Chebula Research Articles

Adsorption of azithromycin antibiotic from water onto biochar derived from Terminalia chebula and sugarcane bagasse

ABSTRACT In the present study, Terminalia chebula biomass was utilized to produce biochar. T. chebula-derived biochar (CBC) was characterized, evaluated as an adsorbent to remove azithromycin from the water, and compared with sugarcane bagasse-derived biochar (BBC). The effects of different environmental parameters on the adsorption capacity of the biochar were studied by response surface methodology. The adsorption for CBC after optimization increased by 43.65%, and for BBC it increased by 51.99%. The maximum adsorption capacities (qm) for CBC and BBC were found to be 21.36 and 17.95 mg/g, respectively. Various adsorption isotherm models were also studied to confirm the adsorption capacity. The results suggest that the Langmuir model fitted best among the tested models with respect to high correlation coefficients in both cases (R2, 0.886 for CBC and 0.872 for BBC). The nonlinear pseudo-first-order kinetics was a better fit for the adsorption experiment data in both cases. Furthermore, it can be concluded that both CBC and BBC are fairly effective in treating wastewater with high antibiotic content after optimization.

A standardized combination of Terminalia chebula and Withania somnifera extracts enhances immune function in adults: a pilot randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study.

The use of botanical medicine has been demonstrated as a potential strategy to manage or treat a variety of health issues. Terminalia chebula (Retz) fruit and Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal roots are important medicinal herbs described in Ayurveda and traditional therapy for diverse health benefits. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the immune function-enhancing potential of a unique blend of T. chebula fruit and W. somnifera root extracts, LN20189, in healthy men and women. Forty healthy volunteers (age: 35-60 years) were randomized into two groups receiving either LN20189 (500 mg per day) or a matched placebo over 28 consecutive days. The total T-cell population was the primary efficacy measure in this study. The secondary efficacy measures included counts of CD4, CD8, natural killer (NK) cells, serum levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), total immunoglobulin-G (IgG), and Immune Function Questionnaire (IFQ) scores. Safety parameter assessments were also conducted. Post-trial, in LN20189-supplemented subjects, T cells, CD4, NK cells count, and the CD4:CD8 ratio were increased by 9.32, 10.10, 19.91, and 17.43%, respectively, as compared to baseline. LN20189 supplementation increased serum IFN-γ and IgG levels by 14.57 and 27.09% from baseline and by 13.98 and 21.99%, compared to placebo, respectively. Also, the IFQ scores in the LN20189 group were 84.68% (vs. baseline) and 69.44% (vs. placebo) lower at the end of the trial. LN20189 improved the study volunteers' cellular and humoral immune functions. In summary, LN20189 supplementation was found tolerable and improved the key cellular and humoral factors of the immune system and helped improve immune function of the trial volunteers.

Wildfires and carbon budget of certain seasonally dry forests in India

AbstractGlobally, the increasing fire events in addition to climate change due to the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) as well as other greenhouse gases exerts huge pressure on natural resources and their management. This phenomenon is more severe in the tropical region due to increasing population, urbanization, industrialization, existing pressures, and limiting conditions. In the present study, carbon (C) stock, carbon sequestration (Cseq), CO2 mitigation potential, C budget, and C flux of the seasonally dry forest ecosystem of Chhattisgarh under the influence of wildfire in the protected area and its proximity were evaluated. Four sites namely, high fire zone (HFZ), medium fire zone (MFZ), low fire zone (LFZ), and non‐fire zone (NFZ) were selected and marked based on fire return intervals (frequency) and extent of damage. The present work is a novel approach that assesses the impact of different fire frequencies on C dynamics of fire‐affected zones. The stratified sampling technique was used within a permanent plot of 1 hectare. Forest stands on each site were analyzed using 10 randomly placed quadrats (each 10 × 10 m in size) and data were collected from each site. Across the sites higher tree density was observed at NFZ and the lowest at HFZ.Total tree biomass ranged between 116.0 and 358.4 t ha−1 across the fire regimes. Total vegetation C stock ranged between 59.1 and 169.5 t ha−1 in different sites. The C mitigation and Cseq potential ranged between 186.2 and 575.3 t ha−1, and 7.1 and 15.9 t ha−1, respectively being highest in NFZ and lowest in HFZ. The species such as Anogeissus latifolia, Buchanania lanzan, Shorea robusta, Lannea coromandelica, Lagerstroemia parviflora, Ougeinia oojeinensis, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia tomentosa are the major contributor in biomass, C stock, C mitigation, and Cseq potential in different fire regimes. Thus, our findings would be highly useful in the restoration process of fire‐affected zones through the plantation of selective plant species. Therefore, the aforementioned species could be effectively utilized while going for an afforestation/reforestation program, and will be helpful in climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies under different fire zones.

