Comparative antioxidant potential of Withania somnifera based herbal formulation prepared by traditional and non-traditional fermentation processes

The Protective Effect of Oxitard on Sperm Function and Antioxidant Status in Rats Exposed to Swimming Stress

BACKGROUND

Infertility is a significant public health issue, but its impact on quality of life and treatment efficacy is limited. Modern medicine lacks safe and effective drugs for male infertility, while traditional medicine has explored herbal extracts like Oxitard, which contains multiple extracts and oils. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Oxitard on male rats exposed to swimming (SW) stress.

METHODS

Albino rats weighing 220-250 g were divided into five groups: control, SW stress, and SW treated with Oxitard at low, medium, and high doses of 250, 500, and 750 mg/kg/day, respectively. The rats were subjected to SW stress for 15 days and then assessed for body weight, reproductive organ weight, testosterone, antioxidant status, sperm function, and histological changes in the testes, seminal vesicles, and vas deferens.

RESULTS

The results showed that SW stress significantly reduced body weight, seminal vesicle weight, testosterone levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), sperm count, sperm motility, sperm viability, and significantly increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. The testes of the SW-stress group rats also showed a significant decrease in spermatogenesis and the number of seminiferous tubules containing sperm. In contrast, treatment with Oxitard, especially at the highest dose, demonstrated potent free radical scavenging activity, recovering antioxidant status, and sperm function.

CONCLUSION

SW stress led to decreased sperm function, antioxidant status, and increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) in male rats. Oxitard treatment, particularly in high doses, showed a potential role as a free radical scavenger in treating oxidative stress (OS)-associated male infertility. Further studies are needed to investigate the individual components of Oxitard and conduct clinical trials in human subjects.

LAB Fermentation Improves Production of Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Withania somnifera Extract and Its Metabolic Signatures as Revealed by LC-MS/MS

In this study we investigated the effect of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) fermentation on the ingredients and anti-oxidant activity of Withania somnifera extract. Four strains of LAB could proliferate normally in medium containing W. somnifera extract after the pH reached 3.1~3.5. LAB fermentation increased the content of alcohols and ketones, endowing the extract with the characteristic aroma of fermentation. Compared to the control, the DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging rates in the fermented samples were significantly improved, ranging from 48.5% to 59.6% and 1.2% to 6.4%. The content of total phenols was significantly increased by 36.1% during the fermentation of mixed bacteria. Moreover, the original composition spectrum of the extract was significantly changed while the differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) were closely related to bile secretion, tryptophan metabolism and purine metabolism. Therefore, LAB fermentation can be used as a promising way to improve the flavor and bioactivity of the extracts of W. somnifera, making the ferments more attractive for use as functional food.

Neurodegenerative diseases and Withania somnifera (L.): An update

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal also known as 'Ashwaghanda' in Sanskrit and as 'Indian Winter Cherry' in english. is an important medicinal herb in India. It is widely used in Indian systems of medicine as an adaptogen, nerve tonic, anti-stress, memory enhancer and against cognitive deficits, insomnia, anxiety, infectious diseases, infertility, rheumatoid arthritis and gout over thousands of years. Its formulations are mainly used in Unani and Ayurvedic system of medicine. It is a remarkable centuries old herbal Rasayana used to treat neuronal ailments and is known as ''Sattvic Kapha Rasayana.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To review neuroprotective properties of Withania somnifera (L.)extract as well as its active constituents in neurodegenerative diseases and other neurological ailments.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The sources of information used in present article include Indian system of Medicine reports on the use of natural products, Medicinal books, research articles and scientific databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Science-Direct, SciFinder, ACS Publications and Wiley Online Library.

RESULTS

Research reports based largely on preclinical studies as well as few clinical trials have highlighted the neuroprotective role of Ashwagandha against many neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's, Huntington's and Parkinson's disease. The protective effects of Ashwagandha were accomplished by restoring mitochondrial and endothelial function, mitigation of apoptosis, inflammation and oxidative stress mechanisms.

CONCLUSION

In this review, we recapitulated neuroprotective properties of Ashwagandha extracts and/or its major constituents and discussed their mechanisms of action and potential therapeutic applications. The pre-clinical as well as clinical studies suggest the use of Withania somnifera (L.) against neurodegenerative disease. However, extensive studies are warranted to validate the use of extract or its single constituents for its clinical use.

