Ingredients
Gugulipid
Gugulipid is the leading extract of gum guggul resin. Gum guggul is harvested from Commiphora mukul, a shrub-like tree indigenous to arid regions of northern India.
Gum Guggul
Gum guggul is related to myrrh gum and also to Boswellia serrata, another resinous herb prominent in the Ayurvedic materia medica. Gum guggul, often referred to as simply "guggul," has been used in the Ayurvedic herbal tradition since at least 600 B.C. The herb is mentioned in the Veda, the Holy Scriptures of India, which are estimated to date back anywhere from 3,000 to 10,000 years. Modern investigation into gum guggul began in 1964, with a series of tests conducted by G.V. Satyavati. The inspiration for this research is an Ayurvedic treatise written in Sanskrit, that describes in detail a condition called "coating and obstruction of channels." Impressed by the apparent analogy to the cardiovascular system, Satyavati and others initiated a series of tests to determine if gum guggul, which was mentioned in the treatise, would have any effect on blood lipid levels. This set the stage for an extensive series of studies on gum guggul's pharmacology and clinical studies.
Guggulsterones
Systematic analysis of gum guggul resin carried out by Indian researchers in the 1980's identified the active ingredients as a group of lipid-based compounds called guggulsterols and guggulsterones. It was determined that two members of this group, Z-guggulsterone and E-guggulsterone, are largely responsible for the herb's effect on cholesterol and blood fats. An extract standardized for guggulsterone content of gum guggul was then developed by the CDRI in Lucknow, India. This extract, called "gugulipid," is now the preferred form of gum guggul, for the use in clinical studies. Ultra Guggulow contains gugulipid standardized to supply 25 mg of guggulsterones per 1000 mg of extract. Bioperine®
Traditional Ayurvedic herbal formulas often include black pepper and long pepper as synergistic herbs. The active ingredient in both black pepper and long pepper is piperine, an alkaloid. Experiments carried out to evaluate the scientific basis for the used of peppers have shown that piperine significantly enhances bioavailability when consumed withother substances.
Bioperine® contains 95% piperine extracted from the fruits of black pepper. Several double-blind clinical studies have confirmed that Bioperine® increases absorption of nutrients.
Benefits
Helps normal cholesterol and triglyceride levels stay within normal range*The research of gum guggul over the last thirty years has produced a wealth of evidence establishing this herb's beneficial effect on cholesterol and blood fats. The preliminary studies carried out by Satyavati and her colleagues were done on rabbits fed hydrogenated vegetable oil to artificially elevate cholesterol levels. In contrast to non-treated test subjects, rabbits given gum guggul had normal cholesterol and blood lipid levels and healthy blood vessels.
A number of multicentric clinical trials have tested the efficacy of gugulipid for maintaining normal cholesterol. The CDRI has conducted Phase I trials to establish the safety of the extract. Gugulipid has been found safe and free of unwanted effects on blood chemistry, liver function and the heart. Phase II trials confirmed gugulipid's effectiveness in normalizing total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides.
SOD-Protecting, Antioxidant Action
In an animal study carried out by the CDRI, guggulsterones reversed the decrease in SOD (superoxide dismutase) activity that results from reduced blood flow to the heart. The researchers reported that "SOD was significantly protected protected by guggulsterone." Increases in lipid peroxides (free-radical byproducts) and xanthine oxidase, an enzyme that produces oxygen free-radicals, were also reversed. Although preliminary, these findings lend additional support to the use of gugulipid for sustaining cardiovascular health. Source: Doctor's Best
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Scientific References
- Satyavati G. Gugulipid: a promising
hypolipidaemic agent from gum guggul (Commiphora wightii). Economic and
Medicinal Plant Research 1991; 5: 47-82.
- Satyavati G. Gum guggul (Commiphora mukul)-The
success story of an ancient insight leading to a modern discovery. India
J Med Res 1988; 87: 327-335.
- Dev S. A modern look at an age-old Ayurvedic
drug-guggulu. Science Age 1987; July: 13-18.
- Atal C.K., Zutshi U.,
Rao P.G. Scientific evidence on the role of Ayurvedic herbals on
bioavailability of drugs. J. of Ethnopharmacology 1981; 4: 229-32.
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'Bioperine®-Nature's Bioavailability Enhancing
Thermonutrient. Executive Summary' 1996; Sabinsa Corporation, Piscataway, NJ. -
Nityanand S., Srivastava J.S., Asthana O.P. Clinical trials with
gugulipid. J. Ass. Physicians of India 1989; 37(5): 323-28. -
Agarwal, R.C.et. al. Clinical trial of gugulipid- a new
hypolipidemic agent of plant orgin in primary hyperlipidemia. Indian J Med Res
1986; 84: 626-34. -
'Gugulipid' Drugs of the Future 1988; 13(7): 618-619. -
Kaul S., Kapoo N.K. Reversal
of changes of lipid peroxide, xanthine oxidase and superoxidase and superoxide
dismutase by cardio-protective drugs in isoproterenol induced myocardial
necrosis in rats. Ind
J. Exp. Biol. 1989; 27: 625-27.
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