Elixir Products Investigations » Expert Conclusion of the investigations of a herbal tincture for strengthening of the organism ELIXIR-3
Expert Conclusion of the investigations of a herbal tincture for strengthening of the organism ELIXIR-3 in the:
National Centre of Radiobiology and Radiation Protection
Introduction
In the period of January 1997 June 2002 studies were performed on the herbal tincture Elixir-3:
- Under the conditions of external gamma irradiation of experimental animals, 1997.
- Under the conditions of gamma irradiation (acute and fractionated with low doses) using prophylactic and therapeutic scheme of application, 2000.
- On molecular biochemical, haematological and cytogenetic changes in mice during independent and combined actiion of a cytostatic and gamma irradiation, 2001.
- Extended study of the radiomodified effect on the hereditary structures in germ cells of mice during acute and fractionated gamma irradiation.
The problem of human protection against the activity of a number of injurious factors to the organism, which cannot be avoided, is of considerable interest throughout the world. Most of these harmful activities are results of clinical application of ionizing radiation and medicaments, other are results of concomitant factors of the environment which accompany the mankind. Chemical compounds, produced for the needs of the radioprotection in most cases prove to be inappropriate for humans due to their high toxicity. That is why, the production of preparations from natural sources, which have no toxic effects on the organism, and at the same time they modify the radiation damages, is of primary significance. In this connection the herbal preparation Elixir 3 produced by the firm “"St. Nicola“" Ltd in Sofia, is of great interest to the whole society.
Elixir-3 is an alcoholic extract from stalks of sweet basil (Ocimum basillicum L.), cones of hop (Humulus lupulus L.), fruits of briar (Rosa canina L.) and leaves of nettle (Urtica dioica L.), walnut (Juglans regia L.) and peppermint (Mentha piperita L.). In this herbal mixture the vegetable drugs predominate which contain etheric oils, triturpentine acids ursolic and oleic acids, vitamins B1, B2, B6, C, K, E, PP, provitamin A and phenolic compounds of the group of phenolic acids, fluoroglucinol derivatives, flavonoids and tannins. Elixir-3 is not phototoxic, it does not lead to development of photosensitivity, has no toxicity and side-effects, has good tolerance and is convenient for application.
On the basis of the first three themes a complex investigation was carried out on the radiomodifying possibilities of the tincture in cases of sublethal, acute and fractionated irradiation of experimental animals. The possibilities of the preparation to modify the changes induced by the independent and combined action of the cytostatic cyclophosphamide and gamma irradiation were analysed.
Molecular-biochemical, haematological, immunological and cytogenetic studies were performed on somatic and germ cells of mice in order to evaluate the modifying properties.
Basic Results (with abridgements)
- The prolonged application of Elixir-3 with drinking water (30-40 days) does not lead to statistically significant differences in the total number of nucleus-containing cells in the bone marrow, the weight and general and specific cellularity of the spleen, as well as in the number of leucocytes and in the differential leucocyte formula.
In animals taking Elixir-3 the concentration of malonaldehydeis is lower than that in the control animals. A statistically significant increase is observed in the group treated with Elixir-3. Therefore, the preparation exerts a positive influence on the antioxidative processes in the organism of the tested animals.
Considerable stimulation of the spontaneous restorative synthesis is observed in the leucocytes of animals taking Elixir-3 in comparison to the control group (1.34 vs. 0.92). DNA synthesis is enhanced in animals treated with Elixir 3 up to 1.46 vs. 0.64 for the control group, which indicates that Elixir 3 stimulates the reparative potetential of the cell.
Elixir-3 positively affects the function of neutrophil population, since the values of the parameter phagocytic activity in the control group are 3.7 - 0.12, but those in the treated with Elixir-3 mice are 4.55 - 0.21.
Treatment with Elixir-3 only does not lead to an increase in the induced aberrations in comparisoin to the spontaneous frequency in the bone marrow cells.
In animals treated with Elixir-3 there are no reciprocal translocations in the germ cells.
THE OBTAINED DATA INDICATE THAT THE PREPARATION DOES NOT EXERT MUTAGENIC EFFECT. - Data obtained from investigations of the antimutagenic activity of Elixir-3 with respect to the induced by gamma rays chromosme aberrations in bone-marrow cells of mice indicate that this preparation does not manifest mutagenic effect and does not lead to an increase of the induced aberrations with respect to the spontaneous frequency. Both in acute and in fractionated irradiation Elixir-3 shows a good protection of the chromosome structures in somatic cells. Data from the study on the possibilities of Elixir-3 to protect the germ cells show that the preparation reduces the induction of chromosome translocations in germ cells.
The results from this investigation revealed that the application of Elixir-3 contributes to normalization of the injuries found in the organism of the experimental animals and decreases the probability of developing some late consequences of the radiation effects; therefore, the application of this preparation in groups of human population engaged professionally in an environment containing ionizing radiation would be of great importance. - A favourable effect of Elixir-3 was established in cases of prolonged application on some parameters characterizing the state of the haemopoiesis during different periods after irradiation. Reduction of the degree of damages was found in the haemopoietic organs and in the peripheral blood of the animals subjected to prophylactic treatment with Elixir-3 prior to application of ciclophosphamide and gamma irradiation. The preparation also has positive influence on the antioxidative processes in the blood plasma of the animals subjected to combined treatment with ciclophosphamide and gamma rays.
These results are of special interest because up to now no any protective effect of the herbal preparations has been observed with respect to the alkylating agents. - Data and results of previous studies show that Elixir-3 exerts a good influence on the chromosomal structures of germ cells subjected to ionizing radiation. An expanded study on the protective properties of Elixir-3 toward acute and fractionated radiation on germ cells of mice indicates that the prolonged application of Elixir-3 only (8-11 weeks) does not lead to formation of translocational changes. It was established that there is a favourable effect of this elixir on the degree of chromosomal translocations induced by ionizing radiation.
Data obtained from this investigation concerning the properties of the Bulgarian herbal preparation Elixir-3 to protect the genetic structures in the germ cells are important because there is a necessity of prophylaxis of the organism toward a number of harmful factors which coexist with the humans.
The herbal preparation Elixir-3 responds to the basic requirements for radiomodifying means and it may be recommended for prophylaxis of individuals working in an environment with enhanced radiation risk.
Head of Laboratory "Radiation Biochemistry, Haematology and Immunology"
at the National Centre of Radiobiology and Radiation Protection:
Assoc. Prof. Dr. V. Tenchova, D. Med. Sci.
Start of the project: March 2001
End of the project: June 2002