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.
The factors controlling productivity (dry matter production) in a pearl millet {Pennisetum americanum L Leeke) hybrid BJ-104 and its inbred parents,/-iO*^ and 5141-A, were investigated using the harvest interval and curve-fitting methods. During initial stages, the hybrid showed highest total dry weight, leaf dry weight and leaf area, than the inbred lines. However, with age these differences decreased considerably. The male parent attained total dry weight almost equal to the hybrid by d 45, whereas the female parent attained it by d59.The derived growth parameters like RGR, LAR, LWR and SLA showed strong ontogenic decline. Further, considerable cultivar variations were also recorded. Importance of the growth parameters m determining productivity is discussed and it is emphasized that higher accumulation of dry matter during initial seedling stages may be an important factor.
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