SagaMedica's peer-reviewed studies on herbs

Here you may find a selection of studies, which were performed by our research team and their colleagues. These studies have been published in respected scientific journals.

Cancer related studies

Our scientist have conducted numerous studies on the effects of herbal extracts on cancer. These studies provide interesting information, which center on interesting topics in cancer research. Findings from these studies are not to be viewed as indication of clinical usefulness. 

Studies on essential oils of Icelandic Angelica archangelica seeds and Achillea millefolium. Their efficacy regarding the growth of cancer cells.

Both cases showed great variability. Findings regarding Angelica archangelica seeds have been published (along with findings regarding their activity on cancer cells) Considerable activity was found in the essential oils of Icelandic Angelica archangelica. These findings (along with findings regarding the chemical structure of the essential oils in question) have been published in: Sigurdsson S, Ogmundsdottir HM, and Gudbjarnason S (2005) The cytotoxic effect of two chemotypes of essential oils from the fruits of Angelica archangelica L. Anticancer Res 25(3B): 1877-80

Studies on the activity of a tincture (extract with 45% ethanol) from seeds of the Icelandic Angelica archangelica on cancer cells.

Activity of furanocoumarins xanthotoxin and imperatorin was also studied. Findings revealed considerable activity in the tincture and with imperatorin and xanthotoxin (50% reduction in cancer cell proliferation was observed at 2,7 and 3,7 µg/ml). Comparative analysis indicated that activity in the tincture could be solely traced to furanocoumarins. These findings have been published in: Sigurdsson S, Ogmundsdottir HM, and Gudbjarnason S (2004) Antiproliferative effect of Angelica archangelica fruits. Z Naturforsch 59c(7-8):523-7

Research into the effects of infusions from leaves of the Icelandic Angelica archangelica in murine mammary cancer tumours.

Water soluble contents of Icelandic Angelica archangelica leaves had suppressing effects on mice injected subcutaneously with Crl-cancer cells. Tumour formation was registered in all mice in the control group. Nine of the eleven mice, which received the infusion, had no tumour formation or developed smaller tumours than the smallest tumour of the control group. These findings have been published in: Sigurdsson S, Ogmundsdottir HM, Hallgrimsson J, and Gudbjarnason S (2005) Antitumour activity of Angelica archangelica leaf extract. In Vivo 19(1):191-4

Neurotransmitter related study

Bioactive compounds in herbs may show inhibitory effects. The following enzyme inhibition may be useful for preventing dementia.

Study into the activity of enzyme acetylcholinesterase.

Significant inhibitory effects of herbal extracts on the activity of acetylcholinesterase was found in seeds of the Icelandic Angelica archangelica and in Geranium sylvaticum. The herbs had synergistic or compounding effects, meaning that a mixture of the two was more active than the sum of the two individual constituents. These findings have been published in: Sigurdsson S and Gudbjarnason S (2007) Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by extracts and constituents from Angelica archangelica and Geranium sylvaticum. Z Naturforsch 62c: 689-693