SPAGYRIC HERBALISM

New compound from blessed thistle promotes functional nerve regeneration

UNIVERSITY OF COLOGNE

 

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DRIED BLESSED THISTLE (CNICUS BENEDICTUS)

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CREDIT: DIETMAR FISCHER

Blessed thistle (Cnicus benedictus) is a plant in the family Asteraceae and also grows in our climate. For centuries, it has been used as a medicinal herb as an extract or tea, e.g. to aid the digestive system. Researchers at the Center for Pharmacology of University Hospital Cologne and at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Cologne have now found a completely novel use for Cnicin under the direction of Dr Philipp Gobrecht and Professor Dr Dietmar Fischer. Animal models as well as human cells have shown that Cnicin significantly accelerates axon (nerve fibres) growth. The study ‘Cnicin promotes functional nerve regeneration’ was published in Phytomedicine.

Rapid help for nerves

Regeneration pathways of injured nerves in humans and animals with long axons are accordingly long. This often makes the healing process lengthy and even frequently irreversible because the axons cannot reach their destination on time. An accelerated regeneration growth rate can, therefore, make a big difference here, ensuring that the fibres reach their original destination on time before irreparable functional deficits can occur. The researchers demonstrated axon regeneration in animal models and human cells taken from retinae donated by patients. Administering a daily dose of Cnicin to mice or rats helped improve paralysis and neuropathy much more quickly.

Compared to other compounds, Cnicin has one crucial advantage: it can be introduced into the bloodstream orally (by mouth). It does not have to be given by injection. “The correct dose is very important here, as Cnicin only works within a specific therapeutic window. Doses that are too low or too high are ineffective. This is why further clinical studies on humans are crucial,” said Fischer. The University of Cologne researchers are currently planning relevant studies. The Center for Pharmacology is researching and developing drugs to repair the damaged nervous system.

The current study received funding of around 1,200,000 euros from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research within the framework of the project PARREGERON.

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JOURNAL

Phytomedicine

DOI

10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155641 

METHOD OF RESEARCH

Experimental study

SUBJECT OF RESEARCH

Animals

ARTICLE TITLE

Cnicin promotes functional nerve regeneration

ARTICLE PUBLICATION DATE

14-Apr-2024

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 SPAGYRIC HERBALISM

U of T researchers lead discovery of ginger compound with potential to treat inflammatory bowel disease

University of Toronto

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Research Associate Jiabao Liu and Professor Henry Krause.

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Credit: University of Toronto

An international team led by researchers at the University of Toronto has found a compound in ginger, called furanodienone (FDN), that selectively binds to and regulates a nuclear receptor involved in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Through a screen to identify chemical components of ginger that bind to receptors associated with IBD, the team observed a strong interaction between FDN and the pregnane X receptor (PXR). FDN reduces inflammation in the colon by activating PXR’s ability to suppress the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the body. While researchers have been aware of FDN for decades, they had not determined its functions or targets in the body until now.

“We found that we could reduce inflammation in the colons of mice through oral injections of FDN,” said Jiabao Liu, research associate at U of T's Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research. “Our discovery of FDN’s target nuclear receptor highlights the potential of complementary and integrative medicine for IBD treatment. We believe natural products may be able to regulate nuclear receptors with more precision than synthetic compounds, which could lead to alternative therapeutics that are cost-effective and widely accessible.”

The study was published recently in the journal Nature Communications.

IBD patients typically start to experience symptoms early in life; around 25 per cent of patients are diagnosed before the age of 20. There is currently no cure for IBD, so patients must adhere to life-long treatments to manage their symptoms, including abdominal pain and diarrhea, enduring significant psychological and economic consequences.

While patients with IBD have found some relief through changes to their diet and herbal supplements, it is not clear which chemical compounds in food and supplements are responsible for alleviating intestinal inflammation. With FDN now identified as a compound with potential to treat IBD, this specific component of ginger can be extracted to develop more effective therapies.

An additional benefit of FDN is that it can increase the production of tight junction proteins that repair damage to the gut lining caused by inflammation. The effects of FDN were demonstrated in the study to be restricted to the colon, preventing harmful side effects to other areas of the body.

Nuclear receptors serve as sensors within the body for a wide range of molecules, including those involved in metabolism and inflammation. PXR specifically plays a role in the metabolism of foreign substances, like dietary toxins and pharmaceuticals. Binding between FDN and PXR needs to be carefully regulated because over-activating the receptor can lead to an increase in the metabolism and potency of other drugs and signaling metabolites in the body.

FDN is a relatively small molecule that only fills a portion of the PXR binding pocket. The study shows that this allows for an additional compound to bind simultaneously, thereby increasing the overall strength of the bond and its anti-inflammatory effects in a controlled manner.