Neuroprotective Effect of CR-777, a Glutathione Derivative of Withaferin A, Obtained through the Bioconversion of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal Extract by the Fungus Beauveria bassiana

The bioconversion of Withania somnifera extract by the fungus Beauveria bassiana leads to cysteine and glutathione derivatives of withaferin A at the C-6 position. The compounds were purified and fully characterized by 1D-NMR, 2D-NMR, and HRMS analysis. The glutathione derivative CR-777 was evaluated as a neuroprotective agent from damage caused by different neurotoxins mimicking molecular symptoms in Parkinson´s disease (PD), including 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+), 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), and α-synuclein (α-Syn). CR-777, at nanomolar concentrations, protected dopaminergic and cortical neurons. In 6-OHDA-treated neurons, CR-777 increased cell survival and neurite network and decreased the expression of α-Syn. Using specific inhibitors of cell toxicity signaling pathways and specific staining experiments, the observed role of CR-777 seemed to involve the PI3K/mTOR pathway. CR-777 could be considered as a protective agent against a large panel of neuronal stressors and was engaged in further therapeutic development steps.

Screening of yeast isolates from flowers for effective ethanol production

The use of alternative substrates to produce biofuel is a striking option nowadays. This study aimed to screen bioethanolproducing yeast strains. From different flowers, 65 yeasts were isolated. Twelve isolates assimilated glucose by liberation of CO 2 anaerobically. Out of these, only 5 yeast isolates fermented glucose in medium consisting of 0.8 g/L Mg2+ ions to produce 2.05 ± 0.03% ethanol. The selected five strains were identified as members of the genera Metschnikowia or Meyerozyma based on molecular characterization. Selected yeast strains were used for conversion of rice into bioethanol following dilute acid hydrolysis and fermentation. Consistent ethanol production was 1.80 ± 0.05% at days 2-4 by Metschnikowia cibodasensis Y34 and 2.20 ± 0.21% by Meyerozyma caribica Y42 at days 4-6 with a gradual decrease at the time of experiment termination (day 10). Metschnikowia cibodasensis Y34 and Meyerozyma caribica Y42 produced the highest ethanol at pH 3, i.e. 1.75 ± 0.14% at days 3 and 5 and 2.05 ± 0.14% at days 1 and 3, respectively, upon incubation with different pH levels and 1% NaCl. Growth and ethanol production at pH 4 and 5 was close to that at pH 3, with a slight increase in production by Metschnikowia cibodasensis Y34 at pH 4 up to day 3.

Effect of fermentation on the antioxidant activity in plant-based foods

This study provides an overview of the factors that influence the effect of fermentation on the antioxidant activity and the mechanisms that augment antioxidative activities in fermented plant-based foods. The ability of fermentation to improve antioxidant activity is primarily due to an increase in the amount of phenolic compounds and flavonoids during fermentation, which is the result of a microbial hydrolysis reaction. Moreover, fermentation induces the structural breakdown of plant cell walls, leading to the liberation or synthesis of various antioxidant compounds. These antioxidant compounds can act as free radical terminators, metal chelators, singlet oxygen quenchers, or hydrogen donors to radicals. The production of protease, α-amylase and some other enzymes can be influenced by fermentation that may have metal ion chelation activity. Because the mechanisms that affect antioxidant activity during fermentation are extremely varied, further investigation is needed to establish the precise mechanisms for these processes.

Isolation, biochemical and genetic characterizations of alcohol-producing yeasts from the flowers of Woodfordia fruticosa

OBJECTIVE

To isolate and characterize the alcohol-producing yeasts from Woodfordia fruticosa flowers, which are used for the induction and maintenance of fermentation in the making of Ayurvedic formulations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Initially twenty four yeasts strains were isolated on MGYP agar plate. Among them, four strains were selected for further studies on the basis of their alcohol generation capacity using jaggery media (50% w/v). Physiological, biochemical and genetic characterization (18S rRNA sequencing) of selected strains were carried out.

RESULTS

Physiological, biochemical and genetic characterization (18S rRNA sequencing) confirmed the strains as Saccharomycopsis fibuligera Jm.8, S. fibuligera Jm.10, S. fibuligera Jm.16 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Jm.20. Under the controlled conditions, S. cerevisiae Jm.20 produced 69.57 g/l of alcohol, whereas remaining strains produced the alcohol in the range of 6.04-7.32 g/l.

CONCLUSION

Among selected strains, strains S. fibuligera are a newer in the flowers. Kinetic study of alcohol generation revealed the strain S. cerevisiae Jm.20 can be efficiently used in making of fermented Ayurvedic formulations instead of use W. fruticosa flowers.