Elk Velvet Antler Research Articles

Characterizing Sections of Elk Velvet Antler by pH and Mineral, Fatty Acid, and Amino Acid Composition

This study was conducted to determine the composition change in different sections of elk velvet antler at 90 days. The following parameters were analyzed: moisture, crude protein, crude fat, crude ash, crude fiber, pH, minerals (Ca, P, K, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and Pb), amino acids, and fatty acids. Dry matter, crude fiber, and crude ash contents were higher in the base of the antlers and lower in the tip. In contrast, crude protein and crude fat contents were highest in the tip. Moisture content was high in the upper and medium sections of the antlers, but the difference was not significant. Calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and magnesium (Mg) contents were high in the base of the antlers, potassium (K) content was high in the tip of the antlers, and zinc (Zn) content showed no difference between antler sections. Saturated fatty acid content was highest in the base of the antlers, whereas unsaturated fatty acid content was highest in the tip. Among unsaturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acid content was high in the tip of the antler, whereas polyunsaturated fatty acid content was high in the upper section of the antler. Essential amino acid content was highest in the upper section of the antler, whereas non-essential amino acid content was lowest in the base. Crude protein, crude fat, K, and unsaturated fatty acid content tended to be high in the tip of the antler, and essential amino acid and polyunsaturated fatty acid contents tended to be high in the upper section of the antler. The tip of the antler had the highest nutrient content. In order to prevent cardiovascular disease, consumption of a certain amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids and amino acids from the upper section of the antler could be beneficial in terms of pharmacological efficacy.

The Effects of Elk Velvet Antler Dietary Supplementation on Physical Growth and Bone Development in Growing Rats.

Elk velvet antler (EVA) has been used in traditional Oriental medicine for centuries to promote general health; however, little evidence for its effect on bone development is available. We investigated the effects of lifelong exposure of Wistar rats to a diet containing 10% EVA on physical growth and bone development. Measurements included weekly body weights, blood chemistry and kidney and testis/ovary indices (sacrificed at 5, 9, or 16 weeks of age), and bone traits of the femur bones by peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT). Mean body weights were higher in the EVA group at 4–8 weeks in males and at 5 weeks of age in females. The kidney indices were greater in EVA dietary supplemented male rats at 5 and 16 weeks of age, in females at 16 weeks of age, and testis/ovary indices at 5 weeks of age. The femoral length was increased in both males and females at 5 weeks, and several pQCT-measured parameters had increased in EVA males and females. The activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) increased in EVA group while the content of calcium and phosphorus did not differ among groups. Our results seem to support a role for dietary supplementation of EVA on growth and bone development in this model.

Dietary supplementation of female rats with elk velvet antler improves physical and neurological development of offspring.

Elk velvet antler (EVA) has a traditional use for promotion of general health. However, evidence of EVA effects at different lifestages is generally lacking. This paper investigated the effects of long-term maternal dietary EVA supplementation on physical, reflexological and neurological development of rat offspring. Female Wistar rats were fed standard chow or chow containing 10% EVA for 90 days prior to mating and throughout pregnancy and lactation. In each dietary group, 56 male and 56 female pups were assessed for physical, neuromotor, and reflexologic development postnatally. Among the examined physical developmental parameters, incisor eruption occurred one day earlier in pups nursing dams receiving EVA. Among neuromotor developmental parameters, duration of supported and unsupported standing was longer for pups nursing EVA supplemented dams. Acquisition of neurological reflex parameters (righting reflex, negative geotaxis, cliff avoidance acoustic startle) occurred earlier in pups nursing dams receiving EVA. Longterm maternal EVA supplementation prior to and during pregnancy and lactation accelerated certain physical, reflexologic, and neuromotor developmental milestones and caused no discernible adverse effects on developing offspring. The potential benefits of maternal EVA supplementation on postnatal development warrants further investigation to determine whether EVA can be endorsed for the promotion of maternal and child health.

FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING ACTIVITY BY ESR SPECTROSCOPY AND NEUROPROTECTIVE EFFECT ON H2O2-INDUCED DAMAGE IN PC-12 CELLS OF ENZYMATIC EXTRACTS FROM KOREAN ELK VELVET ANTLER

ABSTRACT The free-radical scavenging activity and the neuroprotective effect of Korean elk velvet antler were assessed using an electron spin resonance spectrometer and a flow cytometer. Elk velvet antler was divided into three sections. The antler was then hydrolyzed by four proteases. All enzymatic extracts from the elk velvet antler effectively reduced the intensities of four kinds of free radicals. Papain extract from the upper section showed the highest scavenging activity on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and hydroxyl radicals; the IC50 values were 1.70 and 0.16 mg/mL, respectively. ά-chymotrypsin extract from the middle section showed the highest scavenging activity on alkyl and superoxide radicals; the IC50 values were 0.84 and 1.73 mg/mL, respectively. Additionally, papain extract from the upper section (1.0 mg/mL) decreased cell death in PC-12 cells caused by H2O2-induced oxidative damage. These results indicate that enzymatic extracts from Korean elk velvet antler show antioxidative activity by means of scavenging free radicals and decreasing cell death caused by H2O2-induced oxidative damage. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Elk velvet antler has long been used as a traditional medicine for relieving pain, aging and inflammation in Korea and China. In general, it is preparated by the method of hot water extract as liquefied products. In the present study, many industrial commercial enzymes such as α-chymotrypsin, pepsin, papain and trypsin were used to produce a number of effective extracts. In addition, the enzymatic extracts from Korea elk velvet antler have shown antioxidative activity. Therefore, they have the potential to be developed into new health foods.

