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Zajkowska I, Niczyporuk P, Urbaniak A, Tomaszek N, Modzelewski S, Waszkiewicz N. Investigating the Impacts of Diet, Supplementation, Microbiota, Gut-Brain Axis on Schizophrenia: A Narrative Review. Nutrients 2024; 16:2228. [PMID: 39064675 DOI: 10.3390/nu16142228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2024] [Revised: 07/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a disease with a complex etiology that significantly impairs the functioning of patients. In recent years, there has been increasing focus on the importance of the gut microbiota in the context of the gut-brain axis. In our study, we analyzed data on the gut-brain axis in relation to schizophrenia, as well as the impacts of eating habits, the use of various supplements, and diets on schizophrenia. Additionally, the study investigated the impact of antipsychotics on the development of metabolic disorders, such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, and obesity. There may be significant clinical benefits to be gained from therapies supported by supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and probiotics. The results suggest the need for a holistic approach to the treatment of schizophrenia, incorporating both drug therapy and dietary interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izabela Zajkowska
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Bialystok, pl. Wołodyjowskiego 2, 15-272 Białystok, Poland
| | - Patrycja Niczyporuk
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Bialystok, pl. Wołodyjowskiego 2, 15-272 Białystok, Poland
| | - Agata Urbaniak
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Bialystok, pl. Wołodyjowskiego 2, 15-272 Białystok, Poland
| | - Natalia Tomaszek
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Bialystok, pl. Wołodyjowskiego 2, 15-272 Białystok, Poland
| | - Stefan Modzelewski
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Bialystok, pl. Wołodyjowskiego 2, 15-272 Białystok, Poland
| | - Napoleon Waszkiewicz
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Bialystok, pl. Wołodyjowskiego 2, 15-272 Białystok, Poland
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Sadhupati DP, Lakshmisudha R, Chakravarthy KNK, Naidana PS. A standardized combination of Terminalia chebula and Withania somnifera extracts enhances immune function in adults: a pilot randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study. Food Nutr Res 2024; 68:10297. [PMID: 38863743 PMCID: PMC11165258 DOI: 10.29219/fnr.v68.10297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The use of botanical medicine has been demonstrated as a potential strategy to manage or treat a variety of health issues. Terminalia chebula (Retz) fruit and Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal roots are important medicinal herbs described in Ayurveda and traditional therapy for diverse health benefits. Objective This pilot study aimed to evaluate the immune function-enhancing potential of a unique blend of T. chebula fruit and W. somnifera root extracts, LN20189, in healthy men and women. Methods Forty healthy volunteers (age: 35-60 years) were randomized into two groups receiving either LN20189 (500 mg per day) or a matched placebo over 28 consecutive days. The total T-cell population was the primary efficacy measure in this study. The secondary efficacy measures included counts of CD4, CD8, natural killer (NK) cells, serum levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), total immunoglobulin-G (IgG), and Immune Function Questionnaire (IFQ) scores. Safety parameter assessments were also conducted. Results Post-trial, in LN20189-supplemented subjects, T cells, CD4, NK cells count, and the CD4:CD8 ratio were increased by 9.32, 10.10, 19.91, and 17.43%, respectively, as compared to baseline. LN20189 supplementation increased serum IFN-γ and IgG levels by 14.57 and 27.09% from baseline and by 13.98 and 21.99%, compared to placebo, respectively. Also, the IFQ scores in the LN20189 group were 84.68% (vs. baseline) and 69.44% (vs. placebo) lower at the end of the trial. LN20189 improved the study volunteers' cellular and humoral immune functions. Conclusion In summary, LN20189 supplementation was found tolerable and improved the key cellular and humoral factors of the immune system and helped improve immune function of the trial volunteers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Partha Sarathy Naidana
- Department of Community Medicine, ASR Academy of Medical Sciences, Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, India
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Basudkar V, Gujrati G, Ajgaonkar S, Gandhi M, Mehta D, Nair S. Emerging Vistas for the Nutraceutical Withania somnifera in Inflammaging. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:597. [PMID: 38794167 PMCID: PMC11123800 DOI: 10.3390/ph17050597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Inflammaging, a coexistence of inflammation and aging, is a persistent, systemic, low-grade inflammation seen in the geriatric population. Various natural compounds have been greatly explored for their potential role in preventing and treating inflammaging. Withania somnifera has been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine as a nutraceutical for its numerous health benefits including regenerative and adaptogenic effects. Recent preclinical and clinical studies on the role of Withania somnifera and its active compounds in treating aging, inflammation, and oxidative stress have shown promise for its use in healthy aging. We discuss the chemistry of Withania somnifera, the etiology of inflammaging and the protective role(s) of Withania somnifera in inflammaging in key organ systems including brain, lung, kidney, and liver as well as the mechanistic underpinning of these effects. Furthermore, we elucidate the beneficial effects of Withania somnifera in oxidative stress/DNA damage, immunomodulation, COVID-19, and the microbiome. We also delineate a putative protein-protein interaction network of key biomarkers modulated by Withania somnifera in inflammaging. In addition, we review the safety/potential toxicity of Withania somnifera as well as global clinical trials on Withania somnifera. Taken together, this is a synthetic review on the beneficial effects of Withania somnifera in inflammaging and highlights the potential of Withania somnifera in improving the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in the aging population worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivek Basudkar
