Trypsin inhibitor from tamarindus indica L. seeds reduces weight gain and food consumption and increases plasmatic cholecystokinin levels

OBJECTIVES:

Seeds are excellent sources of proteinase inhibitors, some of which may have satietogenic and slimming actions. We evaluated the effect of a trypsin inhibitor from Tamarindus indica L. seeds on weight gain, food consumption and cholecystokinin levels in Wistar rats.

METHODS:

A trypsin inhibitor from Tamarindus was isolated using ammonium sulfate (30–60%) following precipitation with acetone and was further isolated with Trypsin-Sepharose affinity chromatography. Analyses were conducted to assess the in vivo digestibility, food intake, body weight evolution and cholecystokinin levels in Wistar rats. Histological analyses of organs and biochemical analyses of sera were performed.

RESULTS:

The trypsin inhibitor from Tamarindus reduced food consumption, thereby reducing weight gain. The in vivo true digestibility was not significantly different between the control and Tamarindus trypsin inhibitor-treated groups. The trypsin inhibitor from Tamarindus did not cause alterations in biochemical parameters or liver, stomach, intestine or pancreas histology. Rats treated with the trypsin inhibitor showed significantly elevated cholecystokinin levels compared with animals receiving casein or water.

CONCLUSION:

The results indicate that the isolated trypsin inhibitor from Tamarindus reduces weight gain by reducing food consumption, an effect that may be mediated by increased cholecystokinin. Thus, the potential use of this trypsin inhibitor in obesity prevention and/or treatment should be evaluated.     

酸角的致突变性研究

本文用组合试验评价酸角的致突变性。结果表明：酸角在Ａｍｅｓ、小鼠骨髓细胞微核和精子畸形、枯草杆菌ＤＮＡ修复试验及大肠杆菌ＷＰ２和ＷＰ２ＵＶｒＡ菌株中均为阴性反应；在大肠杆菌ＭＲ２－１０２和ＮＤ１６０菌株中为阳性反应，是酸角中的乳糖所致，ＳＣＥ频率随酸角剂量增加而稍有降低，与对照组比有显著性差异（Ｐ〈０．０５），揭示酸角可能有抗ＤＮＡ损伤作用。     

Development of controlled release spheroids using natural polysaccharide as release modifier

A polysaccharide hydrogel was isolated from the seeds of Tamarindus indica (tamarind) and was used as release modifier for the preparation of diclofenac sodium spheroids, using extrusion-spheronization technique. The process was studied for the effect of variables to arrive at spheroids with satisfactory particle shape, size and size-distribution. The prepared spheroids were characterized for surface morphology, qualitative surface porosity, friability, bulk density, and flow properties. The in vitro release studies exhibited a zero-order release kinetics that was confirmed by Higuchi's and Peppas' models. A credible correlation was obtained among swelling index, viscosity, surface roughness of the polysaccharide, and in vitro dissolution profile of the spheroids. In the comparative bioavailability study, we found that the developed spheroids were able to sustain the drug release over 8 hr and could improve the extent of absorption and bioavailability of the drug.     

The anti-snake venom properties of Tamarindus indica (leguminosae) seed extract

In Indian traditional medicine, various plants have been used widely as a remedy for treating snake bites. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Tamarindus indica seed extract on the pharmacological as well as the enzymatic effects induced by V. russelli venom. Tamarind seed extract inhibited the PLA(2), protease, hyaluronidase, l-amino acid oxidase and 5'-nucleotidase enzyme activities of venom in a dose-dependent manner. These are the major hydrolytic enzymes responsible for the early effects of envenomation, such as local tissue damage, inflammation and hypotension. Furthermore, the extract neutralized the degradation of the Bbeta chain of human fibrinogen and indirect hemolysis caused by venom. It was also observed that the extract exerted a moderate effect on the clotting time, prolonging it only to a small extent. Edema, hemorrhage and myotoxic effects including lethality, induced by venom were neutralized significantly when different doses of the extract were preincubated with venom before the assays. On the other hand, animals that received extract 10 min after the injection of venom were protected from venom induced toxicity. Since it inhibits hydrolytic enzymes and pharmacological effects, it may be used as an alternative treatment to serum therapy and, in addition, as a rich source of potential inhibitors of PLA(2), metalloproteinases, serine proteases, hyaluronidases and 5 cent-nucleotidases, the enzymes involved in several physiopathological human and animal diseases.     

Tamarindus indica and its health related effects

Tamarindus [Tamarindus indica L. (T. indica)], belongs to the family Leguminosae (Fabaceae), commonly known as Tamarind tree, is one of the fruit tree species that is used as traditional medicine. The aim of this article is to review the current literatue on health related effect of T. indica. Literature review about this plant was conducted between 2003 and 2014 through Pubmed and Google. The keywords Tamarind, T. indica were used for search. Only the health related articles selected. Tamarind tree is found especially in the Indian subcontinent, Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria and most of the tropical countries. It is preferred to be used for abdominal pain, diarrhea and dysentery, some bacterial infections and parasitic infestations, wound healing, constipation and inflammation. It is a rich source of most of the essential amino acids and phytochemicals, and hence the plant is reported to possess antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antivenomic, antioxidant, antimalarial, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, antiasthmatic, laxative and anti-hyperlipidemic activity. T. indica has ameliorative effects on many diseases. It can also be preferred as a nutritious support for malnourished patients as it is cheap and easy to access. Those effects should be clarified with further research.     

