Oregon Grape
[Mahonia aquifolium, Berberis aquifolium]
Research Findings - benefits
[Mahonia aquifolium, Berberis aquifolium]
Research Findings - benefits
With limited research studies, roots and bark of Oregon Grape have been used to treat skin diseases, such as psoriasis, fungal infections, eczema and acne
[1-11]. They were also suggested for gastritis, fever, hemorrhage, jaundice, gall bladder disease, and cancer. In this article, we discuss several interesting
research findings on berberine and Oregon grape.
RESEARCH FINDINGS
Cholesterol-lowering
Berberine may help prevent heart disease, as it may lower total cholesterol, low-density-lipoprotein (LDL, “bad”) cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. With little
or no scientific support, people believe that it has antibacterial and immune-enhancing properties and people use it to treat respiratory and digestive infections.
Nature Medicine (online publication: November 7, 2004)
Kong W. et al, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Beijing, China, administrated 32 hypercholesterolemic patients with berberine for 3 months orally. They
found that the serum cholesterol was reduced by 29%, triglycerides by 35% and LDL-cholesterol by 25%. They also identified the 5' proximal section of the
LDLR mRNA 3' untranslated region responsible for the regulatory effect of berberine in cell culture studies. [Nat Med. 2004 Dec;10(12):1344-51. Epub 2004
Dec.]
Liver Protection
Moga MM at Indiana University School of Medicine, IN considers that Oregon grape may reduce gallbladder inflammation and relieve liver congestion.
Alternative treatment of gallbladder disease, Med Hypotheses. 2003 Jan;60(1):143-7
[1-11]. They were also suggested for gastritis, fever, hemorrhage, jaundice, gall bladder disease, and cancer. In this article, we discuss several interesting
research findings on berberine and Oregon grape.
RESEARCH FINDINGS
Cholesterol-lowering
Berberine may help prevent heart disease, as it may lower total cholesterol, low-density-lipoprotein (LDL, “bad”) cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. With little
or no scientific support, people believe that it has antibacterial and immune-enhancing properties and people use it to treat respiratory and digestive infections.
Nature Medicine (online publication: November 7, 2004)
Kong W. et al, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Beijing, China, administrated 32 hypercholesterolemic patients with berberine for 3 months orally. They
found that the serum cholesterol was reduced by 29%, triglycerides by 35% and LDL-cholesterol by 25%. They also identified the 5' proximal section of the
LDLR mRNA 3' untranslated region responsible for the regulatory effect of berberine in cell culture studies. [Nat Med. 2004 Dec;10(12):1344-51. Epub 2004
Dec.]
Liver Protection
Moga MM at Indiana University School of Medicine, IN considers that Oregon grape may reduce gallbladder inflammation and relieve liver congestion.
Alternative treatment of gallbladder disease, Med Hypotheses. 2003 Jan;60(1):143-7
Wang F et al at Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China, investigated the
effects of berberine on ion channels of isolated rat hepatocytes using tight-seal whole-cell patch-clamp techniques.
They found that berberine reduced the “delayed outward potassium currents” while tetraethylammonium bath solution
inhibited the “delayed outward potassium currents was inhibited”. Berberine had mild inhibitory effects on “inward
rectifier potassium currents” in rat hepatocytes. They concluded that berberine has inhibitory effects on potassium and
calcium currents in isolated rat hepatocytes, which may provide hepato-protection. [World J Gastroenterol. 2004 Oct 1;10
(19):2842-5]
Antimicrobial / Antifungal Activities
Dattner AM at Integrative Medicine and Dermatology, NY, suggests that Oregon grape root has synergistic antibacterial,
anti-inflammatory, and bile-stimulating properties which make the crude extract useful in acne.
From medical herbalism to phytotherapy in dermatology: back to the future. Dermatol Ther. 2003;16(2):106-13
As early as 1994, McCutcheon AR et al found that Mahonia aquifolium roots had anti-fungal properties (against nine
fungal species). [J Ethnopharmacol. 1994 Dec;44(3):157-69].
