Oral

(Note: Pasteurization of milk is done to prevent transmission of diseases like bovine tuberculosis from cows to people. Consumption of raw milk should be only from a dairy cow certified by a veterinarian to be free of any transmissible disease. Two states, California and I believe Vermont allow for the public sale of Certified Organic Raw Milk.) Glucosamine 6-sulfate found to have significant anti-HIV activity. Basgasra et al of the Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, PA found that sulfated polysaccharides and one sulfated monosaccharide, glucosamine 6-sulfate, have significant anti-HIV activity (1). The authors discussed previous research that found that 4 sulfated polysaccharides: dextran sulfate, pentosane polysulfate, chondroitin sulfate and heparin sulfate, had anti-HIV activity. Basgasra tested these using 4 different assays to measure anti-HIV activity and concluded that “only sulfated polysaccharides and one sulfated monosaccharide, glucosamine 6-sulfate, have significant anti HIV-1 activity.”

A small study concluded that Sambucol, a proprietary standardized extract of black elderberry (Sambucus nigra), stimulates the healthy immune system by increasing production of inflammatory cytokines. Cytokine production was measured using monocytes derived from the blood of 12 healthy volunteers, which were incubated with four different Sambucol products: Sambucol Black Elderberry Extract, Sambucol Black Elderberry Syrup, Sambucol Immune System, and Sambucol for Kids. Of the four products tested for immune-stimulating activity, Sambucol Black Elderberry Extract demonstrated the most significant effect on cytokine production. The most dramatic increase observed was in production of TNF-a. Barak V, Halperin T, Kalickman I. The effect of Sambucol, a black elderberry-based, natural product, on the production of human cytokines: I. inflammatory cytokines. Eur Cytokine Netw 2001; 12(2): 290-296.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 263 people showed than a proprietary herbal formula was significantly more effective than placebo in relieving cold symptoms. The herb formula used was Esberitox® N, manufactured by Schaper & Brummer GmbH & Co. of Salxgitter, Germany. Esberitox N is an alcohol extract containing Echinacea purpurea and E. pallida root, wild indigo (Baptisia tinctoria) root, and white cedar (Thuja occidentalis) leaf. Patients took the formula (three tablets three times daily) or placebo for seven to nine days. During treatment, the patients recorded the severity of 18 different cold symptoms. Results showed that treatment with Esberitox N improved all major cold symptoms. Treatment response was seen as early as day 3 for people taking Esberitox N (18.4 percent vs. no response for placebo); response increased by day 5 to 55.4 percent for Esberitox N patients, compared with about 28 percent for placebo. Best results were seen in people who started treatment with the Esberitox N early, before symptoms peaked. Henneicke-von Zepelin HH, Hentschel C, Schnitker J, et al. Efficacy and safety of a fixed combination phytomedicine in the treatment of the common cold (acute viral respiratory tract infection): results of a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled, multicentre study. Current Medical Research and Opinion 1999; 15(3): 214-227.

Two consecutive randomized, double-blind clinical trials concluded that a fixed combination of Andrographis paniculata and Siberian ginseng (eleuthero, Eleutherococcus senticosus) was significantly more effective than placebo in relieving symptoms of cold or flu. In the first trial (a pilot study of 46 subjects) the total symptom score showed a tendency toward improvement, while in the second (a larger, phase III clinical study involving 179 participants), highly significant improvement was seen in both total symptom and total diagnosis scores in people taking the herbal formula. For the pilot trial, subjects were treated for a minimum of three and a maximum of eight days; in the phase III trial, subjects took the herbal formula for exactly three days. Results were assessed by both participants and physicians. In both studies, throat symptoms demonstrated the most significant improvement. Melchior J, Spasov AA, Ostrovkij OV, et al. Double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot and phase III study of activity of standardized Andrographis paniculata Herba Nees extract fixed combination (Kan jang) in the treatment of uncomplicated upper-respiratory tract infection. Phytomedicine 2000; 7(5): 341-350.

