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Peat has written many articles on the topic of quinones and their effects on metabolism / respiration. The earliest official work probably started around the time of William Koch in the early 20th century and continues to this day. Many people are familiar with the popular quinone CoQ10 but there are other ones Ray has written about over the years, including anthraquinones like emodin and napththoquinones like vitamin K. Vitamin K has recently been found to be able to server as an alternative electron carrier for the electron transport chain even in the complete absence of CoQ10, so its importance in metabolism is indisputable.
Another napththoquinone that William Koch worked with in his later life while exiled in Brasil was lapachone - found in the bark of the Lapacho tree (aka Pau D'Arco, Tabebuia avellanedae). Lapachone was intensively studies in the 1960s and 1970s as a treatment for cancer but interest waned as the genetic theory of cancer conquered academia and the medical profession.
Being quinones, both emodin and beta-lapachone are intimately involved in the proper functioning of the electron transport chain, the recycling of NADH back to NAD and protecting from the systemic effects of stress and aging. In addition to these metabolic / systemic effects, both quinones have been shown to have a staggering array of effects including protecting from radiation, hypoxia, inflammation, endotoxin, diabetes, cortisol, aldosterone, estrogen, prolactin, serotonin, histamine, nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO) viruses, bacteria, fungi, and even the aging process in general. Given their profoundly systemic effects, it is very likely that these two quinones can contribute to improved well-being and resistance to stress, aging, and frailty. The full list of references on both substances is so large that I had to post them as separate threads, which can be found at the bottom of this thread in the References section. As a shorter alternative, below are a few quotes from Peat in regards to these amazing substances.
Cascara, energy, cancer and the FDA's laxative abuse.
"...Emodin inhibits the formation of nitric oxide, increases mitochondrial respiration, inhibits angiogenesis and invasiveness, inhibits fatty acid synthase (Zhang, et al., 2002), inhibits HER-2 neu and tyrosine phosphorylases (Zhang, et al., 1995, 1999), and promotes cellular differentiation in cancer cells (Zhang, et al., 1995). The anthraquinones, like other antiinflammatory substances, reduce leakage from blood vessels, but they also reduce the absorption of water from the intestine. Reduced water absorption can be seen in a slight shrinkage of cells in certain circumsstances, and is probably related to their promotion of cellular differentiation."
"...Zelnorm was said to “act like serotonin.” Serotonin slows metabolism, reduces oxygen consumption, and increases free radicals such as superoxide and nitric oxide;the production of reactive oxygen species is probably an essential part of its normal function. Emodin has an opposing effect, increasing the metabolic rate. It increases mitochondrial oxygen consumption and ATP synthesis, while decreasing oxidative damage (Du and Ko, 2005, 2006; Huang, et al., 1995)."
"...Emodin isn’t a magic bullet (in fact it isn’t a bullet/toxin of any sort), but when combined with all the other adaptogens, it does have a place in cancer therapy, as well as in treating many other ailments. None of the basic metaphors of mainstream medicine--receptors, lock-and-key, membrane pores and pumps--can account for the laxative, anticancer, cell-protective effects of emodin. The new interest in it provides an opportunity to continue to investigate the effects of adjusting the electrical state of the cell substance, building on the foundations created by William F. Koch, Albert Szent-Gyorgyi, and Gilbert Ling."
"...Emodin and the anthraquinones (and naphthoquinones, such as lapachone) weren’t the reagents that Koch considered the most powerful, but emodin can produce to some degree all of the effects that he believed could be achieved by correcting the cellular respiratory apparatus:Antiinflammatory, antifibrotic (Wang, et al., 2007) antiviral, antidepressant, heart protective, antioxidant, memory enhancing, anticancer, anxiolytic and possibly antipsychotic."
"...Emodin, an anti-inflammatory substance found in cascara sagrada bark and other plants, is similar to other molecules that have been used for treating cancer, and one of its effects is to lower HIF: "Consistently, emodin attenuated the expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), VEGF, hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1!), MMP-1 and MMP-13 at mRNA level in IL-1" and LPS-treated synoviocytes under hypoxia" (Ha, et al., 2011). MMP-1 and MMP-13 are collagenase enzymes involved in metastasis. When cells are fully nourished, supplied with protective hormones, and properly illuminated, their ability to communicate should be able to govern their movements, preventing--and possibly reversing--metastatic migration."
"...Rhubarb and emodin (a chemical found in rhubarb and cascara) have been found to have heart protective actions. A considerable amount of research showed that vitamin K is effective for treating hypertension, but again, most doctors warn against its use, because of its reputation as a clot forming vitamin. Recently, the value of the "blood thinner" warfarin, a vitamin K antagonist, has been questioned for people with heart failure (An, et al., 2013; Lee, et al., 2013). There have been several recent warnings about the production of arrhythmia by drugs that increase serotonin's effects (e.g., Stillman, et al., 2013)."
Note: This product contains raw material(s) meant for external use only, in cosmetic or other formulations designed for such external use. The units listed on the label are just for measurement purposes. They do not indicate or suggest optimal dose.
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Lapodin is a dietary supplement containing the napththoquinone beta-lapachone (β-lapachone) and the anthraquinone emodin. The name is a combination of the names beta-lapapachone and emodin. Both quinones have been the subject of hundreds of independent studies going back to the early 1900s, and are purported to have a powerful systemic effect on health, including boosting metabolism/respiration.
