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Antioxidant profiles of a prepared extract of Chinese herbs for the treatment of atopic eczema
Author(s) -
Chung Lip Yong
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
phytotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.019
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1573
pISSN - 0951-418X
DOI - 10.1002/ptr.2350
Subject(s) - traditional medicine , antioxidant , atopic dermatitis , chinese herbs , pharmacognosy , phytotherapy , medicine , dermatology , traditional chinese medicine , biology , biological activity , alternative medicine , in vitro , pathology , biochemistry
Abstract A standardized mixture of Chinese herbs, Zemaphyte ® taken orally as a daily decoction has been shown to be effective in the treatment of atopic eczema. This study showed that Zemaphyte ® is an efficient antioxidant, being capable of scavenging both superoxide and hydroxyl, and preventing peroxidation of biological membranes. It does not degrade hydrogen peroxide directly, but instead most likely forms a Zemaphyte–hydrogen peroxide complex. The complexed hydrogen peroxide can then be degraded in the presence of catalase to form oxygen and water. It is conceivable that Zemaphyte ® may contribute to the down‐regulation of the activities of cells implicated in atopic eczema through its antioxidant activities. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.