Description
A very potent plant-based formula created to support cardio- and cerebrovascular health.*
Our NO MAXX™ formula is*:
- A combination of potent botanical extracts supporting healthy levels of endothelial nitric oxide (NO), in turn supporting a healthy state of blood vessels in the heart and the brain [4,6,8,11]*.
- A potent cardioprotective herbal combination assisting the reduction of cardiovascular oxidative stress [2,7,9]*
- Designed to be supportive of cerebrovascular health in stroke prevention [4]*; and
- Aimed to assist healthy cognition via inhibition of the Acetylcholinesterase enzyme [1]*
What Does Our NO MAXX™ Formula Contain?
Our NO MAXX™ consists of four main ingredients:
- Salvia miltiorrhiza radix – 100mg
- Prunella spica – 250mg
- Ziziphus jujuba – 50mg
- Notoginseng radix – 100mg
Like our other nutraceuticals, our NO MAXX™ formula is free from allergens such as gluten, soy, fish, lactose, milk, meat and wheat.
What Is the Recommended Daily Dosage?
We recommend 1 capsule per day or as advised by your healthcare professional. It can be consumed with meals.
What Does the Science Say?
Salvia miltiorrhiza
The root of Salvia miltiorrhiza (referred to as “Danshen”) has been used for hundreds of years in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases in Traditional Chinese Medicine (in particular heart diseases and ischemic stroke). It is regarded as an “activation circulation dispersing stasis or sludging of blood”-type-of-herb. In TCRM, Danshen is the single most frequently prescribed herb for hypertension.
Modern research has shown that Salvia miltiorrhiza exhibits strong antioxidant activity by scavenging ROS [2], inhibits platelet aggregation and protects endothelial cells against homocysteine-induced endothelial dysfunction [3].
Animal studies have suggested Salvia’s Tan II A (one of it’s active substances) elicits a strong vasodilatory effect in coronary arterioles, an effect similar to increasing NO [4, 6].
Studies have also shown that Salvia could assist patients with diabetes as tanshinones (active substance in Salvia) are isulin sensitizers. Furthermore, they were in animal studies shown to attenuate insulin resistance through increased activity of catalase, MnSOD and glutathione peroxidase [5].
Salvia militorrhiza was also shown to inhibit the enzyme responsible for Acetylcholine degradation (one of many factors responsible for cognitive decline in old age), thus instead maintaining its higher levels. This in turn helps memory and cognition [1].
Danshen was found to increase eNOS promoter activity (eNOSmRNA protein expression), as well as endothelial NO production. It’s extract was shown to contain a high level of poly phenolic compounds with anti-oxidative properties. This could prevent BH4 oxidation and eNOS un-coupling [8].
Prunella spica
Prunella spica (also known as Prunella vulgaris) figures in Traditional Chinese Medicine as well as in Western herbal medicine. In the West, the plant has been primarily used as a remedy to alleviate throat pain, to treat fevers and to accelerate wound healing. Modern pharmacological studies have revealed a wide array of biological effects and numerous therapeutic possibilities for the herb, including anti-viral and anti-bacterial effects, immunomodulatory, anti-allergy and anti-cancer potential as well as antioxidant activity. It is also commonly used as a component in combination therapy for hypertension.
In animal studies, intravenous injection of Prunella-extracted saponins resulted in a reduction of both systolic and diastolic blood pressures.
Modern-day research into Prunella has demonstrated that it is an effective eNOS-upregulating herb; it significantly increases eNOS promoter activity, eNOSmRNA and protein expression as well as NO production in human endothelial cells [8].
Prunella extracts contain a variety of chemical constituents, including triterpenoids (such as ursolic-, betulinic- and oleanolic acids and vulgarsaponins), flavonoids (such as rosmarinic acid, luteolin, cynaroside, homoorientin and quercetin), coumarins (umbelliferone, scopoletin, esculetin), organic acids (such as caffeic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, arachidic acid, lauric acid,myristic acid), sugars, as well as essential oils [8].