Slobodnikova L et al, Comenius University, Slovakia, tested the crude extract of Mahonia aquifolium (Pursh) Nutt. stem
bark and its two main protoberberine alkaloids, berberine and jatrorrhizine for their in vitro antimicrobial activity with 20
strains of coagulase-negative staphylococci and 20 strains of Propionibacterium acne and 20 strains of Candida sp.
The results indicated a rational basis for the traditional use of Mahonia aquifolium for localized skin and mucosal
infection therapy or supportive therapy of the related diseases [Phytother Res. 2004 Aug;18(8):674-6]
Vollekova A et al, at Slovak Postgraduate Academy of Medicine, Slovakia, found that Jatrorrhizine (compared to berberine
and palmatine)to be the most effective against all fungal species that they tested. And, dermatophytes were more
susceptible to jatrorrhizine than yeasts. [Phytother Res. 2003 Aug;17(7):834-7]
Cernakova M et al, Slovak University of Technology, Slovakia, tested the antimicrobial activity of berberine against 17
microorganisms. They found the sensitivity decreasing as follows: S. aureus > P. aeruginosa S (sensitive) > E. coli S >
P. aeruginosa R (resistant) > E. coli R > B. subtilis > Z. ramigera > C. albicans > S. cerevisiae > A. pullulans B (black) >
A. pullulans W (white) > T. viride Br (brown) > M. gypseum > A. niger > F. nivale > P. chrysogenum > T. viride G (green).
[Folia Microbiol (Praha). 2002;47(4):375-8]
Potential antimutagenic /anticarcinogenic / anticancer activity
Cernakova M et al, Slovak Technical University, Slovak Republic, evaluated the protection of crude Mahonia extracts on
chloroplast DNA against acridine orange (a mutagen) using Euglena gracilis as an eukaryotic test model. They found
the concentration-dependent inhibitory effect of both bis-benzylisoquinoline and protoberberine alkaloid fractions
against the acridine orange- induced chloroplast mutagenesis of E. gracilis. At very low dose, berberine elicited a
remarkable suppression of the acridine orange -induced mutagenicity. [BMC Complement Altern Med. 2002 Feb 19;2(1):
2]
Anti-oxidant Properties
Muller K et al, Universitat Regensburg, Germany, found that the extract of the bark of Mahonia aquifolium had anti-oxidant
properties. The findings were based on their efficacy in inhibition of lipid peroxidation. [Planta Med. 1994 Oct;60(5):421-4].
Anti-oxidant and Potential Use in Psoriasis
Misik V et al considered that products of lipoxygenase metabolism play a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. They
isolated four protoberberine alkaloids, berberine, oxyberberine, jatrorrhizine, columbamine, and two aporphine
alkaloids, magnoflorine, and corytuberine and they tested these chemicals for lipoxygenase inhibition. Oxyberberine,
corytuberine, and columbamine were more potent than berberine and magnoflorine in lipoxygenase inhibition. They also
found a linear correlation between lipoxygenase inhibition and lipid antioxidant properties of these compounds. They
thought that the mechanism of lipoxygenase inhibition by these alkaloids might be linked to the inhibition of lipid
hydroperoxide substrate accumulation and this lipoxygenase inhibition is related to its effect on psoriasis. [Planta Med.
1995 Aug;61(4):372-3]
One year later, Bezakova L et al, J. A. Comenius University, Slovakia found a similar result from their studies on
Lipoxygenase inhibition and antioxidant properties of bisbenzylisoqunoline alkaloids. [Pharmazie. 1996 Oct;51(10):758-
61]
Relaxant Properties
In 1994, Sotnikova R et al, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava reported that The extract from roots of Mahonia
aquifolium as well as berbamine and oxyacanthine relaxed K(+)-precontracted rat aortal rings. The relaxation could not
inhibited by denudation of the endothelium or by premedication of the aortas with indomethacin, methylene blue or
propranolol. [Gen Pharmacol. 1994 Nov;25(7):1405-10]
Later on, Sotnikova R et al, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Slovak Republic, studied the effect of four aporphine alkaloids,
corytuberine, magnoflorine, isothebaine and isocorydine, on the isolated rat aorta. Corytuberine and magnoflorine
showed little effect as relaxants in KCl- and noradrenaline-induced contractions. They did not inhibit the phenylephrine
concentration-response curve. While, isothebaine and isocorydine showed relaxant properties in the rat aorta. They
relaxed the contractions induced by noradrenaline to a greater extent than those induced by KCl and they also inhibited
the noradrenaline-induced contraction in calcium-free solution. [Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol. 1997 Nov;19(9):589-97]
The information above is for your reference only. More experimental studies may be needed to confirm these therapeutic uses. If you
have any question, you should ask your doctor immediately. ALL RIGHT RESERVED 2005
References
1. Wiesenauer M, Ldtke R. Mahonia aquifolium in patients with Psoriasis vulgaris – an intraindividual study. Phytomedicine. 1996;3:
231–235.
