Antioxidant, Anti‐inflammatory, and Chemoprotective Properties of Acacia catechu Heartwood Extracts. (20th March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stohs, Sidney J.; Bagchi, Debasis
• Is Part Of: Phytotherapy research. Volume 29:Number 6(2015:Jun.)
• Page Start: 818
• Page End: 824
• Publication Date: 2015-03-20
• Subjects: Materia medica, Vegetable -- Periodicals; Botany, Medical -- Periodicals; Medicinal plants -- Periodicals; Plant Extracts -- therapeutic use -- Periodicals; Plants, Medicinal -- Periodicals; 581.634
• DOI: 10.1002/ptr.5335
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0951-418X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>Aqueous extracts of <italic>Acacia catechu</italic> heartwood are rich source of catechin and epicatechin (gallic acid derivatives), with smaller amounts of flavonoids. Extracts have also been prepared with ethyl acetate, ethanol, and methanol, and the properties of these extracts have been studied and are reviewed. Potent antioxidant activity has been well established in both <italic>in vitro</italic> and <italic>in vivo</italic> studies. This antioxidant activity is believed to be responsible for the anti‐inflammatory, tissue protectant, antineoplastic, and analgesic activities that have been demonstrated and clearly established in animal and cell culture systems. Furthermore, antihyperglycemic, antidiarrheal, antinociceptive, and antipyretic activities have been demonstrated in animal studies. No adverse effects have been observed in animal or human studies or in cell culture systems. In spite of the fact that <italic>Acacia</italic> products have been used for many years and the general safety of catechins and epicatechins is well documented, few human studies have ever been conducted on the efficacy or safety of <italic>A. catechu</italic> heartwood extracts. Several studies have shown that a two‐ingredient combination product containing <italic>A. catechu</italic> extract exhibited no adverse effects when administered daily for up to 12 weeks while exhibiting significant anti‐inflammatory activity in subjects with osteoarthritis of the knee. There is a need for additional human clinical studies with regard to efficacy and safety. © 2015 The Authors. Phytotherapy Research published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.</p> </abstract>