Journal Articles:
GFS, a Preparation of Tasmanian Undaria Pinnatifida is Associated with Healing and Inhibition of Reactivation of Herpes.

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Results

Patient study.

In total, seven cases of HSV-1, five cases of HSV-2, three of active Herpes zoster (one chicken pox, two shingles) and two of EBV were assessed. Results are presented in tables 1A and 1 B.

Active infection- table 1A

All fifteen patients with active herpetic viral infections experienced relief from symptoms. No adverse side effects were noted during the study.

Two patients (subjects 4A 5 A) with noncompliant dosage regimes resolved infections in normal time, but noted no spread of lesions (as occurred during previous outbreaks). Reduction in lesion severity and rapid clearance were noted in two patients (subjects 6A,7A), and pain reduction as compared to previous events was noted by two patients (subjects 2A,14A). Two females with genital HSV-2 had persistent lesions which resolved during the course of treatment (subjects 8A,10A).

In two cases of diagnosed EBV, one clear at four and the other by ten days. In the latter patient a chronic sinus condition also cleared (subjects 11A,12A)

Over ten days, faster drying of zoster lesions and increased speed of normal cycle as compared to previous outbreaks was noted by a male patient (subject 14) although no reduction in pain was reported. In an adult male suffering primary zoster (chicken pox) lesions of whole body (subject 15), pain reduction and rapid healing of lesions were noted.

Latent infections –table 1B

All six patients on maintenance doses noted inhibition of further outbreaks of infection. No adverse side effects were noted during the study.

HSV-1 outbreaks were inhibited in two patients taking a maintenance dose over three months and two years respectively (subject 1B and 2B). Low grade HSV-1 associated keratoconjunctivitis in the former patient was also inhibited

GFS ingestion correlated with inhibition of a previously persistent HSV-2 infection for three months in subject 4B. In this patient, the infection was ACV resistant and outbreaks had been apparent on a two weekly basis for over a year.

HSV-2 outbreaks at the genital site were inhibited in two other female patients whilst taking a maintenance dose of two capsules per day, for one month (subjects 5,6 B).
Low grade persistent Herpes zoster (shingles) lesions of the whole torso were inhibited for two months in an elderly patient whilst maintaining a dose of four capsules per day (3B).

C) In vitro effects on HSV

Herpes viruses were assessed for infectivity of human fibroblasts cells in vitro. Inhibition by GFS extract was noted as shown in table 2.

D) T cell stimulation in vitro

GFS extract was assessed for effects on whole human T cell preparation in vitro. After incubation with GFS extract or mitogens PHA and ConA, for 72 hours the relative uptake of chromium was assessed as a measure of mitogenicity. The lowest concentration of GFS extract tested (25mcg/ml) exerted a four fold mitogenic effect on T cells, over 50% of the mitogenic potency of the known mitogens PHA (six fold) and ConA (seven fold). Paradoxically, increased concentrations of the whole extract showed decreasing effects on mitogenic activity. This may be accounted for by the increasing physical inhibition due to increased viscosity in the culture media, or the increasing concentration of unidentified inhibitory components present in the extract. Results are shown in Figure 1.
Additional studies illustrated little effect on NK cell activity and no effects on L929 fibroblast growth over 24 or 72 hours (results not shown). There was no bacterial contamination of the GFS (results not shown), thus the presence of bacterial lipopolysaccharides (which may also act as mitogens) was ruled out.

Discussion

This study was carried out to assess the effects of GFS in patient studies and in vitro.

GFS was ingested by patients suffering active or latent herpes infections. Results indicated firstly, increased rate of healing, and secondly, inhibition of outbreaks in cases of HSV-1, HSV-2, ACV resistant HSV-2, and zoster. There were no adverse side effects noted, and GFS was well tolerated by all subjects. Reduced pain levels were noted in some cases, which may be a result of the increased rate of healing.

