Digestive tract disease, effect

Curcumin possesses strong antioxidant capacities, which may explain its effects against degenerative diseases in which oxidative stress plays a major role. As previously described for flavonoids, it is unlikely that curcumin acts as a direct antioxidant outside the digestive tract since its concentration in peripheral blood and organs is very low (near or below 1 pM, even after acute or long-term supplementation). Indeed, it has been shown that the intestinal epithelium limits its entry into the body, as reflected by absorption studies in various models (portal blood perfusion, everted bags). ... 

Aside from its murky role in brain function, alpha-linolenic acid has some well-documented effects on heart disease. It reduces the risk of blood-clot formation, lowers the chance of potentially lethal irregular heartbeat, and probably has an antiinflammatory effect on blood vessels. Several studies have found a link between increased intake of the acid and reduced risk of death from heart disease. Alpha-linolenic acid helps lower blood cholesterol, but flaxseed has another component that performs this function even more effectively. This is soluble fiber, which isn t absorbed by the body and passes right through the digestive system. On its journey through the digestive tract, the fiber binds cholesterol and prevents it from... 

At present, BP 2.94 (36) is under clinical development in Phase II trials for the treatment of asthma, pneumoallergic diseases, and others. Preclinical studies in rodents clearly displayed anti-inflammatory as well as antinociceptive activity of BP 2.94 (36) given orally at low doses. These effects are mediated by inhibitory H3 receptors located on sensory C-fibres in several different tissues. In particular, capsaicin-induced plasma protein extravasation was dose-dependently inhibited in airways, digestive tract, skin, conjunctiva, urinaiy bladder, nasal mucosa, and dura mater of the rat. In the p-phenylbenzoquinone-induced writhing test in mice, BP 2.94 (36) had a pronounced antinociceptive activity similar to that of acetylsalicylic acid. This effect was significantly abolished by the H3 receptor antagonist thioperamide but not by naloxone. Furthermore, BP 2.94 (36) reduced zymosan-induced edema. This antiinflammatory effect was also abolished by thioperamide [6]. 

Documented effects A decoction of the tubers is used in modem medicine to coat the digestive tract as a treatment for gastritis, enterocolitis, and other gastrointestinal diseases. It is also used as an enana to treat diarrhea in children. Experiments have shown that this plant has anti-inflammatory activities (Khalmatov et al. 1984 Khodzhimatov 1989). 

Folate is important for cells and tissues that divide rapidly therefore, high-dose methothrexate is often used to treat cancer because this compound interferes with folate metabolism. Methothrexate, however, has undesirable side effects, including inflammation in the digestive tract. It is not known whether folic acid supplementation can help control these side effects without decreasing the effectiveness of methro-threxate. Low-dose methothrexate is used to treat a variety of diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, asthma, and inflammatory bowel disease. Low-dose treatment can deplete folate stores and cause side effects similar to folate deficiency. In this case, supplemental folic acid may help reduce the undesirable effects of low-dose methothrexate without decreasing treatment effectiveness. 

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