Indications

Quercetin SAP is an effective treatment for mild/moderate allergic reactions. It has been shown to prevent histamine release and reduce systemic inflammation and therefore is a good proactive therapy for allergy treatment and prevention. Quercetin SAP can be used to treat chronic asthma symptoms. Quercetin SAP has anti-inflammatory properties and can be used to treat men with chronic pelvic pain syndrome/chronic prostatitis.

Ingredients

Each vegetable capsule contains:
Quercetin Dihydrate 98% ... 500 mg
Bromelain 2400 GDU ... 200 mg

Contains no: Preservative, artificial flavor or colour. sugar, dairy, starch, wheat, corn, soy, gluten or yeast.

WARNING: Take caution for use in patients with pineapple allergies

Description

Quercetin is a bioflavonoid found in onions, apples, black tea and grapefruit. Quercetin has anti-allergic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Mast cells contribute to the inflammatory process in allergic reactions where immunologic stimulation leads to degranulation of the mast cell as well as the generation of numerous cytokines and inflammatory mediators. Quercetin is an effective treatment option for allergies as it has been shown to inhibit mast cell secretions and it has the ability to down regulate histamine production via inhibition of the enzyme histidine decarboxylase (HDC) mRNA from human mast cells. Quercetin also causes a decrease in the release of IL 6 and tryptase and is known to inhibit phospholipase A2 and 5 lipoxygenase, thereby reducing synthesis of leukotrienes and the series 2 prostaglandins via the arachidonic acid pathway. The antiinflammatory properties of quercetin were explored in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study on men with chronic prostatitis syndromes. The study found that after one month of treatment 67% of men in the treatment group reported at least a 25% improvement in their pain levels. Bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme derived from the stem of the pineapple plant. Bromelain has been found to be a mucolytic agent effective in respiratory disorders, and functions as an anti-inflammatory agent. Bromelain counteracts the fibrin and kinin pathways which stimulates plasmin. Plasmin blocks endogenous arachidonic acid mobilization, reduces prostaglandin synthesis, which reduces localized inflammation and edema. This is thought to be the mechanism by which bromelain helps reduce symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Bromelain may also enhance the effectiveness of quercetin.

PURITY, CLEANLINESS and STABILITY Third party testing on the finished product ensures Quercetin SAP is free of heavy metals, pesticides, volatile organics and other impurities.

ALLERGIES AND MAST CELLS The IgE receptor plays a key role in inducing an allergic reaction. When a mast cell is exposed to an antigen, it binds to the IgE receptor and causes degranulation, leukotriene and prostaglandin secretion and cytokine production(1). While mast cells are found throughout the body, they are found in high concentrations in connective tissue of the respiratory tract and nasal mucosa and in blood vessels(2). Degranulation of mast cells accounts for almost 50% of symptoms of nasal rhinitis through the release of histamine(2). This degranulation also leads to symptoms that can include nasal congestion, sneezing, itching, inflammation, conjunctivitis, hives, throat irritation, vasodilation, increased capillary permeability, and smooth muscle contraction. Allergy symptoms can be caused by a variety of sources such as environmental sources, foods, medications, and metabolic conditions. Studies on allergy sufferers demonstrate that during symptoms, there is a decline in the ability to perform daily activities and a measurable decline in physical and mental health status(2). Typical treatments of allergies include antihistamines, decongestants, anticholinergic agents, and corticosteroid drug therapy, alone or in combination; these can lead to adverse side effects including sedation, impaired learning/ memory, and cardiac arrhythmias(2).

QUERCETIN FOR ALLERGIES Quercetin is an effective treatment option for allergies, as it has been shown to inhibit mast cell secretion and it has the ability to down-regulate histidine decarboxylase (HDC) mRNA from human mast cells(3). Quercetin inhibits the inflammatory process that is regulated by an increased release in neutrophils. The release of neutrophils leads to the destabilization of mast cells and their subsequent release of histamine and leukotrienes(2). By preventing the release of neutrophils, quercetin is therefore able to add stability to the mast cell membrane, to help prevent degranulation and subsequent allergy symptoms. A placebo-controlled study performed by Hirano et al. (2009) in which subjects received 100 mg/ day quercetin demonstrated a reduction in allergic symptoms, including congestion, lacrimation and itching, and a reduction in use of other allergy medications when compared to controls(4).

QUERCETIN FOR ASTHMA In a mouse model, quercetin was dosed between 3–10 mg/kg and worked in a dose-dependent manner, to inhibit eosinophil recruitment to the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and also significantly reduced both IL 5 and IL 4 levels. Quercetin also reduced P selectin expression and the mucus production in the lung(5). These findings suggest the potential of therapeutic treatment of inflammatory airway diseases using quercetin(5).

