Exploring the nutritional and health benefits of pulses from the Indian Himalayan region: A glimpse into the region's rich agricultural heritage

Syrupy herbal formulation of green bean pod extract of Phaseolus vulgaris L.: Formulation optimization by central composite design, and evaluation for anti-urolithiatic activity

The green bean pods of Phaseolus vulgaris L. are traditionally used as a folk remedy for treating calcium oxalate kidney stones. The current research aimed to develop a syrup formulation containing green bean pod extract for anti-urolithiatic activity. The syrup was prepared using a simple blending method and optimized through a central composite design (CCD) with two independent variables: the ratio of pod juice (PJ) to sugar solution (SS) ranging from 1:0.5 to 1:1.5, and the percentage of CMC from 0.2% to 0.4% w/v. These variables were analyzed for their impact on viscosity (CP) and sedimentation percentage, helping to identify the best formulation out of 13 variants. The finalized formulation (F-opt) underwent assessment for physicochemical characteristics such as organoleptic properties, viscosity, density, sedimentation rate, and stability. Additionally, a microbiological assessment was performed utilizing the spread plate method. Further, it was evaluated for in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo anti-urolithiatic activity in rat models for 28 days and compared with that of the reference standard (Cystone syrup). Additionally, acute toxicity was assessed in albino Swiss mice. Histopathological evaluations were then conducted on the kidneys of the Wistar rats that had been used for the in vivo studies, providing insight into the treatment effects on kidney tissue structure. The optimized formulation (F-opt) was a green, viscous, clear syrup with a pH of 5.8, a viscosity of 256.38 CP, a density of 1.31 g/ml, and a sedimentation rate of 0.69%. The optimized formulation was found to be stable, showing no significant changes in physicochemical and microbiological properties. The results of the in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo anti-urolithiatic studies indicated that the optimized formulation effectively inhibited the aggregation of calcium oxalate. The acute toxicity studies revealed no mortality or adverse effects for both the optimized formulation and pure bean pod juice at a dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight. Histopathological examination revealed that rats treated with the optimized formulation exhibited a significant reduction in both the number and size of calcium oxalate deposits within various parts of the renal tubules. It can be concluded that the syrupy formulation of Phaseolus vulgaris L. green bean pod extract demonstrated significant anti-urolithiatic activity. This activity could be due to its diuretic properties and its ability to inhibit the formation of calcium oxalate crystals. However, limitations of the study included a lack of elucidation of the mechanism and limited generalizability of the findings.

Non-starch polysaccharides from kidney beans: comprehensive insight into their extraction, structure and physicochemical and nutritional properties

Kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are an important legume source of carbohydrates, proteins, and bioactive molecules and thus have attracted increasing attention for their high nutritional value and sustainability. Non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) in kidney beans account for a high proportion and have a significant impact on their biological functions. Herein, we critically update the information on kidney bean varieties and factors that influence the physicochemical properties of carbohydrates, proteins, and phenolic compounds. Furthermore, their extraction methods, structural characteristics, and health regulatory effects, such as the regulation of intestinal health and anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects, are also summarized. This review will provide suggestions for further investigation of the structure of kidney bean NSPs, their relationships with biological functions, and the development of NSPs as novel plant carbohydrate resources.