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- Vinpocetine -
General Information:
Names:
Wikipedia entry:
Dr. Ray Shahelien entry:
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Observations:
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Natural sources:
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References:
Vinpocetine:
Vinpocetine supplement
by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Vinpocetine benefit and side effects
Vinpocetine is chemically related to, and derived from
vincamine, an
alkaloid found in the periwinkle plant. Vinpocetine was
introduced into clinical practice in Europe more than two
decades ago
for its role in cerebrovascular disorders and related symptoms.
Experiments with vinpocetine indicate that it can dilate blood
vessels,
enhance circulation in the brain, improve oxygen utilization,
make red
blood cells more pliable, and inhibit aggregation of platelets.
Vinpocetine even has antioxidant properties. Levels peak in the
bloodstream within an hour and a half after ingestion.
Vinpocetine
easily crosses the blood-brain barrier.
http://www.raysahelian.com/vinpocetine.html
Is Vinpocetine the Answer to
Brain
Fog, Cognitive and Memory Problems?
Popular European Supplement, Now Available in U.S., Helps Boost
Oxygen
in Brain
By Mary Shomon, About.com
About.com
It might be, says Bernd Wollschlaeger, MD, a Florida-based
board-certified family physician who specializes in the
application of
herbal remedies and nutritional supplements. Dr. Wollschlaeger
is also
the associate editor of the Journal of the American
Nutraceutical
Association (JANA).
Vinpocetine (pronounced vin-poe-ce-teen), is a nutritional
supplement
derived from the periwinkle plant. It has just recently become
available in the U.S. through food, drug and mass market
retailers as a
nutritional supplement. The supplement is already very much in
use in
Europe, where physicians believe it is far more effective than
other
supplements -- such as ginkgo biloba -- used for memory and
brain
function. Vinpocetine actually contains many of the same
cerebral-enhancing effects as ginkgo biloba, but has been shown
to be
more effective in much shorter time.
Vinpocetine has been extensively studied in Europe. These
clinical
studies have found it to provide several advantages for the
human
brain, including memory enhancement, increased cognitive
performance,
improved cerebral circulation and higher mental acuity and
awareness.
http://thyroid.about.com/cs/alternativehelp/a/vinpocetine.htm
Vinpocetine
From Cathy Wong
About.com
Vinpocetine (pronounced vin-poe-ce-teen) is a synthetic compound
derived from vincamine, a substance found naturally in the
leaves of
the lesser periwinkle plant (Vinca minor). Vinpocetine was
developed in
the late 1960s.
Vinpocetine is available as a prescription drug in Europe and
Japan. In
the the United States and Canada, it’s sold in health food
stores and
online as a dietary supplement.
Why Do People Use Vinpocetine
Stroke and vascular dementia...
Alzheimer's disease...
Vinpocetine is also being explored as a complementary treatment
for
people with Alzheimer’s disease. It’s thought to enhance the
brain's
use of oxygen, protect brain cells against damage, and increase
blood
flow to the brain by inhibiting an enzyme called
phosphodiesterase.
Although preliminary studies on the use of vinpocetine for
Alzheimer's
disease showed promise, a critical review of previously
published
studies found that the evidence as a whole was too weak to rely
on, due
to limitations in the design of the studies. More research is
needed.
Tinnitus...
To boost brain function...
Vinpocetine is marketed in North America as a supplement that
can boost
memory and brain function in healthy people, but there is no
real
evidence yet that it can help.
http://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/a/vinpocetine.htm
Vinpocetine by Douglas
Labs
"VinpocetineVinpocetine is an extract of the periwinkle plant.
Its
discovery has essentially revolutionized the treatment of
vascular
dementia. It is a cognitive enhancer that has been demonstrated
to
increase brain blood flow, increase brain metabolism and act as
a
potent antioxidant."
http://www.jonnybowden.com/products/product_vinpocetine.html
Vinpocetine for cognitive
impairment
and dementia
by Szatmari Sz, Whitehouse PJ
The Cochrane Collaboration, Cochrane Reviews
"Insufficient evidence of benefits of vinpocetine for people
with
dementia. Preclinical data of uneven quality suggest a
potential
beneficial effect of vinpocetine in chronic cerebrovascular
diseases
and on cognitive performance in a variety of animal models.
Clinical
trials to test these hypotheses were performed before currently
used
criteria for dementia had become generally accepted. The results
show
improvement after the treatment with vinpocetine versus placebo,
but
the number of demented patients treated for at least six months
was
small. The available data does not demonstrate many side effect
problems. Although the basic science is interesting, the
evidence for
beneficial effect of vinpocetine on patients with dementia is
inconclusive and does not support clinical use."
http://www.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab003119.html
Vinpocetine
From Wikipedia
"Vinpocetine (brand names: Cavinton, Intelectol; chemical name:
ethyl
apovincaminate) is a semisynthetic derivative alkaloid of
vincamine
(sometimes described as "a synthetic ethyl ester of
apovincamine"), an
extract from the periwinkle (plant) Vinca minor.
