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Scientific Studies Evaluating the Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Responses of Most Commonly Sold Herbal Products of Cure Discount Pharmacy

Sai Vuyyuru
Cure Discount Pharmacy 

Herbs are natural products and their chemical composition varies depending on several factors and therefore varying from people to people, from energetic decoctions to the use of herbal extracts following Western methodologies of mainstream medicine. Traditional medicines has a very long history: it is the sum total of the practices based on the theories, beliefs and experiences of different cultures and times, often inexplicable, used in the maintenance of health, as like in the prevention, diagnosis, improvement and treatment of illnesses.

Dozens of new herbal products have been introduced over the past few years that promise to improve general health because of their anti-oxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, adaptogenic value & effects protecting the organism from illness and being considered tonic for indigestion, arthritis, short term and long term memory loss, intelligence, mood, vision, and mental performance. 

The author of this article examined and reviewed the pharmacological actions and studies of various natural herbals such as, Ginseng, Taiga Root, Ginkgo biloba, Aswagandha, Indian ginseng, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Ocimum sanctum, Tulsi Leaf offering a scientific and practical evaluation of their benefits as well as risks from excessive use shown in numerous scientific studies and research. 


Ginseng
Ginseng is the root of perennial herbs of Panax quinquifolium L., which grows in unites states and Canada and Panax ginseng C.A.Meyer Araliaceae. The former is known as American ginseng and the latter, designated Korean or Chinese ginseng. Ginseng has been used in eastern Asia for more than 5000 years as a tonic ans resotorative, promoting health and longevity. Traditionally, ginseng use has been divided into two categories: short term, to improve stamina, Concentration, healing process, stress resistance, vigilance and work efficiency in healthy individuals and long term, to improve well being in debilitated and degenerative conditions especially those associated with old age(Nocerino et al., 2000)

According to current understanding, the adaptogenic effect of the drug is ascribed to the ginsenosides or panaxosides. The chief glycogens are the ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg1. Pharmacological examinations using ginseng extracts, ginseng fractions and ginsenosides have revealed, besides adaptogenic effects, anabolic and no tropic properties. Indeed, ginseng enhances resistance to X-Irradiation, Viral and tumor load, temperature stress, hyperbaric hyperoxia and physical exercise and increases swimming time in rats (Carbral deOliveira et al., 2001; Grandhi et al., 1994). 

Brekhman , a pioneer in the experimental studies of ginseng, used the term adaptogen to describe the ability of ginseng to increase resistance to physical, chemical and biological stress and to built up general vitality (Brekhman and Bardymov 1969). Many of these activities have been attributed to corticosteroid-like action. CRH and ACTH harmone studies have suggested that ginsenosides may augment adrena steroidogenesis via an indirect action on the pituitary gland (Hiai et al 1979). 

Even though ginseng got an enormous beneficial and health promoting properties, ginseng has been documented with number of adverse effects like nervousness, diarrhea, insomnia, euphoria (Zhu et al., 1999b), hypertension and hypotension, gastrointestinal upset (Kim et al., 1995), Vaginal bleeding( Green span, 1983) and skin eruptions (Lei and chiou,1986). The long term effects of the use of ginseng effect on primarily central nervous system excitation and arousal termed as ginseng abuse syndrome. Ginseng abuse syndrome is characterized by hypertension together with nervousness sleeplessness, skin eruptions, edema and diarrhea. There is also evidence that ginseng could cause stevens- Johnson syndrome (Dega et al ., 1996)


Taiga root, Siberian Ginseng root: 
Elutherococcus senticosus Maxim., Araliaceae 
Taiga root, originating from Siberia was screened to replace the expensive ginseng root. The chief constituents are phenyl propane compounds(syringin= eleutherosideB). Lignanes (Eleutheroside E (D)),Cumarins (Isofraxidin-7-o-glucoside) and polysaccharides along with sterins, oleanolic acid essential oil and sugar (Davydov and Krikorian, 2000).The anti-stress effect of eleutherococcus extracts have been demonstrated in animal experiments, through a raised protection from the typical organic changes during the alarm  phase, as described by Selye (Brekhman and Kirillov 1969).Improved resistance occurred in diverse models, with regard to a series of stressors. In experiments single doses from 2.0 upto 16.0 ml of the extract (p.o.) no side effects have been observed. The tolerance of the eleutherococcus extract was very good. Only a very few patients complained of side effects of a mild nature such as headaches, raised blood pressure, sleeplessness (Gaffney et al., 2001).