A study on exosome based delivery of Terminalia chebula Retz. fruit extract in hepatocellular carcinoma

Terminalia chebula Retz. is an extensively used plant for the treatment of numerous ailments in Ayurveda. The major phytochemicals found in this plant are tannins, phenols which possess anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-mutagenic effect. In the present study, we focused on identification of drug like candidates and exosomes mediated drug delivery system for cancer treatment. We have investigated phenolic content, anti-inflammatory potential, and anti-oxidative capacity of hydro-alcoholic Terminalia chebula Retz. fruit extract (TCE) which was found higher when compared to the standards. HPLC and GC-MS analysis have revealed the presence of 73 compounds in TCE and three of them were further exploited for the development of novel safer and potent anticancer drug. Using computational approach the potential inhibitory effects and binding of 3 phytochemicals (i.e., chebulagic acid, chebulinic acid and corilagin) obtained from TCE against 8 structural and functional target proteins (i.e., IL-6, NFκβ, LRP-6, BCL-XL, MEK1, Aurora kinase, EGFR, and α1β2) that are crucially involved in carcinogenesis were studied. Chebulagic acid has showed good docking score with almost all the protein considered in this study. We have observed higher binding affinity of chebulagic acid for the target proteins as evidenced from the more negative value of the binding energy compared to other ligands i.e. chebulinic acid and corilagin by docking analysis. Chebulagic acid forms five and four hydrogen bonds with amino acids in the active site of the IL-6 and NFκβ target protein, with the least binding energy of −10.79 and −10.26 respectively and hence considered as an excellently docked conformation. Exosome mediated TCE delivery was investigated in HuH-7 cell line. The in-vitro cytotoxic study by MTT assay and apoptotic study in HuH-7 cell lines have revealed that TCE has anti-proliferative activity in malignancy like hepatocellular carcinoma, however TCE loaded in exosomes (Ex-TCE) showed better results due to increased intracellular delivery of TCE.

Terminalia chebula attenuates restraint stress-induced memory impairment and synaptic loss in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus and the basolateral and central nuclei of the amygdala by inhibiting oxidative damage

Chronic restraint stress induces cognitive abnormalities through changes in synapses and oxidant levels in the amygdala and hippocampus. Given the neuroprotective effects of fruit of Terminalia chebula (Halileh) in different experimental models, the present investigation aimed to address whether Terminalia chebula is able to reduce chronic restraint stress-induced behavioral, synaptic and oxidant markers in the rat model. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups as follows: control (did not receive any treatment and were not exposed to stress), stress (restraint stress for 2 h a day for 14 consecutive days), Terminalia chebula (received 200 mg/kg hydroalcoholic extract of Terminalia chebula), and stress + Terminalia chebula groups (received 200 mg/kg extract of Terminalia chebula twenty minutes before stress) (n = 8 in each group). We used the shuttle box test to assess learning and memory, Golgi-Cox staining to examine dendritic spine density in the dentate gyrus region of the hippocampus and the basolateral and central nuclei of the amygdala, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidant status (TOS) in the brain. The shuttle box test results demonstrated that Terminalia chebula treatment had a profound positive effect on memory parameters, including step-through latency (STL) and time spent in the dark room, when compared to the stress group. Daily oral treatment with Terminalia chebula effectively suppressed the loss of neural spine density in the dentate gyrus region of the hippocampus and the basolateral and central nuclei of the amygdala caused by chronic restraint stress, as demonstrated by Golgi-Cox staining. Additionally, the results indicate that Terminalia chebula significantly reduced the TOS and increased TAC in the brain compared to the stress group. In conclusion, our results suggest that Terminalia chebula improved memory impairment and synaptic loss in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus and the basolateral and central nuclei of the amygdala induced by restraint stress via inhibiting oxidative damage.

