Crataegus Oxyacantha
Glycyrrhiza Uralensis
Rhaponticum Carthamoides
Sorbus Aucuparia
Schisandra Chinensis
Clematis Mandschurica
Inonotus Obliquus
Rhodiola Rosea
Eleutherococcus Senticosus

• “Liver architecture maintenance by tincture of Crataegus against isoproterenol-induced myocardially infarcted rats.”
  
  Myocardial infarction produces significant abnormal liver functioning. In the present study the hepatoprotective effect of tincture of Crataegus (TCR) in myocardially infarcted rats was investigated. The oral administration of TCR to rats for 30 days afforded good protection against isoproterenol-induced alterations in tissue marker enzymes of liver injury like alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferease, lactate dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase and in protein-bound carbohydrates like hexose, hexosamine, fucose, and sialic acid. The protective effect of TCR was further supported by the reversal of isoproterenol-induced histological changes in the liver. The results suggest that TCR, which can aid the heart and circulatory system, can also be hepatoprotective and thereby may help to maintain the normal architecture of liver tissue.

  Thirupurasundari CJ, Jayalakshmi R, Niranjali Devaraj S. J Med Food. 2005 Fall;8(3):400-4.

• “Crataegus oxyacantha (aubepine) in the use as herb medicine in France.”
  
  Crataegus oxyacantha (Aubepine, Hawthorn), was used by european herbalist in the first century A. D. It went out of fashion as a medicine until the 19th century for heart disease. The leaves, flowers, and berries of hawthorn contain a variety of bioflavonoid-like complexes that appear to aid in the cardiac actions of the plant. Bioflavonoids found in C. oxyacantha include oligomeric procyanidins (OPCc), vitexin, quercetin, and hyperoside. The action of these compounds on the cardiovascular system has led to the development of leaf and flower extracts. As described in French pharmacopea, the hyperoside is the marker for quality control.

  Ju LY. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2005 Apr. 30(8):634-40.

• “Hawthorn: potential roles in cardiovascular disease.”
  
  Hawthorn (Crataegus) may help play a role in protecting against cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and in particular, congestive heart failure. Evidence is accumulating that hawthorn may induce anti-ischemia/reperfusion-injury, anti-arrhythmic, hypolipidemic and hypotensive effects. These beneficial effects may in part be due to the presence of antioxidant flavonoid components. While a number of studies have been performed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of hawthorn, an international, multicenter, prospective clinical study including a large number of New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II/III heart failure patients is ongoing to test hawthorn's long-term therapeutic effects. Further clinical trials as well as pharmacokinetic and mechanistic studies are needed to explore and confirm its effectiveness, safety and pharmacological mechanism.

  Chang WT, Dao J, Shao ZH. Am J Chin Med. 2005;33(1):1-10.

• “Crataegus special extract WS 1442 improves cardiac function and reduces infarct size in a rat model of prolonged coronary ischemia and reperfusion.”
  
  In Germany, hydroalcoholic extracts from hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) leaves with flowers are approved drugs for the treatment of mild forms of heart insufficiency. Besides cardiotonic effects these herbal remedies have been shown to support cardio properties. We now evaluated if treatment of rats with the Crataegus special extract WS 1442 also improves cardiac function and helps prevent myocardial infarction during prolonged ischemia and reperfusion lasting for 240 and 15 min, respectively. Oral administration of WS 1442 (10 or 100 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1)) for 7 days before ligation of the left coronary artery dose-dependently helped to suppress the decrease of the pressure rate product. WS 1442 treatment also attenuated the elevation of the ST-segment in the ECG, lessened the incidence of ventricular fibrillations (control: 67%; 10 mg x kg(-1): 64%; 100 mg x kg(-1): 27%) and reduced the mortality rate (control: 47%; 10 mg.kg(-1): 27%; 100 mg x kg(-1): 9%). Furthermore, the area of myocardial infarction within the ischemic zone was smaller in treated rats (10 mg x kg(-1): 64.3 +/- 5.1%; 100 mg x kg(-1): 42.8 +/- 4.1%) when compared with controls (78.4 +/- 2.6%). It is suggested that these pharmacological effects are accounted for by the combined antioxidative, leukocyte elastase inhibiting and endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthesis enhancing properties of WS 1442.

