Sambucol extract is produced from the berries of the black elderberry tree. It is a patented product sold by Razei Bar Industries. Several other companies market other formulations of elderberry extracts. Some studies provide evidence that elderberry extracts are effective in treating influenza, or the flu, sinusitis and the common cold. The proposed active ingredients of elderberry extracts are flavonoids and anthocyanins, which act as antioxidants and are known to stimulate immune system function.
The Flu
The flu is an illness caused by influenza viruses, of which there are several strains. The most common symptoms of influenza virus infection are fever, chills, headache, weakness, sore throat, coughing and, more rarely, nausea and vomiting. Yearly vaccination can prevent contracting some of the most common influenza viruses. A few antiviral drugs that act by preventing influenza viruses from infecting cells in the body are available. However, some flu viruses are resistant to these drugs.
Stimulates Immune System
A study in the Israel Medical Association Journal reports that Sambucol preparations stimulate immune system function by increasing chemical messengers that aid in virus destruction. This study confirms the results from another study published in European Cytokine Network journal, which reports that Sambucol stimulates immune system function in healthy subjects. In both of these studies, both anti-inflammatory and inflammatory chemical messengers were increased, and both favorable and unfavorable effects might occur, which these studies did not address.
Anti-viral Activity
A study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine states that Sambucol was effective against 10 strains of influenza viruses in laboratory experiments. An unpublished study conducted at a British medical research institute reports that Sambucol was 99 percent effective against the avian flu virus, H5N1, in laboratory experiments.
Flu Symptom Relief
A study in a 2004 issue of the Journal of International Medical Research reports that 15ml of elderberry syrup administered four times per day for five days relieved flu symptoms on average four days earlier than placebo syrup. This study confirmed results of an earlier study conducted by Razei Bar Industries. Large-scale human trials have not been conducted on the therapeutic benefits of Sambucol or other elderberry extracts, but further research is warranted based on the results of small preliminary human studies. Studies also have not been conducted to determine if elderberry extracts prevent influenza virus infection.
Adverse Effects
The human studies did not report any adverse effects from administration of Sambucol. However, no clinical trials have been conducted to determine the side effects of short-term or long-term administration of Sambucol or other elderberry extracts. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine says that consumption of uncooked and unripe elderberries can cause gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea.
References
- Pubmed.gov: Randomized Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Oral Elderberry Extract in the Treatment of Influenza A and B Virus Infections
- Israel Medical Association Journal: The Effect of Herbal Remedies on the Production of Human Inflammatory and Anti-inflammatory Cytokines
- Pubmed.gov: The Effect of Sambucol, A Black Elderberry-Based, Natural Product, on the Production of Human Cytokines
- Israel 21c: Study Shows Israeli Elderberry Extract Effective Against Avian Flu
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Elderberry
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