Systematic review of the management of canine osteoarthritis

This review assesses the evidence for the efficacy of therapies used in the management of osteoarthritis in dogs on the basis of papers published in peerreviewed journals in English between...

A Randomized Clinical Trial of Elk Velvet Antler in Rheumatoid Arthritis

This article examines the effects of elk velvet antler on joint pain and swelling, patient/physician global assessment of disease activity, functional ability, quality of life, blood levels of C-reactive protein, and adverse events in persons with stage 2 to 3 rheumatoid arthritis experiencing residual symptoms after standard treatment. Patients (N=168) were enrolled in a 6-month randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Instruments included the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale, the Health Assessment Questionnaire, tender and swollen joint counts, and 100 mm-length visual analogue scales, along with blood tests. There were no significant differences between groups on any measures. The pattern of change of the measures across time points was essentially the same for both groups. Although some patients reported clinical improvements in their symptoms, there were no statistically significant differences between groups. Overall, elk velvet antler does not effectively manage residual symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Probing the effect of an extract of elk velvet antler powder on mesenchymal stem cells using Raman microspectroscopy: enhanced differentiation toward osteogenic fate

The first in vitro study testing the effect of a natural mixture extract of quality elk velvet antler (QEVA) on the development of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is reported. To examine cellular responses, MSCs were seeded on gold-coated glass surfaces and grown in a medium supplemented with QEVA extract or with the osteogenic agent dexamethasone (Dex), or in unsupplemented medium as control. The MSCs were analyzed by light microscopy and confocal Raman microspectroscopy at different time intervals in the culture. The microscopy revealed that the proliferation, up to day 4, of cells treated with QEVA is higher than that of cells treated with Dex or of the control group. Raman spectroscopy revealed deposition of hydroxyapatite (HA) mineral by cells exposed to QEVA and HA precursors in cells treated with Dex, but no mineralization in the control group. The extent of mineralization for MSCs treated with QEVA increased systematically with time, up to day 14. These results indicate that QEVA enhances proliferation and promotes differentiation toward osteogenic fate more effectively than Dex, suggesting that addition of QEVA to culture media might be advantageous to bone-tissue-engineering implications. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitory Activity of Elk (Cervus elaphus) Velvet Antler

Angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activities of elk antler hydrolysates prepared with three kinds of proteases, pepsin, trypsin and α-chymotrypsin, were investigated. The ACE inhibitory activity of the pepsinolytic hydrolysate was the highest with an IC_(50) value of 9.3 ㎍/mL. In addition, three kinds of pepsinolytic hydrolysates with relatively high molecular weights (over 10,000 Da), medium molecular weights (5,000 to 10,000 Da), and low molecular weights (below 5,000 Da) were fractionated using an ultrafiltration membrane system. The below 5,000 Da hydrolysate exhibited the highest ACE inhibitory activity. These results indicate that the pepsinolytic hydrolysates of elk velvet antler could be a good source of peptides with ACE inhibitory activity.

Effect of Elk Velvet Antler Supplementation on the Hormonal Response to Acute and Chronic Exercise in Male and Female Rowers

To examine the effects of elk velvet antler supplementation (EVA) combined with training on resting and exercise-stimulated hormonal response, male (n = 25) and female (n = 21) rowers ingested either EVA (560 mg/d) or placebo (PL) during 10 wk of training. VO(2max), 2000 m rowing time, leg and bench press strength were determined before and after 5 and 10 wk of training. Serum hormone levels were measured prior to and 5 and 60 min after a simulated 2000 m rowing race. VO(2max)and strength increased and 2000 m times decreased similarly (P < 0.05) with training. There was no significant difference between the EVA and PL group for any hormonal response. Testosterone (males only) and growth hormone (both genders) were higher 5 min after the simulated race (P < 0.05) but returned to baseline at 60 min. Cortisol was higher 5 and 60 min compared to rest (both genders) (P < 0.05) and was higher 60 min post-exercise following 5 and 10 wk of training. It appears that 10 wk of EVA supplementation does not significantly improve rowing performance nor alter hormonal responses at rest or after acute exercise than training alone.

