INTRODUCTION:

• Fatigue
• Lack of clarity
• Mental disturbances
• Stress
• Lack of ambition
• Lack of motivation

• Withania somnifera
• Emblica officinalis
• Asparagus racemosa
• Avena sativa
• Trikatu
• Ocimum sanctum
• Shilajit
• Tribulus terrestris
• Piper longum

Evaluation of Adaptogenic activity of a Polyherbal preparation

Withania somnifera:
Ashwagandha (or “Indian Ginseng” as it is sometimes called) is one of the most widely studied Indian herbs. Long considered a premier adaptogenic herb, Ashwagandha has clearly demonstrated anti-stress properties, including resistance to gastric ulcers
caused by aspirin and improved endurance as measured by swimming times and other endurance tests. The chief active ingredients are glycowithanolides, which are potent immunomodulators. Researchers in India and Germany have shown Ashwagandha to be superior to Panax ginseng in double-blind trials controlled with placebos. Ashwagandha has been traditionally used as an aphrodisiac and treatment of impotence.In a study by Singh B, Chandan BK, Gupta DK, Withania somnifera was evaluated for putative antistress activity against a battery of tests to delineate the activity of this fraction. The latter fraction exhibited significant antistress activity in a dose-related manner (Singh et al., 2001) and was further studied against chemical and physical induced stress in rats and mice. The extract of Withania somnifera root (a commercial preparation available locally) was also used to compare the results. A preliminary acute toxicity study in mice showed a good margin of safety with a high therapeutic index.In a separate study, the effect of Withania somnifera on the cellular immune responses (CMI) was demonstrated in normal as well as tumour bearing animals. Administration of Withania extract was found to enhance the proliferation of lymphocytes, bone marrow cells and thymocytes in responses to mitogens. Both PHA and Con A mitogens along with Withania treated splenocytes, bone marrow cells and thymocytes could stimulate proliferation twice greater than the normal. Withania treated splenocytes along with the mitogen LPS (10 microg/ml) could stimulate the lymphocyte proliferation six times more than the normal. Natural killer cell activity (NK) was found to be enhanced significantly in both the normal and the tumour bearing group and it was found to be earlier than the control (48.92% cell lysis). Antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) was found to be enhanced in the Withania treated group on the 9th day (65% cell lysis). An early Antibody dependent complement mediated cytotoxicity (ACC) was observed in the Withania treated group on day 13 (47% cell lysis).Ilayperuma I, Ratnasooriya WD, Weerasooriya TR. at the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka demonstrated the effect of Withania somnifera extract on the sexual behavior of male adult rats.

Emblica officinalis:
The fruit of this plant is amongst the most highly rates ingredients in Ayurvedic medicine. The fruit is said to have the highest content of Vitamin C of all known plants and contains a wide spectrum of Phytochemicalss that display anti-oxidant activity. Ellagic acid , tannic acid form a part of these powerful immuno-regulating, protecting compounds.The cytoprotective and immunomodulating properties of Emblica officinalis (Amla) against chromium (VI) induced oxidative damage has been reported by scientists at the Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Timarpur, Lucknow Road, Delhi-110054, India.. Chromium (VI) at 1 micro g/mL concentration was highly cytotoxic. It enhanced free radical production and decreased reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in macrophages. The presence of Amla resulted in an enhanced cell survival, decreased free radical production and higher antioxidant levels similar to that of control cells. Further, chromium (VI) treatment resulted in decreased phagocytosis and gamma-interferon (gamma-IFN) production while Amla inhibited chromium induced immunosuppression and restored both phagocytosis and gamma-IFN.In a separate study, the effect of tannoid principles emblicanin A, emblicanin B, punigluconin, and pedunculagin of E. officinalis was assessed on chronic unpredictable footshock-induced stress-induced perturbations in oxidative free radical scavanging enzymes in rat brain frontal cortex and striatum. Chronic stress, administered over a period of 21 days, induced significant increase in rat brain frontal cortical and striatal superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, concomitant with significant reduction in catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity. The changes in the enzyme activities was accompanied by an increase in lipid peroxidation, in terms of augmented thiobarbituric acid-reactive products. Administration of Emblica tannoids (10 and 20 mg, po) for 21 days, concomitant with the stress procedure, induced a dose-related alteration in the stress effects. Thus, a tendency towards normalization of the activities of SOD, CAT and GPX was noted in both the brain areas, together, with reduction in lipid peroxidation. The results indicate that the reported antistress rasayana activity of E. officinalis may be, at least partly due to its tendency to normalize stress-induced perturbations in oxidative free radical scavenging activity, in view of the postulate that several stress-induced diseases, including the process of aging, may be related to accumulation of oxidative free radicals in different tissues

