Essiac Laboratory/Animal/Preclinical Studies Essiac Flor•Essence The Individual Herbs of Essiac and Flor•Essence Essiac No results of laboratory (in vitro) or animal (in vivo) studies of Essiac have been reported in the peer-reviewed, scientific literature. However, brief descriptions of 3 series of animal experiments are available. Reviewed in [1] In the mid 1970s, the developer submitted both dried and liquid samples of Essiac to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City for evaluation of its immunotherapeutic and chemotherapeutic potential. Reviewed in [1] No immunostimulatory or chemotherapeutic activity was detected in 8 animal experiments that utilized the S-180 mouse sarcoma tumor model. In the early 1980s, the corporation that acquired the 4-herb recipe for Essiac from the developer submitted another sample to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center for evaluation in additional animal studies. No anticancer activity was detected in 17 separate experiments that utilized a variety of animal leukemia and tumor models. Reviewed in [1] In 1983, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) tested a liquid sample of Essiac that was provided by the manufacturer after the Canadian Department of National Health and Welfare (Health Protection Branch) requested that it be tested in animals. Reviewed in [1] These studies revealed no anticancer activity in the mouse P388 lymphocytic leukemia tumor system and found lethal toxicity at the highest concentrations of Essiac given to test animals. It is not known, however, how the concentrations used in these animal tests compare with those achieved in humans after the consumption of recommended doses. Flor•Essence No results of laboratory or animal studies of Flor•Essence have been reported in the peer-reviewed, scientific literature or in any other type of publication. The Individual Herbs of Essiac and Flor•Essence Laboratory and animal experiments have shown that some of the chemicals in the herbs used to make Essiac and Flor•Essence have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, estrogenic, or anticancer activity. Reviewed in [2-10] Among the herbs used in both mixtures, burdock root contains several flavonoids and polyphenols that have shown antioxidant activity; Indian rhubarb root contains several anthraquinones, including emodin and aloe-emodin, which have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects; sheep sorrel contains several types of anthraquinones, including emodin and aloe-emodin, as well as phytoestrogens, which may possess anticancer activity; and slippery elm bark has been shown to contain high levels of antioxidants. Reviewed in [2-8] Among the herbs found in Flor•Essence alone, watercress contains phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), which has shown cytotoxic and antitumor activities; blessed thistle contains cnicin, which is a sesquiterpene lactone that has demonstrated cytotoxic, antitumor, and anti-inflammatory effects, and arctiin and arctigenin, which are lignans that have shown anticancer activity; red clover contains large amounts of the phytoestrogen genistein, which has demonstrated antiangiogenic, estrogenic, and anticancer effects; and, finally, extracts of kelp have shown immunostimulatory and antitumor activities. Reviewed in [2,3,6,7,10] It is important to note that the above-mentioned activities and effects were observed in laboratory and animal experiments at specific concentrations of purified chemicals or extracts of individual herbs. Whether equivalent concentrations of relevant molecules can be achieved in the bloodstream of individuals who consume Essiac or Flor•Essence in the amounts recommended by their manufacturers has not been determined. References Herbal treatments. In: US Congress, Office of Technology Assessment.: Unconventional Cancer Treatments. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1990. OTA-H-405, pp 71-5. Also available online. Last accessed June 16, 2004. Tamayo C, Richardson MA, Diamond S, et al.: The chemistry and biological activity of herbs used in Flor-Essence herbal tonic and Essiac. Phytother Res 14 (1): 1-14, 2000. [PUBMED Abstract] Tamayo C: Essiac for cancer. Alternative Therapies in Women's Health 2 (3): 19-23, 2000. Kaegi E: Unconventional therapies for cancer: 1. Essiac. The Task Force on Alternative Therapies of the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Initiative. CMAJ 158 (7): 897-902, 1998. [PUBMED Abstract] Essiac. Toronto, Canada: Canadian Breast Cancer Research Alliance, 1996. Available online. Last accessed June 16, 2004. Franke AA, Cooney RV, Custer LJ, et al.: Inhibition of neoplastic transformation and bioavailability of dietary flavonoid agents. In: Manthey JA, Buslig BS, eds.: Flavonoids in the Living System. New York, NY: Plenum Press, 1998. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 439, pp 237-48. Waladkhani AR, Clemens MR: Effect of dietary phytochemicals on cancer development (review) Int J Mol Med 1 (4): 747-53, 1998. [PUBMED Abstract] de Witte P: Metabolism and pharmacokinetics of anthranoids. Pharmacology 47 (Suppl 1): 86-97, 1993. [PUBMED Abstract] Campbell MJ, Hamilton B, Shoemaker M, et al.: Antiproliferative activity of Chinese medicinal herbs on breast cancer cells in vitro. Anticancer Res 22 (6C): 3843-52, 2002 Nov-Dec. [PUBMED Abstract] Boué SM, Wiese TE, Nehls S, et al.: Evaluation of the estrogenic effects of legume extracts containing phytoestrogens. J Agric Food Chem 51 (8): 2193-9, 2003. [PUBMED Abstract] Read More On This Subject

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