CHAPTER- 29
Nutraceuticals and Cosmeceuticals
NUTRACEUTICALS
Food and drugs from nature plays quite a significant role in public healthcare system throughout the world. Human inquisitiveness and search for specific constituents of plant, animals, minerals and microbial origin which are beneficial to our overall health have caused coining of terminologies such as functional foods or nutraceuticals. The idea of nutraceuticals has evolved from the recognition of the link between diet and health. Nutraceuticals have caused heated debate because they blurred the traditional dividing lines between food and medicine. Dr Stephen L. Defelice defines nutraceuticals as any substance that may be considered as food or part of food which in addition to its normal nutritive value provides health benefits including prevention of disease. The American Association of Nutritional Chemists mentions nutraceuticals as the products that has been isolated or purified from food and generally sold in medicinal forms not usually associated with food. When nutraceuticals are referred to as functional foods, most of the researchers of concerned field agree that they are foods marketed as having specific health effects. Functional foods are ordinary foods that have components or ingredients incorporated in them to give them a specific medical or physiological benefit other than a purely nutritional effect.
CLASSIFICATION
Nutraceuticals or functional foods can be classified on the basis of their natural sources, pharmacological conditions or as per chemical constitution of the products. On the basis of natural source, these are the products obtained from plants, animals, minerals or microbial sources
The classification of nutraceuticals based upon its therapeutical implications for the treatment or prevention of specific condition may produce a big list. Some of the important conditions in which the nutraceuticals are specially directed for its treatment, prevention or support are given
A systematic classification on the basis of therapeutically important compounds of the nutraceutical's products responsible for the specific health benefit can be done as given
However, in many cases the health benefit is not mainly due to a single group of compounds but the overall effect of variety of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, vitamins and mineral constitution of the product.
Inorganic Mineral Supplements
- Large number of elements control variety of physiological and biochemical functions of human body. Most of these minerals are provided through the diet but their deficiently in diet may develop variety of health-related problems and diseases.
- Calcium: Calcium is an important element in the treatment of bone loss and prevention. Calcium deficiency is found in 25% of women, even though much higher percentage has osteopenia or osteoporosis. Prepuberty is the best time to begin supplementing the diet with calcium-rich minerals along with exercise regimen. Sufficient intake of calcium and vitamin D postmenopausally can significantly reduce the risk for fracture.
- Magnesium: Magnesium is an essential element involved in well over 300 enzymatic processes and critical in the proper use and maintenance of calcium. Many individuals with calcium deficiency are actually magnesium deficient which prevent proper use of calcium.
- Manganese: Manganese is required in several enzymatic reactions and necessary for proper bone and cartilage formation.
- Boron: Boron is reported to be helpful in supporting the calcium and estrogen levels in postmenopausal women.
- Copper: Copper is an essential element needed by all tissues in the body; copper and zinc must be in proper proportion. Copper is best absorbed when bound to an amino acid. Zinc: Zinc is one of the most important trace mineral. Zinc supports the body’s overall antioxidant system by scavenging free radicals. It also performs many other vital functions.
- Phosphorous: Phosphorous is important in maintaining bone structure and modulating plasma and bone formation.
- Silicon: Silicon is concentrated in the active growth areas of the bone. It influences bone formation and calcification.
Vitamin Supplement
Vitamins are the complex substances of organic origin which in small quantities are necessary for the maintenance of human and animal life. Some of the important water-soluble and water-insoluble vitamins are discussed below.
Vitamins B complex: Specific B vitamins are recommended as the daily requirement to combat high levels of homocysteine, a known risk factor for heart diseases. Homocysteine accumulates in the blood secondary to protein intake, especially from meat. Vitamins B extra is generally recommended to those who use caffeine, alcohol, excessive sugar or oral birth pills in their diet, since B vitamins are water soluble and easily excreted. Vitamins B1 or thiamine deficiency is mostly observed in white rice eaters. Ribofalvin-5-phosphate is a cofactor for vitamin B2 which is beneficial in people who lack the enzyme to convert vitamin B2 because of nutritional factors or disease condition. Niacinamide deficiency may cause neurological and skin problems. The body can also synthesize niacin from tryptophan. Pantothenic acid-A deficiency affect adrenal gland, immune and cardiovascular system. Vitamin B6 is crucial for glucose production, hormone modulation and neurotransmitter synthesis. Pyridoxal 5-phosphate is considered as an active form of vitamin B6 . Vitamin B12 deficiency may be observed in vegetarian people as plants have no appreciable vitamins B12. Folic acid is a B complex vitamin which contributes to healthy bone formation.
Among the other vitamins, vitamin C is the body’s main water-soluble antioxidant. It is necessary for proper maintenance of bones. Inositol helps move fatty material from the liver into intestine. Biotin produced by several species of intestinal flora prevents yeast from converting to a more pathogenic fungal form. Choline bitartrate is helpful in moving fat out of liver into the bile.
Digestive Enzymes
Much of the reflux is not caused by too much acid in the stomach but from poor digestion because of too little acid. As we ages, stomach cells responsible for acid production slow down, this in turn slows the transit time of food inthe stomach causing reflux of food from the oesophagus. Taking antacids often worsen the problem. Variety of digestive enzymes can be used as digestive aid to help absorb and digest the food material. Pepsin, principal digestive enzymes in gastric juices is a digestive aid for proteins. Pancreatin, an enzyme from pancreas is often found in enzymatic formulation.
