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Sambucol, a standardized extract of black
elderberry, has been found to fight the avian flu virus H5N1
"A team at Retroscreen Virology, an institute associated with the
University of London, said that the extract was at least 99 per cent
effective against the H5N1 virus and significantly neutralized the
infectivity of the virus in cell cultures. Dr Madeleine Mumcuoglu, the
Israel-based developer of Sambucol, said the good results confirmed her
earlier findings on the product, which is currently marketed around the
world as a natural supplement for fighting common flu.
Dr Mumcuoglu says Sambucol blunts the haemaglutinin spikes on the
outside of viruses and stops them from entering cells where they
reproduce, cause the cell to explode and allow the virus to continue
invading the body. An in vitro study has also shown Sambucol to be
effective in increasing the production of four inflammatory cytokines.
Jerusalem-based Razei Bar Industries now produces more than 1.5 million
bottles of Sambucol syrup, with average growth of 10 per cent each
year."
There is evidence that black elderberry extract (trade name: Sambucol)
can reduce the risk of contracting ordinary influenza strains, or
shorten the course of disease in those who contract the typical flu. It
does so by increasing the production of inflammatory cytokines like
IL-1, IL-6, and TNF.
While black elderberry extract be appropriate for ordinary Type A
influenza, it could make avian flu more lethal. Ordinary strains of flu
do not trigger massive production of TNF, and ordinary flu viruses are
generally susceptible to the action of TNF. Avian flu, by contrast,
does trigger massive production of TNF (as much
as a 45x increase), while the virus is relatively resistant to the
anti-viral effects of TNF. If TNF is a significant cause of the illness
and mortality in avian flu, anything that increases TNF would be
undesirable. It has been pointed out that black elderberry does not
just increase
TNF and other cytokines. It also may reduce the spread of the virus
through inactivation, or exert anti-inflammatory effects as well as
contributing to the cytokine storm. It may be that combining elberberry
with other anti-inflammatories may allow it to check the infection
without producing tissue destroying levels of cytokines. But there is
insufficient evidence to make a solid conclusion, while there are
significant red flags that should be raised about the mode of action of
elderberry.
MECHANISM OF
ACTION
Elderberry constituents neutralize the activity of the hemagglutinin
spikes found on the surface of several viruses. When these
hemagglutinin spikes are deactivated the viruses can no longer pierce
cell walls or enter the cell and replicate. Based on these findings,
Sambucol[R], a syrup containing 38-percent standardized extract of
black elderberry, was developed. Numerous studies using the Sambucol
preparation have shown it to neutralize and reduce the infectivity of
influenza viruses A and B, HIV strains and clinical isolates, and
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) strains and clinical isolates. (15)
It probably does so in the same manner as with influenza viruses, via
neutralization of the virus resulting in reduced infectivity.
SPECIAL
CONCERN REGARDING THE USE OF ELDERBERRY SUPPLEMENTS IN
AVIAN
INFLUENZA
Sambucol has been documented to decrease the duration and severity of
illness in common seasonal influenza, and with its known mechanism of
action of decreasing viral replication, intuitively appears a good
choice for treating other influenza strains, including H5N1. Studies
reported to date on H5N1 indicate that severe illness and death
(potentially due to ARDS) is related to high viral load. Elderberry
reduces viral load in seasonal influenza. It also has some antioxident
capabilties that may protect tissues affected by cytokine damage.
However, elderberry also increases cytokine production. One specific
concern with H5N1 infections is the possibility that this strain of flu
may induce cytokine storm, leading to ARDS and the high mortality
assosciated with it. It is unknown if the increased circulating
cytokines that elderberry and other alternative medicines induce could
increase a victims risk of cytokine storm. Medical science does not
currently know the exact mechanism that
triggers cytokine storm. We cannot say if increased cytokine levels
before or during infection is a risk factor for ARDS or an effect of
some other mechanism that begins the inflammatory cascade that results
in it. High cytokine levels are documented to be assosiated with ARDS,
but causation is unknown.
Due to its documented ability to increase cytokine levels, the use of
elderberry preparations for avian influenza has created controversy in
the online flu communities. Like all other interventions presented
here, it is unknown if elderberry will be benficial in H5N1 infections
or if there is potential harm from its use. If contemplating using the
extract and the subject is in the target range for a cytokine storm or
A.R.D.S., it may be inappropriate to use the extract. One could add an
anti-inflammatory herb or substance to the regimen along with other
antivirals in the hope that this will neutralise excess TNF-a and
pro-inflammatory cytokines in addition to reducing viral load.
Pandemic.me or any of its authors or contributers do not specifically
endorse or recommend this or any intervention for the prevention or
treatment of any disease or illness. We collate and provide this
information for your consideration and strongly recommend you discuss
the potential use of elderberry or any other intervention with your
healthcare provider. |
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