2. Gieler U, von der Weth A, Heger M. Mahonia aquifolium—a new type of topical treatment for psoriasis. J Dermatol Treat. 1995;6:31–
34.
3. Augustin M, Andrees U, Grimme H, et al. Effects of Mahonia aquifolium ointment on the expression of adhesion, proliferation, and
activation markers in the skin of patients with psoriasis. Forsch Komplementrmed. 1999;6(suppl 2):19–21.
4. McCutcheon AR, Ellis SM, Hancock REW, et al. Antifungal screening of medicinal plants of British Columbian native peoples. J
Ethnopharmacol. 1994;44:157–169.
5. Galle K, Mller-Jakic B, Proebstle A, et al. Analytical and pharmacological studies on Mahonia aquifolium. Phytomedicine. 1994;1:
59–62.
6. Mller K, Ziereis K. The antipsoriatic Mahonia aquifolium and its active constituents; I. Pro- and antioxidant properties and inhibition of
5-lipoxygenase. Planta Med. 1994;60:421–424.
7. Wiesenauer M, Ldtke R. Mahonia aquifolium in patients with Psoriasis vulgaris – an intraindividual study. Phytomedicine. 1996;3:
231–235.
8. Augustin M, Andrees U, Grimme H, et al. Effects of Mahonia aquifolium ointment on the expression of adhesion, proliferation, and
activation markers in the skin of patients with psoriasis. Forsch Komplementrmed. 1999;6(suppl 2):19–21.
9. Gieler U, von der Weth A, Heger M. Mahonia aquifolium – a new type of topical treatment for psoriasis. J Dermatol Treat. 1995;6:31–
34.
10. Galle K, Mller-Jakic B, Proebstle A, et al. Analytical and pharmacological studies on Mahonia aquifolium. Phytomedicine. 1994;1:
59–62.
11. Mller K, Ziereis K. The antipsoriatic Mahonia aquifolium and its active constituents; I. Pro- and antioxidant properties and inhibition
of 5-lipoxygenase. Planta Med. 1994;60:421–424.
effects of berberine on ion channels of isolated rat hepatocytes using tight-seal whole-cell patch-clamp techniques.
They found that berberine reduced the “delayed outward potassium currents” while tetraethylammonium bath solution
inhibited the “delayed outward potassium currents was inhibited”. Berberine had mild inhibitory effects on “inward
rectifier potassium currents” in rat hepatocytes. They concluded that berberine has inhibitory effects on potassium and
calcium currents in isolated rat hepatocytes, which may provide hepato-protection. [World J Gastroenterol. 2004 Oct 1;10
(19):2842-5]
Antimicrobial / Antifungal Activities
Dattner AM at Integrative Medicine and Dermatology, NY, suggests that Oregon grape root has synergistic antibacterial,
anti-inflammatory, and bile-stimulating properties which make the crude extract useful in acne.
From medical herbalism to phytotherapy in dermatology: back to the future. Dermatol Ther. 2003;16(2):106-13
As early as 1994, McCutcheon AR et al found that Mahonia aquifolium roots had anti-fungal properties (against nine
fungal species). [J Ethnopharmacol. 1994 Dec;44(3):157-69].
