Celery Seed Extract

written by Dr. Michael T. Murray

Celery Extract

Celery is a member of the Umbelliferous family along with carrots, parsley, and fennel. The modern celery originated from wild celery native to the Mediterranean where its seeds were once highly valued as a medicine. Like many other folk medicines, modern research is upholding the medicinal value of this common plant. In particular, scientists are evaluating the most powerful of the healing factors of celery, a compound known as 3-nbutylphthalide or 3nB for short.

What is 3nB?

3nB is a compound that is unique to celery and is responsible for the characteristic flavor and odor of celery. 3nb was discovered as the active component of celery in response to investigations by researchers seeking to explain some of the medicinal effects of celery including the lowering of blood pressure and the relief of arthritis. 3nB first drew significant scientific attention when researchers at the University of Chicago Medical Center identified it as the factor in celery responsible for the blood pressure lowering effect of celery.1 The research was prompted by one of the researcher's father, who after eating a quarter-pound of celery every day for one week observed his blood pressure dropped from 158 over 96 to a normal reading of 118 over 82. Subsequent animal studies found that a very small amount of 3nB lowered blood pressure by 12 to 14% and also lowered cholesterol by about 7%.

How does 3nB lower blood pressure?

The blood pressure lowering effect of 3nB appears to be a result of several effects. First of all, let me explain exactly what blood pressure refers to. It refers to the force with which your blood flows through the vessels. High blood pressure is usually the result of too much fluid there is in your blood and how flexible or resistant your blood vessels are. Retention of sodium (salt) leads to increase fluid volume in the blood while hardening of the arteries and the hormones released during stress lead to loss of flexibility or constriction of blood flow. If you put your thumb over a garden hose, the pressure against your thumb and the resultant pressure of the flow of water out of the hose can be reduced by either turning down the faucet (reducing the fluid volume) or by letting more water flow out the end of the hose (dilating the vessel). In treating high blood pressure, doctors usually prescribed diuretics (water pills) to reduce the fluid volume and vasodilators to relax the arteries to reduce the resistance of blood flow or beta-blockers to turn down the pumping action of the heart. 3nB appears to help lower blood pressure by both acting as a diuretic and vasodilator through impacting the production of prostaglandins (discussed below) as well as acting in a similar manner to drugs known as calciumchannel blockers.² 3nB has also been shown to lower blood cholesterol levels and reduce the formation of arterial plaque in experimental studies (animal and test tube studies).^3,4 This effect may increase the elasticity of the blood vessels and also lead to lower blood pressure readings. 3nB also appears to promote some effects on areas and systems of the brain that control vascular resistance.

The benefit of celery extract in high blood pressure is its apparent safety and the fact that it has a very unusual mechanism of action as a diuretic. Most diuretics change the ratio of sodium to potassium in the blood and as a result dangerous side effects can occur as a result of either too much potassium or sodium. In contrast, celery extract acts as a diuretic but does not alter the ratio of sodium to potassium in the blood. The research on the blood pressure lowering effect of celery and celery extracts is quite preliminary, but I think it is certainly worth the effort to give it a try as some people have noted significant reductions. What research will probably show is that some people with high blood pressure will respond to celery extract while others will not. This occurrence is not unusual as physicians treating high blood pressure will tell you that there is a similar phenomena with conventional drugs used in high blood pressure.

Another real advantage of celery extract over conventional drugs used in high blood pressure is that the drugs lower blood flow to the brain. While this effect is helpful in reducing the likelihood of stroke, it often leaves people taking these drugs feeling tired, depressed, dizzy, and forgetful. Celery extract on the other hand has actually been shown to not only help prevent stroke in animal studies, but also improve blood flow as well and act to protect the brain and enhance energy production with the brain in a similar manner to Ginkgo biloba extract.^5-8 It has produced dramatic recovery in neurological and brain function in animals in studies that simulate a stroke.^6-10 It has also been shown to significantly increase lifespan in animal studies.¹¹

What other effects have been noted with 3nB?

