Bioclinic Naturals, Urinary-Pro 60 Tablets

Benefits

• Contains a unique combination of four plant extracts that promote healthy urinary function
• Provides 250 mg of bearberry (uva-ursi) per tablet, standardized to 20% of arbutin, with both diuretic and antimicrobial actions
• Berberine hydrochloride enhances Nrf2 activity, promoting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects
• Juniper and berberine extracts both inhibit bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation
• Echinacea purpurea enhances immune function and provides antiviral support
• Suitable for vegans

Feature Summary

Urinary-Pro provides clinical doses of four plant extracts that support healthy urinary function. A unique combination of extracts from bearberry (uva-ursi), juniper, Echinacea purpurea, as well as berberine promotes antimicrobial and antioxidant activity along the urinary tract, inhibiting bacterial growth and adhesion while also supporting immune function.

Bearberry has the highest natural content of the phenol arbutin (hydroquinone beta-D-glucoside) and has a long history of use as a urinary antiseptic.1 The aglycone hydroquinone of arbutin, which is released in alkaline urine, is thought to provide antimicrobial action.2 In a clinical trial, women with recurrent cystitis had no infections over one year when consuming bearberry, compared to 23% of the placebo group.3 Berberine, well known for its antibacterial properties, has been found to inhibit the adhesion of E. coli to human bladder cells, as well as the formation of bacterial biofilms by E. faecalis, in vitro.4,5 Berberine has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects and protect against oxidative damage, in part by enhancing nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activity, a key signalling pathway for antioxidant defense.6

Urinary-Pro also provides a 4:1 extract of juniper, known for its antimicrobial, antioxidant, and diuretic properties, and shown to prevent the adhesion and growth of several bacterial species, including E. coli, in vitro.7,8,9 A 6:1 extract of Echinacea purpurea supports healthy urinary function by modulating both innate and specific immune activity. Additionally, it has been shown to have both antiviral and antibacterial properties.10,11

Non-Medicinal Ingredients

Microcrystalline cellulose, dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate, croscarmellose sodium, coating (carbohydrate gum, glycerin), silica, stearic acid, vegetable grade magnesium stearate (lubricant).

Dosage

Recommended Adult Dose: 2 tablets 2 times per day or as directed by a health care practitioner. Take a few hours before or after any medication or natural health product. Do not take with highly acidic foods (e.g., citrus fruits and juice) or medications, which may acidify urine. For occasional use only. Consult a health care practitioner for use beyond one week.

Warnings

Consult a health care practitioner if symptoms persist or worsen. Consult a health care practitioner before use if you have hypoglycemia, hypotension, leucopenia, fever, painful urination (dysuria), spasms, blood in urine, an auto-immune disorder, or a progressive systemic disease such as tuberculosis, collagenosis, multiple sclerosis, AIDS, and/or HIV infection, or if you are taking medications to suppress the immune system (immunosuppressive medications). Do not use this product if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have heart disease, high or low blood pressure, kidney or liver disorder, diabetes or edema (swelling of hands, face, and feet), or if you are taking products containing diuretics. May cause gastrointestinal discomfort such as constipation, vomiting, abdominal pain, or diarrhea, in which case discontinue use and consult a health care practitioner. Stop use and seek medical attention immediately if you experience dizziness, confusion, muscle weakness or pain, abnormal heartbeat, and/or difficulty breathing. Stop use if hypersensitivity/allergy occurs. Keep out of reach of children.

Allergens

Contains no artificial colors, preservatives, or sweeteners; no dairy, starch, sugar, wheat, gluten, yeast, soy, egg, fish, shellfish, animal products, tree nuts, or GMOs. Suitable for vegetarians/ vegans. They are sealed for your protection. Do not use it if the seal is broken. For freshness, store in a cool, dry place.