Slobodnikova L et al, Comenius University, Slovakia, tested the crude extract of Mahonia aquifolium (Pursh) Nutt. stem
bark and its two main protoberberine alkaloids, berberine and jatrorrhizine for their in vitro antimicrobial activity with 20
strains of coagulase-negative staphylococci and 20 strains of Propionibacterium acne and 20 strains of Candida sp.
The results indicated a rational basis for the traditional use of Mahonia aquifolium for localized skin and mucosal
infection therapy or supportive therapy of the related diseases [Phytother Res. 2004 Aug;18(8):674-6]
Vollekova A et al, at Slovak Postgraduate Academy of Medicine, Slovakia, found that Jatrorrhizine (compared to berberine
and palmatine)to be the most effective against all fungal species that they tested. And, dermatophytes were more
susceptible to jatrorrhizine than yeasts. [Phytother Res. 2003 Aug;17(7):834-7]
Cernakova M et al, Slovak University of Technology, Slovakia, tested the antimicrobial activity of berberine against 17
microorganisms. They found the sensitivity decreasing as follows: S. aureus > P. aeruginosa S (sensitive) > E. coli S >
P. aeruginosa R (resistant) > E. coli R > B. subtilis > Z. ramigera > C. albicans > S. cerevisiae > A. pullulans B (black) >
A. pullulans W (white) > T. viride Br (brown) > M. gypseum > A. niger > F. nivale > P. chrysogenum > T. viride G (green).
[Folia Microbiol (Praha). 2002;47(4):375-8]
Potential antimutagenic /anticarcinogenic / anticancer activity
Cernakova M et al, Slovak Technical University, Slovak Republic, evaluated the protection of crude Mahonia extracts on
chloroplast DNA against acridine orange (a mutagen) using Euglena gracilis as an eukaryotic test model. They found
the concentration-dependent inhibitory effect of both bis-benzylisoquinoline and protoberberine alkaloid fractions
against the acridine orange- induced chloroplast mutagenesis of E. gracilis. At very low dose, berberine elicited a
remarkable suppression of the acridine orange -induced mutagenicity. [BMC Complement Altern Med. 2002 Feb 19;2(1):
2]
Anti-oxidant Properties
Muller K et al, Universitat Regensburg, Germany, found that the extract of the bark of Mahonia aquifolium had anti-oxidant
properties. The findings were based on their efficacy in inhibition of lipid peroxidation. [Planta Med. 1994 Oct;60(5):421-4].
Anti-oxidant and Potential Use in Psoriasis
Misik V et al considered that products of lipoxygenase metabolism play a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. They
isolated four protoberberine alkaloids, berberine, oxyberberine, jatrorrhizine, columbamine, and two aporphine
alkaloids, magnoflorine, and corytuberine and they tested these chemicals for lipoxygenase inhibition. Oxyberberine,
corytuberine, and columbamine were more potent than berberine and magnoflorine in lipoxygenase inhibition. They also
found a linear correlation between lipoxygenase inhibition and lipid antioxidant properties of these compounds. They
thought that the mechanism of lipoxygenase inhibition by these alkaloids might be linked to the inhibition of lipid
hydroperoxide substrate accumulation and this lipoxygenase inhibition is related to its effect on psoriasis. [Planta Med.
1995 Aug;61(4):372-3]
One year later, Bezakova L et al, J. A. Comenius University, Slovakia found a similar result from their studies on
Lipoxygenase inhibition and antioxidant properties of bisbenzylisoqunoline alkaloids. [Pharmazie. 1996 Oct;51(10):758-
61]
Relaxant Properties
In 1994, Sotnikova R et al, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava reported that The extract from roots of Mahonia
aquifolium as well as berbamine and oxyacanthine relaxed K(+)-precontracted rat aortal rings. The relaxation could not
inhibited by denudation of the endothelium or by premedication of the aortas with indomethacin, methylene blue or
propranolol. [Gen Pharmacol. 1994 Nov;25(7):1405-10]
Later on, Sotnikova R et al, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Slovak Republic, studied the effect of four aporphine alkaloids,
corytuberine, magnoflorine, isothebaine and isocorydine, on the isolated rat aorta. Corytuberine and magnoflorine
showed little effect as relaxants in KCl- and noradrenaline-induced contractions. They did not inhibit the phenylephrine
concentration-response curve. While, isothebaine and isocorydine showed relaxant properties in the rat aorta. They
relaxed the contractions induced by noradrenaline to a greater extent than those induced by KCl and they also inhibited
the noradrenaline-induced contraction in calcium-free solution. [Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol. 1997 Nov;19(9):589-97]
The information above is for your reference only. More experimental studies may be needed to confirm these therapeutic uses. If you
have any question, you should ask your doctor immediately. ALL RIGHT RESERVED 2005
References
1. Wiesenauer M, Ldtke R. Mahonia aquifolium in patients with Psoriasis vulgaris – an intraindividual study. Phytomedicine. 1996;3:
231–235.
