7, 000 YEARS IN THE MAKING. INTRODUCING OLEASELECT"', A PATE NTED , INNOVATIVE OLIVE FRUIT EXTRACT OUT OF MEDITERRANEAN TRADITION S ince 5000 B.C., the olive tree has been a symbol of the And, Indena has standardized its olive extract to insure Mediterranean, providing food, abundant nutrients and you get the specific polyphenols most responsible for the amazing beaury for the Mediterranean populations. Now biochemical and biological effect. the health benefits associated with the olive and the Mediterranean diet are becoming well known. Mediterranean. Standardized. Safery. Effectiveness. lndena. Exactly what you want from your olive extract. OLEASELECPMMediterranean Olive Fruit Extract combines the science of In dena with a select Italian variery of olives producing an extract with 30 percent polyphenols. I lndena USA. Inc. Tel 206-340-6140 811 First Avenue. Suite 218 Fax 206-340-0863 lh indena Seattle. WA 981 04 Science is our nature™ www.indena.com "Trademarks of lndena S.p.A. ©1004.1ndenaS.pA ' ON THE COVER Red Clover Trifolium pratense L. Family: Fabaceae OVERVIEW Another trial demonstrated a significant increase in the cortical D ed clover (RC) is a short-lived perennial herb growing 1 to bone of the proximal radius and ulna after 6 months of use.I2 ~ feet that produces purplish-pink tubular flowers. I N ative RC isofl avones have numerous potential benefits for cardio­ to Europe, Asia, and Africa,2 the herb is widely cultivated for vascular health. One clinical trial res ted rhe effects of purified RC isoflavones on total cholesterol, concluding rhar these isofla­ its flowers and as a green manure and nitrogen-rich crop. I The vones provided no significant benefits on LDL (low-density lipo­ genus name TrifoLium is derived from the Latin tres meaning proteins, "cholesterol"), HDL (hifh-density lipoprotei ns, "good three and foLium for Leaf, the species pratense is Latin for growing cholesterol") , or total cholesterol. 3 Several other trials suggest in meadows.3 that RC isoflavones have beneficial effects on lipid levels in men HISTORY AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE and women.I 2, 14, 15, 16 These include the following: a significant increase in HDL cholesterol in post-menopausal women,I 2 a In Greek and Roman mythology, the three-leaf clover repre­ significant decrease in triglyceride levels among women raking 2 sents the triad goddesses) The rare four-leaf clover became a standardized RC ex tracts compared to placebo, 14 and a lowered popular C hristi an symbol due to the cross shape. In medieva l folk LDL cholesterol in men usi ng biochanin A enriched isoflavone rhyme, the four-leaf clover symbolizes complete happiness. Each ex tract from RC .I5 A previous trial showed an increase in arterial leaf is thought to represent a different as pect of happiness includ­ compliance (a marker for potential hypertension) bur no reduc­ ing fame, wealth, faithful lover, and excellent health.3 tion of choles terol in menopausal women17 or menopausal women RC leaves are eaten as salad greens and the flowers are dried for with mild to moderately high cholesreroP B; a modest reduction use in teas. The Chinese have traditionally used an infusion of RC was shown in another triaJ.I 4 Another potential cardiovascular flowers internally as an expectorant, while Russians used an infu­ benefit of RC isoflavones is their apparent ability to reduce arte­ sion to treat bronchial asthma.2 European cultures also utilized rial stiffness and vascular resistance, thereby lowering rhe risk of RC as a medicinal herb to aid in liver and diges tive ailments. 2 cardiovascular disease. One clinical study suggests rhar dietary Various Native American cultures ate the leaves as food and used supplementation with RC isofl avones significantly lowers blood the plant for sore eyes and in a salve for burns,2 as well as for pressure and may benefit endothelial function in postmenopausal whooping cough, fevers, menopause, and cancers.4 type-2 diabetic women.19 Another showed that RC isoflavones RC is an excellent forage crop for hay, silage, and livestock graz­ reduced arterial stiffness and vascular resistance in normotensive ing, and ir is also recognized for its importance in soil conserva­ men and postmenopausal women.20 tion and crop rotation due to its ability to fi x nitrogen in soiJ.5 In clinical tri als invo lving over 1,000 women, standardized RECENT RESEARCH RC extracts were wel l tolerated and resulted in no reported Recent research on RC has focused on its isoflavone content, adverse events. The mildly estrogenic activity of RC isoflavones as RC is a rich source of four dietary isoflavones-formonone­ is many rimes less than thar of steroid al es trogen. One study in tin, daidzein, genistein, and biochanin A. High dietary intake pre-menopausal women demonstrated an anti-estrogenic effect of these phytoes trogens (mainly as found in soy foods) has been by relieving breast pain associated with cyclical mastalgia.21 implicated in buffering the effect of reduced estrogen in meno­ Another trial on the long-term effect of an RC-derived isoflavone pausal women. supplement taken daily for I year concluded that (u nlike conven­ In a systematic review of herbs used to treat menopausal symp­ tional hormone replacement therapy) rhe RC supplement did not toms, 4 studies focused on RC. The review's authors concluded increase mammographic breast densiry.22,23 rhar RC may poss ibly be beneficial for certain menopausal sy mp­ RC extracts have also shown potential for men in prostate toms.6 In 2 of the reviewed trials, an RC extract standardized to health. Epidemiological evidence (i.e., from population stud­ 40 mg of isoflavones reduced the frequency and severity of hot ies) suggests that a high dietary intake of isoflavones reduces the fl ashes by about 50% compared to placebo.7·8 A subsequent trial risk of prostate cancer and promotes general prostate health. 24 showed no statistically significant benefits of 2 red clover prepa­ In a clinical trial, isoflavones induced apoptosis (programmed rations over placebo in reducing hot flashes.9 However, despite cell death) in moderate-grade tumors; this related data suggests a growing body of clinical data suggesting benefits in the treat­ rhar RC may help slow or stop growth of prostate cancer25 ment of various menopause symptoms, a systematic review of 5 Another review of phytorherapies for men with benign prostatic randomized trials on RC in menopausal women found no statisti­ hyperplasia (BPH) concludes that isofl avones, particularly RC cally significant effect of RC on hot flash frequency.IO extract, are potential therapies for promoting prostate health in Two other trials suggest that the isoflavones in RC may slow men with the non-cancerous prostate growth associated with the rate of bone loss and may even help build bone in post-meno­ advancing age. 26 pausal women. One study showed decreased bone loss over 12 While rhere is growing clinical evidence for rhe benefits months compared to placebo, concluding rhat RC isoflavones of RC extracts, most trials have been relatively small. Larger may have a protective effect on the lumbar spine in women.! I Continues on page 6 Cover photo by Steven Foster. ©2006 stevenfoster.com www.herbalgram.org 2006 HerbaiGram 69 I 1 2006 Metnbership Benefits frotn the Atnerican Botanical Council oin thousands of individuals, organizations, and businesses around the Jworld who provide critical support for ABC's educational programs through annual Membership, and in exchange, you'll receive tremendous value through a variety of benefits. You'll have access to extensive resources offering scientific information from an independent source on hundreds of herbs and medicinal plants through a variety of printed and online formats. 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