Pancrilipase helps the body to break down fat in small intestine while amylase helps in improve digestion of carbohydrates and sugars. Betaine HCl is used as a phase I digestive aid for proper digestion. The plant proteolytic enzyme, papain obtained from Carica papaya fruits and bromelain derived from stem and fruit of pineapple are used as an aid in digestion and are commonly found in digestive products.
Probiotics
Probiotics (for life) can be described as a live microorganism which when ingested with or without food improves the intestinal microbial balance and consequently the health and functioning of large intestine. Probiotics or friendly bacteria present in the dairy food are another area of functional foods. Approximately 95% of all bacteria found in human body are located in colon; some of which are desirable and helpful while others harmful. The natural balance between these two groups of microbes plays an important role in the health and functioning of the large intestine. Probiotics bacteria promote gut health. Bioyoghurts containing Lactobacillus acidophillus and Bifidobacteria lead the probiotics. Lactobacillus acidophillus can reduce the incidence of vaginal infections including thrush and bacterial vaginosis. Specially fermented products such as yakult containing L. Casei, L johnsonii and Lactobacillus GG are also used as probiotics to restore the imbalance; Biofidobacteria may help fight wide range of harmful food poisoning bacteria including potentially harmful E.coli-0157. Bifidobacteria and Streptococcus thermophilus both found in yoghurt can prevent young children suffering from diarrhoea. Lactohacillus GG may also be helpful in treating antibiotics associated diarrhoea. It has also been reported to be effective at treating causes of travellers’ diarrhoea and rotavirus infection—the most common cause of diarrhoea in children throughout the world. Probiotics may also help reduce certain food allergies. Probiotics only have a transient effect and regular daily intake is needed to bring about health benefits.
Prebiotics
Prebiotics are the food components that escape digestion by normal human digestive enzymes and safely in intact form reach the colon after passage through the stomach and small intestine, where they selectively promote the growth of probiotics. Probiotics alone can hardly survive the rigours of digestive enzymes and acids in the upper gut before reaching the colon. Such difficulties have emphasized the alternative ways of boosting the levels of probiotics in thelarge intestine by supply of probiotics. Insulin as fructosan obtained commercially from Jerusalem artichoke tubers, Helianthus tuberosus, family Compositae or raw chicory is the best known prebiotics. Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) are increasingly used in food supplements and can have more long-lasting effect as they encourage the growth of Bifidobacteria already present in the gut. At least, 10 g FOS is needed daily.
large intestine by supply of probiotics. Insulin as fructosan obtained commercially from Jerusalem artichoke tubers, Helianthus tuberosus, family Compositae or raw chicory is the best known prebiotics. Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) are increasingly used in food supplements and can have more long-lasting effect as they encourage the growth of Bifidobacteria already present in the gut. At least, 10 g FOS is needed daily.
Dietary Fibres
Dietary fibres play critical role in keeping good health in human individuals and animals. Fibres are those parts of the plant, leaves, stem, fruits and seeds which cannot be digested or absorbed in the body. These fibres are necessary for our body to function properly. Dietary fibres can be divided into two broad categories such as water-insoluble and water-soluble fibres. Water-insoluble fibres absorb water to a certain extent and mainly contribute to bulking of stool, and allow quick passage of wastes through the elementary canal. Soluble fibres get dissolved in water and form a gel that binds the stool. It slows down the absorption of glucose and reduces blood cholesterol levels.
It has been recommended that about 30–40 g of dietary fibre should be consumed daily in order to obtain significant health benefits. The major sources of water insoluble fibres include whole grain cereals, whole wheat products, brown rice, fruits and vegetables with the peels. The sources of water soluble fibres are oats, dried beans, legumes, lentils, fruits and vegetables. Processed food can also be formulated to contain significant properties of both soluble and insoluble dietary fibres. The examples of such marketed processed products include breads, breakfast cereals and high-fibre beverages.
Cereals and Grain
Cereals and grain are largely used throughout the world as the major food material in the form of entire cereals and grains, sprouted cereals and grains and their milled flours. These products of cereals and grains are rich with normal food nutrients, vitamins, minerals and specific phytochemicals. Breads of soya flour and linseed provide hypoestrogenic natural substances that mimic the structure of the hormone estrogen. Phytoestrogens have been documented to enhance estrogens levels when hormonal levels are low to weaken the effects of estrogen when levels are high. This action may protect against both hot flushes and breast cancer. Cereals and grains help in calcium fortification, maintaining healthy heart and a healthy immune system.
Health Drinks
Drinks are the fast-developing area of functional foods. Some of these health drinks are fortified with the antioxidants, vitamins A, C, E and others with herbal extracts. The fruits and vegetable juices have also been shown to produce the health benefits. A new range of herb and vitamin-enhanced drinks claims to help overcome problems ranging from PMS to lack of energy. A Tropicana fruit juice fortified with calcium provides about 365 mg calcium per 250 ml glass. Drinks containing caffeine can also be described as functional foods as it vitalizes body and mind, increases physical endurance, improves and increases concentration and reaction speed.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are the nutraceuticals whose deficiency states are associated with variety of dreaded disease conditions, viz. cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cataracts, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer disease and many others.
