Amrita Bindu--a salt-spice-herbal health food supplement for the prevention of nitrosamine induced depletion of antioxidants

Burden of preventable cancers in India: Time to strike the cancer epidemic

India has a rapidly growing population inflicted with cancer diagnosis. From an estimated incidence of 1.45 million cases in 2016, the cancer incidence is expected to reach 1.75 million cases in 2020. With the limitation of facilities for cancer treatment, the only effective way to tackle the rising and humongous cancer burden is focusing on preventable cancer cases. Approximately, 70% of the Indian cancers (40% tobacco related, 20% infection related and 10% others) are caused by potentially modifiable and preventable risk factors. We review these factors with special emphasis on the Indian scenario. The results may help in designing preventive strategies for a wider application.

Antioxidant action of acteoside and its analogs on lipid peroxidation

We have investigated antioxidant actions of acteoside (ACT) and another natural phenylpropanoid glycoside, cistanoside F (CIS-F) on lipid peroxidation in rat liver mitochondria (RLM) and rat liver mitochondrial lipid (RLML) liposomes induced by Fe(2+)/ADP. A synthetic ACT analogue, TX-1847, was also examined. Oxygen consumption, the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs) and glutathione concentration were determined simultaneously during lipid peroxidation. The radical scavenging activity of the compounds was evaluated by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl. ACT and its analogs produced dose-dependent inhibitions of mitochondrial and liposomal lipid peroxidation (ACT ≈ CIS-F > TX-1847). Their radical scavenging activities were ranked as follows: TX-1847 > ACT > CIS-F. ACT, CIS-F, and TX-1847 spared reduced glutathione (GSH) during mitochondrial lipid peroxidation. The radical scavenging activities of the compounds did not parallel their anti-peroxidative activities. The data are consistent with the idea that the inhibitory activities of phenylpropanoids were primarily due to a radical chain-breaking mechanism. The sugar moieties in ACT and CIS-F, and/or the conformational structure of the compounds, also seem to play an important role in their inhibitory effects on lipid peroxidation.

Head and neck cancer in India--review of practices for prevention policy

India, with a population of over a billion is likely to increase global concern on cancer, particularly that of head and neck. The increasing immigration of Indians is likely to influence other parts of the world and an analysis of cancer-related practices could serve as a model for defining cancer-prevention strategies across the globe. The objective of this study was to review the anti- and pro-carcinogenic practices in India pertaining to head and neck cancer. The published literature on practices, compounds/chemicals/crude reparations related to the head and neck cancer in India was retrieved for analysis, while unauthentic or local information was discarded. The anti-carcinogenic practices prevalent in India consisted of classically varied diet being predominantly vegetarian, along with spices, condiments, beverages etc. The pro-carcinogenic practices predominantly include all shades of alcoholism and tobacco intake. Moreover, the diverse culture of the country reflects unique regional practices. The enormous diversity in practices related to head and neck cancer in India is very unique and interesting. Cancer prevention strategies need to focus on these trends to define a better global prevention.

Aflatoxin B1-induced DNA damage in Labeo rohita: protective effect of an antioxidant supplement, Amrita Bindu

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of potent hepatocarcinogen aflatoxin B1 in adduct formation and DNA damage in Labeo rohita. Also, the salubrious efficacy of an antioxidant supplement Amrita Bindu (based on Indian system of Medicine) was investigated. Fish weighing 175-250 g were administered intraperitoneally a single dose of 100 microg aflatoxin B1/100 g body wt. and another group was given 20% solution of Amrita Bindu along with aflatoxin B1 at 100 microg/100 g body wt. On the 3rd and 6th day, the liver tissue was analyzed for aflatoxin concentration, aflatoxin-DNA adduct formation and DNA damage measured in terms of single strand breaks. The fishes administered with aflatoxin B1 showed elevated concentration of aflatoxin along with a parallel increase in the DNA adduct when compared with the controls. While the fish co-administered with Amrita Bindu showed 34% and 24% reduction in aflatoxin deposition (accumulation) and aflatoxin-DNA adduct formation respectively on the 3rd day, a further reduction by around 41% and 33% in aflatoxin deposition and DNA adduct formation respectively was observed on the 6th day. Furthermore, the increased single strand breaks (measured by alkaline single cell gel assay) and fragmentation observed in agarose gel electrophoresis in aflatoxin B1 administered fish were significantly reduced by Amrita Bindu co-administration. In conclusion, this is the first report to show aflatoxin B1-induced DNA adduct formation and DNA damage in one of the major Indian culturable fish, Labeo rohita. Also, our observations show that the antioxidant supplement, Amrita Bindu, has a potential role in ameliorating the aflatoxin B1-induced DNA damage thus suggesting its applicability in preventing the vital macromolecule DNA.

Antioxidant activity of a salt-spice-herbal mixture against free radical induction

A combination of spices (Piper nigrum, Piper longum and Zingiber officinale), herbs (Cyperus rotundus and Plumbago zeylanica) and salts make up Amrita Bindu. The study was focused to evaluate the antioxidant property of individual ingredients in Amrita Bindu against the free radical 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS). The analysis revealed the antioxidant potential of the ingredients in the following order: Piper nigrum>Piper longum>Cyperus rotundus>Plumbago zeylanca>Zingiber officinale. Two different experiments were designed. In experiment I, rats were fed with normal diet whereas in experiment II rats were given feed mixed with Amrita Bindu for 3 weeks (4 g/kg of feed). Rats from both experimental groups were challenged against a single intraperitonial injection of phenylhydrazine (PHZ) (7.5 mg/kg body weight). At the end of 24 and 72 h, blood was analysed for free radicals and antioxidant levels. It was interesting to note that rats with Amrita Bindu pretreatment showed significantly lower levels of free radicals, lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyls along with significantly higher levels of antioxidants when compared with rats without Amrita Bindu pretreatment on PHZ administration. These results reveal that Amrita Bindu, a salt-spice-herbal mixture exerts a promising antioxidant potential against free radical induced oxidative damage.

