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Chemistry
The chemistry of Sutherlandia was studied by Prof. Ben-Erik van Wyk and Dr. Carl Albrecht. Five known key compounds contribute to the efficacy of this medicinal plant :
* L-canavanine, a non-protein amino acid
* Pinitol
* GABA
* Asparagine
* SU1, a novel triterpenoid glucoside
The published biological activities of these compounds appear to validate some of the traditional uses of the plant, and further support the use of the plant as a quality-of-life tonic in cancer and AIDS patients.
For the latest results on clinical trials and research on Sutherlandia:
1. PubMed website: click on PubMed and type " Sutherlandia" on the search space
2.The SA Healthinfo website: click on SA Healthinfo
L-Canavanine
L-Canavanine is known to occur in high levels in certain seeds. Sutherlandia seeds also contain canavanine. This potent non-protein amino acid is an L-arginine antagonist with documented antiviral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anticancer activities. L-Canavanine is a potent L-arginine antagonist that has patented anticancer (Swaffar, 1995; Crooks, 1994.) and antiviral activity, including against influenza virus and retroviruses (Green, 1988.). L-Canavanine is also a selective inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthase and therefore has possible application in the treatment of septic shock and chronic inflammation (Anfossi, G. et al. 1999; Levy, B. et al. 1999).
Pinitol
Pinitol, a known anti-diabetic agent (Narayanan, 1987), has been isolated from Sutherlandia leaves, and quantitative work is in progress. A US Patent (Ostlund, 1996) suggests that pinitol may have clinical application in treating the wasting in cancer, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS patients.
GABA
GABA was isolated from dry Sutherlandia leaves in levels up to 14 mg/g dry weight. This inhibitory neurotransmitter could account for the use of the plant for anxiety and stress, and for the improvement in mood and well-being experienced by many patients.
Asparagine
A non-essential amino-acid that has a stress reducing effect on the body. It also aids the effective functioning of the liver and kidneys. It is required by the nervoussystem to maintain equilibrium and is also required for amino acid transformation from one form to another.
SU1
A novel triterpenoid glucoside known as SU1 has been isolated and characterized, and is one of the key compounds used in the selection of raw material for propagation. This compound has promising biological activities, but this is still the subject of ongoing research.
Comments
Preliminary scientific research, published peer-reviewed scientific research, and clinical experience suggests that key phyto chemicals in select chemotypes of Sutherlandia varieties are:
- immunomodulatory
- anti-inflammatory
- vaso-dilatory
- analgesic
- anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial
- anti-cancer
- inhibitors of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF). Excess production of TNF is known to drive the wasting process in cancer and TB patients.
Side Effects
In keeping with World Health Organization guidelines for the assessment of herbal medicines, Sutherlandia is generally regarded as safe on the basis of its long history of safe use in South Africa.
It is one of the few medicinal plants on the world market that has been formally studied for safety, in this case, in Vervet monkeys. The Medical Research Council of South Africa tested elite chemotype Sutherlandia dried leaf powder for safety in 2001. The study was part of a Medical Research Council Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) process to establish a "clinical platform" to assess the safety and efficacy of promising South African indigenous medicinal plants.
No toxicity was apparent in any variable studied by the MRC.
Contraindications
None documented at this time. Taking Sutherlandia is not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women, since the safety study did not include these situations.
Quality of Raw Materials: Sutherlandia frutescens
In the interests of consistent product quality, and to prevent environmental damage, we use only certified organically cultivated plant material that has been selected from natural strains of plants with a typical and reproducible phytochemical profile by the manufacturers and suppliers of Terra Treatment BV. |
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African Impression |
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Sutherlandia Frutescens |
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close-up flower |
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harvest |
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