Vinpocetine is
reported to have cerebral blood-flow enhancing and
neuroprotective
effects, and is used as a drug in Eastern Europe for the
treatment of
cerebrovascular disorders and age-related memory impairment.
Vinpocetine is widely marketed as a supplement for vasodilation
and as
a nootropic for the improvement of memory. There exists
anecdotal
report of uncomfortable adverse reactions to vinpocetine in a
small
subset of users. A low initial dosage is often recommended..."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinpocetine
Vinpocetine
PDRhealth
"What is it? Vinpocetine is an herbal supplement used to
treat
thinking and memory problems, such as Alzheimer's disease.
Other
names for Vinpocetine include: Ethyl apovincaminate, Ethyl
apovincaminoate, and vinca minor. Ask your doctor, nurse,
or
pharmacist if you need more information about this medicine or
if any
information in this leaflet concerns you..."
http://www.pdrhealth.com/drugs/altmed/altmed-mono.aspx?contentFileName=ame0376.xml&contentName=Vinpocetine&contentId=532
Vinpocetine
ThirdAge
Vinpocetine is a chemical derived from vincamine, a constituent
found
in the leaves of common periwinkle ( Vinca minor L.) as well as
the
seeds of various African plants. It is used as a treatment for
memory
loss and mental impairment.
Developed in Hungary over 20 years ago, vinpocetine is sold in
Europe
as a drug under the name Cavinton. In the United States it is
available
as a "dietary supplement," although the substance probably
doesn't fit
that category by any rational definition. Vinpocetine doesn't
exist to
any significant extent in nature. Producing it requires
significant
chemical work performed in the laboratory.
What Is Vinpocetine Used for Today?
Some evidence supports the idea that vinpocetine can enhance
memory and
mental function, especially in those with Alzheimer's disease
and
related conditions. It is also widely marketed for enhancing
memory in
healthy people, but there is no real evidence that it is helpful
for
this purpose.
It has been hypothesized that vinpocetine helps people with
Alzheimer’s
disease by enhancing blood flow in the brain, safeguarding brain
cells
against damage, and inhibiting a substance known as
phosphodiesterase.
1–3
Based on these proposed actions, vinpocetine has also been tried
as a
treatment for reducing brain damage following strokes .
What Is the Scientific Evidence for Vinpocetine?
Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Condtions (Dementia)
A 16-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 203
individuals
with mild to moderate dementia found significant benefit in the
treated
group. 4 Benefits have been seen in other studies as well. 5–10
However, a major review found that overall the evidence that it
works
remains too weak to rely upon, due to limitations in study
quality. 19
Strokes
In a single-blind , placebo-controlled trial, 30 individuals who
had
just experienced a stroke received either placebo or vinpocetine
along
with conventional treatment for 30 days. 11 The results showed
that
participants in the vinpocetine group experienced a
significantly
reduced level of residual disability as measured at 3 months.
A few other studies, some of poor design, also provide
suggestive
evidence that vinpocetine may be helpful for strokes.
12,16,17,20
However, much of the existing evidence is too preliminary to
rely on,18
and a recent review combining two relatively high quality
studies
involving 63 subjects was unable to determine whether or not
vinpocetine provided any benefit for stroke patients.21
Note: People who have had strokes are sometimes advised to take
blood
thinning drugs. There are concerns that vinpocetine may interact
adversely with some medications of this type. See Safety Issues
below.
Dosage
The usual dose of vinpocetine is 10-mg capsules 3 times per day,
although dosages ranging from half to twice that amount have
been used
in studies. Vinpocetine reportedly is better absorbed when taken
with a
meal. 13
Safety Issues
No serious side effects have been reported in any of the
clinical
trials. However, there is one case report of vinpocetine
apparently
causing agranulocytosis (loss of certain white blood cells). 15
Vinpocetine inhibits blood platelets from forming clots, 1 and
for this
reason it couldcause problems if it is taken by individuals with
bleeding problems, during the period immediately before or after
surgery or labor and delivery, or in combinationwith medications
or
natural substances that also affect platelet activity, such as
aspirin
, clopidogrel (Plavix), ticlopidine (Ticlid), pentoxifylline
(Trental),
garlic , ginkgo , policosanol , or high-dosage vitamin E .
The drug warfarin (Coumadin) affects blood clotting, but not
through
actions on platelets. One study found only a minimal interaction
between warfarin and vinpocetine, and interestingly, it was in
the
direction of decreased clotting. 14 Nonetheless, combination
therapy
with vinpocetine and warfarin should not be attempted except
under the
supervision of a physician.
