Acusil Supplement Facts

Daily Dosage: As a dietary supplement, take one capsule in the morning and one capsule in the evening with 8 ounces of water. 45-60 days of continuous use is necessary for optimum results.

Acusil Research:

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)- MSM is a sulfur-containing compound that exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity (1). In a clinical trial, MSM relieved minor pain and improved measures of daily function, without adverse effects (2). In another clinical trial, MSM administration for six weeks demonstrated an 80% improvement in symptoms with good tolerability (3).
 

Curcumin (Curcuma longa)- Curcumin is one of the best known and heavily researched anti-inflammatory compounds and is the main active ingredient in the herb turmeric. Compounds in this medicinal plant regulate the body's natural COX-2 and lipoxygenase enzyme activity, which are the major pathways of inflammation (4,5).

Curcumin is used in a broad range of inflammatory conditions, especially musculoskeletal conditions (6). A double-blind trial of a supplement containing Boswellia and curcumin showed reductions in pain and disability in patients with mild joint pain (7). In six controlled human trials, curcumin supplementation has proven effective in reducing minor inflammation and was deemed safe (8).
 

Willow Bark Extract (Salix alba)- Salix contains anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving compounds (like salicin). Compounds other than salicin and salicylate show regulatory effects against COX-2 proinflammatory cytokines (9). In a placebo-controlled clinical trial of patients with mild joint pain, Salix extract was effective in managing minor joint pain and again was well tolerated (11). It has also been useful in patients with low back pain, inducing pain-free status in about 40% of patients after 4 weeks (12).
 

Boswellia serrata (Indian frankincense)- Boswellia is another pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory herb with natural properties and a safe pharmacologic profile (13). In patients with mild joint pain in the knee, Boswellia extract reduced pain and swelling and improved joint mobility and walking distance (14). A double-blind trial of a supplement containing Boswellia and Curcumin showed reductions in pain and disability (7). Boswellia has even been found useful in dogs with minor joint pain (15). Compounds like Boswellia acids have demonstrated the ability to mediate the body's natural inflammatory process by regulating S-lipoxygenase (16).
 

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)- Ginger acts as a broad-based natural anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving agent. Much like boswellia, it helps manage the body's natural pain response by regulating S-lipoxygenase (18). As well, it blocks COX-1 and COX-2, giving it an enhanced therapeutic profile, with few side effects.

In a placebo-controlled trial of patients with minor joint pain, ginger improved significantly improved symptoms (19). In 56 patients ginger provided relief of minor pain and swelling in more than 75% of cases, without any adverse effects (20). Ginger also reduced minor pain in patients with minor joint pain in the knee (21). The only potential side effect was mild heartburn.
 

Acusil References:

1. Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). Monograph. Altern Med Rev 2003 Nov;8(4):438-41.
    
2. Kim LS et al. Efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in pain of the knee: a pilot clinical trial. Cartilage 2005 Nov 22; [Epub ahead of print]
    
3. Jacob SW, Appleton J. MSM: The Definitive Guide. A Comprehensive Review of the Science and Therapeutics of Methylsulfonylmethane. Topanga, CA: Freedom Press;2003:107-121.
    
4. Ammon HP et al. Mechanism of antiinflammatory actions of curcumine and boswellic acids. J Ethnopharmacol 1993 Mar;38(2-3):113-9.
    
5. Joe B, Lokesh BR. Effect of curcumin and capsaicin on arachidonic acid metabolism and lysosomal enzyme secretion by rat peritoneal macrophages. Lipids. 1997 Nov;32(11):1173-80.
    
6. Curcuma longa (turmeric). Monograph. Altern Med Rev 2001 Sep;6 Suppl:S62-6.
    
7. Kulkarni RR et al. Treatment with a herbomineral formulation: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. J Ethnopharmacol 1991 May-Jun;33(1-2):91-5.
    
8. Chainani-Wu N. Safety and anti-inflammatory activity of curcumin: a component of tumeric (Curcuma longa). J Altern Complement Med 2003 Feb;9(1):161-8.
    
9. Fiebich BL, Chrubasik S. Effects of an ethanolic salix extract on the release of selected inflammatory mediators in vitro. Phytomedicine 2004;11:135-8.
    
10. Khayyal MT et al. Mechanisms involved in the anti-inflammatory effect of a standardized willow bark extract. Arzneimittelforschung 2005;55(11):677-87.
     
11. Schmid B et al. Efficacy and tolerability of a standardized willow bark extract in patients: randomized placebo-controlled, double blind clinical trial. Phytother Res 2001 Jun;15(4):344-50.
     
12. Chrubasik S et al. Treatment of low back pain with willow bark extract: a randomized double-blind study. Am J Med 2000 Jul;109(1):9-14.
     
13. Sharma S et al. Pharmacokinetic study of 11-Keto beta-Boswellic acid. Phytomedicine 2004 Feb;11(2-3):255-60.
     
14. Kimmatkar N et al. Efficacy and tolerability of Boswellia serrata extract in treatment --a randomized double blind placebo controlled trial. Phytomedicine 2003 Jan;10(1):3-7.
     
15. Reichling J et al. Dietary support with Boswellia resin in canines. Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd 2004 Feb;146(2):71-9.
     
16. Safayhi H et al. Boswellic acids: novel, specific, nonredox inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 1992 Jun;261(3):1143-6.
     
17. Young HY et al. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of [6]-gingerol. J Ethnophamacol 2005 Jan 4;96(1-2):207-10.
     
18. Grzanna R, Lindmark L, Frondoza CG. Ginger--an herbal medicinal product with broad anti-inflammatory actions. J Med Food 2005 Summer;8(2):125-32.
     
19. Wigler I, Grotto I, Caspi D, Yaron M. The effects of Zintona EC (a ginger extract). Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2003 Nov;11(11):783-9.
     
20. Srivastava KC, Mustafa T. Ginger (Zingiber officinale). Med Hypotheses 1992 Dec;39(4):342-8.
     
21. Altman RD, Marcussen KC. Effects of a ginger extract on knee pain. Arthritis Rheum 2001 Nov;44(11):2531-8.