#antitumor

Gum arabic, also known as acacia gum,

“ is a natural gum consisting of the hardened sap of various species of the acacia tree. Originally, gum arabic was collected from Acacia nilotica which was called the "gum arabic tree"; in the present day, gum arabic is predominantly collected from two related species, namely Acacia senegal and Vachellia (Acacia) seyal. Producers harvest the gum commercially from wild trees, mostly in Sudan (80%) and throughout the Sahel, from Senegal to Somalia—though it is historically cultivated in Arabia and West Asia.

Gum arabic is a complex mixture of glycoproteins and polysaccharides. It is the original source of the sugars arabinose and ribose, both of which were first discovered and isolated from it, and are named after it.

Gum arabic is used primarily in the food industry as a stabilizer. It is edible and has E number E414. Gum arabic is a key ingredient in traditional lithography and is used in printing, paint production, glue, cosmetics and various industrial applications, including viscosity control in inks and in textile industries, though less expensive materials compete with it for many of these roles.

While gum arabic is now produced throughout the African Sahel, it is still harvested and used in the Middle East. For example, Arab populations use the natural gum to make a chilled, sweetened, and flavored gelato-like dessert.

Gum arabic's mixture of polysaccharides and glycoproteins gives it the properties of a glue and binder that is edible by humans. 

Also called acacia after the original source, gum arabic is used as an emulsifier and a thickening agent in icing, fillings, chewing gum and other confectionery.

Acacia gum reduces the surface tension of liquids, which leads to increased foaming in carbonated beverages. This can be exploited in what is known as a Diet Coke and Mentos eruption.  (this can also be interesting if you want to create your own fluid soap)

While acacia gum has been harvested in Arabia, Sudan, and West Asia since antiquity, sub-Saharan acacia gum has a long history as a prized export. 

Gum arabic slows the rate of absorption of some drugs, including amoxycillin, from the gut.

It is an important ingredient in shoe polish, and can be used in making homemade incense cones.”

It has more various uses.

Protects the kidneys * see research link 12419649

Anticancer (excerpt from research:” Accordingly, (Gum arabic   ) GA treatment counteracts the development of tumors following chemical cancerogenesis. “) *see research link 24022265

Helps relieve kidney failure,  increases creatinine clearance (excerpt from research:”  Gum arabic increased 24-h creatinine clearance (from 283 +/- 35 to 382 +/- 40 muL/min [SEM]) and urinary antidiuretic hormone excretion, and decreased daily urine output (from 1.8 +/- 0.2 to 1.2 +/- 0.1 mL/24 h) as well as the urinary excretion of Na(+) (from 226 +/- 22 to 196 +/- 19 mumol/24 h). “) *see research link 18267216 & /22473073

Protects the bladder against chemotherapy med Cyclophosphamide ( excerpt from research:” the AG + CYCL treated bladder where almost normal configuration and integrity of the tissues is visible. There is no sign of inflammation or lesions in this sample as against the CYCL-treated sample. GA treatment by itself did not produce any effect on the structural integrity of the bladder.   “) *see research link PMC2763258/

Can be an allergen /airway irritant *see research link PMC3124965/

Research and tips on Arabic gum:

Calendula officinalis (pot marigold, ruddles, common marigold)

garden marigold, English marigold, or Scottish marigold)  Caléndula, Fleur de Calendule, Gold-Bloom, Holligold

 “is a plant in the genus Calendula of the family Asteraceae. It is probably native to southern Europe, though its long history of cultivation makes its precise origin unknown, and it may possibly be of garden origin. It is also widely naturalised further north in Europe (north to southern England) and elsewhere in warm temperate regions of the world.

Calendula officinalis is a short-lived aromatic herbaceous perennial.The leaves are oblong-lanceolate. The inflorescences are yellow, comprising a thick capitulum or flowerhead 4–7 cm diameter surrounded by two rows of hairy bracts; in the wild plant they have a single ring of ray florets surrounding the central disc florets. 

Pot marigold florets are edible. They are often used to add color to salads or added to dishes as a garnish and in lieu of saffron. The leaves are edible but are often not palatable. They have a history of use as a potherb and in salads.

Flowers were used in ancient Greek, Roman, Middle Eastern, and Indian cultures as a medicinal herb as well as a dye for fabrics, foods, and cosmetics. Many of these uses persist today. They are also used to make oil that protects the skin.

Marigold leaves can also be made into a poultice to helps scratches and shallow cuts to heal faster, they also when made into a poltice can help prevent infection.

Sooths exfoliative cheilitis = heavily cracked/ chapped, crusted lips/mouth corners  * see research link PMC2803874/

Anti-inflammatory   *see research link 19374166

Enhances wound healing and increases collagen ,reduces leg ulcers (Excerpt from:” The percentage of wound closure was 90.0% . extract treatment at a dose of 20 or 100 mg/kg “)  *see research link 19601397 , 25266273, PMC3841996/, 16372475

Antioxidant   *see research link /19405380,  17921550 , 12189055

Anticancer ,antitumor , anticarcinoma, anti-leukemia Orally taken 50mg/kg  (Excerpt from research:” In leukemia cell lines, LACE treatment inhibited 100% of growth. The growth of Ando-2 tumor was reduced in a 60%.  The anti-tumor efficiency of LACE was similar to obtained with other commonly used chemotherapy drug, paclitaxel.   LACE  (Laser Activated Calendula Extract  ) “) *see research link PMC1513589/,  17190444

