Nutritional supplement

Composition

One capsule contains:

• Standardized Guggul (Commiphora mukul) extract - 264 mg.

Recommendation for use:

• to lose overrweight,
• to lower blood cholesterol level,
• may be used in case of cold and inflammation
• of mouth mucous membrane,
• to treat pimpled skin.

Action of the active substances

Myrrh tree

The curative properties of myrrh tree were well known for thousands of years in Oriental medicine. Some benefits of myrrh tree were described in treating obesity, overeating and medoroga. Medoroga today is equivalent to atherosclerosis. Standardized myrrh tree extracts are widely used in India to reduce the high blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Gugulsterons, the biological active substances of myrrh tree extract have these properties:
* reduce the bad blood cholesterol and increase the good cholesterol blood levels;
* protect low density lipoproteins from oxidation. Low density lipoproteins are oxidized by oxidative stress caused by hyperproduction of free radicals or disordered neutralization reaction. Oxidative stress is a disorder of biochemical balance when the production and neutralization of free radicals are increased. Oxidative stress causes formation of atherosclerotic plates and aging of the organism;
* reduce the aggregation of thrombocytes and increase the fibrinolysis activity;
* stimulate the function of thyroid gland and regulate the metabolism of thyroid gland hormones;
* increase the activity of hepatic enzymes;
* decrease the absorption of fats and cholesterol in organism;
* accelerate the excretion of fats from the organism.

Scientific researches demonstrating the efficiency

* Randomized double blind study was performed with 61 patients with increased cholesterol level in the blood. One group received myrrh tree extract, the other – placebo. Total cholesterol level decreased 12 percent, bad cholesterol (low density lipoproteins) level – 12.5 percent, triglycerides – 12 percent; placebo group did not show such results. The effect of myrrh tree extract equals to modern medicines effect after 36 weeks of administration. (Singh RB, Niaz MA, Ghosh S, Heart Research Laboratory, Medical Hospital and Research Centre, Moradabad, India)
* Double blind study with 228 people showed that myrrh tree extract effect was equal to the effect of statin.
* Some data show that myrrh tree extract effect equals to the effect of some antibiotics in treatment of acne. (1994 study at the Department of Dermatology, in Bajaj Nagar, Jaipur, India)
* The study on myrrh tree extract effect in treatment of knee osteoarthritis started in march 2001. (The Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCUHS) in Whittier, Calif., USA)
Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2005 May 15; 62(10):1012-4.
* 103 patients with increased cholesterol level in blood plasma and no underlying diseases were followed for 8 weeks in double blind, randomized, placebo controlled study. They received standard and large doses of myrrh tree extract and placebo. After 8 weeks the triglyceride level decreased 14 percent in standard myrrh tree extract doses group (p = 0.02) and 10 percent - in large doses group (p = 0.03).
* One more randomized, double blind, placebo controlled 52 weeks study was performed with 64 patients. First group received myrrh tree extract and diet, second – placebo and diet. The weight and cholesterol level in the blood were observed. There were no significant weight changes during the study, but in both groups total cholesterol (p<0.05), triglyceride (p<0.01) and low density lipoprotein (p<0.05) levels were decreased. These results show that long-term therapy with myrrh tree extract combining together with diet affects the cholesterol level in the blood of patients with hypercholesterolemia.
* One study with 108 people compared myrrh tree extract and clofibrate effects. All patients were administered fat restricted diet for 6 weeks and after that received placebo for 2 weeks and after this myrrh tree extract or clofibrate were administered for other 12 weeks. Cholesterol level decreased 12.6 percent in myrrh tree group and 14.7 percent – in clofibrate group. Triglyceride level decreased respectively 16.4 and 23.2 percent. A conclusion was made that myrrh tree extract and clofibrate effects are very similar.
* Placebo controlled study with 19 patients showed that cholesterol level is decreased in 4 weeks after the administration of myrrh tree extract and no side effects were observed.
* The study with 22 patients showed that cholesterol level decreased significantly (p<0.001) in 50 percent of cases after the administration of myrrh tree extract for 4 weeks.
* 40-60 years old patients with ischemic heart disease (serum cholesterol concentration was 275 mg/dL, triglyceride concentration was >200 mg/dL) were followed for 4 months in randomized study. It was determined that cholesterol level decreased 72 mg/mL (p < 0.01), triglyceride level - 43 mg/dL (p < 0.05), good cholesterol level increased. There were no side effects.
Medscape, 4/1/01
* Total cholesterol level decreased 25.2 mg/dl after the administration of myrrh tree extract for 24 weeks and it increased in placebo group by 7.6 mg/dl (p<0.01). Low density cholesterol level decreased 16.9 mg/dl in myrrh tree extract group and it increased in placebo group by 4.0 mg/dl.
* Some scientific data show that myrrh tree extract effect equals to the effect of some antibiotics used in acne treatment. (1994 study at the Department of Dermatology, in Bajaj Nagar, Jaipur, India)