“The number of people diagnosed with IBD in both developed and developing countries is on the rise due to a shift towards diets that are more processed and are high in fat and sugar,” said Henry Krause, principal investigator on the study and professor of molecular genetics at U of T’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine. “A natural product derived from ginger is a better option for treating IBD than current therapies because it does not suppress the immune system or affect liver function, which can lead to major side effects. FDN can form the basis of a treatment that is more effective while also being safer and cheaper.”

 

This research was supported by Canadian Institutes of Health Research; Agence Nationale de la Recherche SYNERGY; Key-Area Research and Development Program of Guangdong Province, China; National Institutes of Health; National Natural Science Foundation of China; Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and New Frontiers in Research Fund.

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Journal

Nature Communications

DOI

10.1038/s41467-025-56624-0 

Article Title

An abundant ginger compound furanodienone alleviates gut inflammation via the xenobiotic nuclear receptor PXR in mice

 SPAGYRIC HERBALISM

Slimming with seeds: Cumin curry spice fights fat

Human clinical trials reveal anti-obesity and heart-protective effects of black cumin

Osaka Metropolitan University

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Black cumin seeds were shown to improve cholesterol levels in a medical trial led by an Osaka Metropolitan University team.

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Credit: Osaka Metropolitan University

Nigella sativa (black cumin), the spice that boosts the flavor of curries like korma and paneer also has another use: its seeds have long been used as a medicinal plant in traditional medicine for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Now, a clinical trial led by Osaka Metropolitan University suggests that they also have anti-obesity benefits.

To investigate these effects, a team led by Associate Professor Akiko Kojima-Yuasa of the Graduate School of Human Life and Ecology used cellular experiments and human clinical trials.

In the human clinical trial, participants who consumed 5g of black cumin seed powder daily—roughly a tablespoon—for 8 weeks showed significant reductions in blood triglycerides, LDL (‘bad’) cholesterol, and total cholesterol levels. In addition, HDL (‘good’) cholesterol levels increased.

Improvements in blood lipid profiles like these are associated with a lower risk of heart problems and premature death.

The group also performed cellular experiments to understand the processes involved. They found that black cumin seed extract inhibited adipogenesis—the formation and maturation of fat cells—by blocking both fat droplet accumulation and the differentiation process.

“This study strongly suggests that black cumin seeds are useful as a functional food for preventing obesity and lifestyle-related diseases,” Professor Kojima-Yuasa said. “It was so gratifying to see black cumin comprehensively demonstrate actual, demonstrable blood lipid-lowering effects in a human trial.”

“We hope to perform longer-term and larger-scale clinical trials to investigate the effects of black cumin on metabolism,” she added. “We are particularly interested in investigating its effects on insulin resistance in diabetes and inflammatory markers.”

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About OMU

Established in Osaka as one of the largest public universities in Japan, Osaka Metropolitan University is committed to shaping the future of society through the “Convergence of Knowledge” and the promotion of world-class research. For more research news, visit https://www.omu.ac.jp/en/ and follow us on social media: X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn.

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Journal

Food Science & Nutrition

DOI

10.1002/fsn3.70888 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Cells

Article Title

Black Cumin Seed (Nigella sativa) Confers Anti‐Adipogenic Effects in 3T3‐L1 Cellular Model and Lipid‐Lowering Properties in Human Subjects

New volume explores India’s wild vegetables and their scientific, nutritional, and cultural value

Bentham Science Publishers

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Bentham Science has released Wild Vegetables: Morphology, Phytochemistry and Utility – Part 2, an in-depth scientific reference documenting around 120 wild vegetable species from the Western Ghats, one of India’s richest biodiversity regions.

Covering plant families from Fabaceae to Zygophyllaceae, the book provides a comprehensive overview of each species’ morphology, phytochemistry, traditional uses, and nutritional composition. Organized alphabetically by plant family, it connects indigenous knowledge with modern plant science, promoting the rediscovery and sustainable use of underutilized edible plants.

This volume serves as a valuable resource for botanists, nutritionists, ethnopharmacologists, and general readers interested in traditional foods and biodiversity conservation.

 

About the Editors

Dr. Ganesh Chandrakant Nikalje (Seva Sadan’s R.K. Talreja College, University of Mumbai) specializes in halophyte research, bio-saline agriculture, and wild vegetable utilization. 

Ms. Apurva Shankar Chonde is pursuing her Ph.D. on the wild vegetables of Thane District, focusing on their domestication and value-added uses.  

Dr. Sudhakar Srivastava (Banaras Hindu University) is an expert in plant-metal interactions and sustainable environmental practices.   