Ginkgo Biloba.
Ginkgo biloba (G.biloba) is one of the widely used Chinese plants for its medicinal properties for several thousand years. At present, it is among the most commonly used phytopharmaceutical. It has been used in the treatment of various common geriatric complaints including vertigo, short term memory loss and lact of attention or vigilance. Standardized extracts of G.biloba leaves, EGb 761, contains 22-26% flavanoid glycosides; 2.5-4.5% ginkgo ides A,B,C and J 2-4% bilobalide; less than 10ppm, in particular less than 1 ppm, alkylphenol compounds; and less than 10% proanthocyanidins (Puebla-Perez et al 2003).

The standardized extract of G.biloba has been shown to have beneficial effects on cerebral vascular disorders(Clostre,1999), MAO inhibitory (Pardon et al., 2000) and immune stimulating properties ( Puebla-Perez et al., 2003). G.biloba has received attention as potential cognitive enhancers (Ward et al., 2002) for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive disorders.(Mantle et al ., 2000; Oken et al., 1998).Pretreatment with G.biloba induced the normalization of mitochondrial respiration, a diminution of cerebral oedema, correction of the accompanying ionic perturbations and practically total functional restoration, revealed by a normal neurological index (Oken etal 1998; Pratico and Delanty, 2000).The standardized extract egb 761 inhibits the formation of reactive oxygen species, and posses platelet-activation factor (PAF) antagonist properties, reduced level of nitric oxide in macrophages (Kobuchi et al., 1997)

Findings suggest that G.biloba extract may also facilitate the successful behavioral adaptation to stressors or noxious stimulants (Ward et al., 2002). The extract of G.biloba has been shown to inhibit the corticosterone secretion in rats via acting directly at the level  of adrenal gland through diminution of the number fo peripheral benzodiazepine receptors as well as may have a direct hypothalamic or supra-hypothalamic action which has drawn attention for anti-stress properties and has been proposed to revert back some of stress induced perturbations (Marcilhac et al., 1998) The anti-oxidant, MAO inhibitory and corticosterone regulatory actions.


Aswagandha, Indian ginseng;
Withania somnifera L., Solanaceae
Ashwagandha is a small shrub is widely cultivated throughout India and is still immensely popular in traditional ayuvedic and folk medicine. How ever it is the roots of ashwagandha that are considered to be medicinally tonic, adaptogenic and strengthening. It is said to “protect the organism from illness through maintaining the healthy balance of the physical energy (Bhattacharya et al., 1987). Traditionally, they are recommended for indigestion, heart disease, arthritis, lumbarpain, to lower fevers, and as a general strengthening medicine for children and for people recovering from illness (Bhattacharya and Muruganandam, 2003)

The root contains the steroid lactones withaferin A and related withanolides beside various alkaloids. The sitoindosides IX and X represent C-27-glycowithanolides, the sitoindosides VII and VIII, aceylesterylglucosides (Bhattacharya et al,1987; Ghosal et al., 1989).The extracts of Withania somnifera seeds, significantly improved the protection against stomach ulcers and adrenal gland weight that were induced by stress as well as oral intake over 3 days and this extract (60mg/Kg) effected a weakening of the milk-induced leucocytosis in mice .Similar anti-Stress effects were shown by the sitoindosides VII and VIII ; the induction of stomach ulcers  through stress was hindered by a pre-treatment with sitoindoside VII or VIII. The mice showed a distinct shortening of the duration of immobility, after gving sitoindoside VII and VIII (i.p.) in forced swimming stress. This anti-depressive effect is apparently caused through a diminishing of the stress effect, or through intervention in the monoamine metabolism of the brain (Bhattacarya et al 2001b; Bhattaccharya et al., 1987.) Examinations showed that stress effects in rats led to a significant increase of the dopamine receptors in the corpus striatum and this effect can be suppressed through pre-treatment with Withania somnifera or with Panax ginseng

Extracts (Bhattacharya et al., 2002) .The oral application for sitoindosides IX and X have been reported for the improvement in learning and memory patterns in mice. Sitoindosides VII, VIII, IX and X have been reported as adaptogenic active substances of Withania somnifera, in spite of diverse steroidal structures (Bhattacharya et al., 2000).


