Just caught the lousy rotten swine flu.

[michaeljohnson]

The swine got me at last,- Swine flu is rife in my area at the moment with three or four hundred people down with it in my City of Nottingham UK, fortunately -I was able to get to a Tamiflu collection centre in the City where they are giving people the antiviral drug free to anyone that asks- so I got four doses of it for my little family-hoping we all survive the ordeal.

It is an awful feeling when you get it-raging hot temprature of around 104 F, feeling sick and nausiated, aching limbs and eyes-it's a real bummer I can tell you, we are quarantined in and around our home now for around ten days or so, so it is quite boring just sitting there and waiting, with the occasional trip into the garden to do a bit of watering or something.

The UK is probably about the most swine flu infested country in Europe at the moment with up to 100,000 a day coming down with it,

I am never going to eat bacon or pork pies or sausages again- weeeell maybe not for ten days or so, ;D

They tell me that the Tamiflu antivirul is made from the chinese star anise plant so i don't know quite if there is any truth in that, and they also say that the side effects from taking it is almost as bad as the swine flu, so there we have it,

[Jim]

Take care of yourself and your family. Sounds like a terrible ordeal.

[grungy]

Michael, do take care of you and yours and hopefully in a couple of weeks time you will be back to your regular self.

[fulenn]

Hope you can find a way to enjoy your enforced "vacation." Take good care of you and yours. Hope you are feeling better soon.

Fulenn

[canadamike]

You are too old to die from it, ghee, that's the first fun thing I know about growing old

[ottawagardener]

Well at least you'll have natural immunity should this flu turn really nasty. Get well soon!

[michaeljohnson]

The worst part is that I get quite dizzy and unstable trying to bend down and read the plant labels on my tomatoes at ground level, the wife who is under five foot tall-is acting as my plant label reading assistant for the time being-with much grumbling and ribald remarks.-it is amazing what swine flu can do to some peoples personality.

[bunkie]

Jul 26, 2009 1:39:29 GMT -5 michaeljohnson said:

.............They tell me that the Tamiflu antivirul is made from the chinese star anise plant so i don't know quite if there is any truth in that, and they also say that the side effects from taking it is almost as bad as the swine flu, so there we have it,

so sorry to hear you're sick michael...sending yu a bunch of 'healing' vibes!

found this article on Tamiflu and Star Anise....copied it in full cause the link's not working. very interesting....tha cabbage dish dealy too!

The Journal of the American Botanical Council
Issue: 70 Page: 58-60

Tamiflu and Star Anise: Securing Adequate Supplies of the Oral Antiviral for Avian Flu Treatment
Printer Friendly

HerbalGram. 2006;70:58-60 American Botanical Council

content.herbalgram.org/tomsofmaine/HerbalGram/articleview.asp%3Fa%3D2974

by Dennis V.C. Awang, PhD, FCIC, and Mark Blumenthal

The incipient concern over an impending bird flu pandemic has fueled an almost desperate effort to secure supplies of the most promising oral antiviral against avian flu to date—Tamiflu® (oseltamivir). During last year’s influenza season, approximately 1.7 million prescriptions were written for oseltamivir in the United States, and according to the manufacturer, nearly twice as much of the drug was produced for this year’s season.1

Tamiflu is part of a new class of medicines called neuraminidase inhibitors. The surface of an influenza virus contains neuraminidase proteins that enable new virus particles to bud on the surface of the host cell. The neuraminidase enzyme breaks the bonds that hold these new virus particles to the outside of an infected cell, setting them free to infect other cells and spread infection. Neuraminidase inhibitors block the enzyme’s activity and prevent new virus particles from being released, thereby limiting the spread of infection.2

The current sole manufacturer of Tamiflu, the Swiss-based Roche Pharmaceuticals, had previously suspended public sales of the drug in the wake of a widespread assault on pharmacy supplies. The company’s action is claimed justified on the basis of preserving supplies of the drug for governmental agencies and institutions caring for the most vulnerable patients. In the meantime, efforts are increasing to develop more efficient, cost-effective synthetic approaches to the drug.

