Indian Gooseberry and Barley Sprout Complex Prevent Oxidative Stress and Photoaging of the Skin in Ultraviolet B-Irradiated SHK-I Mice.

This study investigated the protective effects of a complex of Indian gooseberry and barley sprout (IB complex) on oxidative stress and skin damage caused by ultraviolet B irradiation in SHK-I hairless mice. The study examined the impact of IB complex on skin hydration, wrinkle formation, and melanogenesis using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and western blot analysis. The IB complex reduced skin hydration loss and wrinkle formation, while also demonstrating enhanced antioxidant activities. The IB complex maintained skin hydration via upregulation of hyaluronic acid and ceramide synthesis, including the regulation of hyaluronic acid synthase, long-chain ceramide formation, dihydroceramide desaturase 1 activity, and type I collagen production. The IB complex prevented wrinkle formation via downregulating JNK and upregulating TGF-ß pathways. Moreover, IB complex blocked melanin production via inhibition of protein kinase A, cAMP response element-binding protein, and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor pathways. These results suggest that IB complex is a potential agent to protect the skin against photodamage caused by exposure to UVB radiation. The research protocols underwent approval from the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Kyung Hee University (KHGASP-21-577), ensuring compliance with ethical standards.

Comparative evaluation of the effect of ultrasonic and rotary agitation of herbal irrigating solutions on smear layer: A SEM study.

Context: Instrumentation and irrigation balance helps in effective removal of endodontic microbes housing inside the smear layer. Aim: This study aimed to (1) evaluate whether activation of the irrigating solutions with two different systems during the final irrigation step can lead to smear layer formation in the middle and apical third of the root canal and (2) evaluate and compare the smear layer removal ability of the aqueous extracts of Emblica officinalis and Morinda citrifolia. Materials and Methods: A total of 72 single-rooted teeth were prepared up to F4 ProTaper. The specimens were assigned into eight groups of nine teeth each, according to the final irrigant and activation techniques. Further, the teeth were evaluated under SEM for endodontic smear layer at the middle and apical third. Statistical Analysis: Inferential statistics included Pearson's Chi-square. Level of significance was set at 0.05 at 95% confidence level. Results: Ultrasonic activation system showed significant (P = 0.000) amount of smear layer compared to XP-Endo Finisher file. A significant difference (P = 0.00) in the smear layer removal was observed when 6% M. citrifolia was activated with XP-Endo Finisher file both in the middle and apical third. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this in vitro study, it can be concluded that smear layer formation was noted with ultrasonic and XP-Endo Finisher file when saline was used as an irrigant. 6% M. citrifolia when activated with XP-Endo Finisher file showed best results among all other experimental groups.

Canal disinfection using photo-chemically activated micro-bubble emulsion, Emblica officinalis, and Nd: YAP laser on smear layer and push-out bond strength of resin-based root canal sealer to the radicular dentin.

AIMS: Evaluation of the effects of the latest root canal disinfectants i.e., Micro-bubble emulsion (MBE), Neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum perovskite (Nd: YAP), Emblica officinalis (E. officinalis) on the removal of smear layer (SL) and push out bond strength (PBS) of resin-based root canal sealer to the radicular dentin. METHODS: The coronal portion of sixty single-rooted human mandibular premolar teeth was precisely sectioned at the cementoenamel junction. The canals were prepared to utilize ProTaper universal rotary files till F3. All the study specimens were divided into four groups based on the disinfection regime (n = 15) Group 1: 5.25% NaOCl, Group 2: MBE, Group 3: Nd: YAP laser and Group 4: E. officinalis extract. All the canals were then finally irrigated using 17% EDTA solution as a final disinfecting agent. SL removal assessment was performed on five samples from each group using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Ten samples from each group were then filled with root canal filling material and the roots were sectioned. Push-out test and failure mode analysis were performed using the universal testing machine (UTM) and stereomicroscope respectively. The mean scores of PBS and SL removal were compared using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Post Hoc Tukey's HSD test p = 0.05. RESULTS: Group-2 (MBE + EDTA) coronal section (1.50 ± 0.23) exhibited the most effective eradication of SL from the canal space. The apical third of Group-1 (NaOCl+EDTA) (2.68 ± 0.82) samples demonstrated the least effective removal of SL from the radicular canal. The maximum score of PBS of AH plus sealer to the canal dentin was exhibited by the coronal section of Group-2 (MBE + EDTA) (9.55 ± 0.45 MPa) samples. However, the apical third of Group-1 (NaOCl+ EDTA) specimens (5.16 ± 0.32 MPa) demonstrated the minimum EBS. CONCLUSION: MBE+ EDTA displayed better smear layer removal and bond integrity of AH plus sealer to the root canal dentin. Nd: YAP+ EDTA laser and E.officinalis displayed comparable outcomes to that of control NaOCl+ EDTA.