Eleutherococcus senticosus
Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupur&Maxim) Maxim (Araliaceae), referred to by some as ‘Siberian ginseng’, and to its secondary chemical composition. We conclude that so far as specific pharmacological activities are concerned there are a number of valid arguments for equating the actions of adaptogens with those of medicinal agents that have activities as anit-oxidants, and/or anti-carcinogenic, immunomodulatory and hypocholesteroletic as well as hypoglycemic and choleretic action. An inventory of the secondary substances contained in Eleutherococcus discloses a potential for a wide range of activities reported from work in cultured cell lines, small laboratory animals and human subjects. Much of the cited work has been published in peer- reviewed journals. Six compounds show various levels of activity as anti-oxidants, four show anti-cancer action, three shows hypercholesterolemia activity, two show immunostimulatory anti-oxidants, four show anti-cancer action, three show hypocholesterolemic activity, two show immunostimulatory effects, one has choleretic activity and one has the ability ot decrease/moderate insulin levels, one has activity as a radioprotectant, one shows anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic activites and yet another has shown activity as an antibacterial agent. Some of the compounds show more than one pharmacological effect and some show similar effect although they belong to different chemical classes.

The pathological importance of Eleutherococcus senticoccus was clearly evident from its array of therapeutic activities. The adaptogenic effect of feleutherococcus during and /or after extensive exercise and at high altitude could be explained as the protective antioxidative effect of vitamin E and other anti-oxidants contained in plant extracts. That is to say, under such external “stresses” there is increased production of oxygen species as the result of compensation to the lack of oxygen in the out side environment (Pecker et al ., 1994). Ratsch claims that Eleutherococcus shows an aphrodisiac effect in animals and has suggested that it should have the same “invigorative” and tonic effect on people. In addition to this, Mowrey (1993) speculated that if Eleutherococcus can increase stamina in athletes, it might increase sexual performance as well. The last might be true, especially if one could prove that Phenols from Eleutherococcus have effects similar or identical to a Viagra effect, a situation in which the substance temporarily Inhibits nitric oxide as a result of cyclic GMP signal transduction inhibition (Goldstein et al ., 1998)


Ocimum Sanctum.
Ocimum sanctum (OS), popularly known as 'Tulsi' in Hindi and 'Holy Basil' in English and is considered sacred for its medicinal properties in Indian sub-continent. OS contains a number of chemical, constituents that interact in a complex way to elicit their pharmacological responses. Recently Gupta et al ., 2002 has reviewed the validation of traditional claim as medicinal plant and suggested for directing the efforts towards isolation and characterization of the active principles and elucidation of the structure activity relation ship in view of its potential anti-oxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory , anti-cancer and a plethora of other diseases.


Plant Description
The plant is distributed and cultivated throughout India. It is an erect, much branched softly pubescent. Undershrub, 30-60cm high with red or purple subqadrangular branches. Leaves are simple, opposite, elliptic, oblong, obtuse or acute, with entire, sub¬serrate, or dentate margins, pubescent on both sides, minutely gland dotted, with slender, hairy petioles. Flowers are purplish in elongate racemes in close whorls, stamens exerted, upper pair with a small bearded appendage at the base fruits nutlets, smooth, not mucilaginous when wetted. The plant is bitter and acrid. The whole plant of as has medicinal value, few of them are aromatic, .stomachic, demulcent, diapho¬retic, digestive, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, ver¬mifuge and alexiteric properties. Mostly leaves and sometimes the seeds are also used.

In several ancient systems of medicine including Ayurveda, Greek, Roman, Siddha and Unani, Ocimmn sanctum has vast number of therapeutic applications such as in cardiopathy, homeopathy, leucoderma, asthma, bronchitis. catarrhal fever. otalgia. hepatopathy. vomiting, lumbago. hiccups, ophthalmia. gastropathy, genitourinary disorders. ringworm, verminosis any skin diseases etc. The present review incorporates the description of Ocimum sanctum its chemical constituents, and various pharmacological activities.