Analysis of Lidocaine and Its Major Metabolite, Monoethylglycinexylidide, in Elk Velvet Antler by Liquid Chromatography with UV Detection and Confirmation by Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry

A sensitive liquid chromatographic (LC) method with UV detection was developed for the determination of residues of lidocaine (LID) and its major metabolite, monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX), in elk velvet antler. The drugs were extracted from alkaline velvet antler homogenates, cleaned up on a C(18) solid-phase extraction cartridge, and separated on an Inertsil ODS-3 (3.0 x 250 mm, 5 microm) column using an isocratic mobile phase made up of 0.05 M phosphate buffer (pH 4.0)/acetonitrile (88:12, v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The limits of quantification for LID and its major metabolite, MEGX, were 10 and 20 ng/g, respectively. The method was validated and used to measure the concentration of residues of LID and MEGX in elk velvet antlers harvested after either LID anesthesia or application of a drug-free control method (electro-anesthesia, EA). No LID or MEGX residues were detected in any of the antlers harvested after EA application. No MEGX residues were detected in any of the velvet antlers harvested after LID application, but residues of LID ranging in concentration from 68 to 4300 ng/g were detected in the three sections of the velvet antlers harvested after LID administration. LC-tandem mass spectrometry was used to confirm the presence of lidocaine detected in the velvet antlers.

Clinical Trials With Complementary Therapies

As interest in complementary and alternative therapies grows, nurses can expect to be asked for advice regarding their use, but there are few clinical studies on which nurses can base their responses. Conducting research with complementary therapies is therefore important for nursing, but there are some pitfalls in doing research with these products, particularly if one is using standard clinical-trials methods. In this article, the authors outline some of those pitfalls based on their experience conducting a clinical trial to examine the effects of elk velvet antler on symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. They discuss design issues related to justification, method, and ethics and explore some important regulatory issues of which nurses should be aware. Some recommendations are presented to help nurses engaging in such research to avoid problems that could interfere with the smooth conduct of their studies.

Effects of Topical Elk Velvet Antler on Cutaneous Wound Healing in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Wound repair is a finely orchestrated process involving cellular, molecular, physiologic, and biochemical interactions that restore the integrity of damaged tissue. Cyclic replacement of deer antlers requires rapid regenerative growth, in many ways analogous to that encountered during tissue repair. Molecular mechanisms regulating these processes are not fully understood, but it is increasingly apparent that growth factors are important mediators. Previous studies have shown that elk velvet antler (EVA) contains various growth factors and that a water-soluble extract stimulates dermal fibroblast growth in vitro. The efficacy of EVA water-soluble extract on wound healing in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats was EVAluated using a full-thickness cutaneous wound model. Animals were randomly selected to receive topical application of either control or EVA gel. Daily photographs of the wounds served to measure the rate of wound closure. Wound-edge biopsies obtained on postoperative days 2 and 10 allowed histologic evaluation and measurement of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta (1)) concentrations by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay. Wounds treated with the EVA topical gel were significantly smaller by postoperative day 6. TGF- beta (1) protein expression was not different in EVA-treated wounds compared to control wounds. This study indicates that topical treatment with an EVA water-soluble extract accelerates repair of cutaneous wounds in diabetic rats. Further studies are warranted to reveal the mechanisms involved in EVA enhancement of wound closure and to determine if this compound is an economical pharmacologic agent in the treatment of normal and compromised wounds.

Effects of Topical Elk Velvet Antler on Cutaneous Wound Healing in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Effects of Topical Elk Velvet Antler on Cutaneous Wound Healing in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

The effects of elk velvet antler consumption on the rat: development, behavior, toxicity and the activity of liver γ-glutamyltranspeptidase

The effect of exposure to, followed by consumption of, a diet containing 10% powdered elk velvet antler (EVA) from the 18th day of gestation to the 88th day after birth was examined in male and female Fischer 344 rats. There were no teratogenic effects of EVA exposure in utero or differences in birth outcomes between pups born to regular chow fed and EVA chow fed dams. Growth curves of the EVA fed rats were identical to those of regular chow fed rats, as were developmental milestones of pinna development and eye-opening. Acoustical startle and righting reflexes, developmental and behavioral indices, were identical. Blood glucose levels were comparable in EVA chow fed and regular chow fed rats, indicating that EVA is without effect on glucose balance. There were no signs of toxicity in the EVA chow fed compared to regular chow fed rats as judged from plasma enzyme markers of liver damage: plasma levels of alanine aminotransferase were 50% lower in EVA chow fed rats compared to regular chow fed rats; and plasma levels of γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (γGT) were the same. The activity of γGT displayed a decrease in the livers of EVA chow fed rats, more so in the male (22%) than in the female (14%), suggestive of an androgenic effect. A possible hepatobeneficial effect of the EVA induced decrease in liver γGT is discussed. In summary, dietary10% EVA chow is without long term effect on growth, development and behavior is non-toxic and may be hepatobeneficial.