3nB has shown tremendous promise as an anticancer phytonutrient and detoxification aid in an experimental animal model,¹² but it is its use as a pain reliever in arthritis, fibromyalgia, and gout that is getting most of the attention.

A celery extract standardized to contain 85% 3nB and other celery phthalides has been evaluated in the treatment of "rheumatism" – the general term used for arthritic and muscular aches and pain.13,14 In these studies efficacy was evaluated by well-established clinical protocols used to measure the effectiveness of conventional drugs used in arthritis and muscular pain. This protocol allows objective measures of clinical pain that can be assessed statistically and for individual comparisons. Due to the chronic, fluctuating nature of rheumatism, the design of the study was a longitudinal study. This sort of study compares the results achieved when using the active substance to a time when it is not used.

During the active phase of the 12-week study, the 15 subjects suffering from either osteoarthritis, osteoporosis or gout received 34 mg of a proprietary celery extract standardized to contain 85% phthalides twice daily. The pain had been present for approximately 10 years in a remittent or continual form and it led to a lack of joint mobility and pain that prevented the carrying out of household duties, hobbies and activities involved in employment of these subjects. The results of the study were extremely positive and quite statistically significant. The chance that such a positive effect in reducing pain in these subjects was a placebo effect was less than 1 in 1000. Subjects experienced significant pain relief after 3 weeks of use with the average reduction in pain scores of 68% and some subjects experiencing complete 100% relief from pain. Most subjects achieved maximum benefit after six weeks of use although some did notice improvements the longer the extract was used. Detailed blood chemistry as well as clinical evaluation in these test subjects did not turn up any side effects. Many subjects noticed a diuretic effect, but no changes were noted in the sodium and potassium balance (the significance of this effect was discussed above).

Based on the positive results in this small pilot study, a larger 70 patient study was conducted. Test subjects received 75 mg of the celery extract twice daily for three weeks. At this higher dosage, subjects reported even better results than in the pilot study. Statistically and clinically significant reductions were noted in pain scores, mobility, and quality of life. Again no side effects were noted other than the diuretic effect with no changes in the sodium and potassium balance. It appears to be particularly helpful for sufferers of gout as 3nB appears to lower the production of uric acid by inhibiting the enzyme xanthine oxidase.¹⁵

What is the proper dosage and are their any side effects?

Over 100,000 people in Australia have now used this proprietary celery seed extract standardized at 85% phthalides without any reports of side effects. The current recommendations for joint and muscle complaints based on the information now available from trials as well as clinical experience are the following (based upon using a celery seed extract standardized to contain 85% 3nB and other phthalides):

• For the relief of join and muscle pain (includ ing pain due to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia): one tablet two to three times daily.
• For gout: two tablets twice daily. NOTE: The initial blood uric acid measurements may increase in people with gout as uric acid crystals begin to dissolve.

Do you have to take the celery extract continuously to maintain benefits in relieving joint and muscle pain?

Yes. Results from the studies conducted to date indicate that as long as the celery extract is used it keeps pain at bay. But, if it is stopped the pain tends to recur.

How much celery or celery extract should I take for high blood pressure?

My recommendation is to either consume 8 ribs of celery per day or take a celery extract standardized to contain 85% 3nB and other celery phthalides at a dosage of 75 to 150 mg twice daily.

Can I take celery extract with conventional anti-inflammatory drugs?

Yes. There does not seem to be any adverse interactions with conventional drugs.

Are there any contraindications?

Since the effects of celery extract have not been evaluated for safety in pregnancy, it is generally recommended that it not be used during pregnancy or lactation. No other contraindications are presently known. I would advise individuals taking the drug Coumadin (warfarin) to be closely monitored by their physician when starting to use celery extract. It is just a precautionary recommendation.

How does 3nB work to produce all of these benefits?

