Gastro-D Complex

Gastro-D Complex is comprised of eight synergistic ingredients, including Mastic Gum, which may help to protect the gastric mucosa; Safflower Tops may help to provide additional support against H. Pylori infestation, especially for blood type O non-secretors; Bentonite Clay assists in attracting and soaking up environmental toxins; the inner bark rind of Slippery Elm protects the GI tract from excess acidity; and Bismuth helps protect the lining of the stomach from stomach acid.

Gastro-D Complex comprises eight synergistic ingredients.

Mastic Gum (from Pistacia lentiscus). The applicable part of mastic is the resin. Mastic tree contains resins including the triterpenes mastic acid, isomastic acid, oleanolic acid, and tirucallol. It also contains a volatile oil containing alpha-pinene as a constituent. The volatile oil and the resin are both thought to have astringent and aromatic effects. (1) For prevention of gastric and duodenal ulcers, some researchers think mastic might have anti-secretory and possibly cytoprotective effects. Animal models show that it seems to help protect the gastric mucosa during aspirin, phenylbutazone, or reserpine therapy. (2) This effect has not yet been found in humans. There is some in vitro evidence that mastic extract has antimicrobial and antifungal activity (3). There is also preliminary evidence that mastic might have hypotensive and antioxidant effects (4).

Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (from Glycyrrhiza glabra) Licorice root. The two major constituents of licorice are glycyrrhizin and flavonoids. According to test tube studies, glycyrrhizin has anti-inflammatory actions and may inhibit the breakdown of the cortisol produced by the body. (17,18) Licorice may also have antiviral properties, although this has not been proven in human pharmacological studies. Licorice flavonoids, as well as the closely related chalcones, help heal digestive tract cells. They are also potent antioxidants and work to protect liver cells. In test tubes, the flavonoids have been shown to kill Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria that causes most ulcers and stomach inflammation. (19)

However, it is unclear whether this action applies to the use of oral licorice for the treatment of ulcers in humans. A preliminary trial found that while the acid-blocking drug cimetidine (Tagamet®) led to quicker symptom relief, chewable deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) tablets were just as effective at healing and maintaining the healing of stomach ulcers. (20)

Chewable DGL may also be helpful in treating ulcers of the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine. (21, 22) One preliminary human trial has found DGL used as a mouthwash was effective in quickening the healing of canker sores. (23)

• Based on experimental evidence, it is thought that DGL can stimulate or accelerate the production of the mucus producing cells in the stomach and increase the formation and secretion of the mucus needed to protect the stomach from the over-production of acid.
• DGL has been shown to have the ability to protect stomach and intestinal cells from the irritation associated with aspirin. When DGL is administered concurrently with aspirin it has been shown to reduce aspirin-induced fecal blood loss.
• DGL is also capable of promoting the normalization of tissue in individuals with aphthous ulcers (canker sores).

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorios) Tops.  Five interesting abstracts from the National Library of Medicine’s PubMed, when taken in total, present intriguing information on the components of safflower tops and the effects of these components. Safflower tops also provide one of the very few natural sources of free Lewis A type antigen for anti-adhesive effects against H. pylori.

Slippery Elm (Ulmus fulva) bark.  The applicable part of slippery elm is the inner bark rind. The mucilages are considered the principal constituent. They are responsible for slippery elm’s demulcent and emollient effects. (5,1) Used internally, slippery elm preparations cause reflex stimulation of nerve endings in the GI tract, leading to mucous secretion. (6) This induced mucous may protect the GI tract against ulcers and excess acidity. Tannin constituents have astringent properties. (5) Oleoresins of some species are responsible for contact dermatitis. (6)

Guava Leaf (Psidium guajava).  Guava has been used as traditional medicine for hundreds of years for treatment of diarrhea and other gastrointestinal diseases. It has been shown to be antifungal to Candida albicans, Candida krusei, and Candida glabrata. It was also shown to have antibacterial properties to the gram-positve bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and the gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (28).

Bismuth (as Bismuth Citrate).  This is a combination of bismuth, a heavy reddish-white crystalline metallic element and citric acid. In vitro, bismuth-containing compounds have bactericidal activity against the microorganism H. pylori. In vivo, growth is inhibited and the bactericidal effects of antibiotics (e.g. clarithromycin) greatly enhanced. Bismuth acts at the site of the ulcer by coating the ulcer and protecting it from the stomach acid.

Cranesbill (Geranium maculatum) Root.  Cranesbill is an effective astringent used in diarrhea, dysentery and hemorrhoids. When bleeding accompanies duodenal or gastric ulceration, this remedy is used in combination with other relevant herbs. Where blood is lost in the feces, this herb will help, though careful diagnosis is vital. It may be used where excessive blood loss during menstruation (menorrhagia) or a uterine hemorrhage (metrorrhagia) occur. As a douche it can be used in leucorrhoea.

Seaweed Kelp Whole Plant aka Bladderwrack (from Fucus vesiculosis). The applicable part of bladderwrack is the entire plant. Bladderwrack is a brown alga (seaweed). Bladderwrack contains high concentrations of iodine, which is present in varying amounts. Bladderwrack is also a source of nutrients such as fiber, minerals such as iron, and vitamin B12. (7)

Preliminary clinical research suggests bladderwrack might extend the menstrual cycle and have anti-estrogenic effects in premenopausal women. It may also increase progesterone levels. (8) Preliminary research suggests that extracts of bladderwrack also might have antibacterial, anti- HIV and antioxidant activity. (9,10,11)

• Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide derivative of bladderwrack, seems to be active against a variety of viruses including the herpes virus, HIV and cytomegalovirus. (12) Fucoidan also seems to stimulate the activity of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta to increase fibroblast proliferation, which suggests it might be useful for treatment of wound healing. (13) Preliminary research also suggests that fucoidan also has anticoagulant, fibrinolytic and antiplatelet adhesion effects. (14) Other preliminary research suggests that it might have antiangiogenic and antitumor activity. (15) Preliminary clinical research suggests topical administration of bladderwrack extract might reduce skin thickness and other signs of aging. (16)

Mastic gum helps support the prevention and healing of gastric and duodenal ulcers.

The lentiscus resin in mastic gum has been shown to induce blebbing, morphological abnormalities and cellular fragmentation in H. pylori cells.

Safflower tops help provide additional support for non-secretors (particularly O blood type non-secretors) against H. pylori infestation, to which they are typically more sensitive than are secretors.

Slippery elm preparations cause reflex stimulation of nerve endings in the GI tract, leading to mucous secretion. (7) This induced mucous may protect the GI tract against ulcers and excess acidity.

In vitro, bismuth-containing compounds have bactericidal activity against the microorganism H. pylori. In vivo, growth is inhibited and the bactericidal effects of antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin) greatly enhanced. Bismuth acts at the site of the ulcer by coating the ulcer and protecting it from the stomach acid.

Cranesbill has traditionally been used in combination with other relevant herbs when bleeding accompanies duodenal or gastric ulceration.

Bladderwrack contains the sugar fucose, which acts as a decoy mechanism for H. pylori. The polysaccharide fucoidin in bladderwrack also serves to inhibit the growth of many unfriendly viruses and bacteria including H. pylori.

Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL) has been shown to stimulate or accelerate the production of the mucus producing cells in the stomach and increase the formation and secretion of the mucus needed to protect the stomach from the over-production of acid. DGL has been shown to have the ability to protect stomach and intestinal cells from the irritation associated with aspirin. When DGL is administered concurrently with aspirin it has been shown to reduce aspirin-induced faecal blood loss.

The bismuth in the formula will often tinge the stool a grey-green color and the patient should be advised of this possibility.

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