- PhytoVeda Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai 400 022, India
- Viridis Biopharma Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai 400 022, India
| | - Gunjan Gujrati
- PhytoVeda Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai 400 022, India
- Viridis Biopharma Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai 400 022, India
| | - Saiprasad Ajgaonkar
- PhytoVeda Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai 400 022, India
- Viridis Biopharma Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai 400 022, India
| | - Manav Gandhi
- College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Dilip Mehta
- PhytoVeda Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai 400 022, India
- Viridis Biopharma Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai 400 022, India
| | - Sujit Nair
- PhytoVeda Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai 400 022, India
- Viridis Biopharma Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai 400 022, India
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Saha P, Ajgaonkar S, Maniar D, Sahare S, Mehta D, Nair S. Current insights into transcriptional role(s) for the nutraceutical Withania somnifera in inflammation and aging. Front Nutr 2024; 11:1370951. [PMID: 38765810 PMCID: PMC11099240 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1370951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The health-beneficial effects of nutraceuticals in various diseases have received enhanced attention in recent years. Aging is a continuous process wherein physiological activity of an individual declines over time and is characterized by various indefinite hallmarks which contribute toward aging-related comorbidities in an individual which include many neurodegenerative diseases, cardiac problems, diabetes, bone-degeneration, and cancer. Cellular senescence is a homeostatic biological process that has an important function in driving aging. Currently, a growing body of evidence substantiates the connection between epigenetic modifications and the aging process, along with aging-related diseases. These modifications are now being recognized as promising targets for emerging therapeutic interventions. Considering that almost all the biological processes are modulated by RNAs, numerous RNA-binding proteins have been found to be linked to aging and age-related complexities. Currently, studies have shed light on the ability of the nutraceutical Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) to influence RNA expression, stability, and processing, offering insights into its mechanisms of action. By targeting RNA-related pathways, Withania somnifera may exhibit promising effects in ameliorating age-associated molecular changes, which include modifications in gene expression and signaling networks. This review summarizes the potential role of Withania somnifera as a nutraceutical in modulating RNA-level changes associated with aging, encompassing both in vitro and in vivo studies. Taken together, the putative role(s) of Withania in modulation of key RNAs will provide insights into understanding the aging process and facilitate the development of various preventive and therapeutic strategies employing nutraceuticals for healthy aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praful Saha
- PhytoVeda Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India
- Viridis Biopharma Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India
| | - Saiprasad Ajgaonkar
- PhytoVeda Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India
- Viridis Biopharma Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India
| | - Dishant Maniar
- PhytoVeda Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India
- Viridis Biopharma Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India
| | - Simran Sahare
- PhytoVeda Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India
- Viridis Biopharma Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India
| | - Dilip Mehta
- PhytoVeda Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India
- Viridis Biopharma Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India
| | - Sujit Nair
- PhytoVeda Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India
- Viridis Biopharma Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India
