 Jun;8(3):309-14.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1\
2165188&dopt=Abstract

"CordyMax Cs-4 is effective in lowering basal blood glucose and plasma insulin,
improving glucose metabolism by enhancing insulin sensitivity, and improving
oral glucose tolerance."

4: Koh JH, Yu KW, Suh HJ, Choi YM, Ahn TS.
Activation of macrophages and the intestinal immune system by an orally
administered decoction from cultured mycelia of Cordyceps sinensis.
Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2002 Feb;66(2):407-11.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1\
1999417&dopt=Abstract

"These results indicate that an oral administration of HW (hot water extract of
cordyceps) may modulate IL-6 production by the activation of macrophages, and
also enhance the secretion of hematopoietic growth factors such as GM-CSF and
IL-6 from Peyer's patch cells. Since such cytokines as GM-CSF and IL-6 from
Peyer's patch cells act on the systemic immune system, it can be assumed that
orally administered HW modulated not only the local but also systemic immune
system."

5: Huang BM, Hsu CC, Tsai SJ, Sheu CC, Leu SF.
Effects of Cordyceps sinensis on testosterone production in normal mouse Leydig
cells.
Life Sci. 2001 Oct 19;69(22):2593-602.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1\
1712663&dopt=Abstract

"CS at 3 mg/ml significantly stimulated testosterone production"
6: Li SP, Li P, Dong TT, Tsim KW.
Anti-oxidation activity of different types of natural Cordyceps sinensis and
cultured Cordyceps mycelia.
Phytomedicine. 2001 May;8(3):207-12.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1\
1417914&dopt=Abstract

"The results showed that Cordyceps, in general, possesses a strong
anti-oxidation activity in all assays tested."


Gugulipid

1: Caron MF, White CM.
Evaluation of the antihyperlipidemic properties of dietary supplements.
Pharmacotherapy. 2001 Apr;21(4):481-7. Review.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1\
1310521&dopt=Abstract

"Published trials indicate that red yeast rice, tocotrienols, gugulipid, garlic,
and soy protein all have antihypercholesterolemic effects. These supplements, as
well as omega-3 fatty acids, also have antihypertriglyceridemic effects. In
clinical trials none of the agents led to a reduction in low-density
lipoproteins greater than 25%, suggesting modest efficacy."

2: Kendler BS.
Recent nutritional approaches to the prevention and therapy of cardiovascular
disease.
Prog Cardiovasc Nurs. 1997 Summer;12(3):3-23. Review.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9\
287363&dopt=Abstract

"Favorable cardiovascular effects have been reported with the use of unsaturated
fatty acids, vegetarian and semi-vegetarian diets, dietary fiber, plant sterols,
alcoholic beverages, vitamins (niacin, E, C, B6, B12, folate), minerals
(potassium, calcium, magnesium, selenium), conditionally-essential nutrients
(coenzyme Q10, L-carnitine, taurine) and botanical agents (garlic, hawthorn,
gugulipid)."

3: Singh RB, Niaz MA, Ghosh S.
Hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects of Commiphora mukul as an adjunct to
dietary therapy in patients with hypercholesterolemia.
Cardiovasc Drugs Ther. 1994 Aug;8(4):659-64.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7\
848901&dopt=Abstract

"The effects of the administration of 50 mg of guggulipid or placebo capsules
twice daily for 24 weeks were compared as adjuncts to a fruit- and
vegetable-enriched prudent diet in the management of 61 patients with
hypercholesterolemia (31 in the guggulipid group and 30 in the placebo group) in
a randomized, double-blind fashion. Guggulipid decreased the total cholesterol
level by 11.7%, the low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) by 12.5%,
triglycerides by 12.0%, and the total cholesterol/high density lipoprotein (HDL)
cholesterol ratio by 11.1% from the postdiet levels, whereas the levels were
unchanged in the placebo group. The HDL cholesterol level showed no changes in
the two groups. The lipid peroxides, indicating oxidative stress, declined 33.3%
in the guggulipid group without any decrease in the placebo group. The
compliance of patients was greater than 96%. The combined effect of diet and
guggulipid at 36 weeks was as great as the reported lipid-lowering effect of
modern drugs. After a washout period of another 12 weeks, changes in blood
lipoproteins were reversed in the guggulipid group without such changes in the
placebo group. Side effects of guggulipid were headache, mild nausea,
eructation, and hiccup in a few patients."

4: Nityanand S, Srivastava JS, Asthana OP.
Clinical trials with gugulipid. A new hypolipidaemic agent.
J Assoc Physicians India. 1989 May;37(5):323-8.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=2\
693440&dopt=Abstract

"With gugulipid the average fall in serum cholesterol and triglycerides was 11
and 16.8% respectively and with clofibrate 10 and 21.6% respectively. The lipid
lowering effect of both drugs became evident 3-4 week after starting the drug
and had no relationship with age, sex, and concomitant drug intake.
Hypercholesterolaemic patients responded better to gugulipid therapy than
hypertriglyceridaemic patients who responded better to clofibrate therapy. In
mixed hyperlipidaemic patients response to both drugs was comparable.
HDL-cholesterol was increased in 60% cases who responded to gugulipid therapy.
Clofibrate had no effect on HDL-cholesterol. A significant decrease in
LDL-cholesterol was observed in the responder group to both drugs."

Finally on gugulipid, while the following is not applicable to people without
such a disorder, I certainly found it to be an interesting surprise.

J Dermatol 1994 Oct;21(10):729-31
Nodulocystic acne: oral gugulipid versus tetracycline.
Thappa DM, Dogra J.
Department of Dermatology, C.G.H.S., Bajaj Nagar, Jaipur, India.

"Twenty patients with nodulocystic acne were randomly allocated to one of two
treatment schedules: 1) Tetracycline 500 mg or 2) Tab. Gugulipid (equivalent to
25 mg guggulsterone). Both were taken twice daily for 3 months, and both
produced a progressive reduction in the lesions in the majority of patients.
With tetracycline, the percentage reduction in the inflammatory lesions was
65.2% as compared to 68% with gugulipid; on comparison, this difference was
statistically insignificant (P > 0.05). Follow-up at 3 months showed a relapse
in 4 cases on tetracyline and 2 cases on gugulipid. An interesting observation
was that the patients with oily faces responded remarkably better to gugulipid."

Publication Types:
Clinical Trial
Randomized Controlled Trial

PMID: 7798429

--Paul]