Dosage

1 to 2 capsules 2 to 3 times daily.

Warning: blood sugar level can decrease significantly. It is necessary to advise with a doctor before starting the treatment for lowering the dose of the medicines or/and insulin. It is not recommended during pregnancy because there is no experience of consumption of the substances during this period.

Literature:

1. Satyavati GV. Gum guggul (Commiphora mukul)-the success story of an ancient insight leading to a modern discovery. Indian J Med Res. 1988;87:327-335.
2. Nityanand S, Srivastava JS, Asthana OP. Clinical trials with gugulipid. A new hypolipidaemic agent. J Assoc Physicians India. 1989;37:323-328.
3. Agarwal RC, Singh SP, Saran RK, et al. Clinical trial of gugulipid-a new hyperlipidemic agent of plant origin in primary hyperlipidemia. Indian J Med Res. 1986;84:626-634.
4. Singh RB, Niaz MA, Ghosh S. Hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects of Commiphora mukul as an adjunct to dietary therapy in patients with hypercholesterolemia. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther. 1994;8:659-664.
5. Verma SK, Bordia A. Effect of Commiphora mukul (gum guggulu) in patients of hyperlipidemia with special reference to HDL-cholesterol. Indian J Med Res. 1988;87:356-360.
6. Thappa DM, Dogra J. Nodulocystic acne: oral gugulipid versus tetracycline. J Dermatol. 1994;21:729-731.
7. Subramaniam A, Stocker C, Sennitt MV, et al. Guggul lipid reduces insulin resistance and body weight gain in C57B1/6 lep/lep mice [abstract]. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 2001;25(suppl 2):S24.
8. Antonio J, Colker CM, Torina GC, et al. Effects of a standardized guggulsterone phosphate supplement on body composition in overweight adults: a pilot study. Curr Ther Res. 1999;60:220-227.
9. Singh RB, Niaz MA, Ghosh S. Hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects of Commiphora mukul as an adjunct to dietary therapy in patients with hypercholesterolemia. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther. 1994;8:659-664.
10. Verma SK, Bordia A. Effect of Commiphora mukul (gum guggulu) in patients of hyperlipidemia with special reference to HDL-cholesterol. Indian J Med Res. 1988;87:356-360.
11. Nityanand S, Srivastava JS, Asthana OP. Clinical trials with gugulipid. A new hypolipidaemic agent. J Assoc Physicians India. 1989;37:323-328.
12. Nityanand S, Srivastava JS, Asthana OP. Clinical trials with gugulipid. A new hypolipidaemic agent. J Assoc Physicians India. 1989;37:323-328.
13. Singh RB, Niaz MA, Ghosh S. Hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects of Commiphora mukul as an adjunct to dietary therapy in patients with hypercholesterolemia. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther. 1994;8:659-664.
14. Agarwal RC, Singh SP, Saran RK, et al. Clinical trial of gugulipid-a new hyperlipidemic agent of plant origin in primary hyperlipidemia. Indian J Med Res. 1986;84:626-634.