  Veveris M, Koch E, Chatterjee SS. Life Sci. 2004 Feb 27;74(15):1945-55.

• “Hawthorn: pharmacology and therapeutic uses.”
  
  The uses, pharmacology, clinical efficacy, dosage and administration, adverse effects, and drug interactions of hawthorn are discussed. Hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha) is a fruit-bearing shrub with a long history as a medicinal substance. Uses include easing digestive ailments, dyspnea, and kidney stones. Today, hawthorn is used primarily for various cardiovascular conditions. The cardiovascular effects are believed to be the result of positive inotropic activity, ability to help increase the integrity of the blood vessel wall and help improve coronary blood flow, and positive effects on oxygen utilization. Flavonoids are postulated to account for these effects. Hawthorn has shown promise in the treatment in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class II congestive heart failure (CHF) in both uncontrolled and controlled clinical trials. There are also suggestions of a beneficial effect on blood lipids. Trials to establish an antiarrhythmic effect in humans have not been conducted. The recommended daily dose of hawthorn is 160-900 mg of a native water-ethanol extract of the leaves or flowers (equivalent to 30-169 mg of epicatechin or 3.5-19.8 mg of flavonoids) administered in two or three doses. At therapeutic dosages, hawthorn may cause a mild rash, headache, sweating, dizziness, palpitations, sleepiness, agitation, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Hawthorn may interact with vasodilating medications and may potentiate or inhibit the actions of drugs used for heart failure, hypertension, angina, and arrhythmias. The limited data about hawthorn suggest that it may be useful in the care of NYHA functional class II CHF.

  Rigelsky JM, Sweet BV. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2002 Mar 1;59(5):417-22.

• “Antidepressant-like activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. in mouse models of immobility tests.”
  
  The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of aqueous extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Family: Fabaceae), popularly known as liquorice, on depression in mice using forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST). The extract of G. glabra (75, 150, and 300 mg/kg) was administered orally for 7 successive days in separate groups of Swiss young male albino mice. The dose of 150 mg/kg of the extract reduced the immobility times of mice in both FST and TST, without significant effect on locomotor activity of mice. The efficacy of extract was found to be comparable to that of imipramine (15 mg/kg i.p.) and fluoxetine (20 mg/kg i.p.). Liquorice extract reversed reserpine-induced extension of immobility period of mice in FST and TST. Sulpiride (50 mg/kg i.p.; a selective D2 receptor antagonist) and prazosin (62.5 microg/kg i.p.; an alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist) significantly attenuated the extract-induced antidepressant-like effect in TST. On the other hand, p-chlorophenylalanine (100 mg/kg i.p.; an inhibitor of serotonin synthesis) did not reverse antidepressant-like effect of liquorice extract. This suggests that antidepressant-like effect of liquorice extract seems to be mediated by increase of brain norepinephrine and dopamine, but not by increase of serotonin. Monoamine oxidase inhibiting effect of liquorice may be contributing favorably to the antidepressant-like activity. It is possible that liquorice extract may possess an antidepressant-like effect.

  Dhingra D, Sharma A. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2006 May;30(3):449-54. Epub 2006 Jan 27.

• “Cerebroprotector activity of Rhaponticum carthamoides extract in rats with brain ischemia”
  
  Electron microscopy and electrophysiological data reveal pronounced structural and functional disturbances in cerebral cortex of rats with model brain ischemia. A 5-day treatment with a dry extract from Rhaponticum carthamoides (Willd.) Iljin. in a daily dose of 150 mg/kg (p.o.) equivalent to 2.7 mg ecdysterone per kg body weight helped to reduce manifestations of the ischemic damage, helped improve the structure of neurons, and aided in brain activity (EEG parameters).

  Plotnikov MB, Logvinov SV, Pugachenko NV, Maslov MIu, Aliev OI, Vasil'ev AS, Suslov NI, Potapov AV. Eksp Klin Farmakol. 2005 Jul-Aug;68(4):19-23.

• “Effects of extract from Rhapontcum carthamoides (Willd) Iljin (Leuzea) on learning and memory in rats.”
  