A particularly noteworthy result in this study was inhibition of an ACV resistant case of HSV-2. HSV-2 is a sexually transmitted disease of increasing incidence (4). In part, this is due to the fact that partner transmission may occur during asymptomatic shedding (4) or unrecognised minor outbreaks. Suppressive therapies such as ACV have been tested for their ability to inhibit shedding (18). However, for long-term use, non toxic alternatives such as GFS may be preferred by patients, who perceive long term conventional drug use as detrimental. In addition, GFS may reduce the generation of resistant strains which arise
through prolonged use of drugs such as ACV.

GFS extract potently inhibited HSV infection of human cells, and stimulated human T cell proliferation in vitro, suggesting that these mechanisms may be relevant to the observed clinical response. Further research into GFS inhibition of HSV in vitro has been undertaken, indicating that inhibition of clinical ACV resistant strains by GFS and a partially purified galactofucan sulphate extract occur with respectively with IC50s of 8 and 2 mcg/ml (HSVI) and 4 and 0.5mcg/ml(HSV2) (19). These results concur with observations by Muto et al (20) on inhibition of HIV infection in vitro by Undaria extracts. HIV is another coated virus that uses similar cell surface receptors for entry, and is inhibited by polyanions (9).

A Polish study in healthy volunteers showed that eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) was more effective than echinacea in improving parameters of cardiovascular health, fitness, and immune function after 30 days of treatment. The 50 study participants were randomly divided into two groups and treated with the eleuthero preparation Taigutan (a 1:1 ethanol extract at a dose of 25 drops three times daily) or the echinacea product Echinacin Madaus (40 drops three times daily) for 30 days. The eleuthero group had statistically significant reductions in levels of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, free fatty acids, triglycerides, and glucose compared with the echinacea group. There was also a statistically significant difference in immune system function among those taking eleuthero, as demonstrated by tests of phagocytic activity and spontaneous blastic transformation of lymphocytes, but only insignificant changes in numbers of lymphocytes able to stimulate cytokine production. In addition, spirometric tests of physical fitness were performed on 20 randomly selected participants. Those taking eleuthero showed statistically significant increases in maximal oxygen uptake after 30 days of treatment, compared with no change in the echinacea group. Szolomicki S, Samchowiec L, Wójcicki, et al. The influence of active components of Eleutherococcus on cellular defense and phyisical fitness in man. Phytotherapy Research 2000; 14: 30-35.

According to laboratory research, an extract from elderberry leaves, combined with St. John’s wort and soapwort, inhibits the herpes simplex virus.
Serkedjieva J, Manolova N, Zgorniak-Nowosielska I, et al. Antiviral activity of the infusion (SHS-174) from flowers of Sambucus nigra L., aerial parts of Hypericum perforatum L., and roots of Saponaria officinalis L. against influenza and herpes simplex viruses. Phytother Res 1990;4:97–100

for long term prophylactic use oral ingestion

geum japonicum thunb (g. japonicum)
rhus javanica L. (r. javanica)
syzygium aromaticum (s. aromaticum
Terminalia chebula retzus (t. chebula)

are all poten anti hsv1

herbal extracts were prepared as hot water extracts from 4 dried traditional herbal medicines
g.japonicum (whole plant)
r javanica (gall)
s. aromaticum (flower bud)
t. chebula (fruit)
as described previously. briefly, the dried materials were boiled under refulx and the aqueous extracts were filtered and lyophilized. the lyophilized extract was suspended in distilled water at 20 mg/ml and boiled for 10 min. Agter centrifugation at 3000 rpm for 15 min, the supernatant was used for administration to mice.

Enzymatic Therapy Esberitox contains two forms of echinacea plus baptisia and thuja. It stimulates a broad spectrum of immune system factors.

Enzymatic Therapy Herpalyn combines a 70:1 concentration of Melissa with 1% allantoin, a healing cell proliferant as a topical cream for herpes simplex cold sore outbreaks.

Gaia Echinacea/Goldenseal Supreme and /Propolis throat Spray are strong natural antibiotics.