Natural alternatives from your garden for hair care: Revisiting the benefits of tropical herbs.

Hair shampoos containing botanical ingredients without synthetic additives, such as parabens, petrochemicals, sulfates and silicones are more skin- and environmentally friendly. In recent years, there is a growing demand for shampoo products with botanical extracts. Shampoos with botanical extracts are well-known for their perceived health benefits. They are also generally milder, non-toxic, natural, and less likely to disrupt the hair and scalp's natural pH and oil balance. Many also believe that shampoos with botanical origins have higher standards of quality. Numerous botanical extracts had been used as natural active ingredients in cosmetic formulations to meet consumer demands. In this review, we have revisited six tropical plants commonly added as natural active ingredients in shampoo formulations: Acacia concinna, Camellia oleifera, Azadirachta indica, Emblica officinalis, Sapindus mukorossi, and Garcinia mangostana. These plants have been traditionally used for hair care, and scientific research has shown that they exhibit relevant physicochemical properties and biological activities that are beneficial for hair care and scalp maintenance.

Comparative Evaluation of Microhardness, Smear Layer Removal Efficacy and Depth of Penetration Using Punica granatum, Emblica officinalis and Sodium Hypochlorite As Endodontic Irrigants: An In Vitro Study.

Introduction Root canal morphology tends to be complicated by nature and dealing with this intricacy can be challenging because it makes it difficult to completely disinfect the root canal space. The success of root canal therapy is also determined by the biomechanical preparation of the canal with the application of instruments and irrigating solutions. Due to the fact that the root dentin surface continues to interact with the irrigating solution during preparation, it's critical to evaluate the mechanical characteristics and smear layer removal. Though sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) is the most commonly used irrigant due to its tissue-dissolving abilities, it has certain drawbacks which include the inability to remove the smear layer and also affects the mechanical properties of root dentin. To overcome these limitations, a variety of herbal substitutes like Punica granatum and Emblica officinalis which possess anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties can be used as endodontic irrigants. Several studies on the anti-bacterial properties of natural irrigants of pomegranate and amla were reported. However, the mechanical properties and smear layer removal of Punica granatum and Emblica officinalis have not been explored in the field of endodontics. Aim The main aim of this in vitro study is to compare and evaluate microhardness, smear layer removal efficacy and depth of penetration of herbal and conventional irrigants. Materials and methods Thirty-six palatal roots of maxillary molars were decoronated and instrumented up to F3. These roots were sectioned longitudinally and divided into three test groups: Group 1: 12.5% Punica granatum; Group 2: 6.25% Emblica officinalis; control: Group 3: 2.5% NaOCl. All specimens were irrigated with 5ml of each irrigant for 5 minutes. Microhardness of root dentin was measured using a Vickers diamond intender, smear layer removal using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and depth of penetration using a stereomicroscope. The data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA and the inter-group comparison using Tukey's post hoc test. Results Statistical analysis was done using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's post hoc test using SPSS software version 17.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago ). The highest microhardness was seen in Group 1 (cervical: 53.8375 ± 1.35956, middle: 53.9875 ± 1.01761, apical: 53.6875 ± 1.63133) while Group 2 (cervical: 43.2750 ± 1.73596, middle: 43.3125 ± 1.17648, apical: 43.8000 ± ​​​​​​​1.32665) and Group 3 (cervical: 42.7250 ±â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹ 2.93391, middle: 41.9625 ±â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹ 1.66985, apical: 42.0250 ±â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹ 2.21085) showed significant reduction in root dentin hardness. Regarding smear layer removal Group 1 (1.3750 ±â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹ 0.51755), and Group 2 (1.2500 ±â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹ 0.46291) reveals greater smear removal in the middle third of the root dentin compared with Group 3 (2.3750 ±â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹ 0.51755), which showed the least smear layer removal. A greater depth of penetration was seen in Group 1 (0.5488 ± 0.05222) and Group 2 (0.5263 ±â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹ 0.05181) than in Group 3 (0.3087 ±â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹ 0.05743). Conclusion The present study reveals that the least reduction of microhardness was seen in Punica granatum followed by Emblica officinalis and NaOCl. The smear layer removal efficacy and depth of penetration were greater in Punica granatum and Emblica officinalis than in NaOCl. It was concluded that as these herbal irrigants are biocompatible agents, they can be considered for future use in root canal treatment.

