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The Roman Empire
Published in Scott M. Jackson, Skin Disease and the History of Dermatology, 2023
Dioscorides considered barley a cure for lepra but thought that when it was brewed into beer, it could actually cause the same disease.59 He recommended “grime from gymnasium walls” for the purpose of “warming and dissolving inflammed growths” (phymata).60 After pointing out that by Dioscorides' phymata was likely referring to what Galen or Celsus would have called anthrax or carbuncle, and this “grime” (as in mold) may have had some antibiotic property.61 Dioscorides' use of amygdalin for cancer may have had some positive effect.62 Dioscorides was the first to write down the usefulness of coal tar for the treatment of inflammation, a therapy that dermatologists still recommend today for skin inflammation.63 Sea urchins were burned to generate quicklime, which was mixed with water to make calcium hydroxide. This caustic had three main uses: it was rubbed on psora, used to cleanse ulcers, and applied to “halt excrescences of the flesh.”64 Dioscorides' entry on zinc oxide (cadmia) lists numerous beneficial properties for skin disease: it stops discharges of the pores; it dries, draws to a scab, and represses abnormal growths of the flesh; and it creates a new skin on malignant ulcers.65 This represents a small sampling of the seemingly countless entries of dermatologic therapies in De materia medica.
The Beneficial Effect of Omega-3 PUFA and L-Arginine on Endothelial Nitric Oxide (NO) Bioavailability
Published in Robert Fried, Richard M. Carlton, Flaxseed, 2023
Robert Fried, Richard M. Carlton
Hydrolysis of the glycosides in the digestive tract or by the liver leads to a slow release of hydrocyanic acid that is readily detoxified by the body. In fact, amygdalin given orally to humans at 500 mg three times per day produced no toxic effects and only moderately raised blood cyanide levels. (14, 15)
Plant Source Foods
Published in Chuong Pham-Huy, Bruno Pham Huy, Food and Lifestyle in Health and Disease, 2022
Chuong Pham-Huy, Bruno Pham Huy
Seeds are small embryonic plants enclosed in a coat, the product of the ripened ovule of flowering plants after pollination and the completion of the reproduction process (153). Seeds are made of complex matrices in the outer layer and germ, and rich in minerals, oils, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids, and antioxidants that protect the plant’s DNA from oxidative stress, thus facilitating the perpetuation of the species. Some edible seeds are: flaxseed (linseed), sesame seed, chia seed, quinoa seed, pumpkin seed, sunflower seed, and hemp seed. Sunflower seed, rapeseed, and cottonseed are used commercially in the production of oils. However, some seeds, such as castor seed of the plant Ricinus communis, seed of the strychnine tree, and seeds of bitter almond, peach, and apricot, are toxic. Ricin, a water-soluble lectin present in castor seed, is highly toxic and can cause death if consumed (154). In contrast, castor oil extracted from castor seed is not toxic and can be used in food additives or in pharmacy as a laxative because ricin is not soluble in castor oil. Seed of the strychnine (Strychnos nux-vomica) tree can cause deadly convulsion. Seeds of bitter almond, apricot, and peach, containing amygdalin, may cause cyanide poisoning with high intake. Except for some particular cases cited above, most seeds frequently consumed such as flaxseed, sesame seed, chia seed, and quinoa seed, are good for health.
Amygdalin Modulates Prostate Cancer Cell Adhesion and Migration In Vitro
Published in Nutrition and Cancer, 2020
Jens Mani, Jens Neuschäfer, Christian Resch, Jochen Rutz, Sebastian Maxeiner, Frederik Roos, Felix K.-H. Chun, Eva Juengel, Roman A. Blaheta
Despite the prevalence of natural herb CAM, scientifically based information regarding its use is sparse, compared to the high acceptance and application rate. This is particularly true for the natural agent amygdalin (D-mandelonitrile-β-D-glucoside-6-β-glucoside), derived from kernels of the Rosaceae family (11). Proponents of amygdalin consider this compound a natural cancer cure. The Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) lists nearly 40 online links regarding amygdalin treatment (12), but the exact number of amygdalin users is unknown. Opponents of amygdalin argue that it is ineffective and point out that amygdalin is metabolized to cyanide by β-glucosidase, which may lead to severe cyanide poisoning.
Rebound metabolic acidosis following intentional amygdalin supplement overdose
Published in Clinical Toxicology, 2020
Rachel M. Shively, Stephen A. Harding, Robert S. Hoffman, Adam D. Hill, Alfredo J. Astua, Alex F. Manini
Amygdalin is a cyanogenic glycoside found in seeds of the genus Prunus. As a supplement, it has been marketed as “Amygdalin,” “Vitamin B-17,” and “Laetrile.” Amygdalin is hydrolyzed by the enzyme beta-glucosidase into hydrogen cyanide (HCN), benzaldehyde, and glucose. Cyanide then exerts toxicity via inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation [1]. Mammalian cells contain trace amounts of beta-glucosidase, mostly in the liver [2]. However, gastrointestinal (GI) bacteria have large amounts, allowing for substantial cyanide production with amygdalin ingestion [3]. As toxicity does not occur until amygdalin is metabolized to cyanide, toxic amygdalin ingestions present in a delayed fashion.
Life-Threatening Cyanide Intoxication after Ingestion of Amygdalin in Prehospital Care
Published in Prehospital Emergency Care, 2022
Patrik Cmorej, Petr Bruthans, Jaroslav Halamka, Irena Voriskova, David Peran
This case report demonstrates a rare, life-threatening cyanide intoxication after ingestion of the food supplement amygdalin. This information may be useful in providing prehospital and in-hospital emergency care to patients taking amygdalin supplements, but also to people intoxicated with amygdalin after consuming large amounts of seeds from many fruits.