Published Research - B

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Bibhitaki

Botanical name: Terminalia belerica

Terminalia belerica has deep roots in Indian mythology as well as in Ayurveda. It is part of a compound rasayana preparation of three myrobalan fruits, known as Triphala, which is important in both Indian and Tibetan traditional medicine. The name Bibhitaki indicates that regular use keeps a person healthy and free from disease. The fixed oil from the seeds is used for cooking.

Anti-ulcer activity
The fruit was effective in reducing the total acidity and peptic activity and increasing the mucin content, which suggests a role in ulcer management.

Source: Satyanaryanana S, Savitir M, Visweswaram D 1994 - Anti-gastric ulcer activity of brucine and Triphala. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Science 56(4):165

Hepatoprotective activity
The fruit is hepatoprotective and this is thought to be due at least in part to the presence of gallic acid.

Source: Anand K, Singh B, Saxena AK, Chandan BK, Gupta VN, Bhardwaj VN 1997 - 3,4,5 - Trihydroxy benzoic acid (gallic acid), the hepatoprotective principle in the fruits of Terminalia belerica: bioassay guided acivity. Pharmacological Research 36(4):315

When administered orally it showed a good protective effect against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity as shown by an improvement in serum transaminase and bilirubin levels and a significant inhibition in triglyceride levels in the liver.

Source: Anand KK, Singh B, Saxena AK, Chandan BK, Gupta VN 1994 - Hepatoprotective studies of a fraction from the fruits of Terminalia belerica on experimental liver injury in rodents. Phytotherapy Research 8(5):287

Anti-oxidant activity
Free radical-induced cellular damage is involved in several pathological conditions such as cancer, rheumatism, liver injury, ischaemic heart disease and ageing. Triphala, which contains T. belerica, showed scavenging activity against mitochondrial lipid peroxidation. The phenolic compounds present were credited for the anti-oxidant activity.

Source: Vani T, Rajani M, Sarkar S, Shishoo CJ 1997 - Anti-oxidant properties of the Ayurvedic formulation Triphala and it constituents. International Journal of Pharmacognosy 35(5):313

Hypolipidaemic activity
When T. belerica was given to animals in which arteriosclerosis had been induced by feeding a cholesterol-rich diet, significant decreases in the cholesterol level of the liver and aorta were observed.

Source: Shaila HP, Udupa SL, Udupa AL 1995 - Preventive actions of Terminalia belerica in experimentally induced atherosclerosis. International Journal of Cardiology 4(2):101

Black pepper

Botanical name: Piper nigrum

Originally from south-western India, P. nigrum is highly regarded as a condiment as well as a medicine, especially in Ayurveda. It was historically important to the Romans, Africans and Europeans. White pepper comes from the same plant, but the fruits are ripe and peeled; it has a more pungent taste.

Effect on the gastrointestinal tract
Piperine has the capability to increase absorption from the intestine by enhancing permeability of intestinal cells. This is thought be due to stimulation of Y-glutamyl transpeptidase enzyme activity and increased lipid peroxidation.

Source: Johri RK, Thusus N, Khajuria A, Zutshi U 1992 - Piperine-mediated changes in the permeability of rat intestinal epithelial cells. The status of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity, uptake of amino acids and lipid peroxidation. Biochemistry and Pharmacology 1, 41(7):1401

Anti-microbial activity
Black pepper extracts inhibited aflatoxin production, via the beta-glucuronidase reporter gene under the control of the aflatoxin biosynthesis gene promoter in the fungus Aspergillus parasiticus.

Source: Annis SL, Velasquez L, Xu H, Hammerschmidt R, Linz J, Trail F 2000 - Novel procedure for identification of compounds inhibitory to transcription of gene involved in mycotoxin biosynthesis. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 48(10):4656

Anti-cancer activity
Increased activities of beta-glucuronidase in the distal colon, and levels of mucinase in the colon and faeces in experimental colon cancer, were brought down to almost normal by the ingestion of black pepper. This may prevent the hydrolysis of glucuronide conjugates, which liberate toxins, and the degradation of mucinase, which would prevent the hydrolysis of protective mucins in the colon.

Source: Nalini N, Sabitha K, Viswanathan P, Menon VP 1998 - Influence of spices on the bacterial (enzyme) activity in experimental colon cancer. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 62(1):15

Hepatic enzyme induction
Piperine protected the liver against the toxic effects of tert-butyl hydroperoxide and carbon tetrachloride by a reduction in lipid peroxidation, prevention of enzymatic leakage of GPT and AP, and by the inhibition of GSH depletion and total thiols.