Gaia Bloodroot/Celandine Supreme contains chemicals that target retro-viruses by inhibiting the reverse transcriptase enzyme.

Gaia Reishi Buplerum Supreme strongly inhibits retro-viruses as well as reverse-transcriptase enzyme.

What does it do? Quercetin belongs to a class of water-soluble plant pigments called bioflavonoids. Quercetin acts as an antihistamine and has anti-inflammatory activity. As an antioxidant, it protects LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol) from becoming damaged. Cardiologists believe that damage to LDL cholesterol is an underlying cause of heart disease. Quercetin blocks an enzyme that leads to accumulation of sorbitol, which has been linked to nerve, eye, and kidney damage in those with diabetes.

Where is it found? Quercetin can be found in onions, apples, and black tea. Smaller amounts are found in leafy green vegetables and beans.

Who is likely to be deficient? No clear deficiency of quercetin has been established.

How much should I take? Common supplemental intake of quercetin is 400 mg two to three times per day.

Are there any side effects or interactions? No clear toxicity has been identified. Early quercetin research suggested that large amounts of quercetin could cause cancer in animals,¹ but current research either finds no effect on cancer risk² or protection from cancer.³ ⁴

Since bioflavonoids help protect and potentiate vitamin C, quercetin is often taken with vitamin C.

1. Ishikawa M, Oikawa T, Hosokawa M, et al. Enhancing effect of quercetin on 3-methylcholanthrene carcinogenesis in C57B1/6 mice. Neoplasma 1985;43:435-41.
2. Hertog MGL, Feskens EJM, Hollman PCH, et al. Dietary flavonoids and cancer risk in the Zutphen elderly study. Nutr Cancer 1994;22:175-84.
3. Castillo MH, Perkins E, Campbell JH, et al. The effects of the bioflavonoid quercetin on squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck origin. Am J Surg 1989;351-5.
4. Stavric B. Quercetin in our diet: from potent mutagen to probably anticarcinogen. Clin Biochem 1994;27:245-8.

There are nearly 3,000 enzymes in the human body involved with a wide variety of functions. There are 6 groups of enzymes. The ones we are concerned about in therapy fall into the following group:

Enzyme function depends on temperature, pH, ionic strength and relative concentration of various cations (metal ions) and anions. The strength of an enzyme is given by its activity. Weight of an enzyme is not nearly as important as its activity. Activity is measured by the rate at which an enzyme acts on a substance (substrate) to either convert it into another product or break it down.The activity per unit weight is known as the specific activity. Obviously the higher the specific activity the purer the enzyme preparation. Low specific activities for a given enzyme are due to two causes:

Insufficient enzyme production leads to maldigestion, resulting in impaired nutrient absorption and digestive problems. Commonly encountered symptoms are flatulence and digestive disturbances: constipation or steatorrhea (fatty diarrhea) depending on the predominant enzyme deficiency.

Deficient enzyme production is found in the following conditions:

This is one of the most fundamental questions facing any enzyme therapy for systemic treatment. Research shows that intact macromolecules are absorbed into the blood stream. Penetration takes place via the transcellular route because close fit of GI tract cells does not allow paracellular passage. Enzymes are absorbed in the luminal membrane and are phagocytosed. The absorbed material fuse with lysosomes. Some large molecules escape breakdown and are extruded into the blood stream.

Efficiency of passage of enzymes from the lumen into the interstitium is very high in the epithelium covering Peyer’s patches and other lymphoid tissue. In these regions the follicle -associated epithelial cells or “m” cells (from microfolds) convey macromolecules in both directions. Hydrolases are taken up and transferred without functional loss into the circulation. Enzymes can be reabsorbed intact by the pancreas. This is known as the enteropancreatic circulation.

In infants it is well known that IgA molecules are taken up from the mother’s milk and transferred into the infant’s blood, from which the child derives much of its early immunity. In fact the gut of infants is quite “leaky” although this leakiness is reduced in adults it is never lost but persists throughout life.