Clinical effects of Emblica officinalis fruit consumption on cardiovascular disease risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Emblica officinalis (EO) fruit consumption has been found to have a beneficial effect on cardiovascular disease (CVD) physiological risk factors in preliminary clinical intervention trials; however, questions remain regarding the overall effectiveness of EO on CVD risk. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to: 1) systematically describe the clinical research examining EO; and 2) quantitatively assess the effects of EO on CVD physiological risk factors. METHODS: The Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar electronic platforms were searched for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published until April 7, 2021. Studies were included if they involved adults (age ≥ 18 years) ingesting a form of EO fruit; included blood lipids, blood pressure, and/or inflammatory biomarkers as outcomes; had clearly defined intervention and control treatments with pre- and post-intervention data; were peer-reviewed; and were written in English. Studies were excluded if they compared EO with another risk reduction intervention without a usual care control group. RCTs were assessed for methodological quality using the Cochrane risk-of-bias version 2 (ROB2) tool, qualitatively described, and quantitatively evaluated using random and fixed effect meta-analysis models. RESULTS: A total of nine RCTs (n = 535 participants) were included for review. Included studies followed parallel-group (n = 6) and crossover (n = 3) designs, with EO dosage ranging from 500 mg/day to 1500 mg/day, and treatment duration ranging from 14 to 84 days. Meta-analyses revealed EO to have a significant composite effect at lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; Mean difference (MD) = -15.08 mg/dL [95% Confidence interval (CI) = -25.43 to -4.73], I2 = 77%, prediction interval = -48.29 to 18.13), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C; MD = -5.43 mg/dL [95% CI = -8.37 to -2.49], I2 = 44%), triglycerides (TG; MD = -22.35 mg/dL [95% CI = -39.71 to -4.99], I2 = 62%, prediction interval = -73.47 to 28.77), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP; MD = -1.70 mg/L [95% CI = -2.06 to -1.33], I2 = 0%) compared with placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Due to statistical and clinical heterogeneity in the limited number of clinical trials to date, the promising effects of EO on physiologic CVD risk factors in this review should be interpreted with caution. Further research is needed to determine if EO offers an efficacious option for primary or secondary prevention of CVD as either monotherapy or adjunct to evidence-based dietary patterns and/or standard pharmacotherapy.

Emblica officinalis mitigates intestinal toxicity of mice by modulating gut microbiota in lead exposure.

Lead (Pb) contamination has been affecting public health for decades. As a plant-derived medicine, the safety and effectiveness of Emblica officinalis (E. officinalis) fruit extract has been emphasized. The current study focused on mitigating the adverse effects of lead (Pb) exposure in reducing its toxicity worldwide. According to our findings, E. officinalis significantly improved weight loss and colon length shortening (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). The data of colon histopathology and serum levels of inflammatory cytokines indicated a positive impact to the colonic tissue and inflammatory cell infiltration in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, we confirmed the expression level improvement of tight junction proteins (TJPs), including ZO-1, Claudin-1, and Occludin. Furthermore, we found that the abundance of some commensal species necessary for maintaining homeostasis and other beneficial function decreased in Pb exposure model, while a remarkable reversion impact was noticed on the intestinal microbiome composition in the treatment group. These findings were consistent with our speculations that E. officinalis could mitigate the adverse effects caused by Pb in alleviating intestinal tissue damage, intestinal barrier disruption, and inflammation. Meanwhile, the variations in gut microbiota might drive the fulfilling current impact. Hence, the present study could provide the theoretical basis for mitigating intestinal toxicity induced by Pb exposure with the help of E. officinalis.

Attenuation of Hyperlipidemia by Medicinal Formulations of Emblica officinalis Synergized with Nanotechnological Approaches.

