Calcium Fructoborate Research Articles

EFFECTS OF ONCE-DAILY VERSUS TWICE DAILY DOSING OF CALCIUM FRUCTOBORATE ON KNEE DISCOMFORT. A 90 DAY, DOUBLE-BLIND, PLACEBO CONTROLLED RANDOMIZED CLINICAL STUDY

Importance: Previous research showed that a twice-daily 108 mg dose of calcium fructoborate (CFB) improved knee discomfort during a 2-week supplementation period. This current double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized study investigates the effects of CFB supplementation on knee discomfort during 90 days of supplementation. Purpose: To evaluate the comparative effects of once-daily and twice-daily dosing of calcium fructoborate on knee joint discomfort for ninety days. Design: 120 participants with self-reported knee discomfort were recruited and randomized into three groups (each N=40). Participants received: 108 mg CFB twice per day (CFB-G1); or, 216 mg CFB in a single dose (CFB-G2); or, placebo. Setting: Subjects were recruited through advertisement in local papers. The researchers assessed intake and within-study levels of knee discomfort by using the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) and the Western Ontario and McMaster University Arthritis Index (WOMAC). Results: 62 female and 59 male subjects completed the study. Subjects’ average age was (52.84 ± 8.19 years) and average BMI was (26.76 ± 2.50 kg/m2). Statistical differences between groups were calculated using a two-sided, two-sample t-test. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to estimate within-group changes in mean WOMAC and MPQ scores as well as against the control group. When compared to placebo, CFB-G1 showed a significant decrease in reported discomfort on day 14 (P=0.02,) day 30 (P=0.003), day 60 (P<0.0001) and day 90 (P<0.0001) according to WOMAC Scores. A similar decrease was observed for CFB-G2 WOMAC Scores on day 14 (P=0.02), day 30 (P=0.0003), day 60 (P<0.0001) and day 90 (P<0.0001). When compared to placebo, the MPQ score for CFB-G1 group decreased on day 7 (P=0.002), day 14 (P=0.001), day 30 (P<0.0001), day 60 (P<0.0001) and day 90 (P<0.0001). MPQ score decreases were also observed for CFB-G2 group on day 7 (P=0.02), day 14 (P=0.01), day 30 (P<0.0001), day 60 (P<0.0001) and day 90 (P<0.0001). When comparing CFB-G1 and CFB-G2, no significant differences were observed. Importantly, no changes were observed in the WOMAC and MPQ scores within the placebo group. Conclusion: Both CFB groups showed early and significantly improved levels of knee comfort. Knee comfort continued to significantly improve throughout the duration of this 90-day study. No significant differences were observed between the once-daily and the twice–daily doses of CFB.

Effects of dietary calcium fructoborate supplementation on joint comfort and flexibility and serum inflammatory markers in dogs with osteoarthritis.

Our objective was to evaluate the short-term effects of calcium fructoborate (CFB) on gait, joint range of motion, serum inflammatory markers, and owner perception of pain in client-owned dogs. We used 59 osteoarthritic dogs with impairment, with dogs being randomly assigned to 4 treatments: placebo (60 mg fructose; = 15), low dose (69 mg CFB; = 14), high dose (127 mg CFB; = 14), or combination (69 mg CFB, 500 mg glucosamine hydrochloride and 200 mg chondroitin sulfate; = 16). Dogs up to 22.9 kg received 1 capsule/d, while dogs weighing 23 to 50 kg received 2 capsules/d. A physical examination, radiographs, goniometry measurements, gait analysis, blood sample collection, and a canine brief pain inventory questionnaire were performed on d 0 and 28. Change from baseline values were statistically analyzed among groups. After 28 d, dogs fed the low and high doses had an improved ( < 0.05) ability to rise from a lying position compared to placebo. Dogs fed the high dose also had a greater ( = 0.05) increase in soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products concentration than dogs fed the placebo. Sub-analysis of only large dogs (> 23 kg) showed that dogs fed the low dose had decreased ( < 0.05) pain severity score and pain at its worst compared to dogs fed the placebo. Large dogs fed the low dose also were shown to improve ( < 0.05) in their ability to rise from a lying position compared to dogs fed the placebo. Overall, CFB supplementation was well-tolerated and may aid in mitigating joint discomfort in dogs.

Simultaneous Quantitation of Boric Acid and Calcium Fructoborate in Dietary Supplements by HPTLC-Densitometry.

