Anti-oxidants

Diabetes, the world largest metabolic disorder has become a serious threat to public health. The management of diabetes by synthetic drugs causes many unwanted complications. Hence this study was designed to explore the root Salep of Gymnadenia orchidis Lindl against type-2 diabetes to achieve a complications free herbal treatment for the disease. The Streptozotocin (STZ) induced-diabetic rats were supplemented with root Salep orally daily at an effective dose (200 mg/ g of body weight). The body weights and fasting blood glucose levels were measured periodically for 32 days.  After treatment period, the animals were sacrificed and glycosylated haemoglobin, lipid profiles, antioxidant enzymes levels, liver function enzymes etc. were determined. Phytochemically determined terpenoids was extracted from the root and orally supplemented (4 mg/g body weight) to the induced-diabetic animals. Normalization of fasting blood glucose levels, significant (P<0.001) decrement of glycosylated haemoglobin percentage, liver enzymes activities and increase body weights and anti-oxidants levels were noted for the Salep supplemented diabetic rats. Terpenoids played the key role in such observations. The root Salep of Gymnadenia orchidis Lindl or its terpenoids may be used as potentially herbal therapeutic agent for long term and effective solution against type-2 diabetes mellitus.

It’s well established that oxygen is essential for survival and energy generation in all-living organisms and ~5% of its inhaled part is converted into free radicals (either ROS or RNS) as a by-product of aerobic metabolism. Free radicals are also generated on exposure to sun light, X-rays, O3, tobacco smoke, automobile exhaust, environmental pollutants, and several other physiological processes. These reactive species damage NAs, proteins, lipids, carbohydrate. that consequently affects the immune functions causing degenerative ailments. The initiation steps of oxygen induced oxidation require removal of H-atom which gets accelerated by the presence of certain metals such as Fe and Cu leading to formation of singlet oxygen. In a normal cell there is an appropriate balance between pro-oxidant and antioxidants. Increase in level of pro-oxidant as compared in antioxidant creates oxidative stress. Epidemiological studies provide convincing evidence that a diet rich in antioxidants is associated with a lower incidence of degenerative diseases. Fruits, vegetables and beverages( fruit juices, black-lemon-T, coffee, cocoa, beer & wine) are the potent sources of dietary polyphenols. People relying upon consuming traditional diets rich in soy and tea rarely bear breast, uterus and prostate cancer. Recent advances in biochemistry and molecular biology techniques providing tools for studying the antioxidant enzymes and for elucidating the mechanisms of the actions of antioxidants has been delineated in this manuscript. Keywords: Aloe Vera, Anti-oxidants, Curry plant, Phytochemicals, Cancerous maladies: Beer, Ginger, Pepper, Coconut, Tea, Tomato