Positive Health Online

Abstract

MILLER and colleagues, Department of Pediatrics and Center for Cardiovascular Sciences, Albany Medical College, New York 12208, USA, millermj@mail.amc.edu carried out studies to evaluate, in an animal model and in vitro, the possible uses of Sangre de grado, an Amazonian herbal medicine, in gastrointestinal disorders .

Background

Sangre de grado is an Amazonian herbal medicine used to aid the healing of gastric ulcers and to treat gastritis, diarrhoea, skin wounds and insect stings .

Methodology

The researchers induced gastric ulcers in rats. The rats were then given drinking water containing sangre de grado in a dilution of 1:1,000 or 1:10,000 for 7 days post-operatively. In a further study, the in vitro effects of sangre de grado on the secretory responses of guinea pig ileum to capsaicin, electrical field stimulation and the neurokinin-1 (NK-1) agonist (Sar(9), Met(0(2))(11))substance P were examined in Ussing chambers.

Results

In the rat gastric ulcer model, sangre de grado treatment facilitated ulcer healing, as shown by reduced myeloperoxidase activity, reduced ulcer size and reduced bacterial content of the ulcer. Ulcer induction caused upregulation of the expression of pro-inflammatory genes, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukin (IL)-1-beta, IL-6 and cyclooxygenase-2. These effects were reduced by sangre de grado treatment, particularly iNOS and IL-6. In guinea pig ileum, sangre de grado reduced the secretory response to capsaicin, but not to electrical field stimulation or to the NK-1 agonist.

Conclusion

Sangre de grado is a potent, cost-effective treatment for gastrointestinal ulcers and distress, acting via antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and sensory afferent dependent mechanisms .

References

Miller MJ et al. Treatment of gastric ulcers and diarrhea with the Amazonian herbal medicine sangre de grado. American Journal of Physiology. Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology 279 (1): G192-200. Jul 2000.