The effect of a tea fortified with five herbs selected from Indian traditional medicine (Ayurveda) for their putative immunoenhancing effect (Withania somnifera, Glycyrrhzia glabra, Zingiber officinale, Ocimum sanctum and Elettaria cardamomum) on innate immunity was investigated. Ex vivo natural killer (NK) cell activity was assessed after consumption of fortified tea compared with regular tea in two independent double-blind intervention studies. Both studies were conducted in India with healthy volunteers (age >or= 55 years) selected for a relatively low baseline NK cell activity and a history of recurrent coughs and colds. In a pilot study conducted with 32 volunteers, the consumption of Natural Care tea significantly improved the NK cell activity of the volunteers in comparison with a population consuming regular tea. These results were validated in an independent crossover study with 110 volunteers. Data from these two studies indicate that regular consumption of the tea fortified with Ayurvedic herbs enhanced NK cell activity, which is an important aspect of the (early) innate immune response to infections.
Kutki or Picrorhiza kurroa is a herbal medicinal plant belonging to Scrophulariaceae family and is found in the Himalayan region in India. This herb has been traditionally used in treating liver disorders. The antioxidant properties of P. kurroa were evaluated in vitro using different radical scavenging assays. Furthermore, liver slice culture system was used to test the antioxidant activity of this extract and ethanol was used as a hepatotoxin to generate oxidative stress. Hepatotoxicity was quantified in terms of release of intracellular marker enzymes lactate dehydrogenase, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase. Oxidative stress induced by ethanol and its modulation in the presence of P. kurroa extract was tested by estimating the levels of antioxidant enzymes like catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione-S-transferase, and of antioxidant molecules like uric acid and reduced glutathione that were quantitated along with lipid peroxidation. Our results clearly demonstrate that aqueous extract of P. kurroa with high antioxidant activity, as demonstrated using different radical scavenging assays, was effective in suppressing the deleterious effects of ethanol. Addition of P. kurroa aqueous extract along with ethanol restored the activities of antioxidant enzymes and significantly reduced lipid peroxidation.
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