Chemical Constituents
Ocimmn Sanctum leaves contain 0.7% volatile oil com¬prising about 71 % eugenol and 20% methyl eugenol. The oil also contains carvacrol and sesquiterpine hy¬drocarbon caryophyllene (Shah and quadry 1988), Ursolic acid has been iso¬lated from the OS leaves.(Balanehru and nagarajan 1991, Nair et al., 1982). Nair et al. (1982) also isolated apigenin, luteolin, apigenin¬7 -a-glucuronide, luteolin-7 -a-glucuronide, orientin, molludistin. Isolation of two flavonoids, orientin and vicenin from the aqueous leaf extract of OS is also reported Umadevi et al (1998). Kelm (2000) have extracted, and purified phenolic compounds from the fresh leaves and stems of OS such as cirsilineol, cirsimaritin, isothy¬musin, isothymonin, apigenin, rosmarinic acid and appreciable quantities of eugenol. The structures of these compounds have also been elucidated. Norr and Wagner (1992) identified vicenin-2, rosmarinic acid, gal uteolin, cirsilineol gallic acid, gallic acid methylester, gallic acid ethyl ester, protocatechic acid. vanillic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillin, 4-hydroxybenz¬aldehyde, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid from the ethanolic extract of OS. They also detected 2-phenyl¬propaneglucoside 1 and 2, The leaves of as are also known to contain traces of zinc, manganese and sodium (Samudralwar and Garg 1996). Seeds of OS possess the fatty oil (17.82%) consisting 6.9% palmitic acid, 2.1 % stark acid, 15.7% linolenic acid, 66.1 % linoleic acid and 9% oleic acid. The unsaponifiable matter yielded a small quantity of sitosterol. Three insoluble bromoglycerides were crystallized on direct bromination of the oil in dry ether (two dilinoleno-linolins melting at 157°C and 145°C respectively and a linolenodilinolin melting at 80°C (Nadkarni and Patwardhan 1952). The fixed oil content of seeds may vary de¬pending on the geographical sources.


Pharmacological profile studied for Ocimum sanctum to till date.
Antimicrobial Activity 
The aqueous leaf extract showed insecticidal activity and antibacterial activity against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, however it was not effective against Shigella and Sal¬monella, Staphylococcus citreous, E coli and Aspergil¬lus niger. At relatively high concentration, the extract showed antimycotic activity against Trichophyton men-tagrophytes and Pestalotiopsis mangiferae (Gupta and vishwanathan,1955, Phadke and Kulkarni 1989, Kumar et al 1997, Rani, 1996.)

The antimicrobial properties of the whole extract of as and its principal component eugenol (4-allyl-2¬methoxy-phenol) were tested on NRRL-2999. Both the substances could inhibit aflatoxin production. The results also suggested possible use of as extract to control infestation of aflatoxin producing moulds in food industry (Jayshree and Subramanyam 1998). The ethanolic extract from Tulsi was demonstrated to be better antiviral agent than Azadirachta indica extract against the Fl strain of New Castle disease virus in chorioallantoic culture systeml4. Recently, combination of ethanolic extracts of leaves of as and Cassia alata has been found to possess anti-cryptococcus activity and the activity of the combination of the extracts was heat stable and worked at acidic pH. (Ranganathan and Balaji 2000)


Hypoglycemic and hypolipidaemic activity
Holy basil leaves obtained from two closely related species, as and Eclipta alba possessed similar thera¬peutic values and were used for treating diabetes, ar¬thritis and bronchial asthma (Dhar et al., 1968, , Palit et al 1983 Giri et al., 1987. Experimental studies in albino rats showed the efficacy of basil leaves in decreasing blood glucose in hyperglycemic rats and rabbits (Sarkar and Panth 1989). In the latter study, seeds were found to be less effective than leaves. Further, oral administra¬tion of ethanolic as leaf extract potentates the action of exogenous insulin in normal rats. The activity of the extract was 91.55 and 70.43% of that of tolbu¬tamide in normal and streptozotocin induced diabetic rats respectively (Chattopadhyay 1993). However, in a comparative study OS leaf extract was found to have the least potent blood sugar lowering activity than Catharanthu roseus, Gymnema sylvestre and Azadirachta indica (Chattopadhyay 1993)

