Black walnut hull
Black walnut (Juglans nigra L.) is one of the most widely consumed nuts in the United States. The nut has been recognized for its unique, bold flavor, and is used as a versatile food ingredient. Black walnut is rich in phenolics and contains higher levels of phytosterols, unsaturated fatty acids, and tocopherols than many other commonly consumed nuts. The dietary intervention of these constituents has been associated with a great number of disease-preventive properties.
Black walnut has the potential to inhibit the release of proinflammatory mediators in vitro. Similarities in contents of unsaturated fatty acids and tocopherols between black walnut and English walnut suggest that black walnut consumption may produce beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease risks. In addition, the high level of γ-tocopherol in black walnut can make the nut a
cancer-preventive option.
Black walnut is traditionally used for many conditions, such as high cholesterol, and it has been touted as a natural remedy for, e.g., the following health problems:
- asthma
- constipation
- diabetes
- heartburn
- high blood pressure
- high cholesterol
- fungal infections
- internal parasites
- cancer
- canker sores
- psoriasis
- diabetes
The nuts of the black walnut are believed to aid in decreasing cholesterol levels and improving overall heart health and function. Studies have shown that black walnut significantly reduced total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol concentrations and may be useful as a treatment for high blood pressure.
Swertia Chirata extract (Gentianaceae)
Swertia chirata (Family: Gentianaceae) is a valuable herb that is commonly available in India, Nepal, and China. The plant is found at an altitude of 1200–3000 and is available throughout the year. It comprises 170 species that are closely related to each other. Chirayata, also known as Indian gentian is a robust annual herb that grows up to about 1.5 meters in height. It is generally consumed by older people and/or people with type 2 diabetes mellitus as it is useful for lowering the blood glucose level.
The ethanolic extract possesses antidiabetic activity and has a significant effect on cholesterol and triglyceride level. (Taken from the review "Impact of Swertia chirata extract on prevention of Cu2+ LDL oxidation and malondialdehyde formation" by Sarita Kumari and Amir Khan, published in IOSR Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences (IOSR-JPBS) e-ISSN: 2278-3008, p-ISSN:2319-7676. Volume 9, Issue 6 Ver. I (Nov -Dec. 2014), PP 28-34)
The Gentianaceae is one of the larger and most important families having a large number of genera and species in the world flora. The genus Swertia has been well-known for its botanical diversity and pharmaceutical uses in traditional and folk medicine which is a very important part of indigenous cultures worldwide.
Asian countries, Bhutan, China, India, Japan, and Nepal are leading countries in related scientific literature on ethnomedicinal, phytochemical and pharmacological aspects due to their strong traditional systems. The majority of the reported plants are also widespread in Asia. In many cases, different parts (leaf, stem, root, and seed) of the plant, as well as the whole plant, are used for the control of various diseases. The most preferred modes of preparation are in the form of decoctions, infusions, pastes, and poultices, taken orally with no preparation, or preparations with other traditional medicines. Numerous reports concerning the phytochemical evaluations of the Swertia spp. account for the presence of a broad spectrum of xanthonoids, iridoids/secoiridoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids which are of vital importance in different pharmacological and medicinal disciplines.
Artemisia Judaica extract
Artemisia annua is the dry aboveground part of the dicotyledonous plant Artemisia annua. It is picked in the autumn when the flowers are in full bloom to remove the old stems and avoid direct sunlight.
Artemisia annua belongs to traditional Chinese medicine, which has the functions of eliminating pathogenic heat from the blood, relieving summer heat, and treating malaria. (Taken from "Study on the Antilipidemic Activity of Artemisia Annua Aqueous Extract" by Ali Tao, Xuehua Feng, Zurong Song, Bo Hu, Huan You, Ruilin Wang)
Artemisia annua is also described to have anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-plasmodial, anti-convulsant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-cholesterolemic, and antiviral properties. Artemisia annua would also have important pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and anti-obesity activities that contribute to the therapeutic effects of the plant. Artemisia annua has also an interesting nutritional profile with the presence of amino acids, vitamins and minerals, and essential elements for health. Since its discovery, Artemisia annua has been the subject of extensive research on its chemical composition.
More than 600 secondary metabolites have been identified throughout the plant, including several sesquiterpenoids, triterpenoids, monoterpenoids, steroids, flavonoids, coumarins, alkaloids, and benzenoids. Thanks to this richness, Artemisia annua has a large number of other biological properties such as hepatoprotective, antifungal, antitumor, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-asthmatic activities.
Lactobacillus Reuteri
Probiotics are defined by the World Health Organization as live microorganisms that provide health benefits to the host when given in sufficient amounts and are presently being evaluated for their efficacy in lowering TC and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in humans. Some probiotics, mainly Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, have potential cholesterol-lowering benefits in the gastrointestinal tracts of mammals.
There has been increasing interest in probiotics, “microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host,” research for the development of biotherapeutics. In recent years, attention has been given to the ability of probiotic cells to reduce lipids and cholesterol levels, with several proposed mechanisms of action. One mechanism, bile salt hydrolase activity, is described in a recent review. In addition, bacteria have been reported to assimilate cholesterol, thereby lowering luminal cholesterol levels available for absorption.
Moreover, Lactobacillus bacteria can produce ferulic acid (FA), which can inhibit hepatic HMG-CoA reductase and promote the excretion of acidic sterol. With the demonstrated cholesterol-lowering properties of probiotic bacteria, further research is required to investigate the mechanism(s) by which the bacteria decrease cholesterol levels and to select bacteria capable of exerting cholesterol-lowering effects.
Mukul Myrrh extract
Guggul, also known as Guggulu and guggulipid, is a substance secreted by the Mukul myrrh tree (Commiphora Mukul) after it has been injured. It has been used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine for centuries to treat obesity, osteoarthritis, and some skin conditions. Research has suggested that guggul also may lower total cholesterol levels, especially triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol.
Guggul, an oleo gum-resin, is a plant exudate of Commiphora wightii (Arnott.)
Bhand. /Commiphora Mukul Engl., belonging to the family Burseraceae (Genus: Commiphora) and has been in use medicinally since the Vedic period for the treatment of a number of diseases such as atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia, rheumatism, obesity, respiratory diseases, liver disorders, digestive problems, menstrual irregularities. Guggul of Commiphora Mukul/Commiphora
wightii possesses a lipid-lowering effect. In various experimental and human studies, Commiphora Mukul has been shown to decrease atherosclerosis, lower serum cholesterol and triglycerides (TGs), and also increase HDL.