Professor Suprasanna Penna (Amity University Mumbai) is an eminent plant biotechnologist and former Head of the Nuclear Agriculture and Biotechnology Division at BARC, with significant contributions to plant stress biology and mutation breeding.

 

Learn more about this title at: http://bit.ly/47fnsCt

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DOI

10.2174/97988988100091250101 

SPAGYRIC HERBALISM

Herbal medicine for the mind: Traditionally used medicinal plants for memory loss from the Indian subcontinent

Xia & He Publishing Inc.

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Burden of Memory Disorders and the Role of Traditional Medicine

The growing global population of elderly individuals has led to a dramatic rise in chronic diseases, including neurocognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. These conditions, which are expected to affect over 150 million people worldwide by 2050, are marked by memory loss, impaired judgment, and cognitive decline. While pharmacological interventions exist, their limitations in accessibility, affordability, and side effect profiles have prompted the exploration of holistic approaches. This review emphasizes traditional herbal medicines, which have long been used in South Asia and are gaining popularity worldwide as potential alternatives.

 

Identification of Traditionally Used Medicinal Plants

A two-phase approach was used to investigate memory-enhancing herbal medicines:

1. Textual Survey: South Asian medicinal plant books were reviewed, identifying 13 herbs traditionally used for memory loss. These included Acorus calamus, Celastrus paniculatus, Withania somnifera, and Zingiber officinale, among others.
2. Scientific Literature Review: Using databases like PubMed and Google Scholar, the authors searched for experimental evidence supporting these plants’ memory-enhancing properties.

 

Mechanisms of Action

Several key mechanisms were identified through which these plants may exert beneficial effects on memory:

1. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) Inhibition: Many plants demonstrated the ability to inhibit AChE and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), enzymes that break down acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter essential for memory. This mirrors the mechanism of approved AD drugs like donepezil and galantamine.
2. NMDA Receptor Antagonism: Some herbs, such as Celastrus paniculatus and Zingiber officinale, showed potential in modulating NMDA receptors, similar to the action of memantine, another FDA-approved AD drug.
3. Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Effects: Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation exacerbate neurodegeneration. Many of the plants reviewed showed strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that could protect neurons and reduce the progression of AD.
4. Multitargeted Actions: Notably, several plants—like Acorus calamus, Withania somnifera, and Salvia officinalis—exhibited a combination of the above mechanisms, increasing their potential as effective therapeutic agents.

 

Evidence from Human Clinical Trials

While much of the evidence comes from preclinical (in vitro and animal) models, three plants have been evaluated in human trials:

1. Panax ginseng: A 12-week clinical trial showed improved memory and cognitive function in older adults using a standardized ginseng extract (ThinkGIN™), with no major side effects.
2. Salvia officinalis (Sage): Multiple randomized, double-blind trials demonstrated improvements in cognitive function, working memory, and attention. The benefits are attributed to terpenoids and ChE inhibition.
3. Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha): Clinical studies reported improvements in attention, executive function, sleep quality, and psychological well-being, with no significant adverse effects.

 

Limitations and Future Directions

This review, while comprehensive, acknowledges certain limitations:

1. The list of plants is based solely on a limited number of regional texts.
2. No field surveys with traditional healers or patients were conducted.
3. The review focused on South Asia; a global investigation could reveal additional plants with memory-enhancing properties.
4. Medicinal chemistry analyses were limited, which could enhance understanding of active compounds.

The authors advocate for future work including ethnobotanical surveys, broader regional studies, and detailed chemical analyses to support drug discovery.

 

Conclusion

This review highlights the promise of traditional South Asian medicinal plants in addressing memory loss and cognitive decline, particularly in Alzheimer’s disease. The identified plants not only reflect cultural wisdom but are increasingly supported by modern scientific evidence. Their diverse mechanisms—especially when acting in synergy—offer a rich reservoir for developing new, effective, and affordable treatments. Integrating this knowledge with modern medicine could pave the way for a more holistic, patient-centered approach to managing cognitive health.

 

Full text:

https://www.xiahepublishing.com/2835-6357/FIM-2024-00050

 

The study was recently published in the Future Integrative Medicine.

Future Integrative Medicine (FIM) is the official scientific journal of the Capital Medical University.FIM publishes both basic and clinical research, including but not limited to randomized controlled trials, intervention studies, cohort studies, observational studies, qualitative and mixed method studies, animal studies, and systematic reviews.

 

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Journal

Future Integrative Medicine

DOI

10.14218/FIM.2024.00050 

Article Title

Herbal Medicine for the Mind: Traditionally Used Medicinal Plants for Memory Loss from the Indian Subcontinent