The paper describes a new, simple, selective and precise high-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method for the simultaneous identification and quantitative determination of boric acid (BA) and calcium fructoborate (CFB) in bulk and tablet/capsule dosage forms of dietary supplements. HPTLC silica gel G 60 F254 precoated glass plates were used as the stationary phase. The mobile phase consisted of 2-propanol-water 8:2 (v/v). The two boron-based compounds were adequately separated with the Rf values of 0.83 ± 0.01 (BA) and 0.59 ± 0.01 (CFB).

Identification and Quantification of Fructoborate Ester Complex Using Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Q Exactive Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry

The identification of fructoborate complex in food matrices using liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole Orbitrap mass spectrometry was investigated in this study. The LC/MS method was established by optimization of mobile phases and direct infusion of FruiteX-B® brand calcium fructoborate (CaFB) solution to Q Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometer to obtain MS operation parameters. The precursor ion m/z 367.10522 was dissociated further for conformation analysis of fructoborate complex. The method was applied to identify and quantify fructoborate in freeze dried apricot fruit and raisins. It was found that fructose-11B-fructose di-ester complex was present in these fruits. The results were further verified by multinuclear solid and liquid states NMR spectroscopy analysis.

Effects of dietary calcium fructoborate supplementation on joint comfort and flexibility and serum inflammatory markers in dogs with osteoarthritis

Effects of dietary calcium fructoborate supplementation on joint comfort and flexibility and serum inflammatory markers in dogs with osteoarthritis

A Study on the Anticarcinogenic Effects of Calcium Fructoborate.

Evidences about the preventive and therapeutic effects of boron compounds on cancer have been increasing in the last years. Although calcium fructoborate (CaFB) is used as a nutritional supplement, data about its preventive and therapeutic effects on neoplastic transformations are limited. In the present study, the various concentrations of CaFB were applied to the MDA-MB-231 metastatic breast cancer cell line. First, we examined the cytotoxic effect and IC50 value of CaFB by MTT assay. For the evaluation of the DNA damage, apoptosis and metastatic potential, expression levels of ATM, pATM, PARP, p53, p-p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and VEGF were investigated by using immunoblotting and immunohistochemical methods. Cell viability was significantly reduced at 50μM CaFB treatment. pATM, p-p53, and caspase-9 levels increased significantly in all groups; furthermore, there was approximately 12.5-, 2.4-, and 10.7-fold increase, respectively, for 100μM CaFB treatment. ATM and p53 levels did not change with CaFB treatment, but PARP levels significantly 2.5-fold decreased. While VEGF immunoreactivity decreased in all groups, significant increase in caspase-3 immunoreactivity was observed only in the group treated with 50μM CaFB (p<0,001). Our results imply that CaFB may have therapeutic potential as well as preventive benefits in cancer.

The adjuvant use of calcium fructoborate and borax with etanercept in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Pilot study.

This study was designed to evaluate the effects calcium fructoborate (CFB) and sodium tetraborate (NTB) as supplements in Iraqi patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) maintained on etanercept. A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial with 60 days treatment period was carried out at Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Medical city, Baghdad, Iraq. Eighty RA patients were randomized into three groups to receive either 220 mg/day CFB, 55 mg/day NTB in capsule dosage form (equivalent to 6 mg elemental Boron), or placebo formula once daily. Only 72 patients completed the study. All patients were clinically evaluated utilizing DAS28-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), simple disease activity index-C-reactive protein (CRP), and clinical disease activity index scores at baseline, and at the end of the study. Venous blood was obtained at baseline and after 60 days, and utilized for the measurement of ESR, hemoglobin, in addition to evaluation of high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1α (IL-1α) and IL-6. After 60 days, both types of boron significantly improve the clinical scores, in association with significant decrease in the serum levels of ESR, hsCRP, IL-1α, IL-6, and TNF-α with remarkable superiority for calcium fructoborate (CFB) over sodium tetraborate (NTB), compared to baseline and placebo-treated group. The use of boron, as adjuvant with etanercept, has potentiated therapeutic outcomes in RA patients, and may be a new strategy to improve treatment, and avoid the problems associated with biologics utilized in RA treatment.

