On the Horizon: A Promising New Approach to Chronic Lyme Disease

New Discovery Brings Fresh Hope

Post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS) is an increasingly common disorder that involves continuing symptoms of cognitive dysfunction (brain fog and memory loss), extreme fatigue, fibromyalgia-like pain, insomnia, and depression long after traditional antibiotic treatment for the tick-borne condition has been completed. Researchers disagree as to why it arises and persists. However, some suggest it may be autoimmune in nature. Regardless of the cause, PTLDS can cause significant hardship for those who suffer from it, especially because treatment options are limited. But now, scientists have discovered a novel approach that may offer chronic Lyme patients new hope.

Tulane Study Uncovers a Possible Solution

Published in the journal Frontiers in Immunology, researchers at Tulane University have identified a potential new treatment path for the persistent neurological symptoms of PTLDS.

Lead researcher Geetha Parthasarathy, PhD, an assistant professor of microbiology and immunology at the Tulane National Primate Research Center, has found that fibroblast growth factor receptor inhibitors — a type of drug studied for cancer treatment — significantly lower inflammation and reduce cell death in brain and nerve tissues infected with the bacteria that causes Lyme disease: Borrelia burgdorferi.

This discovery may be a new treatment avenue for PTLDS by targeting FGFR pathways to address persistent neuroinflammation.

For the study, the team infected nerve tissue with live or inactivated Borrelia burgdorferi, which was then followed by a dose of FGFR inhibitors. The results established a significant reduction of both inflammatory markers and cell death.

“Our findings open the door to new research approaches that can help us support patients suffering from the lasting effects of Lyme disease,” Parthasarathy said. “By focusing on the underlying inflammation that contributes to these symptoms, we hope to develop treatments that can improve the quality of life for those affected by this debilitating condition.”1

The study was funded by the Bay Area Lyme Foundation with support from the Tulane National Primate Research Center base grant of the National Institutes of Health.

While these findings provide a ray of hope for those with PTLDS, more research is needed before treatment is available for patients. However, Chinese skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis)* has been used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine for cancer and was shown to block fibroblast growth factor-induced angiogenesis in a 2003 study. It may provide an all-natural approach to chronic Lyme disease in light of the Tulane findings.²

This Medicinal Herb is Fighting More Than Just Lyme Disease

Not only does the herb show promise in blocking the fibroblast growth factor that promotes inflammation in Lyme disease, Scutellaria baicalensis helps relieve allergies, anxiety, and gum inflammation/plaque as well. Importantly, several studies have also shown it helps to prevent the growth and spread of a range of cancers — including prostate, breast, cervical, liver, pancreas, bone, colon, and ovarian.^2,3,4,5

What’s more, it is neuroprotective due to abundant antioxidants that suppress oxidative stress, which is associated with Alzheimer’s, depression, anxiety, and Parkinson’s. Baicalin and wogonin – 2 compounds found in Chinese skullcap – also exhibit strong antiviral activity against severe respiratory illness, the common cold, and influenza.⁶ You can read more about this beneficial medicinal herb here.

*Note: Chinese skullcap is different from American skullcap – Scutellaria lateriflora.

A Potent Herbal Blend for Immune and Inflammation Support

Chinese skullcap can be found in our powerful Eastern Blend, along with Japanese honeysuckle, Japanese knotweed, and cordyceps mushroom. These researched-backed herbs address a wide range of health concerns — including Lyme disease.

HELPED TO PROTECT AGAINST ILLNESS

“I’m thankful for my Eastern Blend Defense! In the spring, I was bitten by a deer tick that tested positive for Lyme disease. I had Eastern Blend on hand and started taking it immediately, every day, for at least a month. I’ve had no symptoms of Lyme disease & I’m confident the Eastern Blend was the best thing I could have taken to help my body fight off the Lyme! I won’t be caught without Nicole’s Eastern Blend Defense tincture! Thank you, Nicole!” -Vicki

Nicole Apelian

Nicole’s Apothecary Products in this Post

References

1. Tulane University. (2024, April 18). Potential new treatment path for lasting Lyme disease symptoms. ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases 2024/04/240418132710.htm
2. Liu J, Huang T, Cheng W, Lu F. Baicalein and baicalin are potent inhibitors of angiogenesis: inhibition of endothelial cell proliferations, migration and differentiation. Int J Cancer. 2003;106:559–565. doi: 10.1002/ijc.11267
3. Ma, Xingcong et al. “Baicalein suppresses metastasis of breast cancer cells by inhibiting EMT via downregulation of SATB1 and Wnt/β-catenin pathway.” Drug design, development and therapy vol. 10 1419-41. 18 Apr. 2016, doi:10.2147/DDDT.S102541. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27143851/
4. Motoo, Y, and N Sawabu. “Antitumor effects of saikosaponins, baicalin and baicalein on human hepatoma cell lines.” Cancer letters vol. 86,1 (1994): 91-5. doi:10.1016/0304-3835(94)90184-8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7954360/
5. Zhang, Hai-Wei et al. “Wogonin induced differentiation and G1 phase arrest of human U-937 leukemia cells via PKCdelta phosphorylation.” European journal of pharmacology vol. 591,1-3 (2008): 7-12. doi:10.1016/j.ejphar.2008.06.024. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18577379/
6. Fuzimoto AD, Isidoro C. The antiviral and coronavirus-host protein pathways inhibiting properties of herbs and natural compounds – Additional weapons in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic? J Tradit Complement Med. 2020 May 30;10(4):405-419. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2020.05.003. PMID: 32691005; PMCID: PMC7260130.