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Devabattula G, Panda B, Yadav R, Godugu C. The Potential Pharmacological Effects of Natural Product Withaferin A in Cancer: Opportunities and Challenges for Clinical Translation. PLANTA MEDICA 2024; 90:440-453. [PMID: 38588695 DOI: 10.1055/a-2289-9600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Cancer is one of the biggest health concerns with a complex pathophysiology. Currently, available chemotherapeutic drugs are showing deleterious side effects, and tumors often show resistance to treatment. Hence, extensive research is required to develop new treatment strategies to fight against cancer. Natural resources from plants are at the forefront of hunting novel drugs to treat various types of cancers. Withaferin A (WA) is a naturally occurring withanolide, a biologically active component obtained from the plant Ashwagandha. Various in vitro and in vivo oncological studies have reported that Withaferin A (WA) has shown protection from cancer. WA shows its activity by inhibiting the growth and proliferation of malignant cells, apoptosis, and inhibiting angiogenesis, metastasis, and cancer stem cells (CSCs). In addition, WA also showed chemo- and radio-sensitizing properties. Besides the beneficiary pharmacological activities of WA, a few aspects like pharmacokinetic properties, safety, and toxicity studies are still lacking, hindering this potent natural product from entering clinical development. In this review, we have summarized the various pharmacological mechanisms shown by WA in in vitro and in vivo cancer studies and the challenges that must be overcome for this potential natural product's clinical translation to be effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geetanjali Devabattula
- Pharamacology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, Balanagar, India
| | - Biswajit Panda
- Pharamacology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, Balanagar, India
| | - Rachana Yadav
- Pharamacology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, Balanagar, India
| | - Chandraiah Godugu
- Pharamacology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, Balanagar, India
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Vaidya VG, Naik NN, Ganu G, Parmar V, Jagtap S, Saste G, Bhatt A, Mulay V, Girme A, Modi SJ, Hingorani L. Clinical pharmacokinetic evaluation of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal root extract in healthy human volunteers: A non-randomized, single dose study utilizing UHPLC-MS/MS analysis. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 322:117603. [PMID: 38122911 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal; (Solanaceae), commonly known as Ashwagandha, is one of the most significant medicinal herbs in 'Ayurveda', a traditional Indian medicine used for centuries with evidence in scriptures. Ashwagandha was mentioned in old Ayurvedic medical literature such as Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita for improving weight and strength, with multiple citations for internal and exterior usage in emaciation and nourishing the body. Ethnopharmacological evidence revealed that it was used to relieve inflammation, reduce abdominal swelling, as a mild purgative, and treat swollen glands. The root was regarded as a tonic, aphrodisiac, and emmenagogue in the Unani tradition of the Indian medicinal system. Further, Ashwagandha has been also described as an Ayurvedic medicinal plant in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India extending informed therapeutic usage and formulations. Despite the widespread ethnopharmacological usage of Ashwagandha, clinical pharmacokinetic parameters are lacking in the literature; hence, the findings of this study will be relevant for calculating doses for future clinical evaluations of Ashwagandha root extract. AIM This study aimed to develop a validated and highly sensitive bioanalytical method for quantifying withanosides and withanolides of the Ashwagandha root extract in human plasma to explore its bioaccessibility. Further to apply a developed method to perform pharmacokinetics of standardized Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal root extract (WSE; AgeVel®/Witholytin®) capsules in healthy human volunteers. METHODS A sensitive, reliable, and specific ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification of five major withanosides and withanolides (withanoside IV, withanoside V, withanolide A, withaferin A, and 12-deoxy-withastramonolide) in human plasma. Further for the study, eighteen healthy male volunteers (18-45 years) were enrolled in a non-randomized, open-label, single period, single treatment, clinical pharmacokinetic study and given a single dose (500 mg) of WSE (AgeVel®/Witholytin®) capsules containing not less than 7.5 mg of total withanolides under fasting condition. Later, pharmacokinetic profiles were assessed using the plasma concentration of each bioactive constituent Vs. time data. RESULTS For all five constituents, the bioanalytical method demonstrated high selectivity, specificity, and linearity. There was no carryover, and no matrix effect was observed. Furthermore, the inter-day and intra-day precision and accuracy results fulfilled the acceptance criteria. Upon oral administration of WSE capsules, Cmax was found to be 0.639 ± 0.211, 2.926 ± 1.317, 2.833 ± 0.981, and 5.498 ± 1.986 ng/mL for withanoside IV, withanolide A, withaferin A, and 12-deoxy-withastramonolide with Tmax of 1.639 ± 0.993, 1.361 ± 0.850, 0.903 ± 0.273, and 1.375 ± 0.510 h respectively. Further, withanoside V was also detected in plasma; but its concentration was found below LLOQ. CONCLUSION The novel and first-time developed bioanalytical method was successfully applied for the quantification of five bio-active constituents in human volunteers following administration of WSE capsules, indicating that withanosides and withanolides were rapidly absorbed from the stomach, have high oral bioavailability, and an optimum half-life to produce significant pharmacological activity. Further, AgeVel®/Witholytin® was found safe and well tolerated after oral administration, with no adverse reaction observed at a 500 mg dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vidyadhar G Vaidya
- Lokmanya Medical Research Centre and Hospital, Pune, 411033, Maharashtra, India.