Adsorption isotherms and kinetic studies for the defluoridation from aqueous solution using eco-friendly natural adsorbent like Terminalia Chebula

A practical technique for removing fluoride from aqueous solutions by adsorption was created using the natural adsorbent known as Terminalia Chebula with a primary emphasis on adsorption isotherms and kinetic studies. The experimental results showed the best conditions for removing fluorine ions as follows: the dosage of the natural adsorbent: 50 mg/L, contact reaction time: 40 min, shaking speed = 120 rpm, temperature = 32 °C. The amount of removal of fluorine ions was found to be >98 % fluoride within a shorter time and reached adsorption equilibrium within 40 min with a maximum defluoridation capacity of 20.92 mg/g. At lower solution pH (3 to 5), there is higher fluoride adsorption on the adsorbent surface and as the pH becomes alkaline (pH > 7) the adsorption capacity decreased. The two co-ions namely NO3− and Cl− removed the fluoride 79 % whereas, the phosphate ions did not have any marked effect on the defluoridation. The pseudo-second-order kinetic order such Langmuir, Empirical Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherms can well predict the adsorption equilibrium rate to be at 0.044 mg/L with contact time (t) of 30 min. In addition to that the adsorption is characterized by SEM, X-ray diffraction and FTIR techniques. This study has ultimately found that the Terminalia Chebula is a workable, natural material for fluoride elimination.

Consequences of Gamma Irradiation on Triphala’s Phytochemical Compositions, Microbial Burden and Antioxidant Properties

Triphala, a renowned polyherbal blend comprising three fruits, Phyllanthus emblica Linn., Terminalia chebula Retz., and Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb., in equal proportions, holds a rich historical lineage in both Ayurvedic and Thai traditional medicine. Triphala has been reputed as the indigenous medicine in the Thailand National List of Essential Drugs: List of Herbal Medicinal Products which has been widely used as a natural remedy for relieving cough and phlegm. However, the inherent challenge of microbial contamination in herbal remedies necessitates effective interventions. Gamma () irradiation emerges as a pivotal method to mitigate the microbial burden in medicinal plants, albeit with potential repercussions on their chemical composition and biological properties. This study investigated the impact of -irradiation doses of 5, 10, and 25 kGy exposed to Triphala and the microbial contamination along with antioxidant activity, total phenolic content (TPC), gallic acid (GA), and chebulagic acid (CA) contents. The TPC and antioxidant activity of non-irradiated and irradiated Triphala were determined by using the Folin-Ciocalteu method and DPPH assay, while the GA and CA contents were quantified by HPLC analysis. The results demonstrated the efficacy of radiation doses (5-25 kGy) in diminishing microbial loads without significantly altering TPC or DPPH scavenging activity. Intriguingly, irradiation at 5 and 10 kGy, resulted in a notable increase in GA contents and CA contents (p< 0.05). Thus, the -irradiation emerges as a promising avenue for preserving Triphala quality and antioxidant properties amidst microbial contamination challenges.

RETRACTION: Exploring the amino acid profile and microbial properties of locally sweet preserved kachra hareer (Terminalia chebula).

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.2056.].

Correlation between intestinal toxicity and composition changes of toxic parts from Euphorbia ebracteolata before and after Terminalia chebula soup processing

This study aims to explore the correlation between intestinal toxicity and composition changes of Euphorbia ebracteolata before and after Terminalia chebula soup(TCS) processing. Intragastric administration was performed on the whole animal model. By using fecal water content, inflammatory causes, and pathological damage of different parts of the intestinal tract of mice as indexes, the differences in intestinal toxicity of dichloromethane extraction of raw E. ebracteolata(REDE), dichloromethane extraction of TCS, and dichloromethane extraction of E. ebracteolata after simulated TCS processing(STREDE) were compared, so as to investigate the effect of TCS processing on the intestinal toxicity of E. ebracteolata. At the same time, the component databases of E. ebracteolata and T. chebula were constructed, and the composition changes of diterpenoids, tannins, and phenolic acids in the three extracted parts were analyzed by HPLC-TOF-MS. HPLC was used to compare the content of four diterpenoids including ent-11α-hydroxyabicta-8(14), 13(15)-dien-16, 12-olide(HAO), jolkinolide B(JNB), fischeria A(FA), and jolkinolide E(JNE) in the E. ebracteolata before and after processing and the residue of container wall after processing, so as to investigate the effect of TCS processing on the content and structure of the diterpenoids. The results showed that the REDE group could significantly increase the fecal water content and the release levels of TNF-α and IL-1β from each intestinal segment, and intestinal tissue damage was accompanied by significant infiltration of inflammatory cells. However, compared with the REDE group, the intestinal tissue damage in the STREDE group was alleviated, and the infiltration of inflammatory cells decreased. The intestinal toxicity significantly decreased. Mass spectrometry analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the content of diterpenoids of REDE before and after simulated TCS processing, but a large number of tannins and phenolic acids were added. The results of HPLC showed that the content of four diterpenoids of E. ebracteo-lata decreased to varying degrees after TCS processing, ranging from-0.35% to-19.74%, and the decreased part mainly remained in the container wall, indicating that the structure of toxic diterpenoids of E. ebracteolata was not changed after TCS processing. The antagonistic effect of tannic and phenolic acids in the TCS may be the main reason for the reduced intestinal toxicity of E. ebracteolata after TCS processing. The TCS processing for E. ebracteolata is scientific.

