Elroy Saldanha

Ocimum Sanctum L (Holy Basil or Tulsi) and Its Phytochemicals in the Prevention and Treatment of Cancer

Ocimum sanctum L. or Ocimum tenuiflorum L, commonly known as the Holy Basil in English or Tulsi in the various Indian languages, is a important medicinal plant in the various traditional and folk systems of medicine in Southeast Asia. Scientific studies have shown it to possess antiinflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, hypolipidemic, antistress, and immunomodulatory activities. Preclinical studies have also shown that Tulsi and some of its phytochemicals eugenol, rosmarinic acid, apigenin, myretenal, luteolin, β–sitosterol, and carnosic acid prevented chemical-induced skin, liver, oral, and lung cancers and to mediate these effects by increasing the antioxidant activity, altering the gene expressions, inducing apoptosis, and inhibiting angiogenesis and metastasis. The aqueous extract of Tulsi and its flavanoids, orintin, and vicenin are shown to protect mice against γ-radiation-induced sickness and mortality and to selectively protect the normal tissues against the tumoricidal effects of radiation. The other important phytochemicals like eugenol, rosmarinic acid, apigenin, and carnosic acid are also shown to prevent radiation-induced DNA damage. This review summarizes the results related to the chemopreventive and radioprotective properties of Tulsi and also emphasizes aspects that warrant future research to establish its activity and utility in cancer prevention and treatment.

Health Effects of Various Dietary Agents and Phytochemicals (Therapy of Acute Pancreatitis)

Abstract The incidence of acute pancreatitis, a disease with variable severity, is on the rise, thereby posing new challenges to health-care providers. To complicate the situation, currently available therapies are limited to supportive measures and treating complications. Pharmacological agents, such as anti-secretory agents, protease inhibitors, anti-oxidants, immunomodulators, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and prophylactic antibiotics, have been used with variable degrees of success. However, regular intake of these agents is unsafe as they pose long-term damage. This has necessitated the development of non-toxic agents which are both effective and safe to use. Preclinical studies have shown that dietary agents such as green tea, Emblica officinalis , grapefruit, and Rhubarb, and the phytochemicals they contain, like curcumin, ellagic acid, cinnamtannin B-1, capsaicin, α-pinene, piperine, zerumbone, lycopene, resveratrol, and flavonoids (quercetin, genistein, and apigenin) possess beneficial properties against chemical-induced acute pancreatitis in laboratory animals. This article is a forerunner in addressing the protective effects of these agents, as well as the mechanism of actions responsible for protection against acute pancreatitis.

Correlation of histopathological observations of appendicitis tissue with glutathione, lipid peroxidation, and lactate dehydrogenase: An investigational study

Objective: The present study was conducted to investigate the levels of antioxidant glutathione (GSH), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and lipid peroxidation (LPx) in the excised appendicitis tissue and investigate as to whether there is any correlation with the histopathological grading and clinical scoring. Materials and Methods: Appendix was collected from people requiring appendectomy (n = 30) and people with normal appendix but requiring gastrointestinal (GI) surgery for some other GI diseases and willing for complementary appendectomy (n = 4). The levels of GSH, LPx, and LDH were evaluated and statistically compared. In addition, statistical analysis is used to observe for correlation between these parameters with histological grading and Alvarado scores. Results: When compared to the normal appendix, in the tissues of appendicitis, the levels of LPx were high and that of LDH and GSH were significantly low. A negative correlation for GSH and positive correlation for LPx were observed. With respect to LDH, a negative correlation for tissue was observed with both histopathological and clinical grading. Multiple regression analysis for the biochemical endpoint in tissue showed that these parameters contribute 67.9 and 30.1% toward the histopathological and clinical grading, respectively. Conclusions: The results of the study indicate that the levels of LPx are increased and that of LDH and GSH are decreased in appendicitis and they are dependent on the pathological and clinical manifestation.

Medicinal Benefits of Ginger in Various Gastrointestinal Ailments: Use in Geriatric Conditions

Ginger, the rhizome of Zingiber officinale Roscoe (family Zingiberaceae), is not only a food condiment but also a medicinal agent with numerous medicinal properties. Ginger has been shown to reduce the severity of several diseases, especially of the gastrointestinal system, and studies have clearly indicated that the various extracts of ginger and its principal phytochemicals – gingerols, zingerone, shogaols, and paradols – have a protective role in gastric ailments and irritations such ulcers, vomiting, nausea, dyspepsia, stomach ache, spasm, and gastrointestinal cancer. This chapter summarizes the traditional and scientific observations of the gastrointestinal protective effect of ginger. It also addresses the lacunae in these published studies, and emphasizes the need for further investigations so ginger can be used in clinics in the future.