In addition to announcing that it would increase its own production of Tamiflu, in December Roche stated that it would cooperate with a group of companies to produce higher quantities of the drug to meet increasing world demand.3

Currently the most satisfactory commercial route to the production of Tamiflu is based on extraction of shikimic acid from the fruits of Chinese star anise (Illicium verum Hook f., lliciaceae; bajiao in Mandarin). However, this plant, a small tree up to 10 meters tall, is notoriously difficult to cultivate and also matures at a very slow rate, flowering only after 6 years.4 Roche so far has commanded roughly 90% of the world’s supply of Chinese star anise, which is grown only in 4 Chinese provinces. Alarmingly, almost all of this year’s star anise crop has been reportedly destroyed by a series of mudslides produced by unseasonably severe tropical storms.5

Because the star anise connection as a starting material for the production of Tamiflu has some potential media value—i.e., the drug is based on a chemical derived from a traditional spice and medicinal plant—numerous articles have appeared in the mainstream media focusing on star anise and its relative scarcity in relation to the mushrooming demand for Tamiflu.3,6 A report in the China Daily states that the price of star anise had almost doubled in one week in November. In Guangxi province, the price rose from 5 yuan (US $0.60) per kilogram to 8.2 yuan (US $1.00) per kilo, according to a wholesaler in Wuzhou, who reportedly had taken stock of 60 tons of the fruit, even before Roche had purchased available stocks.7 The New York Times reported in November that the cost of shikimic acid in China rose from $40 to over $400 per kilo.3

Shikimic acid is also a constituent of the toxic fruit of Japanese, or bastard, star anise, also called sacred anise (I. anisatum L.). This species, termed shikimi-no-ki in Japanese, is cultivated near Buddhist temples and used in religious ceremonies, such as branches for decorating graves.4,8 The relative abundance of shikimic acid in the fruits of I. anisatum and I. verum, and any significant differences in ease of extraction, are not evident in the available literature. However, concern has been expressed regarding the adulteration of Chinese star anise with Japanese star anise, due to the documented neurologic and gastrointestinal toxicities of purported Chinese star anise tea administered to infants.9,10 A rapid and efficient method for detecting I anisatum in I. verum powder has been recently published.11 The procedure involves a combination of microscopy (fluorescence and scanning electron) and gas chromatography, which easily detects the presence of eugenol, methoxyeugenol, and 2,6-dimethoxy-4-allyphenol, compounds not present in I. verum. However, the distinction between these two species of Illicium is of concern primarily for the purpose of ensuring the purity of Chinese star anise for food use (e.g., herbal teas). For the production of shikimic acid suitable for synthetic production of oseltamivir, this distinction does not appear to be of significance as only the shikimic acid is isolated and purified for further chemical elaboration into oseltamivir.

Considerable interest has been expressed by reporters in the mistaken and dangerous belief that drinking star anise extracts can be an effective treatment for the avian flu (N.R. Farnsworth oral communication to D.V.C. Awang, November 4, 2005). However, neither such extracts nor shikimic acid itself and its metabolites have been demonstrated to have such efficacy. Expressing concerns about the misuse of star anise as an herbal preventive or treatment for avian flu, a coalition of herb and dietary supplement industry trade associations have stated categorically that such activity is not only not recommended but is strongly discouraged.12

Due to the initially high cost ($50 per gram) of research quantities of shikimic acid, Roche contracted with Michigan State University (MSU) scientist J. W. Frost to develop a fermentation process for production of (-)-shikimic acid. Frost discovered a strain of E. coli that overproduces the acid when fed glucose, which eventually led to bacterial growth on a commercial scale. Roche now obtains large quantities (measured in tons) of shikimic acid both by fermentation and star anise fruit extraction, but isolation and purification are time-consuming.13

The current semi-synthetic manufacture of Tamiflu from shikimic acid is a complex, time-consuming, 10-step process, involving potentially explosive azide chemistry. Roche claims that from raw material sourcing to production of Tamiflu capsules takes a complete year. Shikimic acid is first converted to a diethyl ketal intermediate, which is then reduced in 2 steps to an epoxide that is finally transformed to Tamiflu in 5 subsequent steps, 3 of which involve highly toxic explosive azide intermediates.13 Despite this apparent complexity, it was reported in the November 3rd edition of the Wall Street Journal Asia14 that Roche’s claim as to the difficulty of producing Tamiflu is greatly exaggerated. Rather than the claimed full year required for synthesis from shikimic acid, Taiwan’s National Health Research Institutes claims to have produced a small quantity of the antiviral in 18 days! Also, Cipla Ltd., an Indian generic drug manufacturer, claims to have been successful in a pilot phase production of the drug.14 However, these relatively small-scale productions can be expected to be much less time-consuming than large-scale manufacture under good manufacturing practices (GMPs).