Antioxidants can be broadly divided into three categories:
- True antioxidants,
- Reducing agents and
- Antioxidant synergists.
True antioxidants react with the free radicals and block the chain reaction of free radical. Reducing agents have a lower redox potential and readily get oxidized and are found effective against oxidizing agents while antioxidant synergists are the substance which on their own have little antioxidant effect but may enhance the effect of true antioxidants by reacting with heavy metals ions which catalyse autooxidation.
Natural antioxidant compounds can be classified as vitamins. carotenoids, hydroxycinnamates and flavonoids. Among the all above, flavonoid is a largest group of antioxidant which are almost ubiquitous in nature in most of the fruits, vegetables and plants. The various types of natural antioxidants and their dietary sources are given
Vitamins C or ascorbic acid is often claimed to be an important antioxidant in vivo. Its antioxidant property is regarded to be due to free radical scavenging by ascorbate and dehydro-ascorbate radical. Vitamin E or α-tocopherol delays lipid peroxidation by reacting with chain-propagating peroxy radicals faster than these radical can react with proteins or fatty acid side chains; β-carotene has remarkable antioxidant properties by interacting with a free radical to form β-carotone-derived radical which in the presence of oxygen forms a peroxyl radical. Antioxidants act at different levels in the oxidative sequence involving lipids and the extent to which oxidation of fatty acids and their esters occurs depends on the chemical nature of the fatty acid.
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids
Human body is capable of synthesizing most of the fatty acids it needs except the two major polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), i.e. omega-3-fatty acid and omega-6-fatty acids. These fatty acids are required to be supplemented from the diet. The PUFA are the known precursors for arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA). These fatty acids have been found to regulate blood pressure, heart rate, blood clotting and immune response. Omega-3-fatty acids have been reported to be important fatty acids in the prevention of heart diseases and also in the treatment of arthritis. Omega-3fatty acids are mostly found in cold water fishes, such as tuna, salmon and macaerel. It is also present in dark green leafy vegetables, flaxseed oil and in certain vegetable oils. The fatty acids such as AA and DMA are essential for the development of the foetus and also during the first six months after birth. The deficiency of these fatty acids may result in poor development of foetus and may also cause a variety of problems such as premature birth to underweight babies. Breast milk is a very rich source of DHA. Most of the infant formulas which are used as a substitute of breast milk should be supplemented with DHA, as per the recommendation by WHO.
Herbs as Functional Foods
A great attention has nowadays been given to discover the link between dietary nutrients and disease prevention. Large numbers of herbs which had been in use since unknown time have been shown to play a crucial role in the prevention of disease. In addition to the macro- and micro-nutrients such as proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins or minerals necessary for normal metabolism—a plant based diet contains numerous nonnutritive phyto-constituents which may also play an important role in health enhancement. A brief overview of the role of various herbs in disease prevention, with a focus on bioactive components from flaxseeds, spirulina, ginseng, garlic, green tea, citrus fruits, soyabean, tomato, Ginkgo biloba, turmeric, black cohosh and fenugreek has been given in this part of the nutraceuticals.
Flaxseeds
Flaxseeds are the dried ripe seeds of Linum usitatissimum, family Linaceae. Canada is the largest producer and exporter of flaxseeds which is about 40% of the world supply. It is also cultivated in the Mediterranean countries, the Middle East, United States, Russia and India. Generally flaxseed is cultivated for the oil but many medicinal properties are found to be associated with flaxseeds and its constituents. It is an abundant source of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), viscous fibre components and phytochemicals such as lignans and proteins. The components are of great interest as functional food. Flaxseed incorporations into the diet are particularly attractive from the perspective of specific health benefit. Flaxseed has been recorded as one of the six plant materials as cancer-preventive foods. Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) has a broad spectrum of health advantages. It inhibits the production of ecosanoids, alters the production of several prostanoids, reduces blood pressure in hypertensive patients and lowers triglycerides and cholesterol. Dietary ALA may retard tumour growth and plays an important role in metastatis. It has been suggested that ALA is dietary essential for optimal neurological development of humans especially during fetal and early postnatal life. GLA and its metabolites are effective in suppression of inflammation, in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy, atopic eczema, and certain cancers like malignant human brain glioma.
Dietary fibres of flaxseeds contain about 6% mucilage which has nutritional value. It appears to play a role in reducing diabetes and coronary heart disease risk, preventing colon and rectal cancer and reduces the incidence of obesity. Flaxseed mucilage has hypolipidaemic, cholesterolaemic and atherogenic effects in animals and humans.
The lignan compounds of flaxseeds such as secoisolariciresinol diglycoside (SDG) have been reported to be the precursors for enterodiol and enterolactone. It has also been reported to be a protective agent against mammary and colon cancer. Flaxseed extract and purified lignans exhibit antioxidant effect and inhibits the activation of promutagens and procarcinogens.
Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo biloba, family Ginkgoaceae, known as fossil tree is an important drug used in traditional Chinese medicine since more than 2,800 years. Mainly leaves and edible seeds are used as drugs. The leaves contain dimeric flavones such as bilobelin, ginkgetin, isoginkgetin and flavonols along with their glycosides. The diterpenoids Ginkgolides A, B, C and bilobalide are also the therapeutically active constituents. Leaf contains 6-hydroxykynurenic acid, a metabolite of tryptophan.
The leaves are recommended as being beneficial to the heart and lungs. Ginkgolides present in the leaves are able to alleviate the adverse effects of platelet-activating factor in a number of tissues and organs both in animals and in humans. It is also effective in the treatment of arterial insufficiency in the limbs and in the brain. Inhalation of the decoction of leaves is used for the treatment of asthma. Ginkgo preparations are beneficial in the treatment of geriatric illness, including impairment of memory. Standardized concentrated extracts of G. biloba leaves are marketed throughout the world.
Spirulina
Spirulina is a blue green algae obtained from Spindina platensis or S. maxima, family Oscillatoriaceae. It is a simplest photosynthetic algae which grows in fresh water in planktonic form. The major producers of the algae are United States, China, Thailand, Mexico and India.Spirulina is a potential source of food containing nutraceuticals. It contains about 50–70% of proteins andof lipids. Lipids mostly contain essential fatty acids, such as γ-linoleic, linoleic and oleic acid. It also contains glycolipids and sulpholipids. Spirulina is rich in vitamins B contents and also possesses β-carotenes. Its mineral content, which is about 3–6%, contains the appreciable proportion of iron which is shown to be better absorbed as compared to other natural irons.
Spirulina has been reported to have immunostimulant activities and shows promises for the treatment and management of HIV and other viral infection, such as Herpes, Cytomegalovirus, Influenza, Mumps and Measles virus. The glycolipid part of the spirulina is reported to be responsible for its antiHIV potential. It stimulates the activity of spleen, thymus and bone marrow stem cells. Spirulina also acts as an antioxidant due to the presence of enzyme superoxide dismulase and thereby found helpful in the treatment of atherosclerosis, arthritis, cataract, diabetes and aging process
Ginseng
Ginseng roots obtained from Panax ginseng or from various other Panax Spp., family Araliaceae have been extensively studied for its wide range of pharmacological activities. White ginseng represents the peeled and sun-dried roots whilst red ginseng is unpeeled steamed and dried. Ginseng contains variety of tetracyclic dammarane-type sapogenins such as protopanaxadiol and their glycosides. It also contains other constituents which include traces of volatile oil, polyacetylenes, sterols, polysaccharides, starch, β-amylase, free sugars, choline, fats and minerals along with vitamins B1, B2 , B12, pantothenic acid and biotin.
Ginseng is widely renowned for its adoptogenic properties as it is used to help the body cope with stress and fatigue and to promote recovery from diseases like hypertension or hypoglycaemia. In many countries it is self administered and taken in the form of tablets or capsules containing dried extracts of the roots. Ginseng preparations with multivitamins and trace elements have been shown to modify metabolic and liver function in elderly patients. It has been shown to reduce blood sugar concentrations in diabetics and nondiabetics and has been reported to successfully treat cases of diabetics polyneuropathy, reactive depression, psychogenic impotence and various child psychiatric disorders. When used appropriately, ginseng appears to be relatively nontoxic. Ginseng products are available in most of the developed countries as food supplements in combination with vitamins and minerals.
Garlic Organo Sulphur compounds
Garlic consists of the fresh or dried bulbs of Allium sativum, family Liliaceae. It is a perennial, erect bulbous herb indigenous to Asia but commercially cultivated in most countries. The bulb shows a number of concentric bulblets which has a characteristics strong alliaceous odour and very persistently pungent and acid taste.
Garlic is used as an adjunct to dietic management in the treatment of hyperlipidaemia and in the prevention of athrosclerotic (age-dependent) vascular changes. Fresh garlic juice, aged garlic extract or the volatile oil, all lowers cholesterol and plasma lipids, lipid metabolism, and atherogenesis both in vitro and in vivo. The mechanism of garlic’s antihypercholesterolaemic and antihyperlipidaemic activity appears to involve the inhibition of hepatic HMG-CoA reductase and remodelling of the plasma lipoprotein and cell membrane. The overall activity of garlic is mainly due to the presence of sulphur compound, such as allin, allicin, ajoene and others.
Cancers-preventive effect of garlic has been observed in a number of epidemiologic studies with stomach cancers appearing to be the type of neoplasia whose risk is clearly reduced by garlic consumption. Garlic has been reported to reduce the risk of colon cancer and lung carcinoma. Consumption of one or more servings of fresh or powdered garlic per week resulted in a 50% lower risk of cancer of the distal colon and a 35% lower risk of cancers anywhere in the colon. Garlic also shows antihypertensive, hypoglycaemic and antispasmodic activities.
