Anti-inflammatory Herb-Coptis
Coptis chinensis is one of the core ingredients of FlameEz™. Coptis has been documented as an herbal medicine for over a thousand years. According to Chinese pharmacopoeia, Coptis is one of the strongest herbs to clear heat, dry dampness, and eliminate toxins. It has been used as a main drug for treating damp-heat syndromes, 
particularly for intestinal and lung infections. In North America, Coptis root was called the “King of the Herbs.” The Native Americans taught the early colonists how to use Coptis root for canker sores and mouth sores, poor digestion, and infections. Due to a high demand for its medicinal value, Coptis became scarce through over-harvesting and goldenseal was used as a replacement. Pharmacological effects of Coptis include broad spectrum of antibiotic, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory activities.
The pharmacological active ingredients of Coptis include berberine, coptisin, palmatine, jatrorrhizine, epiberberine, worenine, columbamine, and magnoflorine.
Based on published scientific and clinical research, Coptis:
- Reduces nitric oxide generation and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase;*
- Blocks NF kappa B dependent pathways;*
- Inhibits proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta;*
- Reduces high blood pressure;*
- Lowers blood sugar and cholesterol;*
- Decreases oxidative stress;*
- Increases blood flow to the extremities.*
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Reference (for abstracts and additional references, click here):
- Hung TM. et al. Magnoflorine from Coptidis Rhizoma protects high density lipoprotein during oxidant stress. Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 30(6):1157-60, 2007
- Kim EK. et al. Coptidis rhizoma extract protects against cytokine-induced death of pancreatic beta-cells through suppression of NF-kappaB activation. Experimental & Molecular Medicine. 39(2):149-59, 2007.
- Asai M et al. Berberine alters the processing of Alzheimer's amyloid precursor protein to decrease Abeta secretion. Biochemical & Biophysical Research Communications. 352(2):498-502, 2007
- Enk R. et al. Differential effect of Rhizoma coptidis and its main alkaloid compound berberine on TNF-alpha induced NFkappaB translocation in human keratinocytes. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 109(1):170-5, 2007
- Lee CH. et al. Berberine suppresses inflammatory agents-induced interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha productions via the inhibition of IkappaB degradation in human lung cells. Pharmacological Research. 56(3):193-201, 2007
- Lee YS. et al. Berberine, a natural plant product, activates AMP-activated protein kinase with beneficial metabolic effects in diabetic and insulin-resistant states. Diabetes. 55(8):2256-64, 2006
- Choi BH. et al. Berberine reduces the expression of adipogenic enzymes and inflammatory molecules of 3T3-L1 adipocyte. Experimental & Molecular Medicine. 38(6):599-605, 2006
- Ko BS. et al. Insulin sensitizing and insulinotropic action of berberine from Cortidis rhizoma. Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 28(8):1431-7, 2005
- Yokozawa T. et al. Protective role of Coptidis Rhizoma alkaloids against peroxynitrite-induced damage to renal tubular epithelial cells. Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmacology. 57(3):367-74, 2005
- Kong W. et al. Berberine is a novel cholesterol-lowering drug working through a unique mechanism distinct from statins. Nature Medicine. 10(12):1344-51, 2004
- Yokozawa T. et al. Coptidis Rhizoma: protective effects against peroxynitrite-induced oxidative damage and elucidation of its active components. Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmacology. 56(4):547-56, 2004
- Zeng XH. et al. Efficacy and safety of berberine for congestive heart failure secondary to ischemic or idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. American Journal of Cardiology. 92(2):173-6, 2003