Enzymes that act as immunomodulators either in the lumen of the gut or enter the blood stream do so by virtue of their capacity to act as catalysts in the breakdown of immune complexes. Immune complexes are mainly of a protein nature (with some carbohydrate). By breaking down these immune complexes the primary cause of inflammation is removed. Immune complexes cause inflammation by triggering a complicated series of reactions, which are mediated through the complement system.

Results of 8 weeks of enzyme therapy compared to a placebo treated group after 8 weeks (Uffelman et. Al.)

Comparison of Results Obtained after 6 Months Gold Therapy or Oral Enzymes on 51 Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients (Klein et al.)

Those on indomethicin had substantially more rapid pain reduction than those on enzymes in the first four months.

After the first four months those on the enzyme therapy suffered less pain as time went on than those on indomethicin.

Furthermore the pain reduction lasted for a longer time, even when enzyme therapy was discontinued. There was also for many patients improved lumbar spine mobility.

There was continuous reduction in immune complex disease in the enzyme treated group, which was detectable after four weeks.

In contrast the indomethicin treated group was found to have increasing circulating immune-complex concentrations.

Symptoms: Pain, Vaginal Discharge (Parabiotic Flora), Scars, Adhesions, and Degeneration of Affected Organs (Ovaries), Menstrual Cycle Disturbances, which lead ultimately to sterility.

Of 56 patients with adnexitis: half were treated with enzymes and half treated with placebo.

Generally there was complete improvement in the group treated with enzymes, and no change in the placebo treated group.

Von Rokitansky uses topical injections of enzymes as well as oral enzymes in his treatment of patients.

In non-pregnant females with advanced cancer he uses high doses of vitamin a (200,000 i.u.)

The patients are then treated by oral enzyme for one week each month for a number of years

Clinical results on 305 patients treated by this regime and followed for more than 10 years:

After surgery many patients may develop axillary inflammation due to damaged lymph vessels. There is also plasma protein loss. Loss of plasma proteins and their inefficient lymphatic reabsorption leads to edema.

May lead to dysmenorrhea, and sterility. It occurs most frequently in women between the ages of 30 and 50. It is presently treated most commonly by hormonal therapy.

If oral enzyme therapy is commenced within 24 hours of the first appearance of blisters the pain ceased within 3 days and the blisters formed scabs much faster than normal.

Bartsch (1968) found enzyme therapy to be the most effective treatment for herpes zoster.

It is important to initiate therapy as soon as possible, since longer periods of pain and other symptoms occur if therapy is delayed.

Both had equal efficacy in the reduction of length and severity of herpes zoster.

2. All these patients had been treated by an immunosuppressive drug (azathioprine).

The treatment also required the patient to follow a diet with a high proportion of raw food and fat intake to be limited to only polyunsaturated fatty acids.

The Clinical Studies were conducted by Dr. Neuhoffer, who has MS herself, and are published in Hufeland Journal 2, 47-50, 1986 and the International Multiple Sclerosis Conference, Rome, September 14-17, 1988

Enzymes have an important role in the healing of injuries. Basically, their role is the breakdown of injured or inflamed tissue, which can then be replaced with new healthy tissue.

Orally administered enzymes are absorbable through the gut wall to enter the blood stream, and can accelerate the healing process by increasing the rate at which damaged and inflamed tissue is broken down.

Orally administered enzymes have been used in the treatment of a variety of injuries:

Most of the clinical studies on oral enzyme therapy have been conducted in Europe. In general, oral enzyme administration as soon as possible after the injury, resulted in faster reduction of inflammation and pain and a more rapid return to mobilization of the joint, (if involved).

Below are tabulated some studies showing the effect of oral enzyme administration on a variety of traumas (injuries and surgery).*

* Adapted from *Enzymes: The fountain of Life, D. A. Lopez, R. M. Williams and M. Miehlke, The Neville Press, Charlston, SC, 29401, 1994

Below are tabulated some results in the treatment of phlebitis using enzyme therapy.

