Vernonia cinerea Less. supplementation and strenuous exercise reduce smoking rate: Relation to oxidative stress status and beta-endorphin release in active smokers

Purpose: the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of vernonia cinerea less. (vc) supplementation and exercise on oxidative stress biomarkers,beta-endorphin release,and the rate of cigarette smoking.methods: volunteer smokers were randomly divided into four groups: group 1: vc supplement; group 2: exercise with vc supplement; group 3: exercise; and group 4: control. vc was prepared by wash and dry techniques and taken orally before smoking,matching the frequency of strenuous exercise (three times weekly). before and after a two month period,exhaled carbon monoxide (co),blood oxidative stress (malondialdehyde [mda],nitric oxide [nox],protein hydroperoxide [prooh] and total antioxidant capacity [tac]),beta-endorphin and smoking rate were measured,and statistically analyzed.results: in group 1,mda,prooh,and nox significantly decreased,whereas tac increased (p < 0.05). in group 2,mda and prooh decreased (p < 0.05),with no other changes noted (p > 0.05). in group 3,mda,prooh,nox,tac,and beta-endorphin levels increased significantly (p < 0.05). group 4 showed no change in oxidative stress variables or beta-endorphine levels (p > 0.05). all groups had lower levels of co after the intervention. the smoking rate for light cigarette decreased in group 2(62.7%),1(59.52%),3 (53.57%) and 4(14.04%),whereas in self-rolled cigarettes it decreased in group 1 (54.47%),3 (42.30%),2 (40%) and 4 (9.2%).conclusion: supplementation with vernonia cinerea less and exercise provided benefit related to reduced smoking rate,which may be related to oxidaive stress and beta-endorphine levels. © 2010 leelarungrayub et al; licensee biomed central ltd.