Safety in pregnant or nursing women, young children, or those
with
severe liver or kidney disease has not been established.
Interactions You Should Know About
* Simultaneous use of vinpocetine with
blood-thinning drugs, such as aspirin , clopidogrel (Plavix),
ticlopidine (Ticlid), or pentoxifylline (Trental), might cause
bleeding
problems.
* It is also possible that simultaneous use
of
vinpocetine in combination with natural substances with
blood-thinning
properties, such as garlic , ginkgo , policosanol , or high-dose
vitamin E , might cause bleeding problems.
* Vinpocetine might impair the action of the
blood
thinning drug warfarin (Coumadin)
References
1. Kiss B, Karpati E. Mechanism of action of
vinpocetine
[in Hungarian; English abstract]. Acta Pharm Hung .
1996;66:213–214.
2. Miyazaki M. The effect of a cerebral vasodilator,
vinpocetine, on cerebral vascular resistance evaluated by the
Doppler
ultrasonic technique in patients with cerebrovascular diseases.
Angiology. 1995;46:53–58.
3. Bereczki D, Fekete I. A systematic review of
vinpocetine
therapy in acute ischaemic stroke. Eur J Clin Pharmacol.
1999;55:349–352.
4. Hindmarch I, Fuchs HH, Erzigkeit H. Efficacy and
tolerance of vinpocetine in ambulant patients suffering from
mild to
moderate organic psychosyndromes. Int Clin Psychopharmacol .
1991;6:31–43.
5. Balestreri R, Fontana L, Astengo F. A
double-blind
placebo controlled evaluation of the safety and efficacy of
vinpocetine
in the treatment of patients with chronic vascular senile
cerebral
dysfunction. J Am Geriatr Soc . 1987;35:425–430.
6. Dragunow M, Faull RL. Neuroprotective effects of
adenosine. Trends Pharmacol Sci . 1988;9:193–194.
7. Fenzl E, Apecechea M, Schaltenbrand R, et al.
Efficacy
and tolerance of vinpocetine administered intravenously, in
addition of
standard therapy, to patients suffering from an apoplectic
insult. In:
Krieglstein J, ed. Pharmacology of Cerebral Ischemia:
Proceedings of
the International Symposium on Pharmacology of Cerebral
Ischemia. New
York, NY: Elsevier Science Publishers; 1986:430–434.
8. Manconi E, Binaghi F, Pitzus F. A double-blind
clinical
trial of vinpocetine in the treatment of cerebral insufficiency
of
vascular and degenrative origin. Curr Ther Res Clin Exp .
1986;30:702–709. Cited by: Hindmarch I, Fuchs HH, Erzigkeit H.
Efficacy
and tolerance of vinpocetine in ambulant patients suffering from
mild
to moderate organic psychosyndromes. Int Clin Psychopharmacol .
1991;6:31–43.
9. Peruzza M, DeJacobis M. A double-blind placebo
controlled evaluation of the efficacy and safety of vinpocetine
in the
treatment of patients with chronic vascular or degenerative
senile
cerebral dysfunction. Adv Ther .1986;3:201–209. Cited by:
Hindmarch I,
Fuchs HH, Erzigkeit H. Efficacy and tolerance of vinpocetine in
ambulant patients suffering from mild to moderate organic
psychosyndromes. Int Clin Psychopharmacol . 1991;6:31–43.
10. Blaha L, Erzigkeit H, Adamczyk A, et al.
Clinical
evidence of the effectiveness of vinpocetine in the treatment of
organic psychosyndrome. Hum Psychopharmacol. 1989;4:103–111.
Cited by:
Hindmarch I, Fuchs HH, Erzigkeit H. Efficacy and tolerance of
vinpocetine in ambulant patients suffering from mild to moderate
organic psychosyndromes. Int Clin Psychopharmacol .
1991;6:31–43.
11. Feigin VL, Doronin BM, Popova TF, et al.
Vinpocetine
treatment in acute ischaemic stroke: a pilot single-blind
randomized
clinical trial. Eur J Neurol. 2001;8:81–85.
12. Bereczki D, Fekete I. A systematic review of
vinpocetine therapy in acute ischaemic stroke. Eur J Clin
Pharmacol.
1999;55:349–352.
13. Lohmann A, Dingler E, Sommer W, et al.
Bioavailability
of vinpocetine and interference of the time of application with
food
intake. Arzneimittelforschung . 1992;42:914–917.
14. Hitzenberger G, Sommer W, Grandt R. Influence of
vinpocetine on warfarin-induced inhibition of coagulation. Int J
Clin
Pharmacol Ther Toxicol . 1990;28:323–328.