  The effects of extract from Rhaponticum carthamoides (Willd) Ijin (Leuzea) on the processes of learning and memory in rats were investigated. R. carthamoides was administered orally in doses of 0.25, 0.5 and 2.5 g/kg body weight for 10 days prior to the training session. Using the maze-training method of active avoidance with punitive reinforcement, R. carthamoides improved the learning and memory indices to one degree or another depending on the dose applied. Using the "staircase-maze" method of training with food reinforcement, the low dose of R. carthamoides had no effect, while the high dose deteriorated learning. Using the method of step-through passive avoidance with punitive reinforcement, all three doses of R. carthamoides did not affect substantially the memory indices. R. carthamoides in a dose of 0.5 g/kg, administered orally for 10 days prior to the training, eliminated the scopolamine-induced memory impairment.

  Mosharrof AH. Acta Physiol Pharmacol Bulg. 1987;13(3):37-42. Erratum in: cta Physiol Pharmacol Bulg 1987;13(4):70.

• “Antioxidant capacity and phenolic content of sweet rowanberries.”
  
  Sweet rowanberry cultivars adapted to northern climates have been developed from rowanberries (Sorbus aucuparia L.) and hybrids of rowanberry with Malus, Pyrus, Aronia, or Mespilus. The rowanberries studied here (cvs. Burka, Dessertnaja, Eliit, Granatnaja, Kubovaja, Rosina, Rubinovaja, Titan, and Zholtaja) have high antioxidant and phenolic contents. The phenolic content varied between 550 and 1014 mg/100 g of fresh weight in sweet rowanberries, whereas 846 and 717 mg were found in the well-characterized bilberry and lingonberry, respectively. Anthocyanins (6-80 mg) were mainly found from berries of hybrid cultivars. Of the other phenolics, chlorogenic (29-160 mg) and neochlorogenic (34-104 mg) acids constituted the major fraction in all rowanberries, the concentrations almost equaling those present in coffee. Antioxidant capacities of rowanberries were high, as measured with FRAP (61-105 micromol of Fe2+/g) and DPPH (21.3-9.7 g/g DPPH) methods. Principal component analysis was able to separate the cultivars of different origin into clusters on the basis of their phenolic profiles.

  Hukkanen AT, Polonen SS, Karenlampi SO, Kokko HI. J Agric Food Chem. 2006 Jan 11;54(1):112-9.

• “Dibenzocyclooctadiene Lignans from Schisandra Chinensis Protect Primary Cultures of Rat Cortical Cells from Glutamate-Induced Toxicity.”
  
  A methanolic extract of dried Schisandra fruit (Schisandra chinensis Baill.; Schisandraceae) significantly attenuated the neurotoxicity induced by L-glutamate in primary cultures of rat cortical cells. Five dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans (deoxyschisandrin, gomisin N, gomisin A, schisandrin, and wuweizisu C) were isolated from the methanolic extract; their protective effects against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity were then evaluated. Among the five lignans, deoxyschisandrin, gomisin N, and wuweizisu C significantly attenuated glutamate-induced neurotoxicity as measured by 1) an inhibition in the increase of intracellular Ca²⁺ ; 2) an improvement in the glutathione defense system, the level of glutathione, and the activity of glutathione peroxidase; and 3) an inhibition in the formation of cellular peroxide. These results suggest that dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans from Schisandra chinensis may possess therapeutic potential against oxidative neuronal damage induced by excitotoxin. (copyright) 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

  Kim SR, Lee MK, Koo KA, Kim SH, Sung SH, Lee NG, Markelonis GJ, Oh TH, Yang JH, KimYC. 2004 May 1. Journal of Neuroscience Research. 76(3):397-405.

• “Phytotherapeutic Aspects of the Diseases of the Circulatory System. Schisandra Chinensis: It’s Constituents and their Biological Activity.”
  
  Schisandra chinensis (TURCZ.) BAILL., originally a Japanese-Manchurian endemite, yields a vegetable drug (Schisandrae fructus) with a number of very utilizable therapeutic effects. The paper reports the results of phytochemical and pharmacological-toxicological studies approximately from the year 1990 carried out both with the drug and, in particular, the principal isolated lignans of the dibenzo a,c cyclooctadiene type. The results confirm the validity of the historical use of the drug, in particular as a hepatoprotective, adaptogenic, and antioxidative agent. It is obvious that a very positive therapeutic effect based on the use of a complex mixture of its principal constituents because their biological effects are complementary and potentiate each other. At the same time, some lignans (e.g. gomisin A, gomisin N) are interesting as new prospective medicines.