| | - Ninad N Naik
- Lokmanya Medical Research Centre and Hospital, Pune, 411033, Maharashtra, India.
| | - Gayatri Ganu
- Mprex Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., Pune, 411057, Maharashtra, India.
| | - Vijay Parmar
- Pharmanza Herbal Pvt. Ltd., Anand, 388430, Gujarat, India.
| | - Shubham Jagtap
- Pharmanza Herbal Pvt. Ltd., Anand, 388430, Gujarat, India.
| | - Ganesh Saste
- Pharmanza Herbal Pvt. Ltd., Anand, 388430, Gujarat, India.
| | - Ankit Bhatt
- Pharmanza Herbal Pvt. Ltd., Anand, 388430, Gujarat, India.
| | - Vallabh Mulay
- Pharmanza Herbal Pvt. Ltd., Anand, 388430, Gujarat, India.
| | - Aboli Girme
- Pharmanza Herbal Pvt. Ltd., Anand, 388430, Gujarat, India.
| | | | - Lal Hingorani
- Pharmanza Herbal Pvt. Ltd., Anand, 388430, Gujarat, India.
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Yadav N, Tripathi S, Sangwan NS. Phyto-therapeutic potential of Withania somnifera: Molecular mechanism and health implications. Phytother Res 2024; 38:1695-1714. [PMID: 38318763 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.8100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Withania somnifera, the plant named Indian ginseng, Ashwagandha, or winter cherry, has been used since ancient times to cure various health ailments. Withania somnifera is rich in constituents belonging to chemical classes like alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and withanolides. Several chemotypes were identified based on their phytochemical composition and credited for their multiple bioactivities. Besides, exhibiting neuroprotective, immunomodulatory, adaptogenic, anti-stress, bone health, plant has shown promising anti-cancer properties. Several withanolides have been reported to play a crucial role in cancer; they target cancer cells by different mechanisms such as modulating the expression of tumor suppressor genes, apoptosis, telomerase expression, and regulating cell signaling pathway. Though, many treatments are available for cancer; however, to date, no assured reliable cure for cancer is made available. Additionally, synthetic drugs may lead to development of resistance in time; therefore, focus on new and natural drugs for cancer therapeutics may prove a longtime effective alternative. This current report is a comprehensive combined analysis upto 2023 with articles focused on bio-activities of plant Withania somnifera from various sources, including national and international government sources. This review focuses on understanding of various mechanisms and pathways to inhibit uncontrolled cell growth by W. somnifera bioactives, as reported in literature. This review provides a recent updated status of the W. somnifera on pharmacological properties in general and anti-cancer in particular and may provide a guiding resource for researchers associated with natural product-based cancer research and healthcare management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha Yadav
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Interdisciplinary and Applied Sciences, Central University of Haryana, Mahendergarh, India
| | | | - Neelam S Sangwan
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Interdisciplinary and Applied Sciences, Central University of Haryana, Mahendergarh, India
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Alanazi HH, Elasbali AM, Alanazi MK, El Azab EF. Medicinal Herbs: Promising Immunomodulators for the Treatment of Infectious Diseases. Molecules 2023; 28:8045. [PMID: 38138535 PMCID: PMC10745476 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28248045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Humans are constantly at high risk of emerging pandemics caused by viral and bacterial infections. The emergence of new pandemics is mainly caused by evolved viruses and bacteria that are highly resistant to existing medications. The rapid evolution of infectious agents demands the urgent investigation of new therapeutic strategies to prevent and treat these infections at an early stage. One of these therapeutic strategies includes the use of medicinal herbs for their antibacterial and antiviral properties. The use of herbal medicines as remedies is very ancient and has been employed for centuries. Many studies have confirmed the antimicrobial activities of herbs against various pathogens in vitro and in vivo. The therapeutic effect of medicinal herbs is mainly attributed to the natural bioactive molecules present in these plants such as alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenoids. Different mechanisms have been proposed for how medicinal herbs enhance the immune system and combat pathogens. Such mechanisms include the disruption of bacterial cell membranes, suppression of protein synthesis, and limitation of pathogen replication through the inhibition of nucleic acid synthesis. Medicinal herbs have been shown to treat a number of infectious diseases by modulating the immune system's components. For instance, many medicinal herbs alleviate inflammation by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1, IL-6) while promoting the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-10). Medicinal herbs also play a role in defense against viral and intracellular infections by enhancing the proliferation and functions of natural killer cells, T-helper-1 cells, and macrophages. In this review, we will explore the use of the most common herbs in preventing and treating infectious and non-infectious diseases. Using current and recently published studies, we focus on the immunomodulatory and therapeutic effects induced by medicinal herbs to enhance immune responses during diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamad H. Alanazi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences-Qurayyat, Jouf University, Al-Qurayyat 77455, Saudi Arabia; (A.M.E.); (E.F.E.A.)