Drug Interactions

No known drug interactions exist. As a diuretic, bearberry theoretically may increase serum lithium levels, but this has not been shown clinically.12 Berberine has been shown to lower blood glucose levels and may have an additive effect when combined with other hypoglycemic medications, such as metformin.13 Berberine has also been shown to increase levels of cyclosporin A, and combined use should be avoided.14 Berberine has demonstrated inhibitory activity on cytochrome enzymes CYP2D6, CYP3A4, and CYP2C9, and the use of medications metabolized by these enzymes should be monitored.15 Echinacea has been shown to reduce the required steroid dosage in inflammatory conditions and may improve the efficacy of antifungal treatments for infection with Candida sp.16,17,18 Although direct evidence of drug interactions with echinacea is lacking, it is a weak inhibitor of CYP1A2 and a minor inducer of CYP3A4 and may have a slight effect on drugs metabolized through these pathways.19

References

1. Asensio, E., Vitales, D., Pérez, I., et al. (2020). Phenolic compounds content and genetic diversity at the population level across the natural distribution range of bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Ericaceae) in the Iberian Peninsula. Plants (Basel), 9(9), 1250.
2. Ma, C., He, N., Zhao, Y., et al. (2019). Antimicrobial mechanism of hydroquinone. Appl Biochem Biotechnol, 189(4), 1291-1303.
3. Larsson, B., Jonasson, A., & Fianu, S. (1993). Prophylactic effect of UVA-E in women with recurrent cystitis: a preliminary report. Curr Ther Res, 53(4), 441-3.
4. Petronio, G.P., Cutuli, M.A., Magnifico, I., et al. (2020). In vitro and in vivo biological activity of berberine chloride against uropathogenic E. coli strains using Galleria mellonella as a host model. Molecules, 25(21), 5010.
5. Chen, L., Bu, Q., Xu, H., et al. (2016). The effect of berberine hydrochloride on Enterococcus faecalis biofilm formation and dispersion in vitro. Microbiol Res, 186-187, 44-51.
6. Ashrafizadeh, M., Fekri, H.S., Ahmadi, Z., et al. (2020). Therapeutic and biological activities of berberine: the involvement of Nrf2 signaling pathway. J Cell Biochem, 121(2), 1575-85.
7. Yarnell, E. (2002). Botanical medicines for the urinary tract. World J Urol, 20(5), 285-93.
8. Klančnik, A., Zorko, Š., Toplak, N., et al. (2018). Antiadhesion activity of juniper (Juniperus communis L.) preparations against Campylobacter jejuni evaluated with PCR-based methods. Phytother Res, 32(3), 542-50.
9. Fernandez A., & Cock I.E. (2016). The therapeutic properties of Juniperus communis L.: antioxidant capacity, bacterial growth inhibition, anticancer activity and toxicity. Pharmacogn J, 8(3), 273-80.
10. Catanzaro, M., Corsini, E., Rosini, M., et al. (2018). Immunomodulators inspired by nature: A review on curcumin and echinacea. Molecules, 23(11), 2778.
11. Sharifi-Rad, M., Mnayer, D., Morais-Braga, M.F.B., et al. (2018). Echinacea plants as antioxidant and antibacterial agents: from traditional medicine to biotechnological applications. Phytother Res, 32(9),1653-63.
12. Malhi, G.S., Bell, E., Outhred, T., et al. (2020). Lithium therapy and its interactions. Aust Prescr, 43(3), 91-3.
13. Zhang, H., Wei, J., Xue, R., et al. (2010). Berberine lowers blood glucose in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients through increasing insulin receptor expression. Metabolism, 59(2), 285-92.
14. Xin, H.-W., Wu, X.-C., Li, Q., et al. (2006). The effects of berberine on the pharmacokinetics of cyclosporin A in healthy volunteers. Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol, 28(1), 25-9.
15. Guo, Y., Chen, Y., Tan, Z.-R., et al. (2012). Repeated administration of berberine inhibits cytochromes P450 in humans. Eur J Clin Pharmacol, 68(2), 213-7.
16. Manayi, A., Vazirian, M., & Saeidnia, S. (2015). Echinacea purpurea: pharmacology, phytochemistry and analysis methods. Pharmacogn Rev, 9(17), 63-72.
17. Coeugniet, E., & Kuhnast R. (1986). Recurrent candidiasis: adjuvant immunotherapy with different formulations of Echinacin (TM). Therapiewoche, 36, 3352-8.
18. Neri, P.G., Stagni, E., Filippello, M., et al. (2006). Oral Echinacea purpurea extract in low-grade, steroid-dependent, autoimmune idiopathic uveitis: a pilot study. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther, 22(6), 431-6.
19. Freeman, C., & Spelman, K. (2008). A critical evaluation of drug interactions with Echinacea spp. Mol Nutr Food Res, 52(7), 789-98.