Roche and MSU scientist Frost have explored chemical and microbial means to obviate azide intermediates: an azide-free allylamine route from epoxide to Tamiflu and microbial production of aminoshikimic acid as a starting material were developed. Also, two other routes that do not involve shikimic acid have been explored. However, so far, no alternative has been found to surpass the shikimic acid-azide commercial route in terms of cost and efficiency.13

Perhaps future chemical synthetic innovation and/or a lower-cost, more productive source of shikimic acid will satisfy the urgent demand for increased supplies of Tamiflu. In the meantime, doctors have discovered that teaming Tamiflu with a low-cost generic drug used in World War II to extend scarce supplies of penicillin, doubles the antiviral’s effectiveness: the “helper” drug probenecid reduces Tamiflu excretion in urine, thereby elevating blood levels roughly twofold.15

Recently, the Canadian generic drug manufacturer Biolyse Pharma Corp., which specializes in extracting chemicals from plants at its plant in St. Catharines, Ont., revealed plans to extract shikimic acid from Christmas trees.16 Extractable shikimic acid, reportedly constitutes 2 to 3% of the biomass from various pine spruce, and fir trees. The shikimic acid from this source will be considerably cheaper than its current price, which has soared to more than $500 (US) a kilogram from $45 over the past year due to shortages of Tamiflu and skyrocketing demand.

The question then arises as to how much Tamiflu can be produced from the scarce shikimic acid supplies. The New York Times article cites an unnamed Roche chemist who said that 13 grams of star anise could produce 1.3 grams of shikimic acid, which then could be used to make 10 Tamiflu capsules, the amount required to treat one person. Thus, one ton of shikimic acid could treat 770,000 people. However, the Times article also cites another expert, Y.K. Hamied, PhD, a chemist and Chairman of Cipla, who says that the figure was more realistically about 300,000 as newcomers to the Tamiflu production business would probably not be able to enjoy the production efficiencies currently attained by Roche. Other potential sources of shikimic acid reportedly considered by Gilead Sciences Inc. of Foster City, California, are cinchona bark (Cinchona spp., Rubiaceae, source of quinic acid, a precursor of shikimic acid), ginkgo trees (Ginkgo biloba L., Ginkgoaceae), and the needles of giant sequoias (Sequoiadendron giganteum [lindl.] J. Buchholz, Cupressaceae).3

Dennis V. C. Awang, PhD, FCIC, is president of MediPlant Consulting, Inc., White Rock, BC, Canada, a natural products consulting group. Before retiring after 24 years at Health Canada, he was the Head of the Natural Products Section in the Bureau of Drug Research at the Canadian Health Protection Branch. He is currently revising the classic Herbs of Choice: The Therapeutic Use of Phytomedicinals (Haworth Press), initially authored by the late Professor Varro E. Tyler.

Mark Blumenthal is founder and executive Director of the American Botanical Council and Editor of HerbalGram.

References

1. Hayden FG. Antiviral resistance in influenza viruses — Implications for management and pandemic response. New Engl J Med. February 23, 2006;354:785-788.

2. Woods JM, Bethell RC, Coates JA, et al. 4-guanidino-2, 4-dideoxy-2, 3-dehydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid is a highly effective inhibitor both of the sialidase (neuraminidase) and of growth of a wide range of influenza A and B viruses in vitro. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1993;37(7):1473-1479.

3. Pollack A. Is bird flu drug really so vexing? Debating the difficulty of Tamiflu. New York Times, November 5, 2005. Available at: www.nytimes.com/2005/11/05/bu...pagewanted=all.

4. Small E. Confusion of common names for toxic and edible “star anise” (Illicium) species. Econ Bot. 1996;50(3):337-339.

5. Slow-growing star anise wiped out by mudslides. Vancouver Sun. October 27, 2005.

6. Goodman PS. Star Rises in Fight Against Bird Flu. Washington Post. November 18, 2005.

7. Wang ZQ. Star anise soars to surprise fame. China Daily. November 2, 2005.

8. Hocking GM. A Dictionary of Natural Products. Medford, NJ: Plexus Publishing, Inc.; 1997:391.

9. Ize-Ludlow D, Ragone S, Bernstein JN, Bruck IS, Duchowny M, Garcia Pena BM. Chemical composition of Chinese star anise (Illicium verum) and neurotoxicity in infants. JAMA. 2004;291(5);562-563.

10. Ize-Ludlow D, Ragone S, Bruck I, Bernstein J, Duchowny M, Garcia Peña B. Neurotoxicities in Infants Seen With the Consumption of Star Anise Tea. Pediatrics. October 18, 2004; 114;653-656. Available at: www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/full/114/5/e653.

11. Jashi VC, Srinivas PV, Khan IA. Rapid and easy identification of Illicum verum Hook. f. and its adulterant Illicium anisatum Linn. by fluorescent microscopy and gas chromatography. J AOAC Int. 2005;88(3):703-706.

