Memory enhancing activity of Anwala churna (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.): an Ayurvedic preparation

Ayurveda means "the science of life". Ayur means "life" and Veda means "knowledge or science". It is the oldest medical system in the world. Its origins can be traced as far back as 4500 BC, to four ancient books of knowledge, (the "Vedas") and it is still officially recognized by the government of India. The present study was aimed at investigating the effects of Anwala churna (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.), an Ayurvedic preparation on memory, total serum cholesterol levels and brain cholinesterase activity in mice. Anwala churna was administered orally in three doses (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) for fifteen days to different groups of young and aged mice. Elevated plus maze and passive avoidance apparatus served as the exteroceptive behavioral models for testing memory. Diazepam-, scopolamine- and ageing-induced amnesia served as the interoceptive behavioral models. Total serum cholesterol levels and brain cholinesterase activity also estimated. Anwala churna (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) produced a dose-dependent improvement in memory scores of young and aged mice. Furthermore, it reversed the amnesia induced by scopolamine (0.4 mg/kg, i.p.) and diazepam (1 mg/kg, i.p.). Interestingly, brain cholinesterase activity and total cholesterol levels were reduced by Anwala churna administered orally for 15 days. Anwala churna may prove to be a useful remedy for the management of Alzheimer's disease on account of its multifarious beneficial effects such as, memory improving property, cholesterol lowering property and anticholinesterase activity.     

The optimum serum cholesterol level. Preface

The purpose of this forum is set to discuss about serum total cholesterol, especially. (1) Which values should be targetted for the start of therapy, drug administration? (2) Which upper and lower limited values are important for prophylactic purpose of coronary insufficiency? (3) Are there any changes seen in long term determined values of Japanese? etc. Various interesting facts motivated us to held this forum such as increase in total cholesterol due to high cholesterol foods in take among Japanese, difference in values, which has been employed as a group reference values in laboratories, and so-called desirable values. Twenty or thirty years ago, normal values of 130-230 mg/dl were decided with an agreement. However, these days, groups with mean values reaching to 250 mg/dl are reported. On the other hand, patients with coronary arteriosclerosis increase steadily and it is required strongly to popularize the desirable values for prophylactic purpose. As all presenters are experts in this field, we expect to get the conclusion around the subjects.     

Desirable level of serum cholesterol

Serum cholesterol level is not only an indicator of nutritional state, and liver functions, but also a parameter of atherosclerotic vascular disease. Based upon the pathognomonic implication of serum cholesterol level, desirable value should be determined by considering the necessity for the individual growth, the maintainance of body activities and the least development of atherosclerosis. Epidemiological studies indicate that serum cholesterol level ever 220 mg/dl is frequently accompanied by the atherosclerotic complications such as coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular accident in Japan. Postmortem examination of Honolulu Heart Study on Japanese descendants also revealed that raised lesions of coronary artery are significantly frequent in the subjects with over 220 mg/dl. These findings suggest that the upper limit of serum cholesterol could be 220 mg/dl at the present conditions.     

Factors influencing the serum cholesterol and β-lipoprotein levels in fasting rabbits

The effect of starvation under ordinary conditions, in the presence of a deficiency of pyridoxine (administration of 4-deoxypyridoxine) and thiamine (administration of hydroxythiamine), and also during administration of neurotropic drugs 9amphetamine, diazepam) was studied in male rabbits. Starvation for 7–10 days led to an increase in the serum cholesterol and -lipoprotein concentration. Pyridoxine deficiency and administration of amphetamine caused a greater increase in the level of cholesterol and, in particular, of -lipoproteins. Thiamine deficiency and administration of diazepam, on the other hand, had a restraining effect on the increase in the cholesterol and -lipoprotein levels in hunger stress. Prophylactic administration of the preparation Aerovit helped to reduce the severity of the metabolic changes. The cholesterol concentration in the liver of the fasting animals was increased by an especially marked degree during amphetamine administration and pyridoxine deficiency; administration of Aerovit prevented the increased accumulation of cholesterol in the liver. Differences in the serum and liver cholesterol concentrations must be attributed to changes in cholesterol biosynthesis in hunger stress.Moscow. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR A. A. Pokrovskii [deceased],) Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 83, No. 6, pp. 688–691, June, 1977.     

Emblica officinalis (Linn.) fruit extract provides protection against radiation-induced hematological and biochemical alterations in mice.