  Opletal L, Kr(caron)enkova(acute) M, Havli(acute)c(caron)kova(acute) P. 2001. Ceska a Slovenska Farmacie. 50(4):173-180.

• “Clematis Mandshurica Protected to Apoptosis of Rat Chondrocytes.”
  
  Objective: To investigate the effect of SKI 306X, a purified extract from the mixture of three herbs, i.e. Clematis mandshurica, Trichosanthes kirilowii and Prunella vulgaris, on apoptosis in chondrocytes. Design: Rat chondrocyte cell line RCJ3.1C.18 cells were incubated with 1 (mu)M staurosporin and SKI 306X or each of its components. Cell viability was determined by trypan blue exclusion assay. Induction of apoptosis was determined by nuclear condensation or fragmentation after Hoechst staining. Amount of apoptosis was quantified both by nuclear morphology and flow cytometry. Expression level of Bcl-2, and caspase-3 and PARP activations were assayed by Western blot. Results: SKI 306X significantly prevented staurosporin-induced apoptosis. Among its three components, only Clematis mandshurica significantly decreased the amount of staurosporin-induced apoptosis. Although the level of Bcl-2 expression was decreased after staurosporin treatment, it was sustained after the combination treatment with Clematis mandshurica. Whereas staurosporin induced the degradation of 32 kDa caspase-3 precursor and the production of 85-kDa cleavage products of PARP in a time-dependent fashion, Clematis mandshurica treatment prevented those manifestations. Conclusions: Pharmacological efficacy of SKI 306X protecting osteoarthritis in part may result from the inhibition of apoptosis in chondrocytes by Clematis mandshurica. (copyright) 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved

  Lee SW, Chung WT, Choi SM, Kim KT, Yoo KS, Yoo YH. 2005 Oct 3. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 101(1-3):294-298.

• “In Vivo and In Vitro Anti-inflammatory and Anti-nociceptive Effects of the Methanol Extract of Inonotus Obliquus”
  
  The mushroom Inonotus obliquus (Fr.) Pilat (Hymenochaetaceae), has been traditionally used for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes in Russia, Poland and most of Baltic countries. This study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects of the methanol extract from Inonotus obliquus (MEIO) in vivo and in vitro. MEIO (100 or 200 mg/(kg day), p.o.) reduced acute paw edema induced by carrageenin in rats, and showed analgesic activity, as determined by an acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction test and a hot plate test in mice. To reveal the mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effect of MEIO, we examined its effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced responses in a murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. MEIO was found to significantly inhibit the productions of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and tumor necrosis factor-(alpha) (TNF-(alpha)) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Consistent with these observations, MEIO potently inhibited the protein and mRNA expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Furthermore, MEIO inhibited the LPS-induced DNA binding activity of nuclear factor-(kappa)B (NF-(kappa)B), and this was associated with the prevention of inhibitor (kappa)B degradation and a reduction in nuclear p65 protein levels. Taken together, our data indicate that the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive properties of MEIO may be due to the inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 expression via the down-regulation of NF-(kappa)B binding activity. (copyright) 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  Park YM, Won JH, Kim YH, Choi JW, Park HJ, Lee KT. 2005 Oct 3. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 101(1-3): 120-128.

• “Antioxidant Effect of Inonotus Obliquus.”
  
  The mushroom Inonotus obliquus (Fr.) Pila(acute)t (Hymenochaetaceae), has been widely used as a folk medicine in Russia, Poland and most of the Baltic countries. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the antioxidant capacities of Inonotus obliquus. Four extracts from the fungus were evaluated for antioxidant activity against the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), superoxide, and peroxyl radicals. The polyphenolic extract had a strong antioxidant activity, and the extract containing triterpenoids and steroids presented a relatively strong antioxidant effect. The polysaccharide extract, however, was inactive. The protective effects of these four extracts were assessed against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress using a human keratinocyte cell line, HaCaT. Our results show that the polyphenolic extract protected these cells against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress, while the polysaccharide, triterpenoid and steroid extracts were ineffective. Additionally, the remnant polyphenolic and low molecular weight polysaccharide extracts showed a weakly protective effect at a concentration of 50 (mu)g/ml. Our results indicate that Inonotus obliquus has the capacity to scavenge free radicals at concentrations higher than 5 (mu)g/ml and that the polyphenolic extract can protect cells against oxidative stress. (copyright) 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  Cui Y, Kim DS, Park KC. 2005 Jan 4. Journal of Ethnopharmacology.96(1-2): 79-85.