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Kumar P, Banik SP, Goel A, Chakraborty S, Bagchi M, Bagchi D. A critical assessment of the whole plant-based phytotherapeutics from Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal with respect to safety and efficacy vis-a-vis leaf or root extract-based formulation. Toxicol Mech Methods 2023; 33:698-706. [PMID: 37533233 DOI: 10.1080/15376516.2023.2242933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, popularly known as Ashwagandha or Indian ginseng, is well acclaimed for its health-enhancing effects, including its potent immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and anti-tumorigenic properties. The prime biological effectors of these attributes are a diverse group of ergostane-based steroidal lactones termed withanolides. Withanones and withanosides are distributed differentially across the plant body, whereas withanolides and withanones are known to be more abundant in leaves, while withanosides are found exclusively in the roots of the plants. Standardized W. somnifera extract is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS)-affirmed, however, moderate to severe toxic manifestations may occur at high dosages. Withaferin A, which also happens to be the primary bioactive ingredient for the effectiveness of this plant. There have been contrasting reports regarding the distribution of withaferin A in W. somnifera. While most reports state that the roots of the plant have the highest concentrations of this phytochemical, several others have indicated that leaves can accumulate withaferin A in proportionately higher amounts. A comprehensive survey of the available reports suggests that the biological effects of Ashwagandha are grossly synergistic in nature, with many withanolides together mediating the desired physiological effect. In addition, an assorted formulation of withanolides can also neutralize the toxic effects (if any) associated with withaferin A. This mini-review presents a fresh take on the recent developments regarding the safety and toxicity of the plant, along with a critical assessment of the use of roots against leaves as well as whole plants to develop therapeutic formulations. Going by the currently available scientific evidence, it is safe to infer that the use of whole plant formulations instead of exclusively root or leaf recipes may present the best possible option for further exploration of therapeutic benefits from this novel medicinal plant.HighlightsTherapeutic potential of withanolides owes to the presence of α,β unsaturated ketone which binds to amines, alcohols, and esters and 5β, 6β epoxy group which react with side chain thiols of proteins.At concentrations above NOAEL (no observed adverse effect level), the same mechanisms contribute towards toxicity of the molecule.Although withanosides are found exclusively in roots, whole plants have higher contents of withanones and withanolides.Whole plant-based formulations have other metabolites which can nullify the toxicity associated with roots.Extracts made from whole plants, therefore can holistically impart all therapeutic benefits as well as mitigate toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawan Kumar
- R&D Department, Chemical Resources (CHERESO), Panchkula, Haryana, India
| | - Samudra P Banik
- Department of Microbiology, Maulana Azad College, Kolkata, India
| | - Apurva Goel
- Regulatory Department, Chemical Resources (CHERESO), Panchkula, Haryana, India
| | - Sanjoy Chakraborty
- Department of Biological Sciences, New York City College of Technology/CUNY, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | | | - Debasis Bagchi
- Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, and Dept of Psychology, Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology, Adelphi University, Garden City, NY, USA
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Khan S, Rai AK, Singh A, Singh S, Dubey BK, Lal RK, Negi AS, Birse N, Trivedi PK, Elliott CT, Ch R. Rapid metabolic fingerprinting with the aid of chemometric models to identify authenticity of natural medicines: Turmeric, Ocimum, and Withania somnifera study. J Pharm Anal 2023; 13:1041-1057. [PMID: 37842663 PMCID: PMC10568180 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2023.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Herbal medicines are popular natural medicines that have been used for decades. The use of alternative medicines continues to expand rapidly across the world. The World Health Organization suggests that quality assessment of natural medicines is essential for any therapeutic or health care applications, as their therapeutic potential varies between different geographic origins, plant species, and varieties. Classification of herbal medicines based on a limited number of secondary metabolites is not an ideal approach. Their quality should be considered based on a complete metabolic profile, as their pharmacological activity is not due to a few specific secondary metabolites but rather a larger group of bioactive compounds. A holistic and integrative approach using rapid and nondestructive analytical strategies for the screening of herbal medicines is required for robust characterization. In this study, a rapid and effective quality assessment system for geographical traceability, species, and variety-specific authenticity of the widely used natural medicines turmeric, Ocimum, and Withania somnifera was investigated using Fourier transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy-based metabolic fingerprinting. Four different geographical origins of turmeric, five different Ocimum species, and three different varieties of roots and leaves of Withania somnifera were studied with the aid of machine learning approaches. Extremely good discrimination (R2 > 0.98, Q2 > 0.97, and accuracy = 1.0) with sensitivity and specificity of 100% was achieved using this metabolic fingerprinting strategy. Our study demonstrated that FT-NIR-based rapid metabolic fingerprinting can be used as a robust analytical method to authenticate several important medicinal herbs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samreen Khan