Evaluation of Antibacterial activity of Ethyl acetate and Acetone extracts of Terminalia chebula

Terminalia chebula is one of the promising plants well known for its broad spectrum of therapeutic values in treating various threatful diseases and disorders. T. Chebula still stands tall as the primary medication for many common health disorders due to its ability to treat many clinical pathogens effectively even today. In the present study, ethyl acetate and acetone extracts of Terminalia chebula fruit were studied for their antibacterial activity against a few clinical isolates like Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia and Salmonella typhi. Antibacterial susceptibility was screened using the well diffusion method and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using the Strip dip method developed as a part of this study. Positive results were observed in both the extracts of T. chebula fruits but comparatively ethyl acetate extracts showed more effective reports than the acetone extract. The highest growth inhibition with 98.77% and 98.59 % is observed by ethyl acetate extract whereas 94.25% and 91.08% were observed in acetone extract of T. chebula fruits against E. coli and K. pneumonia respectively. Further, S. aureus and S. typhi showed 87.69% and 74.40% growth inhibition with ethyl acetate extract whereas 85.89 % and 66.60% growth inhibition in acetone extract respectively at 4mg concentration. The results show that T. chebula is still importing promising results against many deadly microbes and can be an effective medicine for many upcoming pathogens.

Computational Evidence for the Anticancer Activity of Phytochemical Constituents of Terminalia Chebula: An In‐Silico Attempt

AbstractNatural compounds represent Secondary metabolites shaped and endorsed by nature over countless years, showcasing both unique chemical variety and a corresponding range of bioactivities, along with drug‐like attributes. Plant‐derived remedies are projected to comprise approximately 25 % of pharmaceuticals in developed nations. Terminalia chebula earns its title as the “King of medicines” due to its multifaceted pharmacological properties. The phytochemical elements within Terminalia chebula were assessed for their interaction with the human dihydrofolate reductase enzyme (5HT4.pdb) due to its significant role in the development of colorectal cancer. The American Cancer Society provides updated CRC statistics based on incidence from population‐based cancer registries and mortality from the National Center for Health Statistics. In 2023, approximately 153,020 individuals will be diagnosed with CRC and 52,550 will die from the disease, including 19,550 cases and 3750 deaths in individuals younger than 50 years. The compounds TC2 (−8.61 Kcal/mol), TC15 (−7.02 Kcal/mol), and TC23 (−6.98 Kcal/mol) demonstrated higher glide scores. Additionally, TC2 (−71.21 Kcal/mol), TC12 (−101.63 Kcal/mol), TC15 (−81.40 Kcal/mol), and TC29 (−77.47 Kcal/mol) exhibited stronger binding affinities (ΔG Bind) to the target. Based on the outcomes of both docking and MM‐GBSA analyses, TC2 was selected for further investigation via molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, which illustrated the stability of the TC2/5HT4 complex. Among the top‐ranked compounds, TC2 adhered to Lipinski's guidelines for drug‐likeness without any violations. Inhibiting the human DHFR enzyme indirectly hampers the progression of colon cancer. The findings from this in‐silico investigation serve as a foundational basis for potential in vitro and in vivo research.

Sustainable synthesis of spongy-like porous carbon for supercapacitive energy storage systems towards pollution control.