The ayurvedic herb Emblica officinalis (E. officinalis) is a gift to mankind to acquire a healthy lifestyle. It has great therapeutic and nutritional importance. Emblica officinalis, also known as Indian gooseberry or Amla, is a member of the Euphorbiaceae family. Amla is beneficial for treating illnesses in all its forms. The most crucial component is a fruit, which is also the most common. It is used frequently in Indian medicine as a restorative, diuretic, liver tonic, refrigerant, stomachic, laxative, antipyretic, hair tonic, ulcer preventive, and for the common cold and fever. Hyperlipidemia is also known as high cholesterol or an increase in one or more lipid-containing blood proteins. Various phytocompounds, including polyphenols, vitamins, amino acids, fixed oils, and flavonoids, are present in the various parts of E. officinalis. E. officinalis has been linked to a variety of pharmacological effects in earlier studies, including hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, radioprotective, and hyperlipidemic effects. The amla-derived active ingredients and food products nevertheless encounter challenges such as instability and interactions with other food matrices. Considering the issue from this perspective, food component nanoencapsulation is a young and cutting-edge field for controlled and targeted delivery with a range of preventative activities. The nanoformulation of E. officinalis facilitates the release of active components or food ingredients, increased bioaccessibility, enhanced therapeutic activities, and digestion in the human body. Accordingly, the current review provides a summary of the phytoconstituents of E. officinalis, pharmacological actions detailing the plant E. officinalis's traditional uses, and especially hyperlipidemic activity. Correspondingly, the article describes the uses of nanotechnology in amla therapeutics and functional ingredients.

A chemometric approach to evaluate the effects of probe-type ultrasonication on the enzyme inactivation and quality attributes of fresh amla juice.

The enzymatic browning induced in amla juice due to the high activity of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) is one of the critical issues faced by the industry. The present study assessed the suitability of non-thermal, high-intensity ultrasound (US) on the inactivation of PPO and POD in fresh Indian Gooseberry juice. Ultrasonic waves, using a 6 mm titanium alloy probe were irradiated in the juice at a maximum power of 455 W and frequency of 20 kHz. The subsequent effects on biochemical attributes were studied using response surface methodology. Inactivation rates of 90.72 % and 73.18 %, respectively, for PPO and POD enzymes, were observed at the highest US intensity and exposure time. Numerical optimisation using the three-factor, three-level Box-Behnken design suggested that an optimum process at 70 % (energy density: 1610 Wcm-2) pulsed at 5 s on and 5 s off for 7 min 30 s resulted in PPO and POD inactivation of the order of 76.42 % and 64.57 % respectively. At these experimental conditions, the optimized levels of biochemical attributes i.e., ascorbic acid (738.50 mg/100 mL), total phenols (17.10 mg/mL), DPPH antioxidant activity (58.47 %), tannins (7.11 µg/mL), colour change (ΔE = 9.04) and flavonoids (6.14 mg/mL) were achieved. The overall statistical models were significant for all the responses except for reducing sugars. Furthermore, the approximation equations for individual responses indicated that the goodness of fit was adequate (R2 > 0.90). The results suggested that ultrasound is a suitable processing technique for amla juice stabilisation compared to thermal treatments that result in the loss of quality.

Comparative Evaluation of the Phytochemical Analysis and Efficacy of Four Plant-derived Extracts against Streptococcus mutans: An In Vitro Study.

Introduction: Oral health is a loyal part of general health. As per the World Health Organization (WHO), dental caries is the most widespread noncommunicable disease and is a significant universal public health concern. The main causative organism associated with this disease is Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans). Various synthetic agents like chlorhexidine and fluorides are commercially available to prevent dental caries. However, these have side effects. Presently, research is engaged in the use of plant extracts to develop an effective and biocompatible material that may be used safely in the oral cavity. Methodology: Four plants were collected-Emblica officinalis, Vitis vinifera seeds, Psidium guajava (P. guajava) Linn leaves, and Acacia nilotica (A. nilotica), and extracts were prepared individually. These extracts were subjected to phytochemical analysis, and bacterial growth and fermentation were assessed. Result: The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. All the plant extracts inhibited S. mutans growth at all serial dilutions except P. guajava Linn and A. nilotica showing 55 CFU/mL and 5 CFU/mL, respectively in 1/1000 dilution only. The phytochemical analysis confirmed that all four plant extracts had alkaloids, carbohydrates, tannins, and flavonoids. Steroids and proteins are present in P. guajava Linn. Proanthocyanidins were present in Vitis vinifera. Saponins and Anthraquinones were present in A. nilotica exclusively. Conclusion: All the extracts were effective against S. mutans. These could be tried as herbal alternatives to conventional adjuncts. However, these results must be additionally evaluated for toxicity in animal models, and effectiveness must be assessed using in vivo studies on human subjects. How to cite this article: Kripalani KB, Thomas NA, Thimmaiah C, et al. Comparative Evaluation of the Phytochemical Analysis and Efficacy of Four Plant-derived Extracts against Streptococcus mutans: An In Vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(S-3):S258-S262.