Tea catechins
Tea is second only to water as the most widely consumed beverage in the world. About two to five million ton of dried tea is annually manufactured out of which about 78% is black tea, the reminder 20% is green tea while a smaller 2% is of oolong tea. Approximately 30% of the total dry weight of fresh is due to the presence of polyphenols, referred to as catechins. The four major green tea catechins are (-) epicatechin (EC), (-) epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG), (-) epigallocatechin (EGC) and (-) epigallocatechin-3- gallate (EGCG). Green tea polyphenols have been shown to afford protection against cancers of skin, lung, forestomach, oesophagus, duodenum, pancreas, liver breast and colon. Tea consumption is likely to have preventive effect in reducing cancer risk
Citrus limonoids
Citrus fruit consumption has been shown to protect against a variety of human cancers. The citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruits are the principal source of important nutrients like vitamins C, folate, fibres and vitamins E, but the other monoterpene compounds known as limonoids are reported to be responsible for the anticancer activity, d-limonene— a predominant monocyclic monoterpene found in essential oil of citrus fruits has been reported to be a cancer-chemopreventive agent. This compound has been shown to be effective against both spontaneous and chemically induced rodent mammary tumours. Two most abundant limonoids of citrus, limonin and normalin have been found to inhibit or prevent chemically induced carcinogenesis. The mechanism of antitumour activity of limonoids includes the induction of hepatic detoxification enzymes, glutathione S-transferase and uridine diphosphoglucoronosyl transferase. Limonene has little or no toxicity in humans and has been suggested as a good candidate for human clinical chemoprevention.
Soya products
Soyabean, Glycin max, family Leguminoseae has clearly been a plant food in the spotlight in the 1990s. It has been recognized as an excellent source of protein, equivalent to quality to animal protein. Soya has been extensively investigated for its ability to treat and prevent a variety of chronic diseases including cancer. Soyabean meals, concentrates and isolates are used as meat substitute and have many healthful benefits. Soyabean is also a major source of lecithins which yields liposomes used to formulate stable emulsions and finds major use in food technology.
The primary isoflavones in soya, genistein and daidzein are structurally similar to the estrogenic steroids and have been reported to have estrogenic and antiestrogenic activities. Dueto their weaker activity, Isoflavones may act as antiestrogens by competing with the more potent, naturally occurring estrogens for binding to the estrogen receptor. Due to this, soya consumption may reduce the risk for estrogen-dependent cancers. South East Asian populations who consume 20–80 mg of genistein per day are found to have significantly lower incidence of breast and prostate cancer. Genistein has been reported to be a potent and specific inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinase. Genistein also inhibits DNA topoisomerase II activity, alters cell cycle specific events, induce apoptosis and inhibits angiogenetic process which is essential for tumour growth.
Tomato lycopenes
Lycopene is a carotenoid principle present in lycopersicon family Solanaceae known throughout the world as tomato. Clinical studies have indicated that lycopene significantly lowered the risk of prostate cancer. The candidates that consumed processed tomato products about 10 times per week had less than one-half the risk of developing prostate cancer. Lycopene activity is likely to be related to its antioxidant function because lycopene has been reported to be the most efficient quencher of singlet oxygen in biological system. Lycopene has also been shown to reduce risk of other types of cancers of digestive tract, pancreas, cervix, bladder and skin. Recently, it has been proved that lowplasma lycopene levels may be an independent risk factor for lung cancers especially in smokers.
Momordica charantia
Momordica charantia, family Cucurbitaceae, known in India as karela is used in the form of extracts and health drinks as an antidiabetic agent. The alcoholic extract of karela pulp demonstrates a significant hypoglycemic activity in various experimental models of diabetes. The extract also increases the rate of glycogen synthesis from 14c-glucose by four- to five-fold in liver of experimental animals. Momordica antidiabetics activity could be partly attributed to increased glucose utilization in the liver rather than an insulin secretion effect.
Turmeric curcuminoids
The tuber of Curcuma longa, family Zmgiberaceae known as turmeric is used as a spice in the culinary all over the world. It contains diaryl heptanoid compounds consisting mainly curcumin, desmethoxycurcumin and bisdesmethoxycurcumin. Curcumin has been shown to protect the experimental animals against decrease in heartbeat rate, blood pressure and biochemical changes It also demonstrates significant hepato-protective activity. It is used as condiment, colouring agent, and as a drug in various condition in various traditional systems of medicine. Recent findings indicate the potential of turmeric as an inhibitors of integrase enzyme of HIV virus.
Black cohosh
Black cohosh consists of roots and rhizomes of Cimicifuge racemosa, family Rananculaceae is also known as Blacksnakeroot and is listed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a herb of unlimited safety. Black cohosh roots and rhizomes contain quinolizidine alkaloid N-methylcytisine, terpenoids like actein, 12-acetylactein and cimigoside, tannins and 15–20% of cimicifugin.
Black cohosh is stated to possess antirheumatic, antitussive, sedative and emmenagogue properties. It has been used for intercostal myalgia, sciatica, whooping cough, dysmenorrhoea and specially for rheumatism and rheumatoid arthritis. It has shown promises in reducing leutinizing hormone levels which are thought to be responsible for postmenopausal symptoms.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek seeds obtained from Trigonella foenum-graecum, family Leguminosae is an important food material as well as drug. Fenugreek is listed by the Council of Europe as a natural source of food flavouring. In United States, fenugreek extracts are permitted in food. Fenugreek seeds contain variety of constituents, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, coumarins, proteins and amino acids, steroidal saponins, vitamins and lipids.
