Current status of probiotic and related health benefits

This review is aimed to explore the health beneficial effects of probiotics which are live microorganisms that provide a positive health influence on humans when taken in sufficient quantity. Lactic acid bacteria, bifidobacteria, and yeast are frequently used as probiotics. These health-beneficial bacteria could compete with pathogens and modulate the gut microbiota, and exhibit immunomodulatory, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, and anti-cancer activities which are discussed in this review. Moreover, recent studies showed that probiotics could neutralize COVID-19 infections. Hence, probiotics have become an alternative to several drugs including antibiotics. In addition, probiotic efficacy also depends on the delivery system as the delivery agents help the bacteria to survive in the harsh environment of the human gut. Considering these health benefits of probiotics, now it has been applied to different food materials which are designated as functional food. This review explored a portrait of the beneficial effects of probiotics on human health.Copyright © 2022 The Author(s)

Potentials for health and therapeutic benefits of garlic essential oils: Recent findings and future prospects

Garlic (Allium sativum) has been known for its potent medicinal activities and its interesting culinary role since ancient times. With over 200 phytochemicals and flavoring compounds elucidated and many others yet to, garlic promises to improve human health and vitality. Just like other phytochemical classes, essential oils for garlic have been reported to show interesting medical activities delving across diverse antimicrobial, cardio-protective, anti-cancer, anti-Alzheimer, anti-diabetic, and immunomodulatory activities. Garlic essential oils contain mainly volatile and non-volatile allyl-sulphur-based compounds, which are a product of the stream decomposition of Allicin (a major component of garlic extract). Although a lot of work has been done on Allicin, there is little substantive work on the bio-availability and toxicities of its essential oil. This study, however, reviewed the methods that in recent times have been used to extract essential oils from garlic, recent studies on composition and therapeutic activities of Garlic essential oils, and a predictive overview of their bioavailability and toxicity. Finally, recommendations for future studies and other interesting prospects of garlic were also highlighted.Copyright © 2022

Assessment of Anti-Obesity Activity of Tectona Grandis Leaves on Butter Induced Hyperlipidemia in Mice

Objective: Obesity is one of the world's leading problems, which is major cause of cardiovascular diseases. During COVID-19 pandemic many young children and all age group people are getting challenged by obesity due stagnant life style. To treat such life-threatening disorder natural remedies acquire prior position, plant produces a good deal of secondary metabolites which have a benefited mankind in various ways, including treatment of diseases. The present research work was focused on developing a natural remedy using Tectona grandis, an ancient plant with number of proven activities in traditional medicine. Method(s): In the literature survey, it was found that flavonoids, sterols, tannins, and alkaloids shown promising effects to tackle obesity by various mechanisms, T. grandis has shown the presence of saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, proteins, and amino acids. With the above evidence, this plant has been selected for screening of its antiobesity activity against high-fat diet induced obesity in mice. Studies were conducted using aqueous extract of T. grandis leaves (AETG) on high-fat diet (butter) induced model of hyperlipidemia in mice. During 21 days' time period AETI low and high doses were induced to respective animal groups along with butter where atorvastatin has been taken as standard drug. Butter enhanced the cholesterol and triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. Results and Discussion: At the end of 21 days, blood samples were collected from the animal through retroperitoneal route. Biochemical parameters of AETG have been compared with that of standard drug group of animals. The test results were almost similar and for some particular parameters such as LDL and very low-density lipoprotein, AETG shown good results than standard drug results. Conclusion(s): In congruence with these results, it may be confirmed that due to the presence of phytoconstituents such as saponins, flavonoids, proteins, terpenoids, amino acids, and alkaloids in the aqueous extract of T. grandis, it could be responsible for the observed significant anti-obesity activity. Copyright © 2022 The Authors.

Anti-Obesity Siddha Medicinal Plants-A Preclinical Review

Obesity is a complex multi factorial preventable disease affecting all age groups of both the sexes. Now one third of world’s population is overweight or obese. From 1980 the world-wide prevalence of obesity has become doubled. Overweight and obesity were the 5th foremost causes of death globally. Obesity is associated with many co morbid diseases. Prevalence of obesity with co morbidities is on big alarm throughout the world. Recently in COVID-19 pandemic most of the obese people get affected due to the co morbidities and reduced immunity. The anti-obesity properties of medicinal plants were known from ancient times in traditional Siddha medicine some thousand years ago. Many Siddha medicinal plants showed anti-obesity activities that can be utilized in the management of obesity, through which the complications of obesity can be prevented. Most researches explored the anti-obesity potentials of medicinal plants. Terminalia chebula, Phyllanthus niruri, zingiber officinale, Piper longum, Curcuma longa, Elettaria cardamomum, Cuminum cyminum, Picrorhiza kurroa, Ipomea turpethum, Tinospora cordifolia, Michelia champaka are some medicinal plants possess anti-obesity properties that had been indicated in Siddha classical text. The objective of this review is to validate the anti-obesity potentials of Siddha medicinal plants scientifically through various research reports. Due to the presence of Phyto compounds like phenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, anti-oxidants these medicinal plants revealed anti-obesity activities and its anti-obesity mechanism had been proven scientifically through various animal experimental studies collected from many research articles. Modern anti-obesity drugs produce numerous side effects. Regular consumption of Siddha anti-obesity medicinal plants, in the prescribed dose and duration, can induce gradual and sustainable weight loss effectively. Furthermore, in future, there is a need for the development of standardized, safe and effective anti-obesity drugs from medicinal plants and highly economical too. Hence eventually exploration of anti-obesity Siddha medicinal plants will lead to safe and effective treatment for obesity.