Isatis tinctoria herb for cancer

Isatis tinctoria leaves contain glucosinolates that may have cancer preventive potential. This plant also has anti-inflammatory potential.

As of August 2009, no published human studies with Isatis tinctoria herb could be found on Medline.

Composition of Isatis tinctoria herb
Isatis tinctoria has tryptanthrin, indolinone, indirubin, alpha-linolenic acid, and indigo, an isomer of indirubin. This plant has aliphatic hydrocarbons, acids, alcohols, aldehydes and esters, aromatic aldehydes, esters and ethers, furans, isothiocyanates and thiocyanates, sulfurated compounds, nitriles, terpenes and sesquiterpenes.

Urease and serine protease inhibitory alkaloids from Isatis tinctoria.
J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem. 2008 Dec. Departemnt of Chemistry, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat, N.W.F.P, , Pakistan.
Phytochemical investigations on the alkaloidal fraction of the whole plant of the Isatis tinctoria led to the isolation of the alkaloids 3'-Hydroxyepiglucoisatisin, Epiglucoisatisin were found to be potent urease inhibitors in a concentration-dependent manner.

Role in allergy
The plant extract Isatis tinctoria L. extract (ITE) inhibits allergen-induced airway inflammation and hyperreactivity in mice.
Phytomedicine. 2010 Jan 19. Brattström A, Schapowal A, Kamal MA, Maillet I, Ryffel B, Moser R.Alexander Puschkin Str. 50, D-39108 Magdeburg, Germany.
The herbal Isatis tinctoria extract inhibits the inducible isoform of cyclooxygenase (COX-2) as well as lipoxygenase (5-LOX) and therefore possesses anti-inflammatory properties. The extract might also be useful in allergic airway diseases which are characterized by chronic inflammation. ITE, which has been reported inhibiting COX-2 and 5-LOX, reduced allergic airway inflammation and AHR by inhibiting the production of the Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-5, and RANTES.

Isatis tinctoria and arthritis
Anti-arthritic activity of a lipophilic woad (Isatis tinctoria) extract.
Planta Med. 2006 June. Recio MC, Cerdá-Nicolás M, Hamburger M, Ríos JL. Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Spain.
A dichloromethane extract of Isatis tinctoria was tested in the adjuvant-induced arthritis model in rats. The extract (150 mg/kg p. o.) leads to a significant reduction of paw oedema. Radiographic, histological and clinical assessment confirmed reduced damage of cartilage and signs of inflammatory response in comparison to untreated control. No significant differences were observed in the tissular levels of cyclooxygenases 1 and -2, and of inducible nitric oxide synthase in Isatis tinctoria treated and untreated animals. High dose treatment with Isatis extract for two weeks did not result in macroscopic lesions of the gastric mucosa.

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