Gentianine and trigonelline are the major alkaloids. Steroidal sapogenins, such as diosgenin and yamogenin are the major saponins. Fenugreek is stated to possess mucilaginous demulcent, laxative, nutritive, expectorant and orexigenic properties. Traditionally, it has been used in the treatment of anorexia, dyspepsia, gastritis and convalescence. Fenugreek has found to be a potential hypoglycaemic agent. Fenugreek seeds contain a high proportion of mucilaginous fibre which works as the dietary fibres. In addition, hypocholesterolaemic action has been documented for fenugreek.
MARKET SCENARIO OF NUTRACEUTICALS
- the food industry,
- the herbal and dietary supplement market,
- pharmaceutical industry and
- the newly merged pharmaceutical/agribusiness/ nutrition conglomerates
REGULATORY OBSTACLES
In connection with the regulatory aspect, the main hurdle appears to be at the level of quality and claim parameters. It is essential to govern the disorganized sector with rational attitude. Ayurvedic and Unani medicines are herbo-mineral based. Modern medicine has certain parameters related to drug discovery but these parameters are unreasonable to validate nutraceuticals. Moreover, marketability of medicinal plants and their products in the country is today unorganized due to several problems. Current practices of harvesting are unsustainable and many studies have highlighted depletion of resource base. The guidelines should, therefore, be similar to regulatory requirements for Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani or Homeopathy.
STANDARDS AND QUALITY CONTROL
The regulatory body should classify the products as purely herbal, which should be endorsed through the PFA act and formulations containing minerals and vitamins through the drug authorities. All the GMP parameters applicable to ayurvedic manufacturing units should be applicable to herbo-mineral formulations. The magic remedy act applied to Ayurvedic manufacturers should be stringently followed by nutraceutical manufacturers. They should be allowed to insert printed material with information to empower the user.
EMERGING SCENARIO
Export opportunities of natural products are tremendous, as the world market is looking towards natural sources for the purposes of therapeutic use as well as nutritional dietarysupplements. The present accumulated knowledge about nutraceuticals represents undoubtedly a great challenge for nutritionists, physicians, food technologists and food chemists. Public health authorities consider prevention and treatment with nutraceuticals as a powerful instrument in maintaining health and to act against nutritionally induced acute and chronic diseases, thereby promoting optimal health, longevity and quality of life
CONCLUSIONS
Evidences are rapidly emerging that nonnutrient components in plants foods may play a critical role in the prevention of chronic diseases. New products and ingredients developed as nutraceuticals or functional foods offer large growth potential for both the food and pharmaceuticals industry. Herbal and nonherbal extract would provide the strongest growth opportunities in healthcare products. Ginkgo biloba for enhanced cognitive properties, ginseng for energy boosting and saw palmetto for benign prostatic hyperplasia would become the fastest selling products among herbal extracts. In most of the cases, nutraceuticals or functional foods would be much more expensive and it would be beneficial to get the same beneficial ingredients more chiefly and more naturally from a healthy balanced diet. For example, a calcium-fortified fruit drink is much more expensive than a glass of milk which contains the minerals naturally. A stimulation drink costs about twice the price of a can of cola and yet is perhaps no more effective. Nevertheless the functional foods will continue to appeal because they are convenient for today’s life style. Some are also genuinely researched products and offer novel ingredients that can bring about health benefits quicker than would normally be the case through eating conventionally healthy food alone. But real danger would arise if people begin to rely on these foods as a healthy diet.
COSMECEUTICALS
Today a new hot topic in the cosmetic industry is ‘cosmeceuticals’, which is the fastest growing segment of the natural personal care industry. Cosmeceuticals (or alternatively, cosmaceuticals) are topical cosmetic-pharmaceutical hybrids intended to enhance the beauty through ingredients that provide additional health-related function or benefit. They are applied topically as cosmetics, but contain ingredients that influence the skin’s biological function. The Drug and Cosmetic Act defines cosmetics by their intended use, as ‘articles intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed on, introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance.’ Among the products included in this definition are skin moisturizers, perfumes,lipsticks, fingernail polishes, eye, and facial makeup preparations, shampoos, permanent waves, hair colours, toothpastes and deodorants, as well as any material intended for use as a component of a cosmetic product. These cosmeceuticals, serving as a bridge between personal care products and pharmaceuticals, have been developed specifically for their medicinal and cosmetic benefits. Tracing the origin of cosmetics, the first recorded use of cosmetics is attributed to Egyptians, circa 4000 B.C. The ancient Sumerians, Babylonians and Hebrews also applied cosmetics. In other cases, such as European cosmetic known as Ceruse was used from the second century to the 19th century. Cosmeceutically active ingredients are constantly being developed by big and small corporations engaged in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, natural products, and cosmetics, while advances in the field and knowledge of skin biology and pharmacology have facilitated the cosmetic industry’s development of novel active compounds more rapidly. Desirable features of cosmeceutical agents are efficacy, safety, formulation stability, novelty, and patent protection, metabolism within skin and inexpensive manufacture.