Comparative Evaluation of Antibacterial Efficacy of Emblica Officinalis Lollipop Against Streptococcus Mutans Counts in Institutionalized Visually Impaired Children.

Background Among the 1.21 billion population of India, 26.8 million individuals have disabilities, and around five million are visually impaired. These children encounter problems related to oral health maintenance, thus further leading to dental problems. Even though Pediatric dentists treat visually impaired children for their oral problems, they emphasize mainly on the prevention of dental caries. Dental caries has a multifactorial etiology, and dentists are unable to find a complete solution for its prevention. However, reducing Streptococcus mutans has been seen to reduce the caries rate in the past. The use of the herbal product Emblica officinalis to reduce Streptococcus mutans levels has been documented. An affordable delivery system is required to use Emblica officinalis for its anticaries action. Thus, a unique delivery system of herbal sugar-free lollipops containing Emblica officinalis extract was made and can effectively deliver antimicrobial action in visually impaired children. Aim To evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of Emblica officinalis lollipop on Streptococcus mutans counts and pH levels in institutionalized visually impaired children. Method A total of 60 institutionalized visually impaired children (age: 4 to 14 years) were selected. The study consisted of two groups (experimental "Emblica officinalis lollipop" and control "placebo lollipop"), and the children were divided equally into both groups. Children from the study and control groups were subjected to the respective lollipops twice daily for seven days. Streptococcus mutans count and pH count were evaluated at baseline and after seven days post-intervention of the respective lollipop. Results The results showed that in both groups, Streptococcus mutans count was reduced post-intervention. However, the efficacy of the study group (Emblica officinalis lollipop) in inhibiting the Streptococcus mutans count was better than the control group (placebo lollipop). An increase in the pH level was seen post-intervention for both the study and control groups. And on the intergroup comparison, no statistical significance was found. Conclusion The use of Emblica officinalis lollipop is effective in inhibiting the Streptococcus mutans count when compared with the placebo lollipop. While marginal pH change was seen in both groups. Thus, the herbal modality most acceptable without any pharmaceutical concerns should be chosen. Emblica officinalis lollipops can be used in institutionalized visually impaired children to reduce the oral Streptococcus mutans count and maintain a healthy oral cavity.

Utility of Indian Fruits in Cancer Prevention and Treatment: Time to Undertake Translational and Bedside Studies.

The World Health Organization predicts a 70% increase in cancer incidents in developing nations over the next decade, and it will be the second leading cause of death worldwide. Traditional plant-based medicine systems play an important role against various diseases and provide health care to a large section of the population in developing countries. Indigenous fruits and their bioactive compounds with beneficial effects like antioxidant, antiproliferative, and immunomodulatory are shown to be useful in preventing the incidence of cancer. India is one of the biodiversity regions and is native to numerous flora and fauna in the world. Of the many fruiting trees indigenous to India, Mango (Mangifera indica), Black plum (Eugenia jambolana or Syzygium jambolana), Indian gooseberry (Emblica officinalis or Phyllanthus emblica), kokum (Garcinia indica or Brindonia indica), stone apple or bael (Aegle marmelos), Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus), Karaunda (Carissa carandas) and Phalsa (Grewia asiatica), Monkey Jackfruit (Artocarpus lakoocha) and Elephant apple (Dillenia indica) have been shown to be beneficial in preventing cancer and in the treatment of cancer in validated preclinical models of study. In this review, efforts are also made to collate the fruits' anticancer effects and the important phytochemicals. Efforts are also made to address the underlying mechanism/s responsible for the beneficial effects of these fruits in cancer prevention and treatment. These fruits have been a part of the diet, are non-toxic, and easily acceptable for human application. The plants and some of their phytochemicals possess diverse medicinal properties. The authors propose that future studies should be directed at detailed studies with various preclinical models of study with both composite fruit extract/juice and the individual phytochemicals. Additionally, translational studies should be planned with the highly beneficial, well-investigated and pharmacologically multifactorial amla to understand its usefulness as a cancer preventive in the high-risk population and as a supportive agent in cancer survivors. The outcome of both preclinical and clinical studies will be useful for patients, the healthcare fraternity, pharmaceutical, and agro-based sectors.