In this study, the fruit of Terminalia chebula, commonly known as chebulic myrobalan, is used as the precursor for carbon for its application in supercapacitors. The Terminalia chebula biomass-derived sponge-like porous carbon (TC-SPC) is synthesized using a facile and economical method of pyrolysis. TC-SPC thus obtained is subjected to XRD, FESEM, TEM, HRTEM, XPS, Raman spectroscopy, ATR-FTIR, and nitrogen adsorption-desorption analyses for their structural and chemical composition. The examination revealed that TC-SPC has a crystalline nature and a mesoporous and microporous structure accompanied by a disordered carbon framework that is doped with heteroatoms such as nitrogen and sulfur. Electrochemical studies are performed on TC-SPC using cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. TC-SPC contributed a maximum specific capacitance of 145 F g-1 obtained at 1 A g-1. The cyclic stability of TC-SPC is significant with 10,000 cycles, maintaining the capacitance retention value of 96%. The results demonstrated that by turning the fruit of Terminalia chebula into an opulent product, a supercapacitor, TC-SPC generated from biomass has proven to be a potential candidate for energy storage application.

Comprehensive Analysis of Antioxidant and Phenolic Profiles of Thai Medicinal Plants for Functional Food and Pharmaceutical Development.

Medicinal plants, are resources of traditional medicines, have played a significant role in human culture throughout history. The connect of traditional knowledge with contemporary scientific findings, display the potential of these plants for nutritional and pharmaceutical applications. This study aimed to investigates the antioxidant activity and phenolic compositions of seven medicinal plants (Kaempferia parviflora, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Phyllanthus emblica, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellirica, Gynostemma pentaphyllum, and Stevia rebaudiana) from Kalasin Province, Thailand. 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays were used to evaluate the the antioxidant activities. The qualitative method was used for the phytochemical screening. Additionally, reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) analysis reveals their phenolic compositions. Results revealed that phenols, flavonoids, and terpenoids were found in all medicinal plants studied, with flavonoids and phenols most predominant. Notably, P. emblica and T. bellirica show significant antioxidant properties and high levels of phenolics and flavonoids. P. emblica had the highest phenolic acid concentrations, with ρ-coumaric (79.43µg/g), chlorogenic (45.22µg/g), and ferulic acid (29.58µg/g) being dominant. The research emphasizes the value of these plants in developing functional foods and pharmaceuticals, underlining the importance of conserving biodiversity and traditional knowledge for future health product innovation.

Sustainable synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using Terminalia chebula extract: Effect of concentration and temperature on properties and antibacterial efficacy

Nanotechnology has revolutionized various fields, offering promising applications in medicine, catalysis, electronics and environmental remediation. One of the key challenges in nanoparticle synthesis is the development of environmentally friendly methods. A fruit extract of Terminalia chebula was used to make zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs), which were then annealed at temperatures ranging from 400 to 800 °C. The structural and optical properties of the annealed zinc oxide nanoparticles were investigated using different characterization techniques, such as FTIR, XRD, UV–visible spectroscopy, HR-TEM, SEM and EDX. The crystallinity, shape and size of the as-prepared ZnONPs showed a change when the annealing temperature was increased to 800 °C. A small red shift in the UV–vis absorption spectra was clearly observed with an increase in the annealing temperature. The antibacterial activity of the as-synthesised annealed ZnONPs was further tested against Salmonella enterica, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The antibacterial properties of the as-synthesised ZnONPs were synergistic. Formulation of ZnONPs at 400 and 600 °C showed the most effective antibacterial activity against gram negative strains.

Exploring Anticancer Properties of Medicinal Plants against Breast Cancer by Downregulating Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2.

Plants have a history of being employed in managing breast cancer. However, no scientific evidence supports the idea that these plants can effectively reduce the level of HER2 expression. In this study, extracts from 10 medicinal plants were evaluated for their anticancer properties against HER2-positive breast cancer cells through various methods, including the SRB assay, comet assay, annexin V-FITC dual staining, and immunoblotting. All extracts exerted antiproliferative activity against HER2-positive breast cancer cells. Furthermore, Terminalia chebula (T. chebula), Berberis aristata (B. aristata), and Mucuna pruriens (M. pruriens) reduced HER2 expression in tested cell lines. In addition, an increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was observed after the treatment. A comparative proteomics study showed modulation in the proteome profile of breast cancer cells after treatment with T. chebula, B. aristata, Punica granatum, M. pruriens, and Acorus calamus. Metabolic profiling of lead plants revealed the existence of multiple anticancer compounds. Our study demonstrates the considerable potential of the mentioned plants as innovative therapies for HER2-positive breast cancer.

