greenseedling » Health

Don’t Want an Inhaler? Eat Blackcurrants!

Amar — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 12:00:51 +0000

Asthma and allergies afflict over 60 million people in the United States, making it the most prevalent chronic disease in the nation. Many people visit their local allergists to be treated, and treatment can often include the prescription of an inhaler that relaxes the muscles of constricted airways. Recently, however, researchers in New Zealand may have discovered a natural way to reduce the need for inhalers.

The blackcurrant, a fruit native to New Zealand, has been shown to reduce inflammation due to allergy-induced asthma. The researchers identified the compound responsible for inflammation suppression as an antioxidant known as epigallocatechin. By working with the body’s natural immune response, epigallocatechin helps reduce inflammation of the airways.

Although blackcurrants do reduce inflammation in some types of asthma, it is not a cure-all for this chronic disorder. However, understanding the properties of epigallocatechin could help lead to a new and improved medication to treat asthma.

Discussion Question: Given that epigallocatechin is an antioxidant, what other fruits do you think might also have similar inflammation-reducing properties?

News Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100325171227.htm
Journal Article: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/123319556/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0
Source for Asthma Facts: http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=8&sub=42

From Opium to Opiate: Harnessing the Opium Poppy’s Genes

Sarah — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 12:32:19 +0000

When I hear the word “morphine” or “codeine,” the first thought that comes to mind is not that of a flower. Although these two drugs may fall under the classification of some of the strongest pain medications on the market, people often fail to acknowledge the source of morphine and codeine: the opium poppy. On the contrary, scientists from the University of Calgary have not only acknowledged the opium poppy as the maker of these potent analgesics, but they have actually uncovered the genes responsible for codeine and morphine production.

After sorting through some 23,000 different genes, researchers discovered the codeine O-dementhylase (CODM) gene, which produces the plant enzyme responsible for the converting codeine into morphine. Until this scientific breakthrough, plant biochemists could not successfully identify the enzymes encoded by the flower’s genes responsible for making these drugs.

Codeine, one the world’s most popular opiates and painkillers, is produced from the more abundant morphine found in the opium poppy. Once in the human body, an enzyme in the liver will convert the codeine into morphine, the active painkiller and a naturally occurring compound in the body. As opposed to making codeine from morphine, researchers believe that the discovery of CODM will allow them to create plants that have the ability to cease production at codeine.

By exploiting the genetic power of the opium poppy, scientists can employ new methods for producing opiate drugs and other pharmaceuticals. The next step by Professor Peter Facchini’s research team is to utilize the codeine gene to produce pharmaceuticals via microorganisms, such as yeast or bacteria. (Photo Credit: Picture It Now)

Discussion Question: How will the discovery of new methods for producing codeine affect the opiate market? Will this result in a even wider usage of the drug?

News Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100314150916.htm
Abstract: http://www.nature.com/nchembio/journal/v6/n4/full/nchembio.334.html

Meet My Distant Cousin…Arabidopsis

Sarah — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 12:00:35 +0000

For years, scientists have faced the lofty challenge of confirming the evolutionary link between primates and humans, but with new research from Purdue University, scientists may turn their focus on evolutionary kinship between apes and plants.

While attempting to revive dying plants, researchers discovered that inserting a human protein as a substitute for a similar plant protein rescued a nearly lifeless Arabidopsis plant. The plant protein, aminopeptidase M1 (APM1), plays a crucial role in root development and restoring this protein in a plant lacking APM1 restores life; however, inserting the similar human protein called “insulin responsive aminopeptidase (IRAP)” yielded identical results.

APM1’s function in plants is not fully understood, though it is clearly essential for survival. Scientists speculate that M1 aminopeptidases may activate or deactivate proteins by removing amino acids, but so far, no APM1 target proteins have been identified.

IRAP, the human counterpart to the APM1 plant protein, is important for human health. People with aberrant IRAP function can develop leukemia and other cancers. Building a better understanding of APM1 and IRAP, both members of the same class of proteins, could support future studies in which established data on APM1 in plants could help scientists understand IRAP mechanisms and functionalities in humans.

Discussion Question: With more knowledge on this family of proteins, what other research developments/discoveries could take place concerning both plants and animals?

News Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100216114030.htm

Paper Abstract: http://www.plantphysiol.org

Organic Anti-Fungal Compound

Amar — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 12:00:54 +0000

Food competition in the tropics is not limited to two animals fighting over a single prey. In fact, carnivorous plants and fungi also compete for food, albeit at a much more molecular level. After an insect is trapped by a carnivorous plant, it falls into the plant’s “pitcher,” which contains enzymes needed to dissolve the insect and harness its nutrients. However, the medium in which this metabolism occurs is also a medium perfect for fungal proliferation. In order to prevent fungi from digesting the food first, the carnivorous Nepenthes khasiana also contain compounds in their pitcher that serve to destroy any fungi mooching for a meal.

A Tel Aviv University professor, Aviah Zilberstein, and her colleagues have been testing these compounds for future use as components in human anti-fungal medication. In addition to breaking down chitin of fungi, these compounds may also possess certain benefits over the current line of anti-fungal medications. For example, current medications catalyze the evolution of drug-resistant fungi, but these more natural compounds most likely will not. These compounds may also be able to help treat more severe fungal infections in humans, which are currently untreatable.

Discussion Question: Why do you think Nepenthes khasiana can help treat a variety of fungal illnesses?

News Article: http://www.physorg.com/news185727587.html
Paper Abstract: http://jxb.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/erp359

New Way to Reduce Resistance to Breast Cancer Drug

Pallavi — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:37:06 +0000

With the advent of the cold season, several of my classes here at UT Austin have been plagued with the echoes of people coughing; the sounds often drown the professor’s voice! I have also started to feel under the weather as of a few days ago. To make matters worse, I seem to have acquired resistance over the years to the most cold medications.

The problem of drug resistance is not only for common in illnesses such as the cold or bacterial infections, but also in much more severe conditions such as breast cancer. Luckily, researchers at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center have found a natural additive for Tamoxifen (the most common treatment for breast cancer) that will prevent patients from developing resistance against it.

Tamoxifen is the most prevalent prescription for estrogen positive breast cancers. The presence of estrogen perpetuates cancer in these cases; tamoxifen blocks estrogen receptors on cell surfaces. When estrogen doesn’t bind to the cancer cell, it is accepted as a signal for apoptosis (cell death). The cell death signal activates the protein CASP8, which in turn activates another protein, Bcl2. These two proteins activate programmed cell death and eliminate cancer cells. The problem is that the protein complex nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) can also be activated when estrogen is not present and NF-kB turns off both CASP8 and Bcl2. So even though Tamoxifen works and prevents the cellular binding of estrogen, NF-kB overrides the apoptosis mechanism and allows the cancer cells to stay alive. People who have developed resistance to Tamoxifen have been found to over-express NF-kB.

The study found that Parthenolide, a derivative of the feverfew plant, successfully blocks NF-kB so that cells are re-sensitized to Tamoxifen. Researchers are optimistic, but stress that the results are preliminary. Targeting the survival mechanism of any cell can be a tricky task to handle considering that just one wrong target could potentially harm many healthy cells. However, as more details on the mechanism are discovered, researchers are hopeful that Parthenolide can be used to combat the growing problem of drug-resistance in breast cancers.

Discussion Question: Why would an estrogen positive breast cancer cell be programmed to survive even though it will not receive any more estrogen?

News Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02
Paper Abstract: http://www.fasebj.org/cgi/content/abstract/fj.09-138305v1

Plant Buffers Prove Productive

Deepa — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:00:57 +0000

The cycle of agricultural life across the globe occurs as a series of chain reactions. Scientists are now becoming acutely aware of the immense cross industrial impacts that stem from a few seemingly harmless practices in the agricultural world. Today’s featured study is one that investigates the impact of veterinary antibiotics administered in livestock farming on all of its industrial dependents.

Administering veterinary medicines to keep livestock in good health seems like a humane, even responsible, act. However, it has been found that these antibiotics begin their journey within animals, but quickly travel to croplands that are fertilized by manure. From here, the antibiotics often run-off into our waters and back into our fields due to irrigative practices. While the presence of the antibiotics in the waters alone may not lead to immediate consequences, the antibiotics in the system may cause an increase of the number of untreatable antibiotic-resistant bacteria that enter the food and water supplies of wildlife, livestock and people.

Research at the University of Missouri Centre for Agroforestry has begun implementing a pre-emptive system of filtering out veterinary antibiotics from croplands at the early stages in the process. The proposed system uses a series of buffer strips, mainly consisting of grass and other plants, in order to trap and decompose the antibiotics before they are collected and transported for use in other areas.