In order to explore further evidence, effect of treatment with holy basil leaves on fasting and post-prandial  blood glucose and serum cholesterol levels in humans were assessed through a randomized placebo controlled crossover single blind trial in patients of non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) (Agarwal and singh 1996). The results of the trial indicated a significant decrease in fasting and post-prandial blood glucose levels during treatment as compared to placebo and the findings suggested that basil leaves might be prescribed as an adjunct to dietary therapy and as a drug treatment in mild to moderate NIDDM.

Tulsi leaf powder supplementation at 1%dose level showed significant hypoglycemic and hypolipidaemic effects in diabetic rats with could be associated with the essential oil, eugenol present in OS leaf powder ( Rai V et al ., 1997). In addition there could be some other active insulinogenic ingredients present in OS leaf powder, bringing the blood sugar level down in the diabetic rats. Significant lowering in serim total cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids an Dldl-Cholesterol levels and a significant increase in HDL-cholesterol and total feca sterol contents of rabbits was observed by oral administration of fresh leaves for 4 weeks at two dose levels of 1 an d2 %W/W mixed in the diet.(Sarkar et al., 1994).

Trasina, an ayurvedic herbal formulation containing Ocimum sanctum as one of the ingredients showed little effect on blood sugar concentrations and islet superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) in euglycemic rats, in 100and 200mg/kg PO doses administered once daily for 28 days. However, these doses of  Trasina caused a dose related decrease in streptozotocin hyperglycemia and attenuation of streptozocin induced decrease in islet SOD activity (Bhattacharya  1997).


Radioprotective activity
Uma Devi and co¬workers have extensively worked on radioprotective activity of OS and was recently reviewed (Umadevi, 2001). Hydro alcoholic extract of OS has provided radio protective effect when given intraperitoneally before a whole body exposure to 11 Gy of Co (Prakash and Gupta 2000). In¬tra peritoneal route offered best protection than other routes (Umadevi and Ganasoundari ,1995).

The aqueous extract exerted protective effect against radiation induced chromosome damage in mouse bone marrow and modified bone marrow radio sensitivity, which could be attributed to its free radical scavenging activities. (Ganasoundari et al., 1997.)

The two isolated flavonoids from as leaves, ori¬entin and vicenin showed better radioprotective effect as compared with synthetic radioprotectors, WR-2721 and MPG (2-mercaptopropionyl glycine). Both the flavonoids showed a significant protection against chromosome aberration in mice, the activity of vicenin being significantly greater than orientin with¬out systemic toxicity. Free radical scavenging ap¬peared to be the likely mechanism of radiation protec¬tion by these flavonoids4. In a separate in vitro sys¬tem, orientin and vicenin provided almost equal pro¬tection against radiation induced lipid peroxidation (LPO) in mouse liver and a significantly greater free radical inhibiting activity than DMSO. They showed no pro-oxidant activity at the tested concentrations (Umadevi et al., 2000)

The combination of as leaf extract with WR-2721 resulted in higher bone marrow cell protection and reduction in the toxicity of WR-2721 at higher doses, suggesting that the combination would have promise for radioprotection in humans.(Ganasoundari, 1998).
At an optimum dose of 50 Jlglkg, Lp. administra¬tion of orientin and vicenin, provided protection to mice against death from gastrointestinal and bone marrow syndrome before whole body exposure to IIGy γ-radiation. Survival and duration of protection were better with vicenin than orientin. (Umadevi et al., 1999)


Anticataract activity
Anticataract effect of aque¬ous extract of as leaves in selenite model of cataract both in vitro and in vivo was studied. Significant dif¬ferences in the incidence of cataract and various bio¬chemical parameters like antioxidant enzyme activity, glutathione and malondialdehyde levels were ob¬served (Gupta et al 2000).