New studies have demonstrated that ursolic acid (also present in Salviae miltiorrhizae radix), betulinic acid (also a constituent of Zizyphi spinosae semen), luteolin and cynaroside (also constituents of artichoke, Cynara scolymus L.) are eNOS-upregulating compounds.
Ziziphus jujuba
Ziziphus jujuba or Ziziphus spinosa has been used in Oriental medicine for its sedative and hypnotic characteristics, with additional beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system.
In animal studies, Ziziphus spinosa’s semen (ZSS) was observed to protect cardiomyocytes from ischemic injury and supported a proper tone in blood vessels, helping to maintain normal blood pressure [8].
As mentioned above, it was found that ZSS can increases eNOS promoter activity, eNOSmRNA and protein expression, as well asNO production in human endothelial cells [8].
Notoginseng
Panax notoginseng, or simply Notoginseng, is featuring in TCM (where it’s known as TianQi) as a remedy for cardiovascular diseases, pain, inflammation, trauma as well as external and internal bleeding.
It has been shown to have a protective effect on blood vessels, supporting blood platelet anti-aggregation mechanisms [11].
Recent animal studies show that Notoginseng, in addition to its vasodilation effects (through its impact on NO production), has the potential to protect neurons from oxidative damage. This is achieve through the attenuating production of 8-OHdG and enhancing the activity of important anti-oxidant enzymes (i.e. increasing levels of SOD, CAT and GSH-PX) in the brain. Notoginseng prevented a loss of neurons in the hippocampal region (responsible for memory), and was even able to alleviate pathological changes in neurons [9].
Recent studies also show that it could positively support the glucose metabolism [10].
Scientific References & Relevant Research
[1] Ren Y, Houghton PJ, Hider RC, Howes MJ. Novel diterpenoid acetylcholinesterase inhibitors from Salvia miltiorhiza. Planta Med. 2004;70(3):201-4.
Acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 3.1.1.7) inhibitors are the only registered drugs used to treat Alzheimer’s disease (AD). New AChE inhibitors may contribute to the design of new pharmaceuticals and supply information which will facilitate the understanding of the interaction between inhibitors and the enzyme. The dried root of Salvia miltiorhiza is called ‘Danshen’ in China, and has been used for the treatment of cerebrovascular disease and CNS deterioration in old age for over one thousand years. In this work, a modified Ellman method was used to guide the fractionation of the active AChE inhibitor compounds from an acetone extract. Four inhibitory compounds, dihydrotanshinone, cryptotanshinone, tanshinone I and tanshinone IIA were isolated, and the structures were identified by comparison of their spectral characteristics with previous reports. The inhibitory activities of dihydrotanshinone and cryptotanshinone were dose-dependent, their IC (50) values being 1.0 microM and 7.0 microM, respectively. These two compounds were the major inhibitory compounds in the extract as judged by HPLC analysis, forming 0.054 % w/w and 0.23 % w/w in the dried root, respectively, and in mixture they appear to be less active than as isolated compounds. The clogP values of dihydrotanshinone, cryptotanshinone, tanshinone I and tanshinone IIA were calculated as 2.4, 3.4, 4.8 and 5.8, respectively, which indicate that these compounds have potential to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. This is the first example of diterpenoids as inhibitors of AChE.
[2] Fu J, Huang H, Liu J, Pi R, Chen J, Liu P. Tanshinone IIA protects cardiac myocytes against oxidative stress-triggered damage and apoptosis. Eur J Pharmacol. 2007;568(1-3):213-21.
[3] Chan K, Chui SH, Wong DY, Ha WY, Chan CL, Wong RN. Protective effects of Danshensu from the aqueous extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen) against homocysteine-induced endothelial dysfunction. Life Sci. 2004;75(26):3157-71.
[4] Xia N, Bollinger L, Steinkamp-fenske K, Förstermann U, Li H. Prunella vulgaris L. Upregulates eNOS expression in human endothelial cells. Am J Chin Med. 2010;38(3):599-611.