QUERCETIN FOR CHRONIC PROSTATITIS In a double-blind placebo controlled study by Shoskes et al. (1999), male subjects with chronic pelvic pain were randomly assigned to either placebo group or to receive 500 mg of quercetin twice a day(6). Pain was then evaluated before the study commenced and after 1 month, using the NIH chronic prostatitis symptom score. 67% of patients taking quercetin had a statistically significant improvement in symptoms of at least 25%(6). An unblinded follow up arm of this study was also performed where participants received quercetin with bromelain and papain for one month, and 82% of these patients demonstrated an improvement in symptoms of at least 25%(6). A separate randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was also performed to test the efficacy of quercetin in men with chronic prostatitis (CP). This placebo-based study assessed 30 men with CP to receive quercetin, 500 mg twice daily or the placebo pill for 1 month(14). Significant change in the NIH-CPSI score was observed in the quercetin (P = 0.003) versus the placebo group, who had an insignificant mean improvement in the NIH-CPSI score(14). These 2 trials indicate that quercetin is a viable treatment option for men suffering from chronic prostatitis. BROMELAIN Bromelain has been found to be a mucolytic agent in respiratory disorders, and works as an anti-inflammatory. Bromelain counteracts the fibrin and kinin pathways, which stimulates plasmin. Plasmin blocks endogenous arachidonic acid by prostaglandins, which reduces localized edema(2). Bromelain also has a long-term effect of inhibiting the firm adhesion of leukocytes to blood vessels at the site of inflammation, which also reduces edema(9). In a study preformed by Secor et al. (2005) after dosing mice with 2 g/kg or 6 g/kg of bromelain twice a day for 4 days, this resulted in attenuated development of allergic airway disease while altering CD4+ to CD8+ T lymphocyte populations(8). The reduction in allergic airway disease outcomes suggests that bromelain may have similar effects in the treatment of human asthma and hypersensitivity disorders(9). Bromelain has also shown the ability to enhance the absorption and therefore the effectiveness of quercetin(2, 6).

Dose

Take 1–3 capsules daily away from food (on an empty stomach) or as directed by your
health care practitioner.

Potential side effects/Safety

Both bromelain and quercetin have an excellent safety profile, with
minimal toxicity pictures. Bromelain demonstrates very low toxicity
with an LD50 greater than 10 g/kg(10). Due to the efficacy of bromelain
after oral administration, its safety and lack of undesired side effects,
it has high compliance among patients(11). Since bromelain is derived
from the stem of pineapple, caution must be taken in patients with
pineapple allergy. Caution should also be taken in patients using
heparin, because in the study by Grabovac et al. (2006), evidence
was found that heparin and bromelain form stable complexes
leading to a significantly improved uptake of heparin, which could
have an impact on blood thinning potential(12). Quercetin has an LD50
of 159 mg/kg in a mice model orally before reaching toxicity(13).

References

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R1. ETaFkaEhaRshEi KN. IntCeraEctSion between the Intestinal Immune System and Commensal Bacteria and Its Effect
on the Regulation of Allergic Reactions. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2010 Apr 7. [Epub ahead of print]
2. Thornhill SM, Kelly AM. Natural treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis. Altern Med Rev. 2000 Oct;5(5):448-54.
3. Kempuraj D, Castellani ML, Petrarca C, Frydas S, Conti P, Theoharides TC, Vecchiet J. Inhibitory effect
of quercetin on tryptase and interleukin-6 release, and histidine decarboxylase mRNA transcription by
human mast cell-1 cell line. Clin Exp Med. 2006 Dec;6(4):150-6.
4. Hirano T, Kawai M, Arimitsu J, Ogawa M, Kuwahara Y, Hagihara K, Shima Y, Narazaki M, Ogata A,
Koyanagi M, Kai T, Shimizu R, Moriwaki M, Suzuki Y, Ogino S, Kawase I, Tanaka T. Preventative effect
of a flavonoid, enzymatically modified isoquercitrin on ocular symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis.
Allergol Int. 2009 Sep;58(3):373-82. Epub 2009 May 25.
5. Rogerio AP, Dora CL, Andrade EL, Chaves JS, Silva LF, Lemos-Senna E, Calixto JB. Anti-inflammatory
effect of quercetin-loaded microemulsion in the airways allergic inflammatory model in mice. Pharmacol
Res. 2010 Apr;61(4):288-97. Epub 2009 Nov 3.
6. Shoskes DA, Zeitlin SI, Shahed A, Rajfer J Quercetin in men with category III chronic prostatitis: a
preliminary prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Urology. 1999 Dec;54(6):960-3.
7. Thornhill SM, Kelly AM. Natural treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis. Altern Med Rev. 2000 Oct;5(5):448-54.
8. Fitzhugh DJ, Shan S, Dewhirst MW, Hale LP. Bromelain treatment decreases neutrophil migration to
sites of inflammation. Clin Immunol. 2008 Jul;128(1):66-74.
9. Secor ER Jr, Carson WF 4th, Cloutier MM, Guernsey LA, Schramm CM, Wu CA, Thrall RS. Bromelain
exerts anti-inflammatory effects in an ovalbumin-induced murine model of allergic airway disease. Cell
Immunol. 2005 Sep;237(1):68-75.
10. Kelly GS. Bromelain Literature Review and discussion of therapeutic applications. Altern Med Review
1996; 1: 1243-257.
11. Maurer HR. Bromelain: biochemistry, pharmacology and medical use. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2001
Aug;58(9):1234-45.
12. Grabovac V, Bernkop-SchnÜrch A. Improvement of the intestinal membrane permeability of low molecular
weight heparin by complexation with stem bromelain Int J Pharm. 2006 Dec 1;326(1-2):153-9.
13. https://fscimage.fishersci.com/msds/56284.htm. MDS data sheet for quercetin. Viewed April 20,2010.