Evaluation of the anti-hyperlipidemic effects of Triphala in high fat diet fed rats: Studies with two combinations.

Background: Hyperlipidemia is one of the major risk factors for coronary heart disease and stroke. Triphala, a polyherbal Ayurvedic formulation made from dried fruits of Haritaki (Terminalia chebula Retz.), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica Roxb.), and Amalaki (Phyllanthus emblica Gaertn.) has been suggested to be useful in mitigating hyperlipidemia. In the Ayurveda texts, depending on the patient's condition and body type, Triphala is formulated and used in one of the two combination (1:1:1 and 1:2:4 of individual constituents) forms. Aims: The present study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of two combinations (1:1:1 and 1:2:4 of individual constituents) of Triphala against high fat diet induced-hyperlipidemia in rats. Materials and method: Hyperlipidemia was induced in Spraque-Dawley albino rats by feeding them with high fat diet. The animals were concomitantly administered with graded dose of one of the two combination (combination of Haritaki, Bibhitaki, and Amalaki in ratio of 1:1:1 or 1:2:4, respectively) of Triphala (250, 500, or 1000 mg/kg body wt.) or atorvastatin. The animals were sacrificed on day 22 and serum was processed for lipid profile and the liver for lipid peroxidation. The statistical analysis was performed by the mean analysis of variance followed by Dunnet's test. Results: The results indicated that when compared to placebo group, levels of serum total cholesterol, and triglyceride were significantly lower, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased in both the Triphala combination and atorvastatin groups. Of the two groups of Triphala, the formulation having 1:2:4 ratio was better than the 1:1:1. The group having highest drug dose (1000 mg/kg body wt.) of 1:2:4 formulation was better than atorvastatin in rectifying high fat diet-induced dyslipidemia and the atherogenic index was equal to that of atorvastatin. Conclusions: The results of the study indicate that of the two Triphala formulations, the 1:2:4 ratio was better than the 1:1:1 ratio for anti-hyper-lipidemic effects.

Antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of seeds from emblica officinalis (Gaertn.).

There is a shred of evidence to suggest that Emblica officinalis Gaertn, the botanical name for amla seeds, has greater medicinal potential than amla fruit. We conducted this work to assess the anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant capacities of E. officinalis seed extracts. The bioactive components from the seeds were fractionated using chloroform, hexane, methanol, and diethyl ether, according to the polarity of the solvents. The total amount of phenolic and flavonoid was estimated. Both the reducing power and antioxidant capacities of the extracts were evaluated using the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl) technique. 15-lipoxygenase (LOX) was inhibited by seed extracts at doses ranging from 5 to 25 micrograms. In silico docking was employed to assess the results. Some human pathogenic microorganisms were tested for their antibacterial activity using the agar disc diffusion method. Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, and Klebsiella pneumonia were inhibited by a methanolic extract with an IC50 value of 58g, making it the most common organic solvent extract. Methanolic extracts also showed good antioxidant and antibacterial activity. Our investigation led us to discover that amla seeds have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial effects.

Indian Indigenous Fruits as Radioprotective Agents: Past, Present and Future.