• “Acetylcholine Esterase Inhibitors in Rhodiola Rosea.”
  
  The alcohol extract or Rhodiola rosea has been shown to cause 42 (plus or minus) 3.2% inhibition of acetylcholine esterase (AChE) when tested at 10g/L. This AChE inhibition provides a physiological explanation for the reported mental and memory enhancing properties of Rhodiola rosea extracts. Active guided fractionation indicated a multitude of components which are responsible for this plants AChE inhibition. Two flavonoid glycosides (gossypetin-7-O-L- rhamnopyranoside and rhodioflavonoside) were isolated and shown to cause 58 (plus or minus) 15% and 38 (plus or minus) 4% AChE inhibition respectively when tested at 5 g/L. In view of this new enzymatic activity and previous clinical work indicating memory and mental enhancing properties with no indication of toxicity, this plant needs to be researched for its potential at treating memory impairing disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.

  Hillhouse BJ, Ming DS, French CJ, Towers GHN. 2004. Pharmaceutical Biology. 48(1): 68-72.

• “Rhodiola Rosea: A Possible Plant Adaptogen.”
  
  Rhodiola rosea is a popular plant in traditional medical systems in Eastern Europe and Asia with a reputation for stimulating the nervous system, enhancing work performance, reducing fatigue, and preventing high altitude sickness. Rhodiola rosea has been categorized as an adaptogen by Russian researchers due to its observed ability to increase resistance to a variety of chemical, biological, and physical stressors. Its claimed benefits include cardioprotective, and central nervous system and mood enhancement. Research also indicates great utility in asthenic conditions (decline in work performance, sleep difficulties, poor appetite, irritability, hypertension, headaches, and fatigue) developing subsequent to intense physical or intellectual strain. The adaptogenic, cardiopulmonary support, and central nervous system activities of Rhodiola rosea have been attributed primarily to its ability to influence levels and activity of monoamines and opioid peptides such as beta-endorphins.

  Kelly GS. 2001. Alternative Medicine Review.6(3):293-302.

• “Phytochemical and Pharmacological Properties of Rhodiola Rosea L.”
  
  Ethanol extracts from R. rosea rhizomes and roots, suspension cultures and callus were studied. The extract from Rhodiola rosea rhizomes and roots showed the highest content of o-dihydroxyphenols and also the strongest antioxidant and adaptogenic activities. The adaptogenic activity was comparable with analogous extracts from Panax ginseng roots and Echinacea purpurea herb. Extracts from suspension cultures and from callus were characterized by much less o-dihydroxyphenols and much weaker antioxidative and antistress activity than the rhizome and root extract. Immunostimulating and muscle force activities of these extracts in mice were similar those of the rhizome and root extract.

  Furmanowa M, Kedzia B, Hartwich M, Kozlowski J, Krajewska-Patan A, Mscisz A, Jankowiak J. 1999. Herba Polonica. 45(2):108-113.

• “Experimental Analysis of Therapeutic Properties of Rhodiola Rosea L. and It’s Possible Application in Medicine”
  
  The paper presents a review of the scientific publications on Rhodiola rosea L. known for its adaptogenic characteristics. Biologically active substances salidroside, rosin, rosavin, rosarin and tyrosol, which are mainly found in plant rhizomes, demonstrate therapeutic effect. These active components effect the central nervous system by increasing the ability to concentrate, the mental and physical power; they are efficient in the asthenic states and improve general resistance of the cells and the organism against the harmful outer influence. They also protect the heart system from stress and posses some antioxidant activity. Some preclinical and clinical data of the golden root preparations are discussed in the survey. The interaction of the herb with other medicines, its usage and effect, recommended doses, and its side effects are also reviewed in the paper.