Study on the Effect of Terminalia chebula Softening Treatment on Physical and Mechanical Properties of the Banana Fabric

ABSTRACT The demand for environmentally friendly clothing and fabrics continues to increase globally. Banana fiber is a sustainable fiber known for its high tensile strength. It can be effectively blended with cotton and various synthetic fibers to develop versatile fabrics. The fiber’s abrasive texture is a major problem, making it difficult to wear and limiting its application in the apparel industry. The study focuses on the utilization of Terminalia chebula, an organic material, as a softening agent to address these concerns and maintain the environmentally friendly nature of the banana fabric. The experiment involved treating the banana fabric with different concentrations (20%, 40%, and 60%) of Terminalia chebula solution. The physical, comfort, and mechanical properties of the treated fabric are evaluated and compared to those of the untreated fabric. The results demonstrate that Terminalia chebula treated fabric has better comfort (both bending rigidity and stiffness) Notably, the treated fabric shows a substantial improvement in crease recovery and drapability. However, no effective improvement was found in tensile and seam strength. In addition, the study explores the potential of T. chebula as a multifunctional textile finish, making a valuable contribution to the growth of sustainable and eco-friendly textile finishing methods.

Clinical evaluation of capsule BP Norm in the management of essential hypertension: A preliminary open-label parallel group study

Abstract Background: Since hypertension is so common and a major risk factor for cardiovascular illnesses and other complications, it is both a significant public health issue and an important topic of research. Hence, a clinical trial was planned. Aims: To evaluate the role of herbal preparation capsule BP Norm containing dry extract of Bhringraja (Eclipta alba (L) Hassk.), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula Retz.), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal), Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis), and Sarpagandha (Rauwolfia serpentina [L.] Benth. Ex Kurzc) in newly diagnosed cases and in combination with allopathic antihypertensive drugs in the uncontrolled cases of essential hypertension. Materials and methods: A total of 103 patients meeting the seventh report of the Joint National Committee on the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure criteria of essential hypertension (EHT) of age group 20–65 years of either sex participated in the study. Newly diagnosed cases who were not taking any antihypertensives were administered capsule BP Norm (250 mg), two capsules twice daily for 1 month, whereas uncontrolled cases of essential hypertension (systolic blood pressure [SBP] >140 mmHg and <200 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure [DBP] >90 mmHg and <120 mmHg) were administered 1 capsule of BP Norm (250 mg) twice daily with water in addition to continuing allopathic antihypertensive drugs for 1 month. The assessment was made through various variables such as SBP, DBP, chief complaints, associated complaints, Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HARS), Hamilton rating scale for depression (HRSD), lipid profile, and serum creatinine. Results: Capsule BP Norm produced highly significant reduction in both the SBP (16.82%, P < 0.001) and DBP (13.71%, P < 0.001) of newly diagnosed patients as well as in the SBP (18.49%, P < 0.001) and DBP (13.95%, P < 0.001) of uncontrolled cases (EHT). Capsule BP Norm provided significant relief in clinical features of EHT, HARS, and HRSD in both groups. Conclusion: Capsule BP Norm has promising antihypertensive effects in newly diagnosed cases as well as synergistic effects when combined with allopathic antihypertensive drugs in uncontrolled cases of essential hypertension.

Development of a virus-based affinity ultrafiltration method for screening virus-surface-protein-targeted compounds from complex matrixes: Herbal medicines as a case study.

Herbal medicines (HMs) are one of the main sources for the development of lead antiviral compounds. However, due to the complex composition of HMs, the screening of active compounds within these is inefficient and requires a significant time investment. We report a novel and efficient virus-based screening method for antiviral active compounds in HMs. This method involves the centrifugal ultrafiltration of viruses, known as the virus-based affinity ultrafiltration method (VAUM). This method is suitable to identify virus specific active compounds from complex matrices such as HMs. The effectiveness of the VAUM was evaluated using influenza A virus (IAV) H1N1. Using this method, four compounds that bind to the surface protein of H1N1 were identified from dried fruits of Terminalia chebula (TC). Through competitive inhibition assays, the influenza surface protein, neuraminidase (NA), was identified as the target protein of these four TC-derived compounds. Three compounds were identified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS), and their anti-H1N1 activities were verified by examining the cytopathic effect (CPE) and by performing a virus yield reduction assay. Further mechanistic studies demonstrated that these three compounds directly bind to NA and inhibit its activity. In summary, we describe here a VAUM that we designed, one that can be used to accurately screen antiviral active compounds in HMs and also help improve the efficiency of screening antiviral drugs found in natural products.

