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Post by al on Apr 26, 2012 0:18:34 GMT -5
I'm taking this and my breathing has improved .---------------------------------------
Natural plant extract could help treat COPD and inflammatory disorders , ( Vinpocetine) Published on May 4, 2010 at 2:30 AM · No Comments
inShare0A widely and safely used plant extract acts as a novel anti-inflammatory agent that may one day be used for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, as well as other inflammatory conditions. There is an urgent need for new therapies for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases, such as COPD, otitis media (ear infection), and atherosclerosis (chronic inflammation in the walls of arteries), because the most effective and commonly used agents - steroids - often cause serious side effects, such as liver damage, which prevent long-term use.
In a study published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center were the first to find that vinpocetine, a natural product derived from the periwinkle plant, acts as a potent anti-inflammatory agent when tested in a mouse model of lung inflammation, as well as several other types of human cells. Results of the study show that vinpocetine greatly reduces inflammation, and, unlike steroids, does not cause severe side effects.
"What is extremely exciting and promising about these findings is vinpocetine's excellent safety profile," said Chen Yan, Ph.D., associate professor within the Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute at the Medical Center and a senior author of the study. "Previously, most drugs tested in this area have failed, not because of a lack of efficacy, but because of safety issues. We're very encouraged by these results and believe vinpocetine has great potential for the treatment of COPD and other inflammatory diseases."
Vinpocetine is a well-known natural product that was originally discovered nearly 30 years ago and is currently used as a dietary supplement for the prevention and treatment of cognitive disorders, such as stroke and memory loss, in Europe, Japan and China. The therapy has no evidence of toxicity or noticeable side effects in human patients. Scientists at the University of Rochester hope to reposition this compound as an anti-inflammatory agent for the treatment of COPD, and potentially other inflammatory conditions, such as asthma, otitis media, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis and psoriasis in the future.
While steroids successfully combat inflammation, patients often pay a high price when it comes to side effects. Steroids can cause liver damage, and can also suppress the immune system, increasing the likelihood of infections. With such a high risk profile, steroids are usually only used for a short period of time, which is problematic when treating chronic diseases.
"In managing chronic conditions such as COPD, it is crucial to have a therapy that can be used safely over the long term," said Jian-Dong Li, M.D., Ph.D., professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Rochester Medical Center and a senior author of the study. "There is a great need for a drug like vinpocetine, because patients currently have no good options when it comes to long-term care."
Vinpocetine decreases inflammation by targeting the activity of a specific enzyme, known as IKK. IKK is responsible for regulating inflammation, and does so through the activation of a key protein, nuclear-factor kappaB (NF-?B). By directly inhibiting IKK, vinpocetine is able to switch off NF-?B, which normally produces pro-inflammatory molecules that cause inflammation. Halting the activity of NF-?B ultimately reduces inflammation.
"Inflammation is a hallmark of a wide range of human diseases, so there is great potential for vinpocetine to be used for several indications," said Bradford C. Berk, M.D., Ph.D., CEO of the University of Rochester Medical Center and co-author of the study. "Given vinpocetine's efficacy and solid safety profile, we believe there is great potential to bring this drug to market."
Repositioning a therapy - taking a known compound that has been used safely in humans and testing it for a new application - can be an effective way to bring new therapies to market more quickly than starting the discovery process from scratch.
Inflammatory diseases are a major cause of illness worldwide. For example, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. In people with COPD, airflow is blocked due to chronic bronchitis or emphysema, making it increasingly difficult to breathe. Most COPD is caused by long-term smoking, although genetics may play a role as well. Approximately 13.5 million people in the United States are diagnosed with COPD each year, and in 2004 the annual cost of the disease was $37.2 billion.
Source: University of Rochester Medical Center
for inflamation
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Apr 26, 2012 13:02:48 GMT -5
Al....... I know you're a big supporter of "au natural" products etc. as am I to a degree. I also know that you're on oxygen (Mr January ) Do you mind my asking what "med, meds you take and what your FEV1 is?