Based upon al of the existing research it is clear that 3nB exerts a profound effect on many of the body’s control systems. Chief among them the prostaglandin system. Prostaglandins are chemicals that mediate or control many important body processes including regulating inflammation, pain, and swelling; blood pressure; and heart, digestive, and kidney function as well. Some of the effects noted for 3nB on the prostaglandin system are quite unique and novel. Rather than simply inhibiting the production of prostaglandins by blocking enzymes that produce them like aspirin or even the more expensive and selective Cox-2 inhibitors, 3nB appears to help restore balance in the prostaglandin system.¹⁶ Exactly how it accomplishes this effect is still a mystery. Drug companies are researching the unique effects of 3nB in order to develop drugs that can be patented and sold for a huge profit. It does not look like that line of research is necessary, however.

References:

1. Le QT and Elliott WJ: Hypotensive and hypocholesterolemic effects of celery oil may be due to BuPh. Clin Res 1991;39:173A.
2. Tsi D and Tan BKH: Cardiovascular pharmacology of 3-n-butylphthalide in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Phytotherapy Research 1997;11:576-82.
3. Le QT and Elliott WJ: Dose-response relationship of blood pressure and serum cholesterol to 3-n-butylphthalide, a component of celery oil. Clin Res 1991;39:750A.
4. Mimura Y, Kobayashi S, Naitoh T, Kimura I and Kimura M:The structure-activity relationship between synthetic butylidenephthalide derivatives regarding the competence and progression of inhibition in primary cultures proliferation of mouse aorta smooth muscle cells. Biol Pharm Bull 1995;18:1203-6.
5. Yu SR, Gao NN, Li LL,Wang ZY, Chen Y and Wang WN:The protective effect of 3-butyl phthalide on rat brain cells.Yao Hsueh Hsueh Pao 1988;23:656-61.
6. Chong ZZ and Feng YP: dl-3-n-butylphthalide improves regional cerebral blood flow after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage in rats. Chung Kuo Yao Li Hsueh Pao 1999;20:509-12.
7. Chong ZZ and Feng YP: dl-3-n-butylphthalide attenuates reperfusion-induced blood-brain barrier damage after focal cerebral ischemia in rats. Chung Kuo Yao Li Hsueh Pao 1999;20:696-700.
8. Yan CH, Feng YP and Zhang JT: Effects of dl-3-n-butylphthalide on regional cerebral blood flow in right middle cerebral artery occlusion rats. Chung Kuo Yao Li Hsueh Pao 1998;19:117-20.
9. Lin JF and Feng YP: Effect of dl-3-n-butylphthalide on delayed neuronal damage after focal cerebral ischemia and intrasynaptosomes calcium in rats.Yao Hsueh Hsueh Pao 1996;31:166-70.
10. Liu XG and Feng YP: Protective effect of dl-3-n-butylphthalide on ischemic neurological damage and abnormal behavior in rats subjected to focal ischemia.Yao Hsueh Hsueh Pao 1995;30:896-903.
11. Zhang LY and Feng YP: Effect of dl-3-n-butylphthalide (NBP) on life span and neurological deficit in SHRsp rats.Yao Hsueh Hsueh Pao 1996;31:18-23.
12. Zheng G, Kenney PM, Zhang J and Lam KT: Chemoprevention of benzopyrene-induced forestomach cancer in mice by natural phthalides from celery oil. Nutr Cancer 1993;19:77-86.
13. Soundararajan S and Daunter B: Ajvine: Pilot biomedical study for pain relief in rheumatic pain. School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 1991-92.
14. Venkat S, Soundararajan S, Daunter B and Madhusudhan S. Use of Ayurvedic medicine in the treatment of rheumatic illness. Department of Orthopaedics, Kovai Medical Center and Hospitals, Coimbatore, India, 1995.
15. Hu D, Huang XX and Feng YP: Effect of dl-3-n-butylphthalide (NBP) on purine metabolites in striatum extracellular fluid in four-vessel occlusion rats.Yao Hsueh Hsueh Pao 1996;31:13-7
16. Chong ZZ and Feng YP: Effects of dl-3-n-butylphthalide on production of TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in rat brain during focal cerebral ischemia and reperfusion. Chung Kuo Yao Li Hsueh Pao 1997;18:505-8.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.