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Herbal extract may harbour cure
for urinary infection
Washington:
Boffins believe that a common herbal extract,
forskolin, may dramatically reduce incidents of urinary
tract infection. It may also potentially enhance the
ability of antibiotics to kill the bacteria that causes
90 per cent of infections in the bladder, according
to researchers at Duke University Medical Center.
Forskolin is an extract from the Indian coleus, which
is easily available in health food stores. Led by
Dr Soman Abraham, Duke microbiologist, the researchers
conducted a series of experiments in mice, and observed
that some bacteria hide in cells lining the bladder,
where they cannot be reached by antibiotics. The experiments
also showed that forskolin had the ability to force
the bacteria out of their niches and into the urine,
where they can be killed by antibiotics. "After customary
antibiotic treatment, the vast majority of the bacteria
are either killed by the antibiotics or eliminated
during urination. However, there are small numbers
of bacteria that survive antibiotic treatment because
they sneak into the lining of the bladder, waiting
for the opportunity, after antibiotic treatment, to
come out and start multiplying again," Abraham said.
"This herb (forskolin) has been used in Asia for centuries
for a wide variety of ailments. However, one of its
constant uses has been for treating painful urination,"
he added.
Forskolin is widely used as ingredient
in bodybuilding products, marketed for its ability
to increase lean body, bone mass, and testosterone
levels. The herb is also believed to offer an effective
weight-loss aid. However, since forskolin are not
tested nor regulated by the Food and Drug Administration,
Abraham recommends that patients with a urinary tract
infection should consult doctors before trying such
herbs. The researchers say that their next step into
the research will be to determine whether or not the
herb is effective when mice receive it orally, since
that is how it would be used in humans. The experiments
also will combine the use of forskalin and antibiotics.
"This type of treatment strategy may prove to be beneficial
for patients with recurrent urinary tract infections.
Ideally, use of this herb would expel the bacteria,
where it would then be hit with antibiotics. With
the reservoir of hiding bacteria cleared out, the
infection should not recur," Abraham said. He stressed
the need for a new and effective approach for treating
urinary tract infections, as constant antibiotic use
has many drawbacks, including high expense, possible
liver and kidney damage and the potential for creating
strains of antibiotic- resistant bacteria.
- April 9, 2007
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