Cranberry juice-- a well-characterized folk-remedy against bacterial urinary tract infection.
Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) is a North-American folk remedy for treating and preventing infection. Research has identified an anti-adhesive mechanism of cranberry-proanthocyanidins that inhibit docking of bacteria on tissues "in vitro". This efficacy mechanism can be traced in the patient's urine following oral intake of cranberry juice. The efficacy of cranberry juice and extracts as a prophylactic agent against recurrent urinary infections is well documented in women. The anti-adhesion effect of cranberry-proanthocyandins can also be applied for treatment of other common diseases of bacterial pathogenesis, e.g. Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis and dental caries/periodontal disease.
Nowack
Rainer
R
Dialysis-Center Lindau, Lindau, Germany. nowack@dialyse-lindau.de
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005756:Gastritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D008875:Middle Aged; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D008517:Phytotherapy; D044945:Proanthocyanidins / Q000032:analysis; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012008:Recurrence; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D029799:Vaccinium macrocarpon / Q000737:chemistry
D000975:Antioxidants; D044945:Proanthocyanidins; C013221:proanthocyanidin
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