Ionising radiation has been an important modality in cancer treatment and its value is immense when surgical intervention is risky or might debilitate/adversely affect the patient. However, the beneficial effect of radiation modality is negated by the damage to the adjacent healthy tissue in the field of radiation. Under these situations, the use of radioprotective compounds that can selectively protect normal tissues against radiation injury is considered very useful. However, research spanning over half a century has shown that there are no ideal radioprotectors available. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA or USFDA) approved amifostine, or WR-2721 (Walter Reed-2721) [chemically S-2-(3-aminopropyl-amino) ethyl phosphorothioic acid] is toxic at their optimal concentrations. This has necessitated the need for agents that are safe and easily acceptable to humans. BACKGROUND: Dietary agents with beneficial effects like free radical scavenging, antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects are being recognized as useful and have been investigated for their radioprotective properties. Studies in these lines have shown that the fruits of Aegle marmelos (stone apple or bael), Emblica officinalis or Phyllanthus emblica (Indian gooseberry/amla), Eugenia jambolana or Syzygium jambolana (black plum/jamun), Mangifera indica (mango) and Grewia asiatica (phalsa or falsa) that are originally reported to be indigenous to India have been investigated for their usefulness as radioprotective agents. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review is to summarize the beneficial effects of the Indian indigenous fruits, stone apple, mango, Indian gooseberry, black plum, and phalsa, in mitigating radiation-induced side effects, emphasize the underlying mechanism of action for the beneficial effects and address aspects that merit detail investigations for these fruits to move towards clinical application in the near future. METHODS: The authors data-mined Google Scholar, PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for publications in the field from 1981 up to July 2020. The focus was on the radioprotection and the mechanism responsible for the beneficial effects, and accordingly, the articles were collated and analyzed. RESULTS: This article emphasizes the usefulness of stone apple, mango, Indian gooseberry, black plum, and phalsa as radioprotective agents. From a mechanistic view, reports are suggestive that the beneficial effects are mediated by triggering free radical scavenging, antioxidant, anti-mutagenic and anti-inflammatory effects. CONCLUSION: For the first time, this review addresses the beneficial effects of mango, Indian gooseberry, black plum, stone apple and phalsa as radioprotective agents. The authors suggest that future studies should be directed at understanding the selective radioprotective effects with tumor-bearing laboratory animals to understand their usefulness as radioprotective drug/s during radiotherapy and as a food supplement to protect people from getting exposed to low doses of radiation in occupational settings. Phase I clinical trial studies are also required to ascertain the optimal dose and the schedule to be followed with the standardized extract of these fruits. The most important aspect is that these fruits, being a part of the diet, have been consumed since the beginning of mankind, are non-toxic, possess diverse medicinal properties, have easy acceptability, all of which will help take research forward and be of benefit to patients, occupational workers, agro-based sectors and pharma industries.

Circulatory GSK-3ß: Blood-Based Biomarker and Therapeutic Target for Alzheimer's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the progressive brain disorder which degenerates brain cells connection and causes memory loss. Although AD is irreversible, it is not impossible to arrest or slow down the progression of the disease. However, this would only be possible if the disease is diagnosed at an early stage, and early diagnosis requires clear understanding of the pathogenesis at molecular level. Overactivity of GSK-3ß and p53 accounts for tau hyperphosphorylation and the formation of amyloid-ß plaques. OBJECTIVE: Here, we explored GSK-3ß and p53 as blood-based biomarkers for early detection of AD. METHODS: The levels of GSK-3ß, p53, and their phosphorylated states were measured using surface plasmon resonance and verified using western blot in serum from AD, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and geriatric-control (GC) subjects. The neurotoxic SH-SY5Y cell line was treated with antioxidant Emblica Officinalis (EO) for rescue effect. RESULTS: GSK-3ß, p53, and their phosphorylated states were significantly over expressed (p > 0.001) in AD and MCI compared to GC and can differentiate AD and MCI from GC. The expression level of GSK-3ß and p53 proteins were found to be downregulated in a dose-dependent manner after the treatment with EO in amyloid-b-induced neurotoxic cells. CONCLUSION: These proteins can serve as potential blood markers for the diagnosis of AD and EO can suppress their level. This work has translational value and clinical utility in the future.

Indian goose berry fortified, anti-oxidant rich bael (Aegle marmelos) fermented beverage.

Bael (Aegle marmelos Correa), an important fruit of Indian subtropics, traditionally utilized in the preparation of preserve, candy, squash, RTS, etc. has immense therapeutic potential. An attempt was made to develop a bael based low alcoholic sweet fermented beverage ( may be called as bael cider), anti-oxidant fortified with 0.25 per cent bael leaf or 10 per cent Indian goose berry (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) juice in separate batches. Unfortified bael pulp based drink was kept as control. The ameliorated pulp was fermented at 30 ± 2ºC using Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The gooseberry blended bael fermented beverage had higher anti-oxidant content in the form of phenolics (323 mg/100 ml) than leaf extract added fermented beverage (265 mg/100 ml) and control (266 mg/100 ml). Sensory evaluation of product revealed that gooseberry blended fermented beverage scored higher (8.2/10) than bael leaf blended fermented beverage (7.9/10) and control (7.0/10). Twelve months maturation study of beverage revealed increase in reducing sugars and decrease in phenolic content in all the treatments. Bael fermented beverage with gooseberry blend retained highest phenolic content (257 mg/100 ml) and sensory score 7.8/10. The study inferred that an acceptable quality fermented drink could be prepared from bael-gooseberry blend, which could be stored for one year with higher antioxidant value and minimum deterioration in the quality.