Subchronic and genetic safety evaluation of a calcium fructoborate in rats

A branded calcium fructoborate product, a nature-identical calcium salt of bis (fructose) ester of boric acid found in plants and a natural source of boron in the human diet and sold under the trade name FruiteX-B® Brand Calcium Fructoborate (“FrxB”), was evaluated in a 90-day dietary toxicity study and two genotoxicity studies. In the 90-day study, four groups of 10 male and 10 female Crl:SD CD® IGS rats were fed diets with FrxB admixtures of 0.56, 1.12, and 1.68% dietary concentration, providing mean overall daily intakes of FrxB in male rats of 385.8, 774.9, and 1161.3 mg/kg bw/day, and 392.1, 784.4, and 1171.1 mg/kg bw/day in female rats. There were no mortalities, no clinical or ophthalmologic signs, body weight, body weight gain, food consumption, food efficiency, Functional Observational Battery (FOB), or Motor Activity (MA) findings associated with the administration of FrxB. There were no adverse changes in hematology, coagulation, clinical chemistry, or urinalysis parameters in male or female rats considered the result of test substance administration. At necropsy, there were no macroscopic, histopathological findings, or organ weight changes deemed related to administration of the test substance. Under the conditions of this study, based on the toxicological endpoints evaluated, the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) for FrxB in the diet was 1161.3 and 1171.1 mg/kg bw/day in male and female rats, respectively. Bacterial mutagenicity studies and a micronucleus test using Chinese hamster V79 cells demonstrated no mutagenic or genotoxic potential of the tested brand of calcium fructoborate.

Calcium Fructoborate for Bone and Cardiovascular Health

Calcium fructoborate (CF), a natural sugar-borate ester found in fresh fruits and vegetables, is a source of soluble boron. CF contains three forms of borate (diester, monoester, and boric acid) and all are biologically active, both at the intracellular (as free boric acid) and extracellular level (as fructose-borate diester and monoester). At the cellular and molecular level, CF is superior to the boric acid/borate, exhibiting a complex “protective” effect against inflammatory response. CF is commercially available in the USA as a “nature-identical” complex, an active compound for dietary supplements. It provides effective and safe support against the discomfort and lack of flexibility associated with osteoarticular conditions (arthritis and joint degeneration), and improves Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) and McGill indexes. In addition, orally administered CF is effective in ameliorating symptoms of physiological response to stress, including inflammation of the mucous membranes, discomfort associated with osteoarthritis disorders, and bone loss, and also for supporting cardiovascular health. Clinical studies have exhibited the ability of CF to significantly modulate molecular markers associated with inflammatory mechanisms, mainly on the elevated serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP).

Effects of a dietary supplement on golf drive distance and functional indices of golf performance.

BackgroundLimited research exists examining the impact of nutrition on golfing performance. This study’s purpose was to determine the impact of daily supplementation with an over-the-counter dietary supplement on golf performance.MethodsHealthy men (30.3 ± 6.9 y, 183.1 ± 5.6 cm, 86.7 ± 11.9 kg), with a 5–15 handicap were assigned in a double-blind, placebo-controlled manner to ingest for 30 days either a placebo (PLA, n = 13) or a dietary supplement containing creatine monohydrate, coffea arabica fruit extract, calcium fructoborate and vitamin D (Strong Drive™, SD, n = 14). Subjects ingested two daily doses for the first two weeks and one daily dose for the remaining two weeks. Participants followed their normal dietary habits and did not change their physical activity patterns. Two identical testing sessions in a pre/post fashion were completed consisting of a fasting blood sample, anthropometric measurements, 1-RM bench press, upper body power and golf swing performance using their driver and 7-iron. Data were analyzed using two-way mixed factorial ANOVAs and ANCOVA when baseline differences were present. Statistical significance was established a priori at p ≤ 0.05.ResultsANCOVA revealed significantly greater (post-test) best drive distance (p = 0.04) for SD (+5.0% [+13.6 yards], ES = 0.75) as well as a tendency (p = 0.07) for average drive distance to increase (+8.4% [+19.6 yards], ES = 0.65), while no such changes were found with PLA (−0.5% [−1.2 yards], ES = 0.04 and +1.3% [+2.8 yards], ES = 0.08, respectively). Both groups experienced significant increases in body mass and 1-RM bench press (p < 0.001). No other significant group × time interactions were found. For the SD group only, within-group analysis confirmed significant improvements in set 1 average (+8.9%, p = 0.001) and peak velocity (+6.8%, p < =0.01). No changes were noted for reported adverse events, pain inventories, quality of life or any measured blood parameter.ConclusionsSD supplementation for 30 days significantly improved best drive distance more than placebo. Supplementation was well tolerated and did not result in any clinically significant changes in markers of health or adverse events/side effect profiles.

