Cartilage

General Information about Shark CartilageBovine (cow) cartilage and shark cartilage have been investigated as treatments for people with cancer, psoriasis,  arthritis, and a number of other medical conditions for more than 30 years.[1-13] Reviewed in [14-20] At least some of the interest in cartilage as a treatment for people with cancer arose from the mistaken belief that sharks, whose skeletons are made primarily of cartilage, are not affected by this disease. Reviewed in [16,21,22] Although reports of malignant tumors in sharks are rare, a variety of cancers have been detected in these animals. Reviewed in [21-24]
Nonetheless, several substances that have antitumor activity have been identified in cartilage.[25-47] Reviewed in [2-4,7,15-20,46,48-50] More than half a dozen clinical studies of cartilage as a treatment for people with cancer have already been conducted.[2-4,7-9,50,51] Reviewed in [6,15-19] Additional clinical studies, MDA-ID-99303 and AETERNA-AE-MM-00-02 have been completed. Reviewed in [6,15,51]

The absence of blood vessels in cartilage led to the hypothesis that cartilage cells (also known as chondrocytes) produce one or more substances that inhibit blood vessel formation. Reviewed in [28-31,36,37,49] The formation of new blood vessels or angiogenesis is necessary for tumors to grow larger than a few millimeters in diameter (i.e., larger than approximately 100,000 to 1,000,000 cells) because tumors, like normal tissues, must obtain most of their oxygen and nutrients from blood. Reviewed in [34,35,42,52-55] A developing tumor, therefore, cannot continue to grow unless it establishes connections to the circulatory system of its host. It has been reported that tumors can
initiate the process of angiogenesis when they contain as few as 100 cells.[54] Inhibition of angiogenesis at this early stage may, in some instances, lead to complete tumor regression.[54] The possibility that cartilage could be a source of one or more types of angiogenesis inhibitors for the treatment of cancer has prompted much research.

The major structural components of cartilage include several types of the protein collagen and several types of glycosaminoglycans, which are polysaccharides. Reviewed in [20,30,31,40,49,55,56] Chondroitin sulfate is the major glycosaminoglycan in cartilage. Reviewed in [40,55] Although there is no evidence that the collagens in cartilage, or their breakdown products, can inhibit angiogenesis, there is evidence that shark cartilage contains at least one angiogenesis inhibitor that has a glycosaminoglycan component (refer to the Laboratory/Animal/Preclinical Studies
section of this summary for more information).[47] Other data indicate that most of the antiangiogenic activity in cartilage is not associated with the major structural components. Reviewed in [27,31,49]

Some glycosaminoglycans in cartilage reportedly have anti-inflammatory and immune-system -stimulating properties,[57,58] Reviewed in [1,2,14,16] and it has been suggested that either they or some of their breakdown products are toxic to tumor cells.[25] Reviewed in [2,3] Thus, the antitumor potential of cartilage may involve more than one mechanism of action.

RHODIOLA

RESEARCHER'S NOTES ON RHODIOLA BENEFITS

BRAIN ISSUESRhodiola rosea may benefit people from brain damage. Rhodiola Rosea Extract prevented ischemic brain damage development in a study. [A1] Rhodiola rosea works as an adaptogen and may benefits on cognitive functions. The stimulating and normalizing effect of 20-day adminstration of Rhodiola rosea extract SHR-5 in foreign students gave a significant result during a stressful examination period.[A2]
CancerRhodiola rosea may benefit people suffered from cancers. Rhodiola rosea extracts potentiated the antitumor and antimetastatic effects of cyclophosphan in mice inoculated with metastasing Lewis lung carcinoma. [A3] Rhodiola rosea extracts are anti-mutagens due to ability to raise the efficiency of the intracell DNA repair mechanisms. [A4] Oral administration of Rhodiola rosea extract to a small group of patents with superficial bladder carcinoma improved the characteristics of the urothelial tissue integration, parameters of leukocyte integrins and T-cell immunity. [A5]
High Altitude Sickness, Hpoxia and EnduranceRhodiola rosea may benefit people suffered from high altitude sickness. Rhodiola rosea has been used to stimulate the nervous system and fatigue for centuries in Eastern Europe and Asia. Rhodiola rosea may also benefit people with hypoxia. The effects of  Rhodiola on hypoxia and oxidative stress at a simulated altitude of 4600 m, using 15 volunteers were studied. Rhodiola rosea appeared not to increase oxidative stress and may decrease free radical formation after hypoxic exposure compared with the control. [A9]

The effect of acute and 4-week Rhodiola rosea intake on physical capacity, muscle strength, speed of limb movement, reaction time, and attention was investigated. Acute Rhodiola rosea intake could improve endurance exercise capacity in young healthy volunteers. [A6] The effects of oral treatment with extracts from Rhodiola rosea (dosage 50 mg/kg) and Rhodiola crenulata (dosage 50 mg/kg) roots on the duration of exhaustive swimming and ATP content in mitochondria of skeletal muscles was studied in rats. Rhodiola rosea extract activated the synthesis or resynthesis of ATP in mitochondria and stimulated reparative energy processes after intense exercise. [A7] The effect of repeated low-dose treatment with a standardized extract SHR/5 of rhizome Rhodiola rosea L, on fatigue during night duty among a group of physicians was investigated. There was a statistically significant improvement in these tests in the treatment group. Side-effect was not observed. Rhodiola rosea L could reduce general fatigue under certain stressful conditions. [A8] 

Thus, Rhodiola rosea is very likely to have benefits on endurance and/or mental capability.