2. Gieler U, von der Weth A, Heger M. Mahonia aquifolium—a new type of topical treatment for psoriasis. J Dermatol Treat. 1995;6:31–
34.
3. Augustin M, Andrees U, Grimme H, et al. Effects of Mahonia aquifolium ointment on the expression of adhesion, proliferation, and
activation markers in the skin of patients with psoriasis. Forsch Komplementrmed. 1999;6(suppl 2):19–21.
4. McCutcheon AR, Ellis SM, Hancock REW, et al. Antifungal screening of medicinal plants of British Columbian native peoples. J
Ethnopharmacol. 1994;44:157–169.
5. Galle K, Mller-Jakic B, Proebstle A, et al. Analytical and pharmacological studies on Mahonia aquifolium. Phytomedicine. 1994;1:
59–62.
6. Mller K, Ziereis K. The antipsoriatic Mahonia aquifolium and its active constituents; I. Pro- and antioxidant properties and inhibition of
5-lipoxygenase. Planta Med. 1994;60:421–424.
7. Wiesenauer M, Ldtke R. Mahonia aquifolium in patients with Psoriasis vulgaris – an intraindividual study. Phytomedicine. 1996;3:
231–235.
8. Augustin M, Andrees U, Grimme H, et al. Effects of Mahonia aquifolium ointment on the expression of adhesion, proliferation, and
activation markers in the skin of patients with psoriasis. Forsch Komplementrmed. 1999;6(suppl 2):19–21.
9. Gieler U, von der Weth A, Heger M. Mahonia aquifolium – a new type of topical treatment for psoriasis. J Dermatol Treat. 1995;6:31–
34.
10. Galle K, Mller-Jakic B, Proebstle A, et al. Analytical and pharmacological studies on Mahonia aquifolium. Phytomedicine. 1994;1:
59–62.
11. Mller K, Ziereis K. The antipsoriatic Mahonia aquifolium and its active constituents; I. Pro- and antioxidant properties and inhibition
of 5-lipoxygenase. Planta Med. 1994;60:421–424.
 |  |  |  |
THIS WEBSITE TALKS ABOUT THE SIDE EFFECTS AND THE POTENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF HERBS, SUPPLEMENTS,
PHYTONUTRIENTS AND DRUG PRODUCTS. THIS WEBSITE ALSO TALKS ABOUT SOME POPULAR HEALTH ISSUES AND DISEASES.
ARTICLES IN THIS WEB SITE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION, YOU SHOULD CONSULT WITH YOUR
DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2008. DO NOT COPY NOR TRANSFER ARTICLES TO OTHER WEBSITES NOR OTHER
FORMS OF PUBLICATIONS. Privacy Policy. ARTICLE INDEX
PHYTONUTRIENTS AND DRUG PRODUCTS. THIS WEBSITE ALSO TALKS ABOUT SOME POPULAR HEALTH ISSUES AND DISEASES.
ARTICLES IN THIS WEB SITE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION, YOU SHOULD CONSULT WITH YOUR
DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2008. DO NOT COPY NOR TRANSFER ARTICLES TO OTHER WEBSITES NOR OTHER
FORMS OF PUBLICATIONS. Privacy Policy. ARTICLE INDEX
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