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Post by al on Apr 27, 2012 2:49:32 GMT -5
Blossom
One Trial found Vinpocetine just as effective as steroids. I need to get more information on the criteria for this trial.
I am on symbicort , broccoli sprouts, Venpocetine and high flax oil with sulpherated proteins. So far forcing myself to ex cerise via work or other has been a great therapy for me. I took the attitude that I didn't care how bad it felt I was going to do it and I did. almost killed myself a time or two but it has been a great help.
I don't know what my fev is I just see the doc every so often and he pretty does what I suggest . He knows I'm on top of things and have medical friends so I have no problems with available treatment
I will get my fev done next visit and let you know
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Post by valerie on Apr 27, 2012 4:08:48 GMT -5
Al, do you have bronchitis, that involves inflamation. Would this plant medicine help someone like me with emphysema, I take symbicort too and often think the steroid part isn't necessary without inflamation.
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Post by Blossom/Jackie W. on Apr 27, 2012 6:50:55 GMT -5
You're not taking Spiriva Al?
Also; I did just a quickie search in Clinical trials... only showed 3 for Vinco (nothing for our diseases) Doesn't mean though that there's not some going on. Might just take a more "in-depth" search.
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Post by mumsie on Apr 27, 2012 8:01:50 GMT -5
Al, I just saw 'Blossom' refer to you as 'Mr January' in an above post and immediately the penny dropped I checked out the calendar on my kitchen wall and there you are shovelling snow! So now you know that your are inspiring myself and my friends here in the UK, along with all the other calendar guys and girls. Truly you have all helped 'raise the bar' for me - here I was huffing and puffing just to sweep the kitchen floor, and there you all are clearing snow, swimming, kayaking etc. It really gave me a boost. Don't ever underestimate the effect that calendar has had - and if I bought a couple of copies over here in England, I'd bet there are more spread even further abroad. And they look good too!
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Post by al on Apr 28, 2012 0:31:56 GMT -5
Inflammation, Perhaps one of the most amazing benefits of vinpocetine is its amazing anti-inflammatory qualities. Research has shown that the vasodilator qualities that vinpocetine has make it a forerunner in natural remedies for inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis. Vinpocetine has also shown incredible results in being able to reduce lung inflammation. Patients who suffer from asthma or obstructive pulmonary diseases suffer from severe inflammation of the lungs, which is generally treated with steroids. Steroids, as most know, have negative side effects; especially if used for an extended period of time. During several research studies, the effects of vinpocetine on lung inflammation proved to have the same effects as steroids, with absolutely no side effects. As research continues, it’s seeming more and more that this little periwinkle plant could be the next big thing for those suffering with pulmonary diseases. ------------------------ Source: www.healthguidance.org/entry/16110/1/Vinpocetine-Health-Benefits.html--------------------------- Val, I haven't yet looked for Bronchitis, that involves inflammation but vinpoceptine should have the same effect . According to reports there are no side effects so for $10. to $14. It's worth trying. I do see one possible side effect. That is vasodilation; Some people have Neurally mediated hypotension ; This is when blood pools in the legs causing Fainting. It's a brain malfunction when the brain tells the veins in the legs to dilate instead of constricting when standing up. The brain is then deprived of blood and fainting is the result. This is very common with chronic Lyme disease and CFS . I'm looking for information on this possible effect and will let you know when/if I get more info. Al
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Post by Brad Crawford on Feb 12, 2021 4:29:32 GMT -5
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Post by lavishgail on Feb 12, 2021 18:13:44 GMT -5
Wow, I have ILD with fibrosis and emphysema. But went to the doctors and she told me it's only ILD with lupus pnumonitius. So everything happening besides my lungs are getting hard, I have airway disease but I have the papers right from the doctors who operated on me. I'll have to bring it in to show her bc I'm confused on what I have they said I'm a complacated case not to mention immune systems. Thanks for this read very intresting.
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Post by lavishgail on Feb 12, 2021 18:17:12 GMT -5
What does FEV stand for? Thanks in return!
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