  Kucinskaite A, Briedis V, Savickas A. 2004. Medicina (Kaunas). 40(7):614-9.

• “Stimulating Effect of Adaptogens: An Overview with Particular Reference to Their Efficacy Following Single Dose Administration.”
  
  Plant adaptogens are compounds that increase the ability of an organism to adapt to environmental factors and to avoid damage from such factors. The beneficial effects of multi-dose administration of adaptogens are mainly associated with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, a part of the stress-system that is believed to play a primary role in the reactions of the body to repeated stress and adaptation. In contrast, the single dose application of adaptogens is important in situations that require a rapid response to tension or to a stressful situation. In this case, the effects of the adaptogens are associated with another part of the stress-system, namely, the sympatho-adrenal-system (SAS), that provides a rapid response mechanism mainly to control the acute reaction of the organism to a stressor. This review focuses primarily on the SAS-mediated stimulating effects of single doses of adaptogens derived from Rhodiola rosea, Schizandra chinensis and Eleutherococcus senticosus. Furthermore, single administration of these adaptogens effectively increases mental performance and physical working capacity in humans. The active principles of the three plants that exhibit single dose stimulating effects are glycosides of phenylpropane- and phenylethane-based phenolic compounds such as salidroside, rosavin, syringin and triandrin, the latter being the most active.

  Panossian A, Wagner H. 2005 Oct. Phytother Res. 19(10):819-38.

• “Effects of Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus maxim.) on Elderly Quality of Life: A Randomized Clinical Trial.”
  
  An unspecific feeling of fatigue and asthenia often pushes elderly patients to require any form of help even from non medically trained people. Traditional Chinese medicine suggest that Siberian ginseng could act as safe "adaptogenic' substance. Our aim was thus to test the effect of a middle term Eleutherococcus senticosus Maxim. (Araliaceae) administration on elderly, health related quality of life (HRQOL). 20 elderly hypertensive and digitalized volunteers (age >= 65 years) were randomized in a study to E. senticosus dry extract 300 mg per day (n = 10) or placebo (n = 10) for 8 weeks. The short form-36 health survey version 2 (SF-36v2), a validated general health status questionnaire, was used to access HRQOL at baseline and at 4 and 8 weeks. There were no significant differences in baseline demographics and SF-36v2 scores between the groups. At each visit, controls of digitalemia and blood pressure level were carried out. After 4 weeks of therapy, higher scores in social functioning (p = 0.02) scales were observed in patients randomized to E. senticosus; these differences did not persist to the 8-week time point. No adverse event has been observed in both groups of patients. No significant difference in both blood pressure control and digitalemia was observed in both treatment groups. Subjects give E. senticosus (70%) were more likely to state that they received active therapy than subjects given placebo (20%; p < 0.05). In conclusion, E. senticosus helps to improve some aspects of mental health and social functioning after 4 weeks of therapy, although these differences attenuate with continued use.

  Cicero AF, Derosa G, Brillante R, Bernardi R, Nascetti S, Gaddi A. 2004. Arch Gerontol Geriatr Suppl. (9):69-73.

• “Constituents and pharmacological effects of Eucommia and Siberian ginseng.”
  
  The bark and leaves of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv (Eucommiaceae) and "Siberian ginseng" (Ezoukogi in Japanese) prepared from the root bark or stem bark of Eleutherococcus senticosus Maxim (Acanthopanax senticosus Harms) have been used as tonic and anti-stress drug. The extracts of Eucommia showed anti-hypertensive, anti-complementary, anti-oxidative, and anti-gastric ulcer effects, and promoting collagen synthesis, accelating granuloma formation, and other pharmacological effects. The Siberian ginseng exhibited anti-fatigue, anti-stress and immuno-enhancing effect. By now, 40, 28, and 10 compounds have been isolated from Eucommia ulmoides bark, Eucommia ulmoides leaves, and Siberian ginseng, respectively, and their structures were elucidated. Their pharmacological activities were mainly due to lignans and iridoid glycosides.

  Cui Y, Kim DS, Park KC. 2005 Jan 4. Journal of Ethnopharmacology.96(1-2): 79-85.