“The purported effects of “circulation-improving” herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) show striking similarities with the vascular actions of nitric oxide (NO) produced by the endothelial NO synthase (eNOS). We have previously reported that Salviae miltiorrhizae radix and Zizyphi spinosae semen upregulate eNOS expression. In the present study, we studied the effect on eNOS gene expression of 15 Chinese herbs with potential effects on the vasculature, and identified Prunella vulgaris L. (PVL) (flowering spike) as a potent eNOS-upregulating agent. In EA.hy 926 cells, a cell line derived from human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), an aqueous extract of PVL increased eNOS promoter activity, eNOS mRNA and protein expressions, as well as NO production in concentration- and time-dependent manners. We have previously shown that ursolic acid (a constituent of Salviae miltiorrhizae radix), betulinic acid (a compound present in Zizyphi spinosae semen), luteolin and cynaroside (ingredients of artichoke, Cynara scolymus L.) are capable of enhancing eNOS gene expression. These compounds are also present in significant quantities in PVL. Thus, PVL contains active principles that stimulate human eNOS gene expression, and such compounds may have therapeutic potential against cardiovascular diseases.”
[5] Zhang W, Zheng L, Zhang Z, Hai CX. Protective effect of a water-soluble polysaccharide from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge on insulin resistance in rats. Carbohydr Polym. 2012;89(3):890-8.
[6] Wu GB, Zhou EX, Qing DX. Tanshinone II(A) elicited vasodilation in rat coronary arteriole: roles of nitric oxide and potassium channels. Eur J Pharmacol. 2009;617(1-3):102-7.
[7] Hwang SM, Kim JS, Lee YJ, et al. Anti-diabetic atherosclerosis effect of Prunella vulgaris in db/db mice with type 2 diabetes. Am J Chin Med. 2012;40(5):937-51.
“Diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of vascular complications such as atherosclerosis. This study was designed to investigate whether Prunella vulgaris (APV) would inhibit diabetic atherosclerosis in db/db mice with type 2 diabetes. The db/db mice were treated with high fat/high cholesterol (HFHC) diet and an aqueous extract of APV (100 and 200 mg/kg/day) for eight weeks to examine the long-term effect on metabolic abnormalities and diabetic atherosclerosis. APV treatment markedly lowered blood glucose and systolic blood pressure. The db/db mice experienced an increase in blood urea nitrogen as well as a decrease of creatinine clearance, the latter of which was restored by treatment with APV. Treatment with APV markedly decreased total plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL-cholesterol and also increased the HDL-cholesterol. In addition, malondialdehyde and TGF-β1 were decreased by treatment of APV. On the other hand, total NO level was decreased in db/db mice. However, the NO level was increased by treatment with APV, suggesting an association with vascular dysfunction. Vascular relaxation of aortic rings by acetylcholine or SNP-inducement was ameliorated by APV in a dose-dependent manner. Damage of vascular intima and hypertrophic of media were observed in db/db mice; however its dysfunction was improved by the treatment of APV. APV treatment significantly reduced the aortic expressions of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, ET-1, and nitrotyrosine. Furthermore, expression of eNOS in aortic was remarkably increased by APV treatment. Taken together, APV suppressed hyperglycemia.”
[8] Huge, L. Effect of Vasoactive Chinese Herbs on the Endothelial NO systems in: Haixue, K, ed. Recent Advances in Theories and Practice of Chinese Medicine. IntechOpen; 2012:267-282
[9] Huang JL, Jing X, Tian X, et al. Neuroprotective Properties of Saponins via Preventing Oxidative Stress Injury in SAMP8 Mice. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2017;2017:8713561.
[10] Uzayisenga R, Ayeka PA, Wang Y. Anti-diabetic potential of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS): a review. Phytother Res. 2014;28(4):510-6.
[11] Wang Y, Ren Y, Xing L, et al. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation effects of and its main components are mediated by nitric oxide and cyclooxygenase pathways. Exp Ther Med. 2016;12(6):3998-4006.
