Schisandra berries and astragalus root work in synergy to heal the liver - Study

Sunday, December 29, 2013 by: Lance Johnson
Tags: schisandra berries, astragalus root, liver health

(NaturalNews) The liver is an amazing filtration system for the entire body. It not only processes the body's blood but also breaks down nutrients for cellular utilization throughout the body. It produces cholesterol to help transport fats, generates proteins for blood plasma and eliminates bile through the gall bladder. The liver also removes bacteria from the bloodstream and filters out any poisonous substances. Signs of a weak liver can be observed through poor skin conditions.

The liver can regenerate itself

The most amazing aspect of the liver is that it can regenerate itself. Researchers are finding new ways to aid the liver in this cellular regeneration process. Certain wild and whole foods contain powerful phytonutrients that restore liver cells. Research from the Second Military Medical University, in Shanghai, China, found that schisandra berries and astragalus root work together in synergy to powerfully restore the liver.

Study shows synergestic miracles of schisandra berries and astragalus root for healing the liver

A group of active compounds called lignans, found in schisandra berries, were studied for their antioxidant role in compromised liver cells of Sprague-Dawley rats.

Polysaccharides, which are long chains of polymeric carbohydrate molecules, were obtained from astragalus root and combined with the lignans from the schisandra berries. The combination proved to be more effective for regenerating liver cells than stand-alone treatments.

Documenting the liver damage

In the study, male Sprague-Dawley rats were burdened with toxic amounts of carbon tetrachloride. This poisoning period lasted three months and significantly elevated serum alanine aminotransferase levels (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase levels (AST), malondialdehyde (MDA) and alkaline phosphatase activities (ALP). There were no observed changes in the livers of control rats. The poisoning also lowered levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD).

Restoring the liver cells using schisandra and astragalus

After the carbon tetrachloride liver poisoning was documented and complete, the researchers began administering schisandra treatments (450 mg/kg), astragalus treatments (135 mg/kg) and combination treatments to compare the differences.

The treatments lowered levels of serum ALT, AST, ALP and hepatic MDA concentration in the liver, as well as raised SOD and CAT activities, and GSH concentration. The evidence was becoming clear: these herbal treatments speed up the regeneration of the liver.

In the end, the most powerful and stunning results came from the combination groups. When schisandra and astagulus are used together, severe fatty degeneration of the liver is reduced to only "mild damage." Researchers saw the changes directly through histopathological examinations. All indication showed that schisandra and astagalus are liver-protective, exhibiting powerful antioxidant properties in a synergistic manner. The lignans from the berries and the polysaccharides from the root combine naturally to regenerate liver cells.

Sources for this article include:

http://science.naturalnews.com

http://medicalcenter.osu.edu

About the author:
Passionate about holistic wellness, Lance Johnson and his wife invite you to www.allnaturalfreespirit.com, where you can buy clean, chemical-free body care products.