Effects of Calcium Fructoborate on Levels of C-Reactive Protein, Total Cholesterol, Low-Density Lipoprotein, Triglycerides, IL-1β, IL-6, and MCP-1: a Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical Study.

Calcium fructoborate (CFB) has been reported as supporting healthy inflammatory response. In this study, we assess the effects of CFB on blood parameters and proinflammatory cytokines in healthy subjects. This was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Participants received placebo or CFB at a dose of 112 mg/day (CFB-1) or 56 mg/day (CFB-2) for 30 days. Glucose, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides (TG), C-reactive protein (CRP), homocysteine, interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), IL-6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) were determined before and after supplementation. CFB-1 showed a reduction in blood levels of CRP by 31.3 % compared to baseline. CFB-1 and CFB-2 reduced LDL levels by 9.8 and 9.4 %, respectively. CFB-1 decreased blood homocysteine by 5.5 % compared with baseline, whereas CFB-2 did not have a significant effect. Blood levels of TG were reduced by 9.1 and 8.8 % for CFB-1 and CFB-2, respectively. Use of both CFB-1 and CFB-2 resulted in significantly reduced IL-6 levels, when compared within and between groups. IL-1β was reduced by 29.2 % in the CFB-1 group. Finally, CFB-1 and CFB-2 reduced MCP-1 by 31 and 26 %, respectively. Our data indicate that 30-day supplementation with 112 mg/day CFB (CFB-1) resulted in a significant reduction of LDL, TG, TC, IL-1β, IL-6, MCP-1, and CRP. HDL levels were increased, when compared to baseline and placebo. These results suggest that CFB might provide beneficial support to healthy cardiovascular systems by positively affecting these blood markers (ClinicalTrials.gov, ISRCTN90543844; May 24, 2012 (http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN90543844)).

Multinuclear NMR of Calcium Fructoborate Complex – Structure, Stability, and Quantitation in the Presence of Other Ingredients, Excipients or Adulterants

&lt;p&gt;FruiteX-B&lt;sup&gt;®&lt;/sup&gt;- calcium fructoborate (FrxB) plant mineral complex was investigated in this study. Although calcium fructoborate is naturally-occurring and found in commonly ingested fruits and vegetables, the commercially produced FrxB calcium fructoborate complex is formed by a proprietary reaction of boric acid with fructose and calcium carbonate. Liquid and solid-state &lt;sup&gt;13&lt;/sup&gt;C and &lt;sup&gt;11&lt;/sup&gt;B NMR were utilized in order to establish a baseline standard of FrxB for product quality purposes, to establish a reliable methodology to positively identify and quantify amounts of FrxB present in tablets and capsules, liquids and powdered blends wherein the FrxB may have been mixed with other ingredients, excipients, or adulterants such as maltodextrin or magnesium stearate, and to establish a robust and reliable testing method for the identification and quantification of the mono- and the di-complexes of calcium fructoborate as well as any free borate and/or free fructose that may be present. The molar ratio of the various components of calcium fructoborate was studied by &lt;sup&gt;11&lt;/sup&gt;B and &lt;sup&gt;13&lt;/sup&gt;C NMR in order to establish the relative amounts of free borate, free fructose, and mono-ester/di-ester complex present in the material. A quantitative &lt;sup&gt;11&lt;/sup&gt;B NMR method was developed to enable quantification of the amount of FrxB present in products wherein it had been tableted or encapsulated in combination with other dietary supplement ingredients, or excipients such as magnesium stearate or maltodextrin. A quantitative &lt;sup&gt;13&lt;/sup&gt;C NMR method was developed to quantify free fructose content in the complex. Finally, an NMR based product stability study was performed to monitor molecular level stability of the complex at temperatures ranging from 35-70 ºC with exposures lasting from 2-18 hours.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;

Calcium Fructoborate Helps Control Inflammation Associated with Diminished Bone Health

Inflammation has been identified as a possible contributory factor to disruption of the normal bone remodeling process, a process essential to healthy bone mineral density. Several large population-based clinical studies have specifically shown that levels of C-reactive protein, an immune recognition protein that is a sensitive marker of inflammation, are inversely and independently associated with total bone mineral density. The evidence suggests that control of C-reactive protein levels may contribute to bone health by protecting against inflammation's disruption of the equilibrium between bone resorption and bone deposition. Calcium fructoborate, a patented complex of calcium, fructose, and boron found naturally in fresh and dried fruits, vegetables and herbs, and wine, is a sugar-borate ester. A growing body of peer-reviewed, published clinical research indicates that the calcium fructoborate significantly reduces serum levels of the C-reactive protein in humans, suggesting that this unique plant-mineral complex may contribute to bone health by controlling the inflammation associated with loss of bone mineral density.