Oral administration of Emblica officinalis (Linn.) before exposure to gamma radiation was found to be effective in protecting mice against the hematological and biochemical modulation in peripheral blood. A significant increase in the RBC, WBC, hemoglobin, and hematocrit values was observed in the animals pretreated with E. officinalis extract as compared to the hematological values observed in the irradiated group. Furthermore, radiation sickness was greatly inhibited in those mice that were irradiated with prior treatment of E. officinalis. A significant decrease in glutathione (GSH) content and increase in lipid peroxidation (LPx) level were also observed in irradiated animals; whereas E. officinalis pretreated irradiated animals exhibited a significant increase in GSH content and decrease in LPx level, but such remained below the normal. The results from the present study suggest that E. officinalis pretreatment provides protection against irradiation to Swiss albino mice.     

Alcohol-induced oxidative stress in rat liver microsomes: Protective effect of Emblica officinalis

The protective effect of Emblica officinalis fruit extract (EFE) against alcohol-induced oxidative damage in liver microsomes was investigated in rats. EFE (250 mg/kg b.wt/day) and alcohol (5 g/kg b.wt/day, 20%, w/v) were administered orally to animals for 60 days. Alcohol administration significantly increased lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyls with decreased sulfhydryl groups in microsomes, which were significantly restored to normal levels in EFE and alcohol co-administered rats. Alcohol administration also markedly decreased the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) in the liver microsomes, which were prevented with EFE administration. Further, alcohol administration significantly increased the activities of cytochrome P-450, Na⁺/K⁺ and Mg²⁺ ATPases and also membrane fluidity. But, administration of EFE along with alcohol restored the all above enzyme activities and membrane fluidity to normal level. Thus, EFE showed protective effects against alcohol-induced oxidative damage by possibly reducing the rate of lipid peroxidation and restoring the various membrane bound and antioxidant enzyme activities to normal levels, and also by protecting the membrane integrity in rat liver microsomes. In conclusion, the polyphenolic compounds including flavonoid and tannoid compounds present in EFE might be playing a major role against alcohol-induced oxidative stress in rats.     

Regression of cholesterol induced venous plaques after cholesterol withdrawal in rabbits.

Rabbits receiving a dietary cholesterol supplement of 0.5% develop atheromatous plaques in the systemic arteries, the pulmonary artery, the pulmonary veins and the venous cavities of the plexus pampiniformis in the funiculus spermaticus. Six months after the withdrawal of the cholesterol supplement the arterial lesions are still present, and show a fibrous transformation. This study is the first report of the total regression of the lesions in the particular venous localizations of the lungs and the plexus pampiniformis. The level of intraluminal pressure is discussed as the possible mechanism responsible for the diverging vascular reactivity.     

Hyperlipoproteinaemia and atherosclerosis in rabbits fed low-level cholesterol and lecithin.

Dutch-Belted rabbits were fed for 18 months an atherogenic semipurified gel diet containing 14% hydrogenated coconut oil and 0.06% cholesterol (approximately 0.15 mg/kcal) or a non-atherogenic basal gel diet containing the same ingredients but with no coconut oil or cholesterol. Rabbits fed atherogenic diet developed hypercholesterolaemia (means 733 mg/dl at 16 months) and plasma lipoprotein (LP) distribution shifted from a pattern in which high-density lipoproteins (HDL) predominated to one in which very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) were predominant. Total cholesterol/triglyceride ratio in d less than 1.006 LP changed from 0.3 to 1.8. Plasma cholesterol and LP distribution returned to normal in rabbits fed atherogenic diet for 18 months followed by atherogenic diet plus 3% soya lecithin for an additional 4 months. Rabbits fed atherogenic diet for 18 months had extensive, usually full circumference fibromuscular plaques in main branches of coronary arteries and all portions of aorta which compromised lumen area by almost 50%. These lesions were modified in rabbits fed atherogenic diet plus lecithin. The plaques lacked foam cells and cholesterol clefts, were less cellular with a distinct fibrous surface and occupied less space. Animals fed basal diet did not develop hypercholesterolaemia (means 86 mg/dl at 16 months), although distribution of plasma LP shifted slightly in favour of increased low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and decreased HDL compared with rabbits fed standard commercial diet. Basal diet rabbits had no coronary atherosclerosis and only minimal focal foam cell lesions in proximal aorta. Liver injury including fatty change, cholangitis and portal fibrosis occurred in animals fed atherogenic diet. Thus, rabbits fed appropriate diets low in cholesterol accumulate cholesterol-enriched LP in their plasma and develop lesions in abdominal aorta and main branches of coronary arteries which are similar to those in man. Also, in this experimental model, dietary lecithin promotes a return to normal of the LP distribution profile and removal of lipid from established atherosclerotic plaque.