Download PDF
Int J Angiol 2015; 24(01): 47-54
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1395982
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

French Oak Wood (Quercus robur) Extract (Robuvit) in Primary Lymphedema: A Supplement, Pilot, Registry Evaluation

Gianni Belcaro
1   Irvine3 labs, Circulation Sciences, Ch-Pe University, Italy
,
Mark Dugall
,
Shu Hu
1   Irvine3 labs, Circulation Sciences, Ch-Pe University, Italy
,
Andrea Ledda
1   Irvine3 labs, Circulation Sciences, Ch-Pe University, Italy
,
Edmondo Ippolito
1   Irvine3 labs, Circulation Sciences, Ch-Pe University, Italy
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
15 December 2014 (online)

    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

The aim of this pilot supplement study was the evaluation of an oak wood extract (Robuvit, Quercus robur [QR], Horphag Research) in an 8-week registry study on lymphatic signs in primary lymphedema.

Subjects with primary lymphedema confined to a single leg without skin changes or ulcerations were followed for at least 8 weeks. Lymphedema was mainly present distally (below the knee). Three groups were formed: one group used only the standard management for lymphedema; one used the same management plus 300 mg Robuvit; and one used the standard management plus 600 mg of Robuvit.

The three groups were comparable. After 8 weeks the variation in leg volume was on average −6.2% with standard management, −15% in the QR 300 mg group, and −18.9% in the 600 mg group. The edema score was also significantly lower at 8 weeks in the two QR groups. The variation in proteins in the interstitial fluid in comparison with initial values was −14.8% in controls in comparison with −29.9% in QR 300 mg group and −36.9% in QR 600 mg group. Skin flux significantly improved (increased) in the two QR groups. Ultrasound pretibial skin thickness was decreased on average 6% in controls versus 10.3% in the low-dose QR group and 11.8% in the higher dose group. Perimalleolar thickness was decreased 7% in controls and more in the two QR groups. Ankle circumference was decreased 4.4% in controls and more in the two supplement groups.

This pilot registry indicates that Robuvit can be effective in the management of primary lymphedema. More patients and longer evaluation periods are needed.