OLAY vitamin line, which includes vitamins A, C, D, E, selenium, and lycopene, pycnogenol plus zinc and copper, is a well-known skin care line. The treatment of aging skin with a cream containing a hormone such as estrogen results in a fresh appearance with a rejuvenating effect. Kuno and Matsumoto had patented an external agent for the skin comprising an extract prepared from olive plants as a skin-beautifying component, in particular, as an antiaging component for the skin and/or a whitening component. Dry emollient preparation containing monounsaturated Jojoba esters was used for cosmeceutical purpose. Martin utilized plant extract of genus Chrysanthemum in a cosmetic composition for stimulating skin and/or hair pigmentation. Novel cosmetic creams or gels with active ingredients and water-soluble barrier disruption agents such as vitamin A palmitate have been developed to improve the deteriorated or aged skin.
Sunscreens
Regular use of an effective sunscreen is the single most important step to maintain healthy, youthful-looking skin. Mainly, it is the effect of ultraviolet light from the sun that causes most of the visible effects of ‘aging’ skin. Traditional chemical sunscreens act primarily by binding to skin protein and absorbing ultraviolet B (UVB) photons (280–320 nm) and most are based on p-aminobenzoic acid (or its derivatives), cinnamates, various salicylates and benzophenones, dibenzoylmethanes, anthraline derivatives, octocrylene and homosalate. Avobenzone (Parsol-1789) is a benzophenone with excellent ultraviolet A (UVA) protection. Physical agents, or sun blocks, act as barriers, which reflect or scatter radiation. Direct physical blockers include metal-containing compounds such as iron, zinc, titanium and bismuth. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are highly reflective white powders, but sub-micron zinc oxide or titanium dioxide powder particles transmit visible light while retaining their UV blocking properties, thus rendering the sun block invisible on the skin. Some commercially available sunscreens are Benzophenone-8, Neo Heliopan MA and BB, Parsol MCX and HS, Escalol 557, 587 and 597. Govier et al patented sunscreen composition comprising activated platelet factor as an ingredient in a cosmeceutically acceptable carrier. Such a composition in the form of a shaving cream or foam, after shave lotion, moisturizing cream, suntan lotion, lipstick, etc., assist in restoring the skin to its natural condition when the skin is damaged by cuts, abrasions, sun, wind and the like.
Moisturizers
Moisturizers function to smooth out the age lines, help brighten and tone the delicate skin. Moisturizers usually incorporate emollients to smoothen the skin surface by working their way into the nonliving outer layers of the skin, filling spaces between the layers and lubricating and humectants to help skin cells absorb and retain moisture in these layers. Healthy Remedies Balancing Lotion has been created for menopausal women containing ingredients, which diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, uplift the neck area and moisturize the dry, sagging skin. Some of those ingredients include black cohosh, soy extract and vitamins A and E. Augmenting the skin’s natural moisture balance are a nourishing complex containing hyaluronic acid and a revival complex containing green tea leaf extract, and glutathione.
Bleaching Agents
Bleaching agents are used for bleaching/fading the various marks and act to block the formation of the skin pigment melanin. Hydroquinone is the most commonly used agent for ‘bleaching’ brown marks, liver spots, melasma, etc. Kojic acid, extracted from mushrooms, is a slightly lesseffective agent, either may be compounded with tretinoin or topical steroids α-and β-hydroxy acids. As with any bleaching agent, aggressive exfoliation and sun protection are necessary for good results. A synthetic detergent bar was developed containing hydroquinone as a skinbleaching agent. The bar is maintained at about a pH of between 4 and 7 and includes a compressed mixture of a synthetic anionic detergent, hydroquinone, a stabilizer for hydroquinone, water, a buffer which maintains the pH of the bar and excipients such as waxes, paraffin, dextrin and starch. Similarly, a skin-bleaching preparation comprising hydroquinone, tertiary butyl hydroquinone, and optionally an additional stabilizer can additionally contain a buffer to maintain the pH between about 3.5 and 7.5. Because of the maintenance of low pH and the presence of a stabilizer, hydroquinone is not oxidized and thus the product is characterized by an extended shelf life.
HAIR COSMECEUTICALS
The appearance of the hair is a feature of the body over which humans, unlike all other land mammals, has direct control. One can modify the length, colour and style of hair according to how one wish to appear. Hair care, colour and style play an important role in people’s physical appearance and self-perception. Among the earliest forms of hair cosmetic procedures in ancient Egypt were hair setting by the use of mud and hair colouring with henna. In ancient Greece and Rome, countless ointments and tonics were recommended for the beautification of the hair, as well as remedies for the treatment of scalp diseases. Henry de Mondeville was the first to make a distinction between medicinal therapies intended to treat diseases and cosmetic agents for the purpose of beautification. But today’s delineation of cosmetics from pharmaceuticals has become more complex through the development of cosmetics with physiologically active ingredients, i.e. cosmeceuticals. Shampooing is by far the most frequent form of cosmetic hair treatment. While shampoos have primarily been products aimed at cleaning the hair and scalp, current formulations are adapted to the variations associated with hair quality, hair care habit and specific problems such as treatment of oily hairs, dandruff and for androgenic alopecia related to the superficial condition of the scalp.