Aqueous extract from the fresh leaves of this plant delayed the process of cataractogenesis in experimen¬tal models of cataract (galactosemic cataract in rats by 30% galactose and naphthalene cataract in rabbits by 1 glkg naphthalene). as 1 and 2 glkg delayed the on¬set as well as subsequent maturation of cataract sig¬nificantly in both the models. In addition to delay in reaching the various stages of development of cata¬ract, IV stage did not develop with high doses till the completion of 40 days of experimental period. Higher doses were found to be more effective and promising prophylactic rather than curative. This effect was more pronounced in galactosemic cataract (Sharma et al., 1998). The anti¬cataract activity could be linked to the antioxidant, antistress and hypoglycemic activities of the extract.


Wound healing activity
The effect of aqueous extract of leaves of this plant on wound healing was assessed using excision and incision wound models in Wistar rats. Oral administration of 0.1 ml/ 100g of the extract significantly increased the tensile strength in incision wound and promoted epithelialization in excision wound. The prohealing action of the extract seemed promising. The mechanism of preheating action of the extract remains to be elucidated as yet. (Smacker et al., 1999).


Antiulcerogenic activity
OS was studied for an¬tiulcerogenic properties in pyloric injected and aspirin treated rats. The 'extract of the leaves reduced the ul¬cer index, free and total acidity on acute and chronic administration. Seven days drug pretreatment in¬creased the mucous secretion also. These results indi¬cated anti ulcerogenic properties of the extract against experimental ulcers attributable to reduction in acid secretion and increased mucous secretion (Mandal et al., 1993).

The fixed oil of OS was found to possess signifi¬cant antiulcer activity against aspirin, indomethacin, alcohol, histamine, reserpine, serotonin and stress in¬duced ulceration in experimental animal models. Sig¬nificant inhibition was also observed in gastric secre¬tion and aspirin induced gastric ulceration in pylorus legated rats. The oil had lipoxygenase inhibitory, his¬tamine antagonistic and anti secretory effects, which could probably contribute to its antiulcer activity (Singh and Majumdar, 1999). Recently  (Dharmani etal., 2004 ) has demonstrated the anti ulcerogenic and ulcerhealing properties of ethanolic of OS. The studies were carried out in Cold restraint , asprin, Pyloric ligation  and histamine induced ulcer models. The ulcer healing activity was demonstrated in chronic acetic acid induced ulceration. The anti-ulcer effect of OS was said to be due to its anti secretory and cytoprotective effect.


Antifertility activity
Antifertility activity of as leaves has been reported in rats, mice and rabbits. In one of the above studies benzene extract was more effective than petroleum ether extract or other ex¬tracts. Benzene extract of fresh as leaves in male rats indicated significant reduction in sperm count, sperm motility and weight of testis. (Kasinathan et al., 1972, Raghunandan et al., 1997, Seth et al., 1981 Khanna et al., 1986. Batta and Santhakumari 2000 )

Long term feeding (up to 3 months) of Tulsi leaves (200 and 400 mglkg) to adult male and female albino rats along with normal diet decreased sperm count, sperm motility and the weight of male reproductive organs. The mating behaviour of both male and fe¬male rats was inhibited severely. In some animals where mating took place only during the initial phase of the treatment, pregnancy was carried to term with birth of normal pups. However, short term oral ad¬ministration of as leaf extract to the rats in the graded doses of 100, 150, 200 and 400 mglkg body weight along with normal diet for 15 days continu¬ously, decreased the Sexual behaviour. A significant decrease in sexual behavior score was noticed when the dose was increased to 200 and 400 mg/kg. It suggested that tulsi plant could not be exploited for con¬traceptive use since it depresses mating behavior and does not cause azoosperrnia. (Kantak and Gogate 1986, Seethalakshmi, 1992). 


Hepatoprotective activity
The cold-water extract at 3g/l00g body weight dose when fed orally for 6 days was found to be effective against carbon tetra¬chloride (0.2 ml/l00 g subcutaneously) induced liver injury (necrosis, fatty degeneration and hydropic de¬generation) in albino rats (Seethalaksmi et al 1982). Similar effect was ob¬served with 70% ethanolic extract. 