- Metabolomics Lab, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), Lucknow, 226015, India
| | - Abhishek Kumar Rai
- Metabolomics Lab, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), Lucknow, 226015, India
| | - Anjali Singh
- Department of Crop Production & Protection, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), Lucknow, 226015, India
| | - Saudan Singh
- Department of Crop Production & Protection, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), Lucknow, 226015, India
- Academy of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (ACSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
| | - Basant Kumar Dubey
- Department of Biotechnology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), Lucknow, 226015, India
| | - Raj Kishori Lal
- Genetics and Plant Breeding Department, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), Lucknow, 226015, India
| | - Arvind Singh Negi
- Department of Phytochemistry, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), Lucknow, 226015, India
| | - Nicholas Birse
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University, Belfast, BT9 5DL, UK
| | - Prabodh Kumar Trivedi
- Academy of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (ACSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
- Department of Biotechnology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), Lucknow, 226015, India
| | | | - Ratnasekhar Ch
- Metabolomics Lab, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), Lucknow, 226015, India
- Academy of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (ACSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India
- Department of Phytochemistry, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), Lucknow, 226015, India
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University, Belfast, BT9 5DL, UK
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11
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Diantini A, Febriyanti RM, Levita J. Efficacy and Safety of Add-On Plant-Based Drugs for COVID-19 Patients: A Review of the Randomized Control Trials. Infect Drug Resist 2023; 16:3879-3891. [PMID: 37361940 PMCID: PMC10289101 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s417727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 caused by the infection of SARS-CoV-2 is still a global concern. WHO reported that from 13 March to 9 April 2023, there were 3 million new cases and approximately 23,000 deaths, mostly occurring in the South-East Asia and Eastern Mediterranean regions, which is predicted due to the new Omicron variant, Arcturus XBB.1.16. Many studies have reported the potency of medicinal plants in enhancing the function of the immune system to combat virus infection. The literature review aimed to describe the efficacy and safety of add-on plant-based drugs for COVID-19 patients. The articles were explored on the PubMed and Cochrane Library databases, and published during 2020-2023. Twenty-two varieties of plants were used as add-on therapy for COVID-19 patients. These plants were Andrographis paniculata, Viola odorata, Withania somnifera, Zingiber officinale, Curcuma longa, Ferula foetida, Centella asiatica, Thymus vulgaris, Citrus sinensis, Eugenia caryophyllus, Boswellia carterii, Elettaria cardamomum, Salvia rosmarinus, Piper nigrum, Alstonia scholaris, Picrorhiza kurroa, Swertia chirata, Caesalpinia crista, Cucurbita maxima, Tinospora cordifolia, Ocimum sanctum, and Allium sativum. The best efficacy of an add-on therapy for COVID-19 patients was found in A. paniculata herbs as a single component in pharmaceutical dosage form or in combination with other plants. The safety of the plant has been confirmed. A. paniculata does not show interaction with remdesivir or favipiravir, however, caution and therapy drug monitoring is needed if A. paniculata is used in combination with lopinavir or ritonavir because a strong noncompetitive inhibition of CYP3A4 may occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajeng Diantini
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Padjadjaran University, Sumedang, West Java, 46363, Indonesia
| | - R Maya Febriyanti
- Department of Biology Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Padjadjaran University, Sumedang, West Java, 46363, Indonesia
| | - Jutti Levita
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Padjadjaran University, Sumedang, West Java, 46363, Indonesia
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12
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Khalil R, Green RJ, Sivakumar K, Varandani P, Bharadwaj S, Mohapatra SS, Mohapatra S. Withaferin A Increases the Effectiveness of Immune Checkpoint Blocker for the Treatment of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3089. [PMID: 37370701 PMCID: PMC10295988 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15123089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatment of late-stage lung cancers remains challenging with a five-year survival rate of 8%. Immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs) revolutionized the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by reactivating anti-tumor immunity. Despite achieving durable responses, ICBs are effective in only 20% of patients due to immune resistance. Therefore, synergistic combinatorial approaches that overcome immune resistance are currently under