Keywords

lymphedema - French oak wood - Robuvit - edema scale
 

  • References

  • 1 Goldstone J. Veins and lymphatics. In: Doherty GM, , ed. Current Surgical Diagnosis & Treatment Appleton. Stamford, CT: Lange; 1994: 783-809
    Google Scholar
  • 2 Belcaro G, Nicolaides AN, Veller M. Venous Disorders: A Manual of Diagnosis and Treatment. London: Saunders; 1998
    Google Scholar
  • 3 Belcaro G, Nicolaides AN, Stansby G. The Venous Clinic. London: Imperial College Press; 2000
    CrossrefGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Belcaro G, Nicolaides AN. Noninvasive Investigations in Vascular Diseases. London: Imperial College Press; 2003
    CrossrefGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Linnitt N. Lymphoedema: recognition, assessment and management. Br J Community Nurs 2005; 10 (3) S20-S26
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 McColl BK, Stacker SA, Achen MG. Molecular regulation of the VEGF family–inducers of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. Vasc Endovascular Surg 2005; 39 (1) 67-81
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Lee BB, Kim YW, Seo JM , et al. Current concepts in lymphatic malformation. Vasc Endovascular Surg 2005; 39 (1) 67-81
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Cesarone MR, De Sanctis MT, Laurora G, Incandela L, Belcaro G. Lymphedema. New non-invasive methods for diagnosis and follow up [in Italian]. Minerva Cardioangiol 1995; 43 (5) 211-218
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Enjolras O, Chapot R, Merland JJ. Vascular anomalies and the growth of limbs: a review. J Pediatr Orthop B 2004; 13 (6) 349-357
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Cesarone MR, Belcaro G, Nicolaides AN , et al. The edema tester in the evaluation of swollen limbs in venous and lymphatic disease. Panminerva Med 1999; 41 (1) 10-14
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 O'Brien JG, Chennubhotla SA, Chennubhotla RV. Treatment of edema. Am Fam Physician 2005; 71 (11) 2111-2117
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Kitamura K, Kawamoto M. Team medical care for lymphedema management from evidence-based medicine [in Japanese]. Gan To Kagaku Ryoho 2014; 41 (1) 7-10
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Belcaro G, Cornelli U, Luzzi R , et al. Improved management of primary chronic fatigue syndrome with the supplement French oak wood extract (Robuvit®): a pilot, registry evaluation. Panminerva Med 2014; 56 (1) 63-72
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Natella F, Leoni G, Maldini M , et al. Absorption, metabolism, and effects at transcriptome level of a standardized French oak wood extract, robuvit, in healthy volunteers: pilot study. J Agric Food Chem 2014; 62 (2) 443-453
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Belcaro G, Gizzi G, Hu S , et al. Robuvit® (French oak wood extract) in the management of functional, temporary hepatic damage. A registry, pilot study. Minerva Med 2014; 105 (1) 41-50
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Cesarone MR, Laurora G, De Sanctis MT, Incandela L, Steigerwalt R, Belcaro G. Edema tester. Assessment of edema of the legs [in Italian]. Minerva Med 1998; 89 (9) 309-313
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Saarikko A, Viitanen T, Hartiala P. Lymphedema [in Finnish]. Duodecim 2014; 130 (2) 135-143
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Dudonné S, Vitrac X, Coutière P, Woillez M, Mérillon JM. Comparative study of antioxidant properties and total phenolic content of 30 plant extracts of industrial interest using DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, SOD, and ORAC assays. J Agric Food Chem 2009; 57 (5) 1768-1774
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Delgado de la Torre MP, Priego-Capote F, Luque de Castro MD. Evaluation of the composition of vine shoots and oak chips for oenological purposes by superheated liquid extraction and high-resolution liquid chromatography-time-of-flight/mass spectrometry analysis. J Agric Food Chem 2012; 60 (13) 3409-3417
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Glabasnia A, Hofmann T. Sensory-directed identification of taste-active ellagitannins in American (Quercus alba L.) and European oak wood (Quercus robur L.) and quantitative analysis in bourbon whiskey and oak-matured red wines. J Agric Food Chem 2006; 54 (9) 3380-3390
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 de Simón BF, Esteruelas E, Muñoz AM, Cadahía E, Sanz M. Volatile compounds in acacia, chestnut, cherry, ash, and oak woods, with a view to their use in cooperage. J Agric Food Chem 2009; 57 (8) 3217-3227
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Chira K, Teissedre PL. Extraction of oak volatiles and ellagitannins compounds and sensory profile of wine aged with French winewoods subjected to different toasting methods: behaviour during storage. Food Chem 2013; 140 (1-2) 168-177
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Michel J, Jourdes M, Silva MA, Giordanengo T, Mourey N, Teissedre PL. Impact of concentration of ellagitannins in oak wood on their levels and organoleptic influence in red wine. J Agric Food Chem 2011; 59 (10) 5677-5683
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Belcaro G, Cornelli U, Dugall M, Luzzi R, Hosoi M, Ledda A , et al. Panel 2013 supplements and green drugs studies; new rules 2013. London and Annecy Panel; Angiology Online. Available at: http://www.angiologyonline.com/2013/01/supplements-greendrugs-studies-new.html .
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Belcaro G, Cornelli U, Ledda A, Hosoi M. Assessment of nutraceuticals and food supplements. Panminerva Med 2011; 53 (3) (Suppl. 01) I-II
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Belcaro G, Nicolaides AN. Natural drugs in vascular medicine: new observations. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol Ther 2002; 7 (Suppl. 01) S1 No abstract available
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Belcaro G, Nicolaides AN. A new role for natural drugs in cardiovascular medicine. Angiology 2001; 52 (Suppl. 02) S1
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Reichl D, Simons LA, Myant NB, Pflug JJ, Mills GL. The lipids and lipoproteins of human peripheral lymph, with observations on the transport of cholesterol from plasma and tissues into lymph. Clin Sci Mol Med 1973; 45 (3) 313-329
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Belcaro G, Bollinger A, Hoffman U, Nicolaides AN. Laser Doppler. London: Med Orion; 1996
    Google Scholar
  • 30 McColl BK, Stacker SA, Achen MG. Molecular regulation of the VEGF family — inducers of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. APMIS 2004; 112 (7-8) 463-480
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 31 An A, Rockson SG. The potential for molecular treatment strategies in lymphatic disease. Lymphat Res Biol 2004; 2 (4) 173-181
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 32 Temple CL, Strom EA, Youssef A, Langstein HN. Choice of recipient vessels in delayed TRAM flap breast reconstruction after radiotherapy. Plast Reconstr Surg 2005; 115 (1) 105-113
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 33 Falagas ME, Vergidis PI. Narrative review: diseases that masquerade as infectious cellulitis. Ann Intern Med 2005; 142 (1) 47-55
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 34 Apich G. Conservative lymphedema therapy - lymphological rehabilitation treatment [in German]. Wien Med Wochenschr 2013; 163 (7-8) 169-176
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 35 Döller W. Possibilities of surgical therapy of lymphedema [in German]. Wien Med Wochenschr 2013; 163 (7-8) 177-183
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 36 Cisek P, Starosławska E, Kieszko D , et al. Lymphoedema—diagnosis and treatment [in Polish]. Pol Merkuriusz Lek 2013; 35 (210) 370-374
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 37 Belcaro G, Errichi BM, Cesarone MR , et al. Lymphatic tissue transplant in lymphedema—a minimally invasive, outpatient, surgical method: a 10-year follow-up pilot study. Angiology 2008; 59 (1) 77-83
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 38 Regnard C, Badger C, Mortimer P. Lymphoedema: Advice on Treatment. Beaconsfield, Bucks, England: Beaconfield Publishers Ltd.; 1998
    Google Scholar
  • 39 Reichl D, Myant NB, Pflug JJ. Concentration of lipoproteins containing apolipoprotein B in human peripheral lymph. Biochim Biophys Acta 1977; 489 (1) 98-105
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 40 Reichl D, Myant NB, Pflug JJ, Rudra DN. The passage of apoproteins from plasma lipoproteins into the lipoproteins of peripheral lymph in man. Clin Sci Mol Med 1977; 53 (3) 221-226
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 41 Reichl D, Postiglione A, Myant NB, Pflug JJ, Press M. Observations on the passage of apoproteins from plasma lipoproteins into peripheral lymph in two men. Clin Sci Mol Med 1975; 49 (5) 419-426
    PubMedGoogle Scholar