Effects of Dietary Terminalia chebula Extract on Growth Performance, Immune Function, Antioxidant Capacity, and Intestinal Health of Broilers.

Terminalia chebula extract (TCE) has many physiological functions and is potentially helpful in maintaining poultry health, but its specific effect on the growth of broilers is not yet known. This research investigated the effects of dietary Terminalia chebula extract (TCE) supplementation on growth performance, immune function, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal health in yellow-feathered broilers. A total of 288 one-day-old yellow-feathered broilers were divided into four treatment groups (72 broilers/group), each with six replicates of 12 broilers. The broilers were given a basal diet of corn-soybean meal supplemented with 0 (control), 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg TCE for 56 d. The results demonstrated that, compared with the basal diet, the addition of TCE significantly increased (linear and quadratic, p < 0.05) the final body weight and overall weight gain and performance and decreased (linear and quadratic, p < 0.05) the feed-to-gain ratio in the overall period. Dietary TCE increased (linear, p < 0.05) the levels of IgM, IL-4, and IL-10 and decreased (linear and quadratic, p < 0.05) the level of IL-6 in the serum. Dietary TCE increased (linear and quadratic, p < 0.05) the levels of IL-2 and IL-4, decreased (linear and quadratic, p < 0.05) the level of IL-1β, and decreased (linear, p < 0.05) the level of IL-6 in the liver. Dietary TCE increased (linear and quadratic, p < 0.05) the level of IgM and IL-10, increased (linear, p < 0.05) the level of IgG, and decreased (linear and quadratic, p < 0.05) the levels of IL-1β and IL-6 in the spleen. Supplementation with TCE linearly and quadratically increased (p < 0.05) the catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and total antioxidant capacity activities while decreasing (p < 0.05) the malonic dialdehyde concentrations in the serum, liver, and spleen. TCE-containing diets for broilers resulted in a higher (linear and quadratic, p < 0.05) villus height, a higher (linear and quadratic, p < 0.05) ratio of villus height to crypt depth, and a lower (linear and quadratic, p < 0.05) crypt depth compared with the basal diet. TCE significantly increased (linear, p < 0.05) the acetic and butyric acid concentrations and decreased (quadratic, p < 0.05) the isovaleric acid concentration. Bacteroidaceae and Bacteroides, which regulate the richness and diversity of microorganisms, were more abundant and contained when TCE was added to the diet. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that supplementing broilers with TCE could boost their immune function, antioxidant capacity, and gut health, improving their growth performance; they could also provide a reference for future research on TCE.

Evaluation of the biological efficiency of Terminalia chebula fruit extract against neurochemical changes induced in brain of diabetic rats: an epigenetic study

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic and progressive metabolic disorder that can stimulate neuroinflammation and increase oxidative stress in the brain. Therefore, the present study was aimed to assess the efficacy of ethanolic Terminalia chebula extract against the neurochemical and histopathological changes induced in the brains of diabetic rats. The study clarified the reduction in oxidative stress induced in the brains of diabetic rats by the significant (P ≤ 0.05) increase in levels of the antioxidants with decreasing the peroxidation products via ethanolic T. chebula extract at both doses (400 and 600 mg/kg). Moreover, T. chebula extract improved the brain integrity by lowering levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), β-amyloid (Aβ) content, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and acetylcholine esterase (ACHE) significantly (P ≤ 0.05) in a dose dependent manner compared to brain of diabetic rats. Severe nuclear pyknosis and degeneration were noticed in neurons of the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and striatum in brains of diabetic rats. The severity of these alterations decreased with T. chebula extract at a dose of 600 mg/kg compared to the other treated groups. The different electrophoretic protein and isoenzyme assays revealed that the lowest similarity index (SI%) values exist in the brains of diabetic rats compared to the control group. The quantity of the most native proteins and isoenzyme types increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) in the brains of diabetic rats, and these electrophoretic variations were completely diminished by T. chebula extract. The study concluded that T. chebula extract ameliorated the biochemical, histopathological and electrophoretic abnormalities induced in the brains of diabetic rats when administered at a dose of 600 mg/kg.