Improves radiodermatitis caused by radiation therapy *see research link 25992820,   PMC3841996/

Anti-plaque & gingivitis   *see research link PMC3917203/

Anti- HIV type 1  (Excerpt from research:” the organic extract from Calendula officinalis flowers caused a significant dose- and time-dependent reduction of HIV-1 reverse transcription (RT) activity. “)  *see research link 9207986

Can relax and induce cramps  * see research link  16906636

Reduces ulcerative colitis *see research link 22737434,  26831607

Cardioprotective  and myocardial infarct damage reducing  (Excerpt from research:” Calendula achieved cardioprotection by stimulating left ventricular developed pressure and aortic flow as well as by reducing myocardial infarct size “)* see research link 20874690

Natural sunscreen  ,SPF 15 * see research link PMC3326776/  , 21491442

Reduces oropharyngeal mucositis *see research link PMC3623793/

Research and tips on Calendula:

Azadirachta indica, also known as Neem,Nimtree, Ineem and Indian Lilac 

Antelaea azadirachta, Arishta, Arishtha, Bead Tree, Holy Tree,Indian Neem, Lilas des Indes, Lilas de Perse, Margosa, Margosa Tree, Margousier, Margousier à Feuilles de Frêne, Margousier d’Inde, Melia azadirachta, Neem Tree, Melia azadirachta, Nim, Nimb, Nimba, Persian Lilac, Pride of China.

“is a tree in the mahogany family Meliaceae. It is one of two species in the genus Azadirachta, and is native to the Indian subcontinent , i.e. India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. It typically is grown in tropical and semi-tropical regions. Neem trees now also grow in islands located in the southern part of Iran. Its fruits and seeds are the source of neem oil.

Neem is a fast-growing tree that can reach a height of 15–20 metres (49–66 ft), and rarely 35–40 metres (115–131 ft). Neem can grow in many different types of soil, but it thrives best on well drained deep and sandy soils.  It can tolerate high to very high temperatures and does not tolerate temperature below 4 °C (39 °F).

Neem leaves are dried in India and placed in cupboards to prevent insects eating the clothes, and also in tins where rice is stored. Neem leaves are dried and burnt in the tropical regions to keep away mosquitoes. 

As an ayurvedic herb, neem is also used in baths. The tender shoots and flowers of the neem tree are eaten as a vegetable in India. A souplike dish called Veppampoo charu (Tamil) (translated as “neem flower rasam”) made of the flower of neem is prepared in Tamil Nadu.

Products made from neem trees have been used in India for over two millennia for their medicinal properties.

Neem (Ineem) is a key ingredient in non-pesticidal management (NPM), providing a natural alternative to synthetic pesticides. 

Other uses: Toiletries, Cosmetics, animal treatment, Toothbrush, food additive , bird repellent, lubricant,fertilizer ,plant protectant, against pox viruses.”

Note of caution: do not ingest neem/oil when you’re pregnant, as it might cause an abortion.

Neem might repell some mosquitos but from personal-jungle-experience  I can tell it doesn’t assure 100% protection when applied on skin. The most effective way is to make tea from neem leaves or chew on a neem leaf and swallow it. Neem leaves also do not smell as pungent as neem-oil. It does taste bitter..Bugs? Not anymore! Smear some neem oil and see them flee :)

Antibacterial  *see research link 691, 161

Anti-caries & anti-plaque (excerpt from research:“  Mucoadhesive dental gel containing Azadirachta indica is found to be beneficial in reducing the plaque index and salivary bacterial count comparatively better than chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash.”) *see research link 161

Anti-tumor against skin tumors *see research link 106

Inhibits cheek cancer in hamsters *see research link 007

Reduces Alzheimer’s, improves cognition and working memory and reduces depression  (excerpt from research:“  deficits in active avoidance learning and retention of learned behavior were significantly reversed by A. indica. ”)*see research link  838

Inhibits acne and improves wound healing ,even the toughest of wounds * see research link PMC4492024/

Organic reversible anticonception & anti-fertility , kills sperm in humans and animals alike (excerpt from research:” The present study was carried out to evaluate the effective concentration of aqueous extract of old and tender Azadirachta indica (neem) leaves to immobilize and kill 100% human spermatozoa within 20 s. “) *see research link 14561544 , 11558322 , 1983033, PMC3761146/, 3225018/

Safe *see research link 15261960

Reduces and heals stomach ulcers  *see research link 15454339

Does not act against cerebral malaria, but does protect neurons (excerpt :”the high dose levels of Neem extract (500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg) prevented Purkinje cells loss. “)  *see research link PMC3338214/   & wiki link

Protects fish against fishy bacteria , for real , that cause tail rot and fin rot  *see research link 10783742

Anti-parasitic against bovine strongylosis *see research link PMC4675597/ , 17041548

Contains compounds that have anti snake venom properties *see research link 18466944

Prevents meat spoilage by inhibiting bacteria  *see research link 28231186

Lowers blood sugar levels * see research link 10919098

Repels insects, ants, mosquitos, etc * see research link 8245950, PMC5061770/

Antiviral against Coxsackie viruses, herpes simplex 1,Hepatitis C & Dengue  *see reseach link 10810594, 20041417, 26274064,11801392

Research on Neem:

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