15. Shimizu Y, Saitoh K, Nakayama M, et al.
Agranulocytosis
induced by vinpocetine. Medicine Online [serial online].
Available at:
http://www.priory.com/med/vinpocetine.htm . Accessed July 20,
2002.
16. Feigin VL, Doronin BM, Popova TF, Gribatcheva
EV,
Tchervov DV. Vinpocetine treatment in acute ischaemic stroke: a
pilot
single-blind randomized clinical trial. Eur J Neurol.
2001;8(1):81-85.
17. Bonoczk P, Panczel G, Nagy Z. Vinpocetine
increases
cerebral blood flow and oxygenation in stroke patients: a near
infrared
spectroscopy and transcranial Doppler study. Eur J Ultrasound.
2002;15(1-2):85-91.
18. Bereczki D, Fekete I. Vinpocetine for acute
ischaemic
stroke (Cochrane Review). In The Cochrane Library , Issue 2,
2000.
Oxford, England: Update Software. Updated quarterly.
19. Szatmari SZ, Whitehouse PJ. Vinpocetine for
cognitive
impairment and dementia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev .
2003;(1):CD003119
20. Szilagyi G, Nagy Z, Balkay L et al. Effects of
vinpocetine on the redistribution of cerebral blood flow and
glucose
metabolism in chronic ischemic stroke patients: a PET study. J
Neurol
Sci . 2005;229-230:275-84.
21. Bereczki D, Fekete I. Vinpocetine for acute
ischaemic
stroke. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Jan 23;(1):CD000480.
http://www.thirdage.com/healthguide/vinpocetine
Lack of Efficacy of
Vinpocetine in
Vascular Dementia
by B. Robertsson, A. Wallin, A.L. Nyth, C.G. Gottfries, K.
Blennow
Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, University of
Göteborg, Sweden
Dementia 1990;1:316-322 (DOI: 10.1159/000107159)
Abstract:
Twenty-two patients suffering from mild to moderate dementia of
vascular origin were treated with vinpocetine, 30 mg/day during
16
weeks, in an open pilot study. Response to treatment was
assessed with
the Gottfries-Brĺne-Steen geriatric rating scale and
psychometric
tests. Effects on concentrations of neurotransmitters in the
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and on the blood-brain barrier
function were
also studied. According to the ratings and tests, the only
noticeable
improvement was reduced fear/panic. This improvement may very
well be
attributable to increased care of the patients during the study.
The
drug did not influence the monoamine metabolites in the CSF or
the
blood-brain barrier function. On the basis of these results we
conclude
that vinpocetine has no effect on patients suffering from mild
to
moderate dementia of vascular origin.
http://content.karger.com/ProdukteDB/produkte.asp?Doi=107159
Oh... and this rather interesting article from "Neurology India"
was in
that folder. Not really realted to vinpocetine, but it is
interesting. Note the very low incidence of AD in
India. Is
it genetic or diet? Curcumin has been shown to have
anti-amyloid
and anti-inflammatory properties and is an iron and copper
chelator. It is abundant in the cury spice tumeric.
Coconut
products are also used in India cusine, I think (MCT oils?)...
Some observations on the
spectrum of
dementia
Abstract:
A study was designed to generate epidemiological and clinical
data on
dementia, in a teaching hospital in India. It was conducted on
124 (94
male and 30 female) elderly patients (aged more than 60 years)
presenting with clinical syndrome of dementia (DSM-3). Their age
range
was 64-78 (mean 65.7 4.1) years. Detailed clinical, biochemical,
radiological and electrophysiological evaluation was done to
establish
etiology. Patients with psychiatric ailments, cranial trauma and
tumors
were excluded. The study period was 4.2 years. Multi-infarct
dementia
(MID) was observed to be commonest cause of dementia and was
present in
59 (47.6%) cases. There were 10 (8%) patients each of
tuberculosis (TB)
and neurocysticercosis (NCC). Alcohol-related dementia was
present in
13 (10.5%), while malnutrition (Vitamin B12 deficiency) was
present in
9 (7.2%). Alzheimer's Disease (AD) was present (NINCDS-ADRDA
criteria)
in 6 patients (4.8%). There were 3 (2.4%) cases 1 each of
Huntington's
disease, Parkinson's and Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus and 2
each of
diabetes, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and Creutzfeldt' Jakob
Disease. We conclude that AD, which is irreversible and common
in the
west, is relatively uncommon in India as compared to MID,
infections
and malnutrition, which are potentially treatable.
http://www.neurologyindia.com/article.asp?issn=0028-3886;year=2004;volume=52;issue=2;spage=213;epage=214;aulast=Jha
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Updated: July 2, 2012
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