Elderberry
a natural anti-virus remedy?
Echinacea and Atragalus are touted as defense against cold viruses, and
perhaps other viruses as well. They "ramp" up the body's
killer T-cells earlier than the body would normally augment their
production.
But another remedy is slowly making news for its unusally powerful anti-viral properties - ELDERBERRY. Originally noted for combating influenza, there are indications that it's anti-viral action is much broader. A product called Sambucol was developed by a virologist doctor, and it is now available at many health food stores. However, elderberry (which it is based on) can be had as well, perhaps more widely. This is very interesting news in light of the threat from avian flu.
Here is a citation from the NIH (National Institute of Health), a federal agency...
The effect of Sambucol, a black elderberry-based, natural product, on the production of human cytokines: I. Inflammatory cytokines.Barak V, Halperin T, Kalickman I.
Immunology Laboratory for Tumor Diagnosis, Department of Oncology, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.
Sambucus nigra L. products - Sambucol - are based on a standardized black elderberry extract. They are natural remedies with antiviral properties, especially against different strains of influenza virus. Sambucol was shown to be effective in vitro against 10 strains of influenza virus. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study, Sambucol reduced the duration of flu symptoms to 3-4 days. Convalescent phase serum showed a higher antibody level to influenza virus in the Sambucol group, than in the control group. The present study aimed to assess the effect of Sambucol products on the healthy immune system - namely, its effect on cytokine production. The production of inflammatory cytokines was tested using blood - derived monocytes from 12 healthy human donors. Adherent monocytes were separated from PBL and incubated with different Sambucol preparations i.e., Sambucol Elderberry Extract, Sambucol Black Elderberry Syrup, Sambucol Immune System and Sambucol for Kids. Production of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-8) was significantly increased, mostly by the Sambucol Black Elderberry Extract (2-45 fold), as compared to LPS, a known monocyte activator (3.6-10.7 fold). The most striking increase was noted in TNF-alpha production (44.9 fold). We conclude from this study that, in addition to its antiviral properties, Sambucol Elderberry Extract and its formulations activate the healthy immune system by increasing inflammatory cytokine production. Sambucol might therefore be beneficial to the immune system activation and in the inflammatory process in healthy individuals or in patients with various diseases. Sambucol could also have an immunoprotective or immunostimulatory effect when administered to cancer or AIDS patients, in conjunction with chemotherapeutic or other treatments. In view of the increasing popularity of botanical supplements, such studies and investigations in vitro, in vivo and in clinical trials need to be developed.
Article found at...
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11399518&dopt=Citation
Here is more information:
Clinical Study:
A
double-blind placebo-controlled clinical study was conducted during an
outbreak of influenza B Panama. A significant improvement of the
symptoms, including fever, was seen in 93.3% of the cases in the
Sambucol® treated group within 2 days. A complete cure was achieved within 2 to 3 days in nearly 90% of the Sambucol®
treated group and within at least 6 days in the placebo group.
"Inhibition of Several Strains of Influenza Virus in Vitro and
Reduction of Symptoms by an Elderberry Extract (Sambucus nigra L)
during an Outbreak of Influenza B Panama", Z. Zakay-Rones et al. J. Alt
Compl Med 1995;1:361-369.
Second clinical study on flu
In a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study conducted in Norway, Sambucol®
was shown to significantly reduce the duration of the flu by
approximately four days. The use of rescue medication (pain relievers,
etc.) was significantly less in the group receiving Sambucol®
than in the placebo group. "Randomized study on the efficacy and safety
of an oral elderberry extract in the treatment of influenza A and B
virus infections" Thom Erling & Therje Wollan, J. Int. Med. Res., 2004;32(2):132-140.
These are found in medical periodicals. The extract is diabetic safe.
Posted December 3, 2005