Oral Nutritional Supplementation Accelerates Skin Wound Healing: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Arm, Crossover Study

Nutritional therapy is critical for wound healing in people with severe malnutrition or specific metabolic deficiencies. Medical claims from manufacturers of many oral supplements are marketed to surgical patients for decreasing edema, bruising, and discomfort. The effect of supplementing nutrients on soft-tissue wound healing in otherwise normal, healthy adults is an area of clinical importance, but little information is available. Proteolytic enzymes have been reported to moderate the inflammatory cycle and may up-regulate the healing process. The goal of this study was to perform a clinical trial in normal, healthy adults that examined the effects of an oral nutritional supplement (InflammEnz, Enzymes, Inc., Parkville, Mo.) on soft-tissue healing times. Twenty-six normal, healthy volunteers were recruited into a randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled, clinical trial consisting of two phases, each lasting 21 days. In phase I, subjects were subjected to a 3-mm forearm skin biopsy and randomly received a placebo or oral supplement (four capsules per day for 7 days). After a 2-week washout period, a second biopsy was performed to start phase II, with each subject receiving the respective placebo or supplement capsules. Digital photographs were taken during wound healing in both phases and analyzed for wound areas (in square millimeters) and perimeters (in millimeters). Twenty-two subjects completed the clinical trial. On the basis of wound surface areas, 17 subjects had improved wound healing and five subjects did not respond or responded only slightly to the supplement treatment. The mean +/- SD healing time of the subjects responding to supplement-treated wounds was 15 +/- 2.2 days, compared with 18 +/- 2.5 days for the placebo group. The 17 percent acceleration of wound-healing time was significant (p < 0.005). In subjects responding to oral supplements, less redness in the wounds was observed that may have been associated with less inflammation. The authors' results demonstrate that InflammEnz oral supplementation accelerated soft-tissue wound healing in 77 percent of normal, healthy subjects studied. The authors' study validates observations made that this supplement modulates the wound-healing process and suggests that many patients with minor soft-tissue wounds may benefit from treatment.

Oxidative damage to lipids and proteins induced by aflatoxin B(1) in fish (Labeo rohita)-protective role of Amrita Bindu

In the present study, fish (Labeo rohita) were treated with a single intraperitoneal administration of aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)) (100μg/100gBW). The resultant oxidative damage to lipids (measured as conjugated diene and lipid peroxidation (LPO)) and proteins (protein carbonyl) in liver, kidney and brain at the end of 3rd and 6th day was assessed. Our results showed that AFB(1) induced a significant increase in conjugated diene formation and LPO not only in liver but also in kidney and brain. A parallel increase in protein carbonyl level was observed in these tissues. When 1:1 mixture of 20% solution of Amrita Bindu (a salt-spice-herbal mixture based on Indian system of medicine) was co-administered along with 100μg AFB(1), the AFB(1) induced increase in conjugated diene, LPO and protein carbonylation were minimised to a greater extent. These results led to conclusion that (i) AFB(1) not only induces oxidative damage to the primary target organ-liver in L. rohita, but also in kidney and brain, (ii) co-administration of Amrita Bindu confers protection to lipids and protein against the AFB(1) induced oxidative damage in all the three tissues.

Amrita Bindu--an antioxidant inducer therapy in asthma children

Studies all over the world on the therapeutic use of antioxidants as supplements has revealed their capacity to control inflammatory processes. Amrita Bindu an Ayurvedic health food supplement has already shown to be an antioxidant inducer and to combat free radical-mediated tissue damage studied in rats. Amrita Bindu is a salt-spice herbal mixture designed for positive health. It was tested as a supplement to therapy for a period of 12 months in 36 children suffering from asthma. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease with excessive free radical generation in lungs and blood cells. The patients were followed up by monitoring their clinical conditions, therapeutic doses of anti-asthmatic drugs, free radical generation, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and antioxidants in blood. At the end of 3 months of Amrita Bindu supplementation, the patients had stopped all anti-asthmatic medications and were free from attacks of asthma.

Effects of antioxidant enzymes in the molecular control of reactive oxygen species toxicology

Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) are produced during normal cellular function. ROS include hydroxyl radicals, superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide. They are very transient species due to their high chemical reactivity that leads to lipid peroxidation and oxidation of DNA and proteins. Under normal conditions, antioxidant systems of the cell minimize the perturbations caused by ROS. When ROS generation is increased to an extent that overcomes the cellular antioxidants, the result is oxidative stress. It is now clear that several biological molecules, which are involved in cell signaling and gene regulation systems are very sensitive to redox statue of the cell. Antioxidants are substances that delay or prevent the oxidation of cellular oxidizable substrates. The various antioxidants exert their effect by scavenging superoxide, or by activating of a battery of detoxifying/defensive proteins. The prevention of oxidation is an essential process in all the aerobic organisms, as decreased antioxidant protection may lead to cytotoxicity, mutagenicity and/or carcinogenicity. This article also focuses on the mechanisms by which antioxidants and xenobiotics induce the gene expression of detoxifying enzymes. On the other hand, small molecules that mimic antioxidant enzymes are becoming new tools for the treatment of many diseases.