Oral administration of the hydroethanolic leaf ex¬tract at 200 mglkg dose to male Wistar albino rats provided protection against paracetamol induced liver injury. The studies were supported by significant re¬duction in the elevated serum enzyme levels and marked reduction in fatty degeneration in treated rats as compared to untreated control (paracetamol alone) (Chattopadhyay et al 1992).


lmmunomodulatory activity
Steam distilled ex¬tract from the fresh leaves showed modification in the humoral immune response in albino rats, which could be attributed to such mechanisms as antibody produc¬tion, release of mediators of hypersensitivity reactions and tissue responses to these mediators in the target organs (Mediratta 1988).


Antiasthmatic activity
Ethanolic extract (50%) of fresh leaves and fixed oil from the seeds exerted sig¬nificant ant asthmatic (against histamine and acetyl¬choline induced preconvulsive dyspnoea in guinea pigs) and anti-inflammatory activity (against carra¬geenan, serotonin, histamine and PGE2 induced in¬flammation in rats). The ant asthmatic activity of the ethanolic extract of the fresh leaves is suggested to be due to the presence of volatile oil consisting of several components. Ethanolic extract (50%) from the dried leaves, however, did not protect the guinea pigs against histamine induced preconvulsive dyspnoea, which attributed to the loss of active con¬stituents during the process of drying (Singh and Agarwal 1991).


Anti-oxidant activity
Uma Devi has recently re¬viewed the antioxidant activity of OS (Umadevi 2001). Antioxidant properties of flavonoids from different sources have been reported (Hussain et al., 1987 Hu et al., 1995, Saija et al., 1995 ). It was thought ( Shimoi et al., 1994, 1996) of a probable relationship between radioprotective and antioxidant activity which was also confirmed by Ga¬nasoundari (1998) and co-workers. Ursolic acid isolated from as offered remarkable protection against lipid peroxidation in isolated liver and heart microsomes in vitro. The compound did not induce lipid peroxida¬tion by itself and thus improved therapeutic applica¬tion. It also provided mild protection as compared to strong protection by oleanolic acid against adriamycin induced lipid per oxidation (Balanehru and Nagarajan 1991,1992)
Protective role of aqueous leaf extract against ra¬diation-induced lipid per oxidation, glutathione and allied antioxidant enzymes in liver of mice was ob¬served (Umadevi 1998). as leaf extract exhibited significant antioxi¬dant activity against several paradigms of oxidative stress induced by a variety of techniques in different rat tissues, which was comparable to that of vitamin E (Bhattacharya 2001). Recently cyclooxygenase inhibitory properties of as have also been reported along with its antioxidant properties (Maulik et al., 1997, Nair et al., 1982).


Chemo preventive and anti- carcinogenic activity
The antiproliferative and chemopreventive activity of as aqueous leaf extract and seed oil was studied us¬ ing 3-(4,5- dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay on HeLa cells. Significant antiproliferative activity was observed only with high concentrations (83.33 and 250 ~g/ml) of seed oil. Leaf extract and low doses of seed oil did not affect the proliferation of the cells.(Samudralwar and Garg 1996) Oral supplementation of maximal tolerated dose of 1 00 ~l/kg body weight against 20-methylcholanthrene (MCA) induced fibrosarcoma tumours in Swiss albino mice reduced the cumulative tumour incidence and tumors volume. Increased survival rate and delay in tumors incidence was also observed. Liver enzymatic (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase) and non enzymatic antioxidants (reduced glutathione) and lipid peroxidation end-product, malondialdehyde levels were significantly modulated with oil treatment suggesting that the potential chemo preventive activity of the oil is partly attributable to its antioxidant prop¬erties. The chemo preventive efficacy of 100 ~lIkg seed oil was comparable to that of 80 mg/kg of vita. min E60. The oil also showed significant chemo preventive activity against 7,12-dimethylbenz (a) anthra. cene (DMBA) induced papillomagenesis in Swiss albino mice. This was evidenced by significant reduction in incidence of papillomas, average number of papillomas/mouse, increased survival and modulation of level of reduced glutathione and lipid peroxidation, and activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in papillomas by oil supple-mentations9, and histopathological parameters.( Prakash,  2000)

Anti carcinogenic potential of as has also been re¬viewed earlier by Uma Devi 46. as significantly de¬creased the incidence of benzo(a)pyrene induced neo¬plasia of stomach and 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazo¬benzene induced hepatomas in rats 62. Topical treat-ment of as leaf extract in DMBA induced papilloma¬genesis significantly reduced the tumors incidence, average number of papillomas/mouse and cumulative number of papillomas in mice. Topical application of the extract significantly elevated reduced glutathione content and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity 63. The chemo preventive action of as leaf extract is probably through the' induction of hepatid extrahepatic GST in mice. Elevated levels of reduced glutathione in liver, lung and stomach tissues in as extract supplemented mice were also found as com¬pared to untreated control mice (Prashar and Kumar 1995).