Use of the Ayurvedic Drug Triphala in Medical Conditions Afflicting Older Adults

Aging, a physiological state in which there is a progressive decline in organ functions, delay in regeneration, and development of age-related diseases, is a multifactorial process. Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine which, when translated literally, means science of life, recommends the use of certain herbal drugs to retard aging. The present chapter addresses the health benefit of Triphala, an herbal formulation composed of the three fruits of Terminalia chebula Retz. (Haritaki, family Combretaceae), Terminalia bellirica Roxb. (Bibhitaki, family Combretaceae) and Phyllanthus emblica Linn. or Emblica officinalis Gaertn. (Amalaki or the Indian gooseberry, family Euphorbiaceae). It is accredited to be a rejuvenating drug and to give strength to debilitated organs. Scientific studies carried out in the past two decades have validated many of the ethnomedicinal claims, and research has shown Triphala to possess beneficial effects in many geriatric conditions. The current chapter addresses the validated pharmacological properties.

Chapter 31 – Polyphenols in the Prevention of Acute Pancreatitis: Preclinical Observations

The prevalence of acute pancreatitis, a disease with variable severity, is increasing, posing new challenges for health care providers. To complicate the condition, currently available therapies are limited to supportive measures and to treating complications. Pharmacological agents like antisecretory agents, protease inhibitors, antioxidants, immunomodulators, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and prophylactic antibiotics have been used with variable degrees of success. However, regular intake of these agents is unsafe as they can possess long-term damage, and this has necessitated the need for non-toxic agents that are both effective and safe. Almost 25 centuries ago, Hippocrates, the father of medicine, proclaimed “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Exploring the association between diet and health continues even today. Preclinical studies carried out in the recent past have shown that the polyphenols of dietary sources like curcumin, resveratrol, quercetin, genistein, ellagic acid, cinnamtannin B-1 and green tea polyphenols protect against chemical-induced acute pancreatitis in laboratory animals. The present review collates the protective effects of these agents and the mechanism of action responsible for the effect.

Polyphenols in the Prevention of Acute Pancreatitis

The prevalence of acute pancreatitis, a disease with variable severity, is increasing, posing new challenges for health care providers. To complicate the condition, currently available therapies are limited to supportive measures and to treating complications. Pharmacological agents like antisecretory agents, protease inhibitors, antioxidants, immunomodulators, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and prophylactic antibiotics have been used with variable degrees of success. However, regular intake of these agents is unsafe as they can possess long-term damage, and this has necessitated the need for non-toxic agents that are both effective and safe. Almost 25 centuries ago, Hippocrates, the father of medicine, proclaimed “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Exploring the association between diet and health continues even today. Preclinical studies carried out in the recent past have shown that the polyphenols of dietary sources like curcumin, resveratrol, quercetin, genistein, ellagic acid, cinnamtannin B-1 and green tea polyphenols protect against chemical-induced acute pancreatitis in laboratory animals. The present review collates the protective effects of these agents and the mechanism of action responsible for the effect.

Polyphenols in the Prevention of Acute Pancreatitis: Preclinical Observations

The prevalence of acute pancreatitis, a disease with variable severity, is increasing, posing new challenges for health care providers. To complicate the condition, currently available therapies are limited to supportive measures and to treating complications. Pharmacological agents like antisecretory agents, protease inhibitors, antioxidants, immunomodulators, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and prophylactic antibiotics have been used with variable degrees of success. However, regular intake of these agents is unsafe as they can possess long-term damage, and this has necessitated the need for non-toxic agents that are both effective and safe. Almost 25 centuries ago, Hippocrates, the father of medicine, proclaimed “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Exploring the association between diet and health continues even today. Preclinical studies carried out in the recent past have shown that the polyphenols of dietary sources like curcumin, resveratrol, quercetin, genistein, ellagic acid, cinnamtannin B-1 and green tea polyphenols protect against chemical-induced acute pancreatitis in laboratory animals. The present review collates the protective effects of these agents and the mechanism of action responsible for the effect.