Plant buffers have already been implemented in the American irrigation industry. Assistant professor Keith Goyne of the MU School of Natural Resources noted that “vegetated buffers already are a recommended practice for reducing sediment, nutrients and herbicides in surface runoff. Our research is showing another benefit.”

It is likely that this practice will be helpful in diminishing the impacts of runoff anti-biotics. It is heartening to see that communities are beginning to understand the harmful aspects of chemical compounds being introduced into our agricultural systems. It was once said by a Nebraska senator that “food safety involves everyone in the food chain” and the scientific community is certainly picking up the gauntlet to fight for a cleaner way to live.

Discussion questions: How does this use of bio-remediation demonstrate the agricultural industry’s continuing efforts to decrease the environmental impacts of their practices? What are other uses for bio-remediation?

Article link: http://www.sciencecentric.com/news/article.php?q=10021350-plant-buffers-may-limit-spread-antibiotics-animal-waste

Journal link: http://www.springerlink.com/content/w54052744t8416p6/

What Can Kanna Do?

Amar — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:00:42 +0000

Sceletium tortuosum is a plant native to South Africa that has been used for a few hundred years with a variety of purposes. Also known as Kanna, Channa, and Kougoed, the plant has been known to enhance mood, reduce anxiety, relax the user, and even cause euphoria when taken in large amounts. The plant, now becoming increasingly popular in western cultures, has become adopted as an alternative medication for problems such as stress and insomnia.

Kanna’s increasing popularity could be due to a few reasons. Some explain that the Kanna’s popularity is increasing because it is natural alternative to synthetic drugs. Others may explain that Kanna is growing in popularity because of some of its special characteristics. For example, according to a study done by Dr. Nigel Gericke in 2001, continued use of Kanna did not lead to withdrawal symptoms when people stopped taking Kanna. The same study also maintains that Kanna is not addictive and there have been no serious side effects of taking Kanna. Because of the non-addictive quality of Kanna, Kanna tea is useful for weaning recovering alcoholics.

Kanna also seems to be an effective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor, which can explain its effect on quality of sleep, mood, and anxiety. These characteristics make Kanna extremely attractive, and may contribute to increased academic and industrial interest in the plant.

All of the cases in Gericke’s studies showed improved mood and reduced anxiety in patients. Some cases showed increased energy or reduced insomnia. Overall, Kanna has been shown to be extremely beneficial to people suffering stress, anxiety, insomnia, and much more. Additional information about this plant could prove to be useful in the field of medicine.

Discussion Question: What common disorders do you think could be successfully treated with Kanna?

News Articles: http://www.thebotanicalsource.com/kanna-sceletium-tortuosum-tincture-p-72.html
http://www.bouncingbearbotanicals.com/kanna-p-253.html

Journal Article: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science

Soybean Oil: Source of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Pallavi — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:43:44 +0000

Fish oil is known to be one of the healthiest ways to obtain omega-3 fatty acids. DHA and EPA, two of the most studied omega-3-fatty acids, have numerous health benefits; they decrease triglycerides, blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and heart rate. Essentially, they decrease the adverse effects of low density lipids (LDLs) in the body by aiding HDL (high density lipid) activity.

The main sources of omega-3 fatty acids are fish such as salmon, herring, and sardines and fish oil capsules. However, there are concerns about these sources as well: they are unusable for vegetarians and the high mercury content in fish prevents a lot of people, especially women, from obtaining the advantages of omega-3-fatty acids.

Luckily, Dr. William Harris, professor of medicine at Sanford School of Medicine, chief of cardiovascular health research, has discovered alternative sources for heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

His research used biotechnology to promote the conversion of ALA (another type of omega-3 fatty acid) to SDA within the soybean plant. While the human body is inefficient in converting ALA to SDA, it is easily able to convert SDA to the more accessible omega 3-fatty acid EPA. Thus, by forcing the soybean plant to make SDA it becomes a more effective dietary source of omega 3-fatty acids.

Three groups of double blind study participants tested the effectiveness of the modified soybeans. The control group only received normal soybean oil, one group received EPA and normal soybean oil, and the last group received the SDA modified soybeans and normal soybean oil.