investigation. Herein, we studied the immunomodulatory role of Withaferin A (WFA)-a herbal compound-and its effectiveness in combination with an ICB for the treatment of NSCLC. Our in vitro results show that WFA induces immunogenic cell death (ICD) in NSCLC cell lines and increases expression of the programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1). The administration of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger, abrogated WFA-induced ICD and PD-L1 upregulation, suggesting the involvement of ROS in this process. Further, we found that a combination of WFA and α-PD-L1 significantly reduced tumor growth in an immunocompetent tumor model. Our results showed that WFA increases CD-8 T-cells and reduces immunosuppressive cells infiltrating the tumor microenvironment. Administration of NAC partially inhibited the anti-tumor response of the combination regimen. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that WFA sensitizes NSCLC to α-PD-L1 in part via activation of ROS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roukiah Khalil
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Ryan J. Green
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Kavya Sivakumar
- Taneja School of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Payal Varandani
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Srinivas Bharadwaj
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Shyam S. Mohapatra
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
- Taneja School of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs, James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Subhra Mohapatra
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs, James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
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13
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Ramli S, Wu YS, Batumalaie K, Guad RM, Choy KW, Kumar A, Gopinath SCB, Rahman Sarker MM, Subramaniyan V, Sekar M, Fuloria NK, Fuloria S, Chinni SV, Ramachawolran G. Phytochemicals of Withania somnifera as a Future Promising Drug against SARS-CoV-2: Pharmacological Role, Molecular Mechanism, Molecular Docking Evaluation, and Efficient Delivery. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11041000. [PMID: 37110423 PMCID: PMC10142625 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11041000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has killed millions of people since first reported in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Intriguingly, Withania somnifera (WS) has shown promising antiviral effects against numerous viral infections, including SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, which are contributed by its phytochemicals. This review focused on the updated testing of therapeutic efficacy and associated molecular mechanisms of WS extracts and their phytochemicals against SARS-CoV-2 infection in preclinical and clinical studies with the aim to develop a long-term solution against COVID-19. It also deciphered the current use of the in silico molecular docking approach in developing potential inhibitors from WS targeting SARS-CoV-2 and host cell receptors that may aid the development of targeted therapy against SARS-CoV-2 ranging from prior to viral entry until acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This review also discussed nanoformulations or nanocarriers in achieving effective WS delivery to enhance its bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy, consequently preventing the emergence of drug resistance, and eventually therapeutic failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suaidah Ramli
- Department of Pharmacy, Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah, Kuala Terengganu 20400, Malaysia
| | - Yuan Seng Wu
- Centre for Virus and Vaccine Research, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia
| | - Kalaivani Batumalaie
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Asia Metropolitan University, Johor Bahru 81750, Malaysia
| | - Rhanye Mac Guad
- Department of Biomedical Science and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu 88400, Malaysia
| | - Ker Woon Choy
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh 47000, Malaysia
| | - Ashok Kumar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Subash C B Gopinath
- Centre of Excellence (CoE), Faculty of Chemical Engineering & Technology & Micro System Technology, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Arau 02600, Malaysia
- Institute of Nano Electronic Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Kangar 01000, Malaysia
| | - Md Moklesur Rahman Sarker
- Department of Pharmacy, State University of Bangladesh, 77 Satmasjid Road, Dhanmondi, Dhaka 1205, Bangladesh
- Health Med Science Research Network, 3/1, Block F, Lalmatia, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh
| | - Vetriselvan Subramaniyan
- Pharmacology Unit, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, MONASH University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Bioscience and Nursing, MAHSA University, Subang Jaya 42610, Malaysia
| | - Mahendran Sekar
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia
| | - Neeraj Kumar Fuloria
- Centre of Excellence for Biomaterials Engineering & Faculty of Pharmacy, AIMST University, Bedong 08100, Malaysia
- Center for Transdisciplinary Research, Department of Pharmacology, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha University, Chennai 600077, India
| | - Shivkanya Fuloria
- Faculty of Pharmacy, AIMST University, Semeling, Bedong 08100, Malaysia
| | - Suresh V Chinni
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Bioscience, and Nursing, MAHSA University, Jenjarom 42610, Malaysia
