The authors studied an herbal mixture of Leuzea carthamoides (Russian leuzea), Rhodiola rosea (golden root), Eleutherocosccus senticosus (Siberian ginseng) and Schizandra chinensis (schizandra) called AdMax in ovarian cancer patients. AdMax consists of both alcohol and water extracts of the herbs. These herbs are called adaptogenic plants, which increase resistance to stress, prevent stress, relieve fatigue and act as a tonic.
Cancer patients with Stages III and IV ovarian cancer were studied on AdMax, who first received cisplatin and cyclophosphamide chemotherapy. Cancer in humans is associated with immune deficiency and chemotherapy results in diminished T immune cells. One group of patients received four weeks of AdMax following chemotherapy and one group of patients did not.
All patients had extensive blood testing for immune proteins and T cells. The results of the bloods tests for immunity for the group that received the adaptogenic herbs were all better than for the control group, which did not receive the herbs.
CONCLUSION: The authors suggest that a “combination of extracts from adaptogenic plants may boost the suppressed immunity in ovarian cancer patients who are subject to chemotherapy.”
NOTE: Other adaptogens include bacopa, arginine, and maca.
PMID: 1669374.
Summary #079.