Asparagus racemosa:
Asparagus racemosa is a rejuvenating herb that cools the body and strengthens and nourishes the tissues. Asparagus racemosa serves to build immunity, improve the intellect, stimulate digestion, and enhance strength and energy. It helps remove toxins from the blood and supports the proper function of the liver. Asparagus racemosa also acts to soothe, protect and nurture inflamed membranes of the lungs, stomach, kidneys and reproductive organs.Gaitonde and Jethmalani, have observed antioxytocie and anti- ADH activity in the saponin fractions isolated from the roots of A. racemosus. In a recent study by Sharma et al. Shatavari was shown to possess anabolic properties viz. growth promotion. The authors also consider the plant as an adaptogenic substance.

Avena sativa:
This is a highly nutritive herb. Avena sativa contains a wide range of amino acids that help restore depletion of these compounds from dietary sources. The activity of this herb in reducing oxidative stress ha been demonstrated in a clinical study by Rezar V, Pajk T, Marinsek Logar R, Jese Janezic V, Salobir K, Oresnik A, Salobir J.
at the Institute of Nutrition, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Domzale, Slovenia.

Trikatu:
A traditional Ayurvedic formula consisting of three spices, this ingredient helps stimulate the digestive process. By increasing the metabolism of essential nutrients, this ingredient makes the formula more active.

Ocimum sanctum:
Holy Basil as it is commonly known is considered a herb of the Gods. Its adaptogenic properties make this a particularly important plants in the prevention of immune disorders. Researchers at the Department of Horticulture and National Food Safety and Toxicology, Michigan State University, USA. have demonstrated the antioxidant activity of the herb extracts. Two Researchers, Vrinda B & Uma Devi P , have shown that Orientin (Ot) and Vicenin (Vc), two water-soluble flavonoids isolated from the leaves of Indian holy basil Ocimum sanctum have shown significant protection against radiation lethality and chromosomal aberrations in vivo.Other researchers at The Department of Horticulture and National Food Safety and Toxicology, Michigan State University, USA have demonstrated the anti-oxidant activity by bioassay-directed extraction of the fresh leaves and stems of Ocimum sanctum and purification of the extract yielded the following compounds; cirsilineol [1], cirsimaritin [2], isothymusin [3], isothymonin [4], apigenin [5], rosmarinic acid [6], and appreciable quantities of eugenol. The structures of compounds 1-6 were established using spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1 and 5 were isolated previously from O. sanctum whereas compounds 2 and 3 are here identified for the first time from O. sanctum. Eugenol, a major component of the volatile oil, and compounds 1, 3, 4, and 6 demonstrated good antioxidant activity at 10-microM concentrations. Anti-inflammatory activity or cyclooxygenase inhibitory activity of these compounds were observed. Eugenol demonstrated 97% cyclooxygenase-1 inhibitory activity when assayed at 1000-microM concentrations. Compounds 1, 2, and 4-6 displayed 37, 50, 37, 65, and 58% cyclooxygenase-1 inhibitory activity, respectively, when assayed at 1000-microM concentrations.Researchers studying the incidence of papillomas and squamous cell carcinomas have shown that these significantly reduced, and treatment with extracts of Ocimum sanctum increased the survival rate in the topically applied leaf paste and orally administered extracts to animals. Orally administered aqueous extract have showed profound effect in Histopathological observations made on the mucosa confirmed these findings. Further fluorescent spectral studies at 405 nm excitation on the mucosa of control, DMBA and extracts orally administered experimental animals showed a prominent maxima at 430 nm for control, 628 nm for DMBA induced carcinomas while aqueous and ethanolic extracts administered animals showed at 486 nm and 488 nm, respectively. The fluorescent intensity at 630 nm (FI630 nm) was significantly reduced and the ratio of fluorescent intensities at 520 nm and 630 nm (FI520 nm/630 nm) were significantly increased in orally administered extracts compared to DMBA treated animals. These observations suggest that the orally administered extract of O. sanctum may have the ability to prevent the early events of carcinogenesis.A study by Banerjee S and co workers, reports the modulatory influence of proprietory extract from the leaves of Ocimum sanctum on the activities of cytochrome p-450, cytochrome b5, and aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase enzymes in the liver and glutathione-S-transferase and reduced glutathione level in the liver, lung, and stomach of the mouse. Oral treatment with the leaf extract at 400 and 800 mg/kg body wt for 15 days would significantly elevate the activities of cytochrome p-450 (p < 0.05), cytochrome b5 (p < 0.01, p < 0.001), aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (p < 0.05), and glutathione S-transferase (p < 0.05, p < 0.01), all of which are important in the detoxification of carcinogens as well as mutagens. Moreover treatment with 400 and 800 mg/kg body wt of Ocimum extract for 15 days also significantly elevated extrahepatic glutathione-S-transferase (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). The reduced glutathione level was also elevated by treatment with the leaf extract in liver, lung, and stomach tissues (p < 0.01, p < 0.001). Mice fed a diet containing 0.75% butylated hydroxyanisole (positive control) revealed no alteration in the basal hepatic cytochrome p-450 and aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase level, but hepatic cytochrome b5 and glutathione S-transferase activity in hepatic and extrahepatic organs were elevated in a time-responsive manner (p < 0.05, p < 0.001). The observations suggest further exploitation of the Ocimum leaf extract or its active principle(s) for the chemoprevention of chemical carcinogenesis in different animal model systems