Source: Koul IB, Kapil A 1993 - Evaluation of the liver protective potential of Piperine, an active principle of black and long peppers. Planta Medica 59(5):413

Boswellia

Botanical name: Boswellia serrata

The plant has been used for cosmetic purposes since ancient times. It was associated with longevity and memory and burnt as an incense to drive away evil spirits. In the Bible, the gum exudate from the tree was offered to Adam as a consolation for losing the Garden of Eden.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity
B. serrata is valued for its well-documented anti-arthritic action, which is attributable to the boswellic acids. These acids inhibited leukotriene synthesis via 5-lipoxygenase, but did not affect either 12-lipoxygenase or cyclo-oxygenase. Boswellic acids did not impair the peroxidation of arachidonic acid by iron and ascorbate, indicating they are specific, non-redox inhibitors of leukotriene synthesis either interacting directly with 5-lipoxygenase or blocking its translocation.

Source: Ammon HPT, Safayhi H, Mack T, Sabieraj J 1993 - Mechanism of anti-inflammatory actions of curcumin and boswellic acids. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 38(2,3):113

The boswellic acids possessed varying degrees of activity in dose-related acute and chronic test models. In acute tests at a dose of 50-200mg/kg administered orally, an activity of between 26% and 43% was observed in rats and 20-34% in mice with carrageenan-induced oedema. In chronic tests using the developing adjuvant polyarthritis, doses of 50-200mg/kg produced an anti-arthritic activity of 32-50%.

Source: Knaus U, Wagner H 1996 - Effects of boswellic acids of Boswellia serrata and other triterpenic acids on the complement system. Phytomedicine 3(1):77

A human clinical study involving 175 patients of both sexes and a mean age of 35 (about 70% of whom were bedridden), with duration of illness between 1 and 6 years was carried out. Parameters assessed were morning stiffness of joints, pain, loss of grip strength and difficulty in performance of routine jobs. Results were as follows: 67% showed a good or excellent effect, with 30% showing some improvement and 3% little or none.

Source: Gupta I, Gupta V, Parihar A et al 1998 - Effects of Boswellia serrata gum resin in patients with bronchial asthma: results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 6 week clinical study. European Journal of Medical Research 3(11):511

Cholesterol-lowering effect
In vitro and in vivo experiments showed a dose-dependent fall in the cholesterol biosynthesis. Inhibition in vivo was at a dosage of 100mg/kg.

Source: Zutshi U, Rao PG, Kaur S, Singh GB, Singh S, Atal CK 1986 -Mechanism of cholesterol lowering effects of Salai guggul ex. Boswellia serrata. Indian Journal of Pharmacology 18(3):182
 

Brahmi

Botanical name: Bacopa monniera

Brahmi forms the ingredient of a number of Ayurvedic prescriptions and possesses numerous medicinal properties. Its use is documented in ancient Indian texts as far back as the 6th century and the herb has been widely used to promote the intellect and treat mental problems. It still occupies a predominant place in Hindu medicine and is used in Chinese medicine.

Effect on cognitive function
Cognitive effects of Bacopa monniera extract were evaluated in healthy human subjects in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, independent group trial design. The randomly allocated subjects received either placebo or Brahmi (300mg). B. monniera significantly improved the speed of visual information processing, learning rate and memory consolidation and anxiety compared to placebo, with maximal effects evident after 12 weeks, suggesting the role of Brahmi in improving higher-order cognitive processes.

Source: Stough C, Lloyd J, Clarke J et al 2001 - The chronic effects of an extract of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi) on cognitive function in healthy human subjects. Psychopharmacology 156(4):481

It also produced a positive effect on passive-avoidance tasks, maximal electroshock seizures and locomotor activity in rats, by improving the cognitive effect. When administered along with phenytoin (PHT) for 2 weeks, it significantly reversed PHT-induced impairment. Both acquisition and retention of memory showed improvement without affecting anticonvulsant activity.

Source: Vohora D, Pal SN, Pillai KK 2000 - Protection from phenytoin-induced cognitive deficit by Bacopa monniera, a reputed Indian nootropic plant. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 71(3):383

Effect on learning
The effects on learning performance in rats were studied in different conditioning schedules by administering an aqueous suspension of an alcoholic extract (40mg/kg, PO) for 3 or more days. The first schedule induced labile behaviour, using a shock-motivated brightness discrimination reaction. The treated group showed better acquisition, improved retention and delayed extinction. Similarly, in an active conditioned flight reaction, the drug-treated animals showed a shorter reaction time than the controls, which was confirmed in the continuous avoidance response.

Source: Singh HK, Dhawan BN 1982 - Effect of Bacopa monniera extract on avoidance responses in rats. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 5(2):205

Treatment with Brahmi also produced an improvement in learning capability confirmed by a maze-learning experimental method.

Source: Dey CD, Bose S, Mitra S 1976 - Effect of some centrally active phyto products on maze learning of albino rats. Indian Journal of Physiology and Allied Sciences 30(3):88