Need for comprehensive standardization strategies for marketed Ayurveda formulations

Ayurveda is known for the use of poly-herbal formulations and multi-component therapeutics for the management of health and diseases. Several pharmaceutical companies are manufacturing and marketing different Ayurvedic formulations, prepared as per the classical texts and the regulatory standards. However, on a cursory glance, marked variations are observed amongst the same formulations manufactured by different companies. This raises questions on the quality standards. Drugs or formulations are expected to exert a desired biological activity at particular concentrations of their chemical constituents. The overall aim of drug standardization is to ensure the quality, efficacy and uniformity of the products, in terms of their chemical and biological properties, across the manufactures. In this article, the authors intend to open up a discussion on the need for comprehensive standardization strategies for marketed Ayurveda formulations taking Lodhrasavam (a classical Ayurveda preparation) as an example. Lodhrasavam procured from six reputed Ayurveda drug manufacturers showed significant variations in their sensorial, physico-chemical, chromatographic as well as biological properties. This is a matter of serious concern and need to be addressed effectively to derive better standardization strategies for Ayurvedic formulations. Keywords: Lodhrasavam, Ayurveda, Formulation standardization, Sensorial attributes, Physico-chemical character

Transcriptome profiling of two Moringa species and insights into their antihyperglycemic activity

BackgroundMoringa concanensis Nimmo (MC), a plant that resembles Moringa oleifera Lam. (MO), has less scientific information but has traditionally been used as a medicinal plant. Moringa species have long been known for their medicinal qualities, which include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antihyperglycemic effects. We investigated the antidiabetic potential of MC and MO species in this study by using transcriptome profiling, metabolite analysis, and in vitro assay studies.​​​​​​​ResultsOur transcriptome analysis revealed the expression of enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of quercetin, chlorogenic acid, and benzylamine, all of which have previously been shown to have antidiabetic activity. We compared the expression patterns of five different tissues from MC and MO and it was found that the key enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of these compounds were highly expressed in leaf tissue. The expression estimated by MC transcriptome data in different tissues was verified using RT-qPCR analysis. The amount of these compounds was further quantified in the crude leaf extract of both species and found that MC had a higher abundance of quercetin and chlorogenic acid than MO. The crude leaf extract from both MC and MO were further tested in vitro, and the results demonstrated strong inhibitory activity for α-glucosidase and DPP-IV enzymes. Our findings suggest that compounds in leaf tissue, such as quercetin, benzylamine, and chlorogenic acid, could play a significant role in this antidiabetic activity. In addition, when comparing MO plants, we found that MC had a slightly higher effect in expression, abundance, and inhibitory activity.ConclusionsThis study presents the first report of MC transcriptome data, as well as a comparison of its anti-diabetic activity to MO. Our analysis discussed the significance of leaf tissue in antidiabetic activity compared to other tissues of both species. Overall, this study not only provides transcriptome resources for Moringa species, but also sheds light on antidiabetic potential of both species

Transcriptome profiling of two Moringa species and insights into their antihyperglycemic activity

Abstract Background Moringa concanensis Nimmo (MC), a plant that resembles Moringa oleifera Lam. (MO), has less scientific information but has traditionally been used as a medicinal plant. Moringa species have long been known for their medicinal qualities, which include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antihyperglycemic effects. We investigated the antidiabetic potential of MC and MO species in this study by using transcriptome profiling, metabolite analysis, and in vitro assay studies. Results Our transcriptome analysis revealed the expression of enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of quercetin, chlorogenic acid, and benzylamine, all of which have previously been shown to have antidiabetic activity. We compared the expression patterns of five different tissues from MC and MO and it was found that the key enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of these compounds were highly expressed in leaf tissue. The expression estimated by MC transcriptome data in different tissues was verified using RT-qPCR analysis. The amount of these compounds was further quantified in the crude leaf extract of both species and found that MC had a higher abundance of quercetin and chlorogenic acid than MO. The crude leaf extract from both MC and MO were further tested in vitro, and the results demonstrated strong inhibitory activity for α-glucosidase and DPP-IV enzymes. Our findings suggest that compounds in leaf tissue, such as quercetin, benzylamine, and chlorogenic acid, could play a significant role in this antidiabetic activity. In addition, when comparing MO plants, we found that MC had a slightly higher effect in expression, abundance, and inhibitory activity. Conclusions This study presents the first report of MC transcriptome data, as well as a comparison of its anti-diabetic activity to MO. Our analysis discussed the significance of leaf tissue in antidiabetic activity compared to other tissues of both species. Overall, this study not only provides transcriptome resources for Moringa species, but also sheds light on antidiabetic potential of both species

Nasal application of sesame oil-based Anu taila as ‘biological mask’ for respiratory health during COVID-19

This article narrates the potential role of sesame oil-based Anu taila for respiratory health and the prevention of COVID-19. Ayurveda recommends the use of sesame oil and A. taila as a part of daily routine (dinacharya) for oral gargling and transnasal application (Nasya) for preventing upper respiratory tract infections. Recent studies on COVID-19 have elucidated the activity of certain fatty acids in restricting viral binding. Based on the evidence gathered from in-silico, pre-clinical, and pharmacological studies as well as references from classical textbooks of Ayurveda, this article infers that the transnasal application of sesame oil and/or A. taila could provide resilience/protection to the respiratory system. It can act as a ‘biological mask’ to prevent respiratory infections like COVID-19. Detailed pharmacological study can give fuller confirmation of our informed “inference” that A. taila offers a cost-effective intervention for the prevention of COVID-19 like infections of the upper respiratory tract