Shilajit:
Shilajit is one of Ayurveda’s most popular ingredients. It is an exudate from the rocks of the Himalayan Mountains. It is a complex mixture of inorganic and organic substances. In Ayurveda folk medicine, Shilajit is a reputable rasayana – a rejuvenator and a general tonic. The major ingredients are though to be fulvic acid, colloidal minerals and dibenzopyrone triterpenes. Shilajit has been shown to possess antioxidant, antiallergy, and antacid effects. In addition, Shilajit has been reported to be an aphrodisiac and an antidote to impotence.

Tribulus terrestris:
The active compounds are eight different furostanol saponins that are found in the aerial parts of the plant. The original work on Tribulus and endocrine function was done by Bulgarian scientist at the Chemical Pharmaceutical Institute in Sofia, who were interested in a non-hormonal treatment for dysfunctions of sexual (including low libido, strengths of erection, spermatogenesis, and rising testosterone level.) Researchers found that a 750mg daily dose of standardize extract increased testosterone level by over 30%! No wonder that product is very popular with Bulgarian and East European athletes. Woman reported greater fertility and improved menopausal symptoms, along with increased energy levels and improved libido. In men, the speed, motility, and the number of sperm all increased, along with and increase in muscle mass. The mechanism of action is believed to be through stimulation of leutinizing hormone (LH) secretion.Gauthaman K, Adaikan PG, Prasad RN, at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University Hospital, National University of Singapore, demonstrated the Aphrodisiac properties of Tribulus Terrestris extract (Protodioscin) in normal and castrated rats. In a separate study, Brown GA, and co workers at the Exercise Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Health and Human Performance, Iowa State University, Ames. Effects of androstenedione-herbal supplementation on serum sex hormone concentrations in 30- to 59-year-old men.

Piper longum:
This herb yields an alkaloid called piperine. Piperine is a proven bioenhancer and increases the bio-availability of primary compounds within a formula. Piper longum extracts are found in all our products.

DOSAGE:

1 capsule two to three times a day after meals.

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

None reported

• Promoting good health
• Increasing hormone levels
• Stimulating the endocrinal glands that produce sex hormones
• Removes stress
• Helps the body build immunity
• Promotes a feeling of content

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