Oral resveratrol and calcium fructoborate supplementation in subjects with stable angina pectoris: Effects on lipid profiles, inflammation markers, and quality of life

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of short-term (60-d) oral supplementation with calcium fructoborate, resveratrol, and their combination on the clinical and biological statuses of subjects with stable angina pectoris. MethodsA randomized, double-blinded, active-controlled, parallel clinical trial was conducted in three groups of subjects. Of the total number of subjects included in study (n = 166), 87 completed the 60-d test treatment study period and 29 followed in parallel their usual medical care and treatment. The primary outcomes were inflammation biomarkers (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein), left ventricular function markers (N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide), and lipid markers (total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triacylglycerols). Quality of life was assessed by the Canadian Cardiovascular Society angina class and the number of angina attacks per week. ResultsThere was a significant decrease of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in all groups at the 30-d and 60-d visits. This decrease was greater (39.7% at 60 d) for group 3 (calcium fructoborate), followed by group 2 (resveratrol plus calcium fructoborate, 30.3% at 60 d). The N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide was significantly lowered by resveratrol (group 1, 59.7% at 60 d) and by calcium fructoborate (group 3, 52.6% at 60 d). However, their combination (group 2) was the most effective and induced a decrease of 65.5%. Lipid markers showed slight changes from baseline in all groups. The improvement in the quality of life was best observed for subjects who received the resveratrol and calcium fructoborate mixture (group 2). ConclusionThe results indicate that the combination of resveratrol and calcium fructoborate has beneficial effects in patients with angina (ClinicalTrials.gov, ISRCTN02337806; March 25, 2010).

Short-term Intake of Calcium Fructoborate Improves WOMAC and McGill Scores and Beneficially Modulates Biomarkers Associated with Knee Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Clinical Double-blinded Placebo-controlled Study

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease which contributes significantly to the burden of physical disability. Conventional management of OA mainly focuses on relief of symptoms using analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Some dietary supplements have shown some potency to reduce symptoms associated with OA conditions. Calcium Fructoborate (commercially marketed under the trade name FruiteX-B®), is a naturally occurring borate complex as first described by Patrick Brown [1]. For this study, FruiteX-B® was characterized by NMR and data from solid and liquidstate 11 B NMR have been obtained and compared against boric acid and fructose for quality purposes. In this study, FruiteX-B® was tested for fourteen days at a serving of 108 mg twice a day on subjects diagnosed with minor osteoarthritis conditions of the knees by CT scan. FruiteX-B® was well tolerated by all study subjects with no reports of adverse effect and resulted in several positive outcomes. On Day 14, WOMAC and McGill indexes were reduced by an average 29% and 14% respectively over Day 1 pre-ingestion values. Blood level of C-Reactive Protein (CRP) in 7 out of 10 subjects was found reduced up to 37% compared to Day 1 baseline levels. Interestingly, the study also showed that blood level of endogenous 1, 25(OH) vitamin D was increased more than 19% compared to baseline. However, differences in 25(OH) vitamin D were not observed. These results indicate that FruiteX-B® at a serving as low as 108mg twice a day provides significant benefits to people experiencing conditions associated with knee osteoarthritis. On the basis of these results, a larger clinical efficacy study is highly justified.

A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study to Evaluate the Effect of Calcium Fructoborate on Systemic Inflammation and Dyslipidemia Markers for Middle-Aged People with Primary Osteoarthritis

The objective of this pilot study was to determine whether 15 days of dietary supplementation with calcium fructoborate could acutely modulate inflammatory and lipid blood markers in individuals diagnosed with primary osteoarthritis. During 2 weeks, a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind study was conducted on 116 subjects that were initially recruited. Seventy-two subjects started the study, being divided into four groups, and only 60 completed the study as designed. The aim was to compare the effects of calcium fructoborate to placebo on subjects diagnosed with knee primary osteoarthritis. The obtained outcomes were inflammation biomarkers (C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and lipid markers (triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol). No serious adverse events were reported. The calcium fructoborate showed beneficial effect on the inflammatory markers for all groups subjected to the treatment when compared with the placebo group and slight changes in the lipid metabolism. This study suggests that short-term (2 weeks) calcium fructoborate supplementation in patients with osteoarthritis symptoms has a favorable prognosis on inflammation diseases.