12. Industry Coalition Advises Against Use of Dietary Supplements as Remedy for Avian Flu [press release]. American Herbal Products Association, Consumer Healthcare Products Association, Council for Responsible Nutrition, National Nutritional Foods Association, November 18, 2005.

13. Yarnell A. Complexity of Tamiflu manufacturing may hamper on demand production. Chem & Eng News. 2005; 83(35): 22-23.

14. Zamiska N, Dean J. Generics Challenge Roche’s Tamiflu Claims. Wall Street Journal. November 3, 2005.

15. Spears T. Generic ‘helper drug’ can stretch Tamiflu ingredient. National Post (Canada), November 2, 2005.

16. Zehr L. Christmas trees to provide key Tamiflu ingredient. The Globe and Mail (Toronto); December 2005:B3, 23.



Sidebar:
The Fermented Cabbage Connection

Recent Korean research has found that a culture filtrate of the bacterium Leuconostoc kimchi (prepared from the Korean spiced fermented cabbage dish kimchi), when administered to chickens infected with the bird flu virus, led to recovery of 11 of 13 birds. However, while surging sales of kimchi across Asia suggest that consumers believe that it may protect them against bird flu, the bacterial preparation has not yet been tested on bird flu in humans, even though it has shown a “very potent effect” against human flu in vitro.1

Europeans claim that the Korean process for kimchi production is exactly the same as that for the popular European fermented cabbage dish sauerkraut, but the Korean researchers have stated that their research cannot be used to demonstrate similar benefits for sauerkraut, stressing that the antiviral effect of the bacterial product is “strain-specific.”1

Reference

1. Patton D. Cabbage dish gaining popularity as flu-fighter. November 16, 2005. Available at: www.nutraingredients.com/Consumer-Trends/Cabbage-dish-gaining-popularity-as-flu-fighter

[michaeljohnson]

Thanks Bunkie-that's very interesting to read, I spent a good half hour trying to digest it all,

The worst part about this swine flu- is the bad headaches, you seem to get it morning and evening, I wake with a throbbing head every morning, until I have taken a couple of Paracetemol pain killers to take it away, you also have a sort of thin phlegm on your chest, and all night long my pipes were wheezing and grumbling, I had to turn over several times as I could not stand the noise of my own wheezy breathing- the high temp persists for at least three days or so, up to 104 degrees, sweating so much it feels like I am in a turkish steam parlour, when I threw back the duvet a small cloud of steam rose off my legs and I was dripping with sweat, had to put on the room fan for twenty minutes to cool off a bit, the high temp makes you feel very wonky and a bit unsteady on your pins. got to get a tub of ice cream available today just for medicinal purpose you understand.

[flowerpower]

Michael, I hope you feel better very soon. I will not be getting any preventative flu shot this yr or any other. I hate needles.

[bunkie]

me too flowerpower!

michael, isn't it strange that you're all having the flu during the summer months? doesn't it usually occur in the wintertime?

glad you liked the article....figured it'd give you something to do! ;D

be well soon! 'healing' vibes coming your way....

[michaeljohnson]

Luckily the Uk will be having flu shots ready by september especially for the Swine flu, 66,000,000 flu shots have been ordered by the government. after this little lot-I shall be first in the queue -I can tell you.

Apparently the Australians have got theirs already and are giving out the swine flu shots now-lucky devils.

So far 37 people have died from it in the UK, with several hundred coming down with it in every town on a daily basis, but apparently in the USA it is far worse in some areas, the UK is reported to be the worst hit of any of the european countries. it's good that the Tamiflu antiviral is available which will hopefully hold it at bay for a while.

[PatrickW]

So far 517 people have caught it here in NL. The Dutch government opted to call it the Mexican Flu. Politically correct? I dunno, do you think the US government could get away with calling it the Mexican flu? I say blaming Mexico is as good as blaming any other country...

[fulenn]

Michael, sounds like you have made it through the high temperature part? Hope you are feeling a bit better now.

[michaeljohnson]

Yes it is just about over by now I hope, the temp seems to have subsided a bit, and I am not half as hot as the first few days, it was awful, your eyes feel as if they are cooking in their sockets, and you tend to feel very weak at the knees, my legs almost folded up under me two or three times, two of the worst things about it is the bad headaches one gets morning and night-if you have a bad cough to go with it, it makes matters worst, every time you cough it jerks the headache and really grinds in the pain even more, I was taking up to six Paracetemol tablets a day (Pain killers) as well as the Tamiflu, he worst part about the tamiflu antiviral capsules- is that they give you the Run's as well, and twice a day on average you are making a quick dash to the Loo- I reckon-what with the high temp and the sweating, together with the run's I have probably lost about half a stone in weight, maybe more, Darned swine flu !!