Ethanolic leaf extract also had significant modula¬tory influence on carcinogen metabolizing enzymes (cytochrome P450, cytochrome b5 and aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase, glutathione-S-transferase and glutathione levels in mice.(Banerjee et al 1996). Incidence of papillomas and sqamous cell carcinomas were significantly reduced when OS in the form of fresh leaves paste, aqueous and ethanolic extract was topically applied and the extracts were orally administered to buccal pouch mucosa of hamsters exposed to 0.5% of DMBA. The aqueous extract showed profound effect than the other two forms. (Karthikeyan et al., 1999).


Psychopharmacological activity
The ethanolic leaf extract of as was screened for psychopharma¬cological activities. The extract prolonged the time of lost reflex (the time interval between the loss and re¬gaining to righting reflex after administration of pen¬tobarbital sodium at a dose of 40 mg/kg Lp. in mice), decreased the recovery time and severity of electro¬shock and pentylenetetrazole induced convulsions. It also decreased apomorphine induced fighting time and ambulation in open field studies. Using a behavioral despair model involving forced swimming in rats and mice, the extract lowered immobility in a manner comparable to imipramine. This action is blocked by haloperidol and sulpiride, indicating a possible action involving dopaminergic neurones. In a similar study, there was a synergistic action has been reported when extract was combined with bromocriptine, a potent D2-receptor agonist (Sakina et al 1990).


Adaptogenic activity.
The ethanolic leaf extract of O.Sanctum was screened for anti stress activity against acute and chronic noise induced changes in plasma corticosterone level in albino rats.(Sembulingam et al., 1999).Changes in leukocyte count during noise induced stress and the normalization by OS were reported (Archana and Sembulingum 2000).

Methanolic and ethanolic extracts tested for anti stress activity in swimming endurance model increased physical endurance during swimming, prevented stress induced ulcers and milk induced leucocytosis in rats and mice, respectively, indicating inductionof non-specifically increased resistance against a variety of stress induced biological changes by OS in animals .(Bhargava and Singh 1981).

Modulation of stress induced biochemical perturbations by Eugenol and OS were studied in rats. There was no significant effect on blood glucose and urea levels. But the authors observed lowering effect on stress induced increase in cholesterol, lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase levels (Sen et al., 1992). From these experimental findings, authors suggested the involvement of neurotransmitters for the anti-stress activity of OS. 

Studies conducted to till date proves the multifunctional nature of Ocimum sanctum was conformed that the anti-stress effect is due to the cumulative effort of all the constituents extracted with specific solvents used in the study but a complete study of fractions and the major active constituents is lacking.


Evolvulus alsinoides.
Evolvulus alsinoides (Linn) (Family:Convolvulaceae) commonly known as Shankhpuspi is found throughout India ascending to 6000ft in the Himalayas. It is well known for its therapeutic effect on brain disorders like insanity, epilepsy, memory enhancement and nervous debility in Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine (Chatterjee et al., 1990). Recent pharmacological studies on leaves and whole plant of Shankhpuspi have indicated anti-ulcer (Asolkar et al., 1992) and immunomodulatory properties (Lilly et al., 2003).

The above literature examined the supplemental effects on the “structure and functions” of the human body and the effect on person’s well being. It should be cautioned that FDA does not regulate herbal products and that this study report does not in any form and shape recommend the use of herbal products for treatment, cure or prevention of any diseases. 


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The article is prepared by Sai Vuyyura, an employee of Cure Pharmacy, the contents of which cannot be reproduced, without the written permission of Cure Pharmacy LLC, which has the sole proprietary interest in this publication.