At the end of the study, the researchers determined that individuals who took SDA modified soybeans had as much EPA level increases as those who took EPA modified soybeans, an indication that SDA was quickly converted to EPA. ALA modified soybeans had little effect on EPA levels in the blood. SDA and EPA also helped to reduce triglycerides up to 30% in the blood, significant from control.

This study may have significance for millions of people, since atherosclerosis is the number one cause of deaths in the U.S. As a bonus, soybeans are readily available everywhere and are much cheaper to consume than seafood.

Discussion Question: Are there other natural sources of omega-3 fatty acids in the plant world? What plants do you think can be modified like the soybeans?

News Article: http://health.usnews.com/articles
Interview: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1115777383567

Even green emissions can sometimes be harmful

Jen — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:39:25 +0000

One of the biggest transitions any teenager makes in his or her life occurs when they move away from their family’s home and begin their independent lives as college students. Although this prospect seems exciting for many young students, I remember feeling a peculiar mix of anxiety and sadness when leaving my home in Houston. In addition to missing my family, I remembered how much I would miss the many lazy afternoons that I spent in the sun room my parents had just built in our home.

As a botanist, my mother has always been extremely fond of all varieties of plants and flowers and therefore takes great pride in meticulously taking care of both our yard and the new sun room she and my father built. The seemingly fresh environment that the plants provide our house with is something rather difficult to explain in words. In addition to providing a fresh source of oxygen, it is well known that many plants also absorb the unhealthy toxins and vapors that surround us in our every day lives.

A new study conducted by the University of Georgia’s Department of Horticulture, however, has found that in addition to taking in many of these harmful substances around us, some indoor plants actually release volatile compounds into our environment!

Stanley J. Kays and his research team measured the levels of volatile organic compounds (or VOCs) emitted by four extremely popular plants amongst the indoor plant loving community. By the end of the study, they discovered 52 of these dangerous compounds being released by the plants in this sample population.

Interestingly, some of these VOC’s came from the micro-organisms living in the soil, and not from the plants themselves. Kays stated, “Although micro-organisms in the media have been shown to be important in the removal of volatile air pollutants, they also release volatiles into the atmosphere”. Additionally, it was discovered that the rates of VOC emission varied depending on the time of day: most emissions occurred during the day light hours, whereas relatively few were observed at night.

The researches concluded, “while ornamental plants are known to remove certain VOCs, they also emit a variety of VOCs, some of which are known to be biologically active. The longevity of these compounds has not been adequately studied, and the impact of these compounds on humans is unknown.” For the sake of my mom and the millions of plant lovers like her around the world, lets hope that this effect on humans, if any, is minimal.

Discussion Question: What sort of benefits do you think the plants receive by releasing these volatile compounds? Things you may want to be thinking about are natural selection, etc.

News Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090903163949.htm
Scientific Article: http://hortsci.ashspublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/44/2/396

Broccoli: As Healthy As Parents Insist?

Pallavi — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:00:34 +0000

The nutritional value of cabbage-like vegetables (such as broccoli and cauliflower) has been known for years; parents don’t nag children about eating their vegetables for nothing! A family of compounds known as carotenoids constitutes a major part of the nutritional value that humans get from these vegetables. Some of the health benefits include prevention of cancer, maintenance of the various parts of the eye, and even elimination of free radicals. The mode of action for carotenoids exists mainly through the ready conversion to vitamin A.

Recently, broccoli has taken the spotlight among its cabbage relatives for providing the highest amount of carotenoids. A new study conducted by Mark W. Farnham and the US Department of Agriculture determined the nutritional content of several genetic strains of broccoli.

The results confirmed the expectations of researchers. Broccoli was an abundant source of caroteniods, especially a specific carotenoid called lutein. Lutein is required for healthy growth and maintenance of the eyes and skin in humans. Lutein levels varied strongly among the genetic lines tested; nine tested genotypes showed the most variation in lutein content.

Other nutritional carotenoids include beta-carotene, neoxanthin, and violaxanthin. While these compounds were shown to exist in broccoli in lesser amounts, the gross amount of carotenoids is significantly higher in broccoli than any other vegetable. Once again proving the wisdom of our parents when feeding us as children!

Discussion Question: What are some other sources of carotenoids besides broccoli and cabbage? Do other vegetables have similar beneficial compounds?

News Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091104132824.htm
Journal Abstract: http://hortsci.ashspublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/44/5/1248