Kynurenic acid content in anti-rheumatic herbs
Journal Title: Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine - Year 2013, Vol 20, Issue 4
Abstract
Introduction: The use of herbal medicines is common among people living in rural areas and increasingly popular in urbanized countries. Kynurenic acid (KYNA) is a metabolite of kynurenine possessing anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and pain reliving properties. Previous data indicated that the content of KYNA in the synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis is lower than in patients with osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder affecting about 1% of the world’s population. Aim: The aim of the presented study was to investigate the content of KYNA in 11 herbal preparations used in rheumatic diseases. Materials and methods: The following herbs were studied: bean pericarp, birch leaf, dandelion root, elder flower, horsetail herb, nettle leaf, peppermint leaf and willow bark. An anti-rheumatic mixture of the herbs Reumatefix and Reumaflos tea were also investigated. The herbs were prepared according to producers’ directions. In addition, the herbal supplement Devil’s Claw containing root of Harpagophytum was used. KYNA content was measured using the high-performance liquid chromatography method, and KYNA was detected fluorometrically. Results: KYNA was found in all studied herbal preparations. The highest content of KYNA was found in peppermint, nettle, birch leaf and the horsetail herb. The lowest content of KYNA was found in willow bark, dandelion root and in the extract from the root of Harpagophytum. Conclusion: These findings indicate that the use of herbal preparations containing a high level of KYNA can be considered as a supplementary measure in rheumatoid arthritis therapy, as well as in rheumatic diseases prevention.
Authors and Affiliations
Wojciech Zgrajka, Monika Turska, Grażyna Rajtar, Maria Majdan, Jolanta Parada-Turska
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP80708
- DOI -
- Views 132
- Downloads 0
Effect of demographic factors on brachytherapy treatment results in patients with endometrial cancer 1995–2010
Introduction: Approximately 1 in 20 female cancers in Europe is of the endometrium. Endometrial carcinoma is the most common gynaecologic cancer. Considering the fact that an upward tendency has recently been observed in...
Prevalence and distribution of VRE (vancomycin resistant enterococci) and VSE (vancomycin susceptible enterococci) strains in the breeding environment
[b]Introduction.[/b] Intensive animal production causes numerous problems. Facilities connected with animal maintenance not only cause environmental pollution, but also pose a great sanitary and epidemiological threat. L...
Airborne virus sampling: Efficiencies of samplers and their detection limits for infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV)
[b]Introduction[/b]. The airborne transmission of infectious diseases in livestock production is increasingly receiving research attention. Reliable techniques of air sampling are crucial to underpin the findings of such...
Microbial contamination level of air in animal waste utilization plants
[b]Objective.[/b] The aim of this research was evaluation of microbial contamination of air within and in the vicinity of animal waste disposal plants. [b]Materials and method[/b]. Air samples were analyzed to determin...
Determinants of favourable neonatal outcome after premature rupture of membranes (PROM) before 24 weeks of pregnancy – review of the literature and a case report
Objectives: Premature rupture of the membranes (PROM) in pregnancy refers to rupture of membranes of the amniotic sac and chorion. The aim of the study was to review the literature and analyze the course of pregnancy (pr...