An Ayurvedic formulation of Emblica officinalis and Curcuma longa alleviates insulin resistance in diabetic rats: Involvement of curcuminoids and polyphenolics.

BACKGROUND: Nishamalaki is an Ayurvedic herbal formulation used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), comprises Emblica officinalis and Curcuma longa. OBJECTIVE(S): One of the main cause of T2DM is Insulin Resistance (IR) hence, this study was planned to evaluate IR lowering effect of a standardized Nishamalaki extract "EmbliQur" in high-fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ) induced T2DM rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Curcuminoids (23.89% w/w), gallic acid (5.27% w/w) and tannins (25.44% w/w) were quantified from EmbliQur. Rats were fed HFD throughout the study of 45 days and received STZ (40 mg/kg, i.p) on the 15th day of the study. Rats with more than 250 mg/dl of fasting blood glucose level (FBGL) were considered diabetic and selected for administration of EmbliQur (500 mg and 1000 mg/kg) or the standard drug metformin (120 mg/kg, p.o) from the 18th day of the study for the next 27 days. FBGL and insulin levels of all rats were measured weekly and an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was done at the end of the study. The values of FBGL and insulin were used to calculate IR by the HOMA-IR, QUICKI and Matsuda methods. RESULTS: Rats treated with STZ/HFD had significantly higher than normal FBGL and insulin levels throughout the study and exhibited skewed IR indices in the above three methods of IR assessment. EmbliQur treatment successfully lowered the HFD/STZ-elevated BGL and insulin levels, and ameliorated IR in all models of IR evaluation. CONCLUSION: EmbliQur 1000 mg/kg was noted to be more effective than EmbliQur 500 mg/kg in alleviating IR.

Potential Use of Amla (Phyllanthus emblica L.) Fruit Extract to Protect Skin Keratinocytes from Inflammation and Apoptosis after UVB Irradiation.

Ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure is the primary risk factor for the deadliest type of skin cancer-melanoma. Incorporating natural antioxidants in skin protection products is currently a favored research theme. For this study, we selected Phyllanthus emblica L. fruit extract (PE) to assess its potential use in dermal protection against UVB-induced keratinocyte inflammation and apoptosis. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to investigate PE's phytochemical constituents (ascorbic acid, ellagic acid, gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, and quercetin), while ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), total ROS, OH•, O2•-, and H2O2-scavenging activities were used to determine the antioxidant properties. PE significantly increased the cell viability (MTT assay) and reduced apoptosis (Hoechst staining) in HaCaT cells exposed to UVB (40 mJ/cm2). PE abolished oxidative stress by reducing the production of intracellular ROS, O2•- and H2O2 production. Catalase activity (but not superoxide dismutase or glutathione peroxidase activity) was enhanced in keratinocytes incubated with PE prior to UVB exposure. Western blot analysis suggested that PE inhibited cytochrome c release and inhibited the dysregulation of PI3K/Akt without any impact on p38 activation. PE attenuated the inflammatory response to UVB irradiation by inhibiting AP-1, NF-κB, and the mediator PGE2. Thus, PE is a candidate with great potential for use as an active ingredient in skin care products.

Nephroprotective effect of Emblica officinalis fruit extract against malachite green toxicity in piscine model: Ultrastructure and oxidative stress study.

Malachite green (MG) is a multi-application dye with raised concern as aquatic toxicant. Cyprinus carpio fingerlings were exposed to MG and simultaneously fed with Emblica officinalis (EO) fruit extract to mitigate the MG induced nephrotoxicity. MG exposure developed depressed activity of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione-s-transferase, and reduced glutathione, while levels of malondialdehyde got significantly (p < .05) elevated after 60 days MG exposure. H&E staining revealed increased intracellular space, vacuolation, fluid-filled spaces, damaged brush border lining of proximal convoluted tubule (PCT), focal necrosis, nuclear transformations and shrunken glomerulus. Further, Transmission electron microscope study detailed structural cytotoxicity with the appearance of the heterochromatic nucleus, electron-dense lysosomal bodies, damaged brush border lining of PCT, and necrosis; glomerulus exhibited erythrocyte infiltration and fused pedicels of podocyte. While, EO extract supplemented diet culminated in the restoration of the renal cytoarchitecture and significantly (p < .05) enhanced activity of antioxidant enzymes.