This review is intended to focus on the composition of oat and its therapeutic potential in the pharmacology that supports its use to cure various maladies. Oat (Avena sativa) is distinct among the cereals due to its multifunctional characteristics and nutritional profile. Recent advancement in food and nutrition has revealed the importance of its various components. It is a good source of dietary fiber especially beta-glucan, minerals and other nutrients. Oat and oat by products have been proven to be helpful in the treatment of diabetes and cardiovascular disorders. Oat bran in particular, is good source of B complex vitamins, protein, fat, minerals besides heart healthy soluble fiber beta-glucan. The beta-glucan has outstanding functional properties and is of immense importance in human nutrition. Different physiological effects of beta-glucan are related to its viscosity, attenuation of postprandial plasma glucose and insulin responses, high transport of bile acids towards lower parts of the intestinal tract and high excretion of bile acids thereby lowering of serum cholesterol levels. Moreover, it is helpful against coeliac disease. The incorporation of oat grains and oat bran in the food products improves not only the nutrition but also a therapy against various maladies.

Storage period, temperature and moisture are the key traits, accountable for variation in chemical, cooking and sensory attributes of rice. The study of two promising varieties of fine Basmati rice stored at various temperatures revealed pronounced influence of storage on various quality traits i.e. volume expansion ratio, water absorption ratio, elongation ratio, alkali spreading value, amylose contents and sensory attributes. The cooking quality was affected significantly in the months following harvesting. Freshly harvested Basmati varieties (Basmati Super and Basmati-385) were aged for a period of sixteen weeks (4 months) at different temperatures (5, 25, 35, and 45°C). Aging of rice played imperative role in establishing the aforesaid quality traits. Storage condition resulted in increased moisture, water absorption ratio, volume expansion ratio and elongation ratio while amylose content and alkali spreading value of both rice varieties were decreased. The protein content showed insignificant differences. Storage of both varieties at 35°C gave best results for sensory attributes like taste and over all acceptability. Basmati Super showed better performance in cooking and eating quality than that of Basmati-385 during storage.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the phytochemical profile of green grasses including barley and wheat. Green grasses were procured from Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan. All the phytochemical parameters were determined through standard methods with slight modifications. The explored parameters include proximate analysis, mineral profile, vitamin profile, and especially antioxidant profile (total phenolic contents (TPCs), free radical scavenging activity, flavonoids, and phenolic acids). The results portrayed that there was a significant difference between the proximate parameters, vitamin, and minerals profile of both barley and wheatgreen grasses. The antioxidant profileantioxidant activity (283.5%) and free radical scavenging activity (99.29%)of barley grass was much higher than wheatgrass. The TPCs (203.52 µmol of GAE/g) and flavonoids (161.12 μmol/L) were much higher in wheatgrass as compared to barley grass. Barley grass showed maximum contents of phenolic acids including benzoic acid (73.84 µg/g), caffeic acid (86.61 µg/g), gallic acid (6.33 µg/g), syringic acid (170.46 µg/g), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (42.52 µg/g), and Ferulic acid (1560.3 µg/g). Conclusively, barley grass showed higher antioxidant potential.

Vitamin A deficiency is a world wide nutritional problem especially in the developing countries that afflicts severely the health of pregnant and lactating women, infants and children. Women are the most vulnerable group affected by vitamin A deficiency during their pregnancy and lactating periods. Different strategies like food diversification, fortification, and supplementation are helpful to cope with vitamin A deficiency. Food fortification is the most cost effective, long-term approach, while supplementation is considered to be the fastidious way to uplift vitamin A status. Generally Retinyl acetate and retinyl palmitate are used in different food products as fortificants against the Vitamin A menace. In addition to these food-based strategies, educating the people regarding health and nutrition can also play an effective role.

Present research project was an attempt to explore the functional/nutraceutical worth of guava leaves from two locally grown varieties (Ruby & Safeda). For the purpose, guava leaves extract was fed to experimental male Sprague Dawley rats to explore the nutraceutical potential of guava leaves against hepatotoxicity. Two studies were performed on two types of rats i.e. study I (normal rats), study II (hepatotoxic rats). In both studies, 250 mg/kg each of pink guava leaves extracts (T 1 ) and white guava leaves extracts (T 2 ) was added in the feed. Feed intake and body weights of the rats were recorded.At the end of the first and eighth week of study, the blood samples of the rats were analyzed to check the effect of guava leaves extracts on renal functioning (Alkaline Phosphatase, Alanine Transaminase and Aspartate Transaminase) as well as liver functioning parameters including urea and creatinine. In both studies, comparatively higher feed consumption was observed in the control group than the rest of the treatments. At the end of study I, the highest weight (207±9.21 g) was observed in T 0 whereas, during study II, the maximum value (202±5.58 g) was found in T 2 (rats consuming white guava leaves extract) that indicates its effectiveness against hepatotoxicity. Regarding renal functioning tests, pink guava leaves were more effective in decreasing urea and creatinine levels in rats as compared to the white guava leaves in both study plans. Likewise, in each of study trial, pink guava leaves were more effective in reducing AST, ALT and ALP than white guava leaves and control. From the present investigation, it is deduced that guava leaves were effective against hepatotoxicity.