A hair cosmeceutical product includes conditioning agents, special care ingredients and hair growth stimulants. Conditioning agents are intended to impart softness and gloss to reduce flyaway and to enhance disentangling facility. A number of ingredients may be used, mostly fatty ingredients, hydrolysed proteins, quaternized cationic derivatives, cationic polymers and silicons. Special care ingredientsare aimed at modifying specific problems relating to the superficial scalp. These shampoos are formulated around one or more specific ingredients selected for their clinical effectiveness in these conditions. Accordingly, current antidandruff ingredients are virtually all-effective antifungal agents—zinc pyrithione, octopirox and ketoconazole. Hair growth stimulants cannot be expected to have any impact on hair growth due to short contact time and water dilution. A minoxidil-related compound (2,4-diamino-pyrimidine3-oxide) is a cosmetic agent with claim of acting as a topical hair growth stimulant. Its target of action has been proposed to be the prevention of inflammation and perifollicular fibrosis. Some degree of efficacy of 2,4-diaminopyrimidine-3-oxide has been claimed in the prevention of seasonal alopecia. Recent approval in the United States of two new products, Propecia and Rogaine Extra Strength (Minoxidil) 5%, indicated in men to promote scalp hair growth have added a new dimension to treatment options offered by physicians in treating androgenetic alopecia.
OTHER COSMECEUTICALS
The skin beneath the eye lacks subcutaneous fat and has virtually no oil glands. This delicate skin needs protection and plenty of moisture to replenish and repair, which helps to reduce the signs of premature aging. As the skin ages, it becomes thinner, drier and rougher. Overexposure to the elements and to environmental pollution aggravates this condition. Many topical skin-soothing products intervene in this process, but products for this area need to be particularly gentle and specially formulated with ingredients that work from the inside out by interacting with the cells under the skin’s surface without irritating the eyes. There are numerous cosmeceutical eye creams that nourish the skin with natural emollients and beneficial nutrients. The other functional ingredients include butcher’s broom, chamomile, and vitamin E, antioxidants—vitamins A, C and E, green tea and tiare flower, Ginkgo biloba and also cucumber, calendula and α-bisabolol, an active constituent of chamomile, to calm irritated skin. A key ingredient in the eye lifting moisture cream that treats puffiness, irritation and also protects against future skin damage is yeast which helps to plump up the wrinkles. The eye wrinkle cream helps forestall the signs of aging and generally contains wheat germ and corn oil, squalene and carrot extract. Eye-firming fluid has aosain—an algae extract from seaweed that helps the skin to maintain elasticity. Lawlor had developed dental care compositions, which are useful for providing a substantive composition on the surfaces of oral cavity, which can provide prophylactic, therapeutic and cosmetic benefits.
REGULATORY ASPECTS
The claims made about drugs are subject to high scrutiny by the FDA review and approval process, but cosmetics are not subject to mandatory FDA review. Much confusion exists regarding the status of ‘cosmeceuticals.’ Although there is no legal class called cosmeceuticals, this term has found application and recognition to designate the products at the borderline between cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Cosmeceuticals are not subject to FDA review and the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act do not recognize the term itself. It is also often difficult for consumers to determine whether ‘claims’ about the actions or efficacies of cosmeceuticals are in fact valid unless the product has been approved by the FDA or equivalent agency. Some experts are calling for increased regulation of cosmeceuticals that would require only proof of safety, which is not mandatory for cosmetics. Some countries have the classes of products that fall between the two categories of cosmetics and drugs, for example, Japan has ‘Quasi-drugs’, Thailand has ‘controlled cosmetics’ and Hong Kong has ‘cosmetic-type drugs’. The regulations of cosmeceuticals have not been harmonized between the United States, European, Asian and other countries.
CONCLUSIONS
The global trend in the cosmetic industry towards developing ‘medicinally’ active cosmetics and in the pharmaceutical industry towards ‘cosmetically’ oriented medicinal products is part of a current ‘life-style’ ideology. The future promises increasingly sophisticated formulations for cosmetics and skin care products. Cosmetic companies are finding ways to deliver small-dose ingredients that do not require medical regulations and to introduce steroids and hormones into lip balms, which would result in production of cosmeceuticals that could help to improve body mass, nail and hair growth. New challenges will also be presented to government regulatory agencies as more chemicals with true biological activity are invented and tested. Claim substantiation and premarketing testing must also evolve to accurately assess efficacy and safety issues with important implications for total body health. The new vehicles and delivery systems combined with established ingredients will alter percutaneous absorption, requiring reevaluation of substances with an assumed good safety profile. Biotechnology will also compete directly with the pharmaceuticals and cosmetic businesses. The most influential angle over the coming five years will be the links between internal health, beauty and antiaging. The next big beauty trend will include skin gestibles that will promote beauty from inside out, borrowing of pharmaceutical terms for cosmetic applications, amino peptides to make the skin more elastic, neuro-mediators which are chemicals to tell the brain to be happy and the blurring of boundaries between surgery and cosmetics. The trend towards therapeutic cosmetics is sure to result in the need to obtain a better understanding of modern ingredients and assessment techniques.
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