“Enzyme therapy is not confined to those vein disorders, which have already reached the chronic stage. The preventive value of this method of treatment is even greater, since it makes it possible to reduce the chances of these disorders occurring as we age.”

H. Mahr (Bad Dürrheim, Germany) “ it is possible to successfully treat high-risk patients (smokers, those with improper or imbalanced diets, or exposed to toxins or stress) prophylactically with enzymes to prevent venous disorders.”

As a rule of thumb a dose of 5 capsules 3 times a day may be used between meals.

These doses are given for information purposes only and not to advocate treatment for any medical condition.

Do not use protease-containing enzyme preparation, if the patient has one or more of the following conditions: severe gastritis, ulcers, or inflammatory bowel disease.

If a patient has any of these conditions, it is preferable to treat first with a mucilaginous preparation with bioflavonoids (or other anti-inflammatory substance) and a non-protease containing enzyme formula until the condition has healed. This could take one to several months.

If high protease containing are used in these conditions the patient may complain of burning sensation or GI discomfort.

“INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, SUCH PREPARATIONS AS THE ENZYME THERAPEUTIC AGENTS ARE ALWAYS APPLIED IN CIRCUMSTANCES WHEN ALL OTHER FORMS OF MAINSTREAM MEDICAL TREATMENT HAS FAILED. THIS SEEMS TO BE DUE TO A CERTAIN BELIEF IN MIRACLES, COMBINED WITH A GOODLY HELPING OF SCEPTICISM: “IF IT DOESN’T WORK WE’RE NO WORSE OFF-IT’S ONLY WHAT WE EXPECTED.” MIRACLES ARE RARE, UNFORTUNATELY.”

“ON THIS BASIS, SYSTEMIC ENZYME THERAPY IS A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE FORM OF TREATMENT WITH FEW SIDE-EFFECTS, WHICH SHOULD HAVE A FIRMLY ESTABLISHED PLACE IN THE RANGE OF TREATMENT PRACTISED EVEN -OR PERHAPS RATHER ESPECIALLY - BY THE MAINSTREAM DOCTORS, AND WITH WHICH WE CAN COME CLOSE TO THE PRINCIPLE OF MEDICINE: HELP WITHOUT HARM.”

M. W. Kleine and W. Vogler, Allgemeinmedizin, (19 (4), 1990 - the whole supplement is devoted to enzyme therapy); F. W. Dittmar, Enzyme Therapy in Gynecology, Allgemeinmedizin, 19 (4), 158-159, 1990; F. W. Dittmar, Enzyme Therapy in Inflammatory Pelvic Disease, The Medical World, 37, 562-565, 1986; K. Uffelmann, W. Vogler, C. Fruth, The Use of Proteolytic Enzymes in Extra-Articular Rheumatism, Allgemeinmedizin, 19 (4), 151, 1990; H. D. Rahn, M. Kilic, The Action of Hydrolytic Enzymes in Traumatology - Results after Two Prospective Randomized Double Blind Studies, Allgemeinmedizin, 19 (4), 183-197 (1990); H. Reinbold, K. Maehder, The Biological Alternative in the Treatment of Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases, Zeitschr fur Allgemeinmedizin, 57, 2397-2402, 1981; K. Maeder, Enzyme Treatment in Diseases of the Veins, Die Arztpraxis, 2, 1978; E. J.Menzel, S. Rungel, Enzymes as Immunomodulators, Allgemeinmedizin, 19 (4), 140-143, 1990.

D.A Lopez, R.M. Williams and M. Miehlke, Enzymes- The Fountain of Youth, Neville Press, 1994, (Contains many references to peer-reviewed medical literature); Enzyme Nutrition: The Food Enzyme Concept, E. Howell, Avery Publishing Group, 1985; Food Enzymes: The Missing Link to Radiant Health, H. Santillo, Hohm Press, 1987.