- Department of Periodontics, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Chennai 600077, India
| | - Gobinath Ramachawolran
- Department of Foundation, RCSI & UCD Malaysia Campus, No 4, Jalan Sepoy Lines, Georgetown 10450, Malaysia
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Mikulska P, Malinowska M, Ignacyk M, Szustowski P, Nowak J, Pesta K, Szeląg M, Szklanny D, Judasz E, Kaczmarek G, Ejiohuo OP, Paczkowska-Walendowska M, Gościniak A, Cielecka-Piontek J. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)—Current Research on the Health-Promoting Activities: A Narrative Review. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15041057. [PMID: 37111543 PMCID: PMC10147008 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15041057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a significant surge in reports on the health-promoting benefits of winter cherry (Withania somnifera), also known as Ashwagandha. Its current research covers many aspects of human health, including neuroprotective, sedative and adaptogenic effects and effects on sleep. There are also reports of anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, cardioprotective and anti-diabetic properties. Furthermore, there are reports of reproductive outcomes and tarcicidal hormone action. This growing body of research on Ashwagandha highlights its potential as a valuable natural remedy for many health concerns. This narrative review delves into the most recent findings and provides a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of ashwagandha’s potential uses and any known safety concerns and contraindications.
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15
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Burns J. Common herbs for stress: The science and strategy of a botanical medicine approach to self-care. JOURNAL OF INTERPROFESSIONAL EDUCATION & PRACTICE 2023; 30:100592. [PMID: 36530213 PMCID: PMC9737923 DOI: 10.1016/j.xjep.2022.100592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Frontline healthcare workers have reported elevated levels of stress and increase prevalence of burnout symptoms since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. With these heightened levels of stress and burnout comes a need for more evidence-based interventions to address these symptoms earlier, in both a safe and effective way. Some common botanical medicines have a measurable effect on perceived stress, neurotransmitter levels, and circulating cortisol levels indicating their ability to modify the stress response. Botanical medicines are often relatively low cost, increasingly available in retail stores and online marketplaces, and show relatively low reports of adverse effects, making these medicinal herbs an important option for addressing work-related stress for healthcare workers.
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Kumar A, Sakhare K, Bhattacharya D, Chattopadhyay R, Parikh P, Narayan KP, Mukherjee A. Communication in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and role of immunomodulatory nutraceuticals in their management. Front Nutr 2022; 9:966152. [PMID: 36211513 PMCID: PMC9532975 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.966152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Conveyance of pathogens between organisms causes communicable diseases. On the other hand, a non-communicable disease (NCD) was always thought to have no causative transmissible infective agents. Today, this clear distinction is increasingly getting blurred and NCDs are found to be associated with some transmissible components. The human microbiota carries a congregation of microbes, the majority and the most widely studied being bacteria in the gut. The adult human gut harbors ginormous inhabitant microbes, and the microbiome accommodates 150-fold more genes than the host genome. Microbial communities share a mutually beneficial relationship with the host, especially with respect to host physiology including digestion, immune responses, and metabolism. This review delineates the connection between environmental factors such as infections leading to gut dysbiosis and NCDs and explores the evidence regarding possible causal link between them. We also discuss the evidence regarding the value of appropriate therapeutic immunomodulatory nutritional interventions to reduce the development of such diseases. We behold such immunomodulatory effects have the potential to influence in various NCDs and restore homeostasis. We believe that the beginning of the era of microbiota-oriented personalized treatment modalities is not far away.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhiram Kumar
- Esperer Onco Nutrition Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, India
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science – Pilani, Hyderabad, India
| | - Kalyani Sakhare
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science – Pilani, Hyderabad, India
| | - Dwaipayan Bhattacharya
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science – Pilani, Hyderabad, India
| | | | - Purvish Parikh
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur, India
| | - Kumar P. Narayan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science – Pilani, Hyderabad, India
- *Correspondence: Kumar P. Narayan,
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17
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Recent findings by high-performance thin-layer chromatographic separation for a comprehensive analysis of Withania somnifera by densitometry and mass spectrometry: an assessment to quality and adulteration. JPC-J PLANAR CHROMAT 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s00764-022-00187-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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