Serving size: 25 drops
Servings per container: about 30
Each serving contains the following ingredients:
Beta-lapachone - 5mg
Emodin - 20mg
Other ingredients: add product to shopping cart to see info
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REFERENCES:
1. Beta-lapachone / β-lapachone: Amazing Medicinal Properties Of Beta-lapachone (β-lapachone)
Miscellaneous
Cancer therapy with beta-lapachone. - PubMed - NCBI
β-Lapachone attenuates mitochondrial dysfunction in MELAS cybrid cells. - PubMed - NCBI
β-lapachone accelerates the recovery of burn-wound skin. - PubMed - NCBI
Beta-lapachone suppresses radiation-induced activation of nuclear factor-kappaB. - PubMed - NCBI
In vitro and in vivo wound healing-promoting activities of beta-lapachone. - PubMed - NCBI
Cancer/Hypoxia
Inhibition of radiation-induced neoplastic transformation by beta-lapachone. - PubMed - NCBI
eIF2 kinases mediate β-lapachone toxicity in yeast and human cancer cells. - PubMed - NCBI
The Tumor-Selective Cytotoxic Agent β-Lapachone is a Potent Inhibitor of IDO1. - PubMed - NCBI
β-Lapachone analogs with enhanced antiproliferative activity. - PubMed - NCBI
Beta-lapachone micellar nanotherapeutics for non-small cell lung cancer therapy. - PubMed - NCBI
beta-lapachone induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human colon cancer cells. - PubMed - NCBI
Induction of apoptosis in MCF-7:WS8 breast cancer cells by beta-lapachone. - PubMed - NCBI
beta-Lapachone induced cell death in human hepatoma (HepA2) cells. - PubMed - NCBI
Induction of apoptosis by beta-lapachone in human prostate cancer cells. - PubMed - NCBI
beta-Lapachone: synthesis of derivatives and activities in tumor models. - PubMed - NCBI
Cortisol/Diabetes/Obesity
Inflammation/CVD
Synthesis and anti-inflammatory evaluations of β-lapachone derivatives. - PubMed - NCBI
Effects of β-lapachone on the production of Th1 and Th2 cytokines in C57BL/6 mice. - PubMed - NCBI
Neurological/Mental/Mood
β-Lapachone ameliorization of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. - PubMed - NCBI
Endotoxin/Gastrointestinal/Liver/Pancreas/Kidney
β-Lapachone alleviates alcoholic fatty liver disease in rats. - PubMed - NCBI
Anti-viral/Anti-bacterial/Anti-parasitic/Anti-fungal
β-Lapachone: a naphthoquinone with promising antischistosomal properties in mice. - PubMed - NCBI
Antiplasmodial activity of naphthoquinones related to lapachol and beta-lapachone. - PubMed - NCBI
A trypanocidal phenazine derived from beta-lapachone. - PubMed - NCBI
Effect of beta-lapachone on hydrogen peroxide production in Trypanosoma cruzi. - PubMed - NCBI
2. Emodin: Amazing Medicinal Properties Of Emodin
Miscellaneous
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24428231
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23962559
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23864887 (anti-estrogen)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23696164
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21442678
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17540366
Cancer/Hypoxia
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26813281
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26782786
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26722474
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26722264
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26683360
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26682731
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26629030
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26628989
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26524020
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26238071
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26162964
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26081222
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26018259
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25987055
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25948190
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25891176
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25834536
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25744842
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25673059
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25607726
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25580427
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25370743
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25318952
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25311112
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25272825
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25187829
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25174432
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25124606
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25081669
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25040975
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24707862
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24620697
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24157255
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24115089
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24065213
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23975033
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23866157
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23848338
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23763280
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23700228
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23524196
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23484691
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23480347
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23472074
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23440366
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26555969
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23046742
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22992976
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22974371
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22876305
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22799356
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22679728
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22565822
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22532249
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22378302
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22375400
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22343391
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22321733
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22299827
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22159556
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22137788
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22040955
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22038303
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21861846
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21805032
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21769433
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21743963
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21660305
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21608232
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21542284
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21491088
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21468555
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21438405
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21382473
Cortisol/Diabetes/Obesity
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26759701
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26626587
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26299942
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25232702
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24981886
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24691542
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24140264
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23303186
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22922341
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22673833
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22649478
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22645054
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22408453
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20718744
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19699280
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18785977
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17511151
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12150738
Inflammation/CVD
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26159184
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26139382
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26131983
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26113441
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26001677
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25867480
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25634255
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24964845
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24855831
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24837536
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24751713
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24114447
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22791134
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22667136
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22426603
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22271272
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21881229
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21767904
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17939930
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16494030
Bones/Dental
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25832436
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25187845
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24594415
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24565373
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23729279
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23685361
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21245807
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20368118
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18387517
Neurological/Mental/Mood
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25590369
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25562207
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25064046
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25206430
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21303687
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21275776
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21137369
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24932776
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20863847
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20573598
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18301953
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17897641
Endotoxin/Gastrointestinal/Liver/Pancreas/Kidney
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26742314
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26550148
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26308161
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26084177
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26031413
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25957424
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25792514
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25565015
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25351888
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25347274
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25228362
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25173984
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24912640
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24874440
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24750844
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24741989
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24740873
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24727085
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24649070
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24190079
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24189982
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24028150
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23605470
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23551520
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23499696
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22735924
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22563203
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22452333
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22103790
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22044459
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22020806
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21912566
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21308995
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21265105
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20575398
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19968079
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19067753
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18706249
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15918207
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11776026
Anti-viral/Anti-bacterial/Anti-parasitic/Anti-fungal
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26670446
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26621875
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26446827
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26151018
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25998658
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25966789
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25892872
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24670452
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24448066
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21356245
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21050882
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20925591
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19960563
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18552872
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16940925
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16338070
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15242821
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9462956
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8133650
Allergy/Respiratory
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25519442
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24239713
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23238477
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22484343