Assessment of the potential of a boron–fructose additive in counteracting the toxic effect of Fusarium mycotoxins

Trichotecenes are mycotoxins produced by Fusarium sp., which may contaminate animal feeds and human food. A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of a fusarotoxin-contaminated diet, and to explore the counteracting potential of a calcium fructoborate (CFrB) additive on performance, typical health biochemistry parameters and immune response in weaned pigs. A naturally contaminated maize, containing low doses of deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, fumonisins and T-2/HT-2 toxins (1790, 20, 0·6 and 90 parts per billion), was included in a maize-soyabean meal diet, and given ad libitum to eight weaned piglets (two groups: four pigs/group) for a period of 24 d. CFrB was administered to one of the contaminated groups and to another four piglets as a daily supplement, following the manufacturer's recommendation. A decrease in performance was observed in contaminated animals at this concentration of feed toxins, which was ameliorated by the dietary CFrB supplementation. Fusarium toxins also altered the pig immune response by increasing (P < 0·05) the ex vivo peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation (111·7 % in comparison with control), the respiratory burst of porcine granulocytes (15·4 % for responsive cells v. 5·1 % for unstimulated cells and 70·95 v. 22·65 % for stimulated cells, respectively), the percentage of peripheral T, CD3(+), CD3(+)CD4(+) and CD3(+)CD8(+) subsets and the synthesis of IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-8 (123·8, 217·1 and 255·1 %, respectively). The diet containing the CFrB additive reduced these exacerbated cellular immune responses induced by Fusarium toxins. However, consumption of CFrB did not counteract the effect of mycotoxins on biochemistry parameters, and increased plasma IgM and IgG of contaminated pigs.

Calcium Fructoborate—Potential Anti-inflammatory Agent

Calcium fructoborate is a boron-based nutritional supplement. Its chemical structure is similar to one of the natural forms of boron such as bis-manitol, bis-sorbitol, bis-fructose, and bis-sucrose borate complexes found in edible plants. In vitro studies revealed that calcium fructoborate is a superoxide ion scavenger and anti-inflammatory agent. It may influence macrophage production of inflammatory mediators, can be beneficial for the suppression of cytokine production, and inhibits progression of endotoxin-associated diseases, as well as the boric acid and other boron sources. The mechanisms by which calcium fructoborate exerts its beneficial anti-inflammatory effects are not entirely clear, but some of its molecular biological in vitro activities are understood: inhibition of the superoxide within the cell; inhibition of the interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and nitric oxide release in the culture media; and increase of the tumor necrosis factor-α production. Also, calcium fructoborate has no effects on lipopolysaccharide-induced cyclooxygenase-2 protein express. The studies on animals and humans with a dose range of 1-7mg calcium fructoborate (0.025-0.175mg elemental boron)/kg body weight/day exhibited a good anti-inflammatory activity, and it also seemed to have negligible adverse effect on humans.

Calcium fructoborate plant-based dietary boron as potential medicine for cancer therapy

It was predicted that more B-containing molecules will be discovered that will prove useful in applications involving cell surface signaling, but insufficient progress was made in this general direction. The main objective of this review is to reveal other promising research directions for B-chemoprevention and chemotherapy using Calcium Fructoborate (CF). Targets include breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer and cervical cancer. CF has been identified as Ca ( (C6H10O6)2B)2o4H2O and is a natural product from plants (can be produced by chemical synthesis as well), and is efficient in the prevention and treatments (as adjuvant) of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. CF showed inhibitory effects on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells as well, and enters the cell (most likely) by a co-transport mechanism via a sugar transporter. Inside cells CF acts as an antioxidant and induces the overexpression of apoptosis-related proteins and eventually apoptosis.

Thermal analysis of a calcium fructoborate sample

A commercial calcium fructoborate dietary supplements with potential use in chemotherapy of diseases, was investigated by thermal analysis, XRD, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy and ICP. Measurements performed in air show that a commercial sample seems basically to be a hydrated calcium fructoborate. We have compared a commercial sample of calcium fructoborate with a sample produced in the laboratory and concluded that both lose the bonded water up to 150 °C and then degrades in six stages, more exactly one endothermic and five exothermic. By ICP and thermogravimetry (TG), the overall formula Ca[(C 6H 10O 6) 2B] 2·4H 2O is suggested. XRD indicates a highly amorphous nature of the sample.