The common name of the herb is grapefruit, while citerus paradise is the botanical name (Clouatre & Kandaswami 2005).
Description
The plant is found in France and parts of the United States. It is believed to originate from Asia. The fruits are pale yellow in color, while the flowers are white. The type of soil does not matter in growing grapefruit. There are some aspects of soil that affects the growth. Well drained soil with moderate supply of water is the best for the growth of grapefruit. Sunlight is a necessity for a remarkable growth of grapefruit. The seeds in the fruit are used in making the juice that has medical use (Clouatre & Kandaswami 2005).
Overview of the use
Grapefruit juice may be used in drug delivery. There are particles from in the juice in the form of microcapsule that have the potential of safe drug delivery to the body. Tiny vectors may be made from the grapefruit with limited problems. This is possible for different cell types that have targets that interact with the carriers from the grapefruit juice (Wang, Zhuang, Mu, et al. 1867). This forms a platform for the delivery of anti-cancer agents. Chemotherapy drugs may be delivered to patients through carriers derived from the juice. The herb is promoted for use through researches conducted on the potential in drug delivery mechanisms. The idea of using the herb originated from the desire to use of non-toxic plants that are also edible. Other uses of the seed extract include relief on venous inefficiency (Wang, Zhuang, Mu, et al. 1867). Retinopathy resulting from diabetes may also be handled using the seed extracts. The extract may also be used after chemotherapy in reducing the hardening evident in breast cancer treatment process.
How it is taken
The grapefruit extract is taken in the form of syrup. Common dosage sold includes one hundred milliliters per day.
The cost
The cost of grapefruit juice depends on the use and the recommendation for use (Clouatre & Kandaswami 2005).
Evidence for or against
Evidence for the use of grapefruit juice may include the ability of the drug to reduce hardening of tissues after chemotherapy during the treatment of breast cancer. Researches conducted in mice shows the possibility of using the fruit extract as a vector (Clouatre & Kandaswami 2005). Through successful delivery of substances to cells the grapefruit extract may serve as a drug carrier.
Negative effects
A caution to be taken includes the mode of delivery. It is advisable to take the juice only through the mouth. Side effects may include dry scalp, headache and dizziness. Cases of nausea, indigestion, as well as elevated blood pressure may also be evident. Another recommendation includes the sharing of other health services adopted for safe care (Wang, Zhuang, Mu, et al. 1867).
Possible drug interaction
Processes of drug breakdown may be hindered by grapefruit juices. This may lengthen the half life of drugs. The ultimate result is an accumulation of drugs into the body that results in to an overexpression of the side effects of the accumulated drugs.
Evidence for recommendation
The prescience of antioxidants in grapefruit extracts maids in protecting cell damage that may result from the existence of free radicals (Clouatre & Kandaswami 2005). Vascular fragility also reduces with the administration of the herb. Oedema preceding injury and surgery reduces with the uses of grapefruit extract. The results obtained from experiments on carriers yields positive results with grapefruit juice. This encourages the use of the herb as a vector, other than for therapeutic use.
References
Clouatre D, L, & Kandaswami C. (2005) Grape seed extract: Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker 309–325.
Wang, Q, Zhuang, X, Mu, J, et al. Delivery of therapeutic agents by nanoparticles made of grapefruit-derived lipids. Nature Communications. 4 (1867). N. pag. Web.