Total free phenolic content and health relevant functionality of Indian wild legume grains: Effect of indigenous processing methods

In the present study, the total free phenolic content, antioxidant activity and type II diabetes-related enzyme inhibition properties of methanolic extracts of certain promising immature wild type under-utilized legume grains, such as Abrus precatorius L., Acacia leucopholea Willd., Bauhinia variegata L., Canavalia gladiata (Jacq.) DC., Cassia floribunda Cav., Entada scandens Benth., Indigofera linifolia (L.f.) Retz., Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC., Sesbania bispinosa (Jacq.) Wight. and Tamarindus indica L., collected from South India, were investigated. The total free phenolic content of the investigated samples ranged between 4.24 and 8.75 g catechin equivalent/100 g extract dry matter (DM). The extracts showed promising ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP, 110–280 mmol Fe[II]/g extract), antioxidant activity (inhibition of β-carotene degradation, 32.37–57.69%) and radical scavenging activities against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH, 49.97–81.31%) and superoxide (42.21–61.65%). In all the studied seed materials, sprouting + oil-frying treatment revealed significantly higher total free phenolic content, antioxidant and type II diabetes relevant functionality, than open-pan roasting or soaking + cooking. Hence, sprouting + oil-frying is recommended as valuable processing method for the use of wild legume grains in the local production of supplementary foods with the potential to manage type II diabetes in the malnourished socio-economically weaker section of Indian population.     

Investigations of the architecture of tamarind seed polysaccharide in aqueous solution by different scattering techniques

The architecture of tamarind seed polysaccharide (TSP) has been investigated by light scattering (LS), small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and synchrotron radiation scattering (SRSAXS). The experimental data show that TSP in aqueous solution consists of multi stranded aggregates, with a high degree of particle stiffness. The angular dependence of the scattered intensity is typical for wormlike chains. Data evaluation on the basis of this model yields a statistical Kuhn segment length l_K = 150 nm. The cross sectional radius of gyration is estimated as R_gcs = 6.0 ± 0.5 Å, which is more than twice the value, published for single stranded polysaccharides. Correspondingly, the experimental value of the linear mass density, measured by LS, is about five times higher than the theoretical value calculated from the primary structure.     

Hyperglycemia in poor controlled diabetes from crude tamarind herbal pill: a case study

Hyperglycemia is an important finding in the diabetic patient with poor glycemic control. There are several possible causes of hyperglycemic. Here, the author presents an interesting case study on a female diabetic patient presenting with hyperglycemic due to intake of crude tamarind herbal pill. General practitioner should realize that the use of alternative medicine can be a cause of unexplained hyperglycemic episode in diabetic patient.     

Ameliorative effect of tamarind leaf on fluoride-induced metabolic alterations

Objectives

Fluoride is a serious health hazard across several nations, and chronic intake of fluoride deranges the carbohydrate, lipid and antioxidant metabolism in general. As there are limited remedial measures to prevent fluorosis, we investigated the role of tamarind leaf as a food supplement in restoration of carbohydrate, lipid and antioxidant metabolism in fluoride-exposed albino rats.

Methods

Albino rats were exposed to fluoride (100 ppm sodium fluoride) through drinking water and fed diet supplemented with tamarind leaf powder (2.5, 5 and 10 g %) for 4 weeks. Carbohydrate, lipid and antioxidant profiles were investigated in both controls and fluoride-exposed animals.

Results

While 4-week exposure to fluoride elevated plasma glucose and lipid profiles, simulating diabetic and hyperlipidaemic conditions, the antioxidant defence mechanisms of fluoride-exposed rats were compromised, with elevation and decline in lipid peroxidation and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, respectively. When the diet was supplemented with tender tamarind leaves (used in southern India as a replacement for tamarind or other sour food ingredients), significant improvements in carbohydrate and lipid profiles occurred as evidenced by decreased plasma glucose and lipid levels, lipid peroxidation, increased hepatic glycogen content, hexokinase activity and cholesterol excretion, with simultaneous improvement in antioxidant profiles of both hepatic and renal tissues.

Conclusions

These findings are significant in view of the need for cost-effective approaches to tackle fluorosis as an environmental hazard and use of food supplements as ameliorative measures.     

Functionalization of wool fabric using kapok flower and bio-mordant

The use of sustainable techniques for simultaneous colouration and functionalization of textiles is gaining momentum. The colouration of wool by kapok flower extract (KFE) utilizing pre-mordanting technique using tannin-based natural mordant could impart important functional properties to the dyed fabrics. In this study, the wool fabrics were mordanted using tamarind seed coats extract (TSCE) and further dyed with KFE. The effect of TSCE and KFE concentration on the colour values of dyed fabrics was analysed using various concentrations of TSCE and KFE. The dyed fabrics were evaluated for colouration properties (colour values, fastness properties) as well as functional properties like antibacterial and antioxidant activity. The dyed fabrics without pre-mordanting displayed satisfactory colour values (K/S > 1.89) along with satisfactory colour fastness (ratings > 3); however, the pre-mordanted wool displayed enhanced colour values and improved fastness ratings. The dyed wool also showed an excellent antibacterial activity (bacterial colony reduction > 95%) against E. coli and S. aureus. The antioxidant activity of dyed fabrics was found in the range of 79–95%. A novel and sustainable way of functional dyeing of the wool was confirmed.