Herbal answer to free radical rebellion

Many of the antioxidant herbs are promising candidates in the treatment of cancer, atherosclerosis, diabetes, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agents and those with neuroprotective abilities, says Dr S A Kolhapure

Apples turn brown. Iron rusts. Oxidative stress is in the air. Our world of atomic and subatomic particles is a place where a lot is happening, all the time. The atoms are in a state of frenzy and bump into each other constantly, knocking out electrons, fusing with the unpaired electrons and once again get knocked out. In the process, they give rise to free radicals, which are unpaired electrons.

They are highly unstable and charged. In their hunt for their mate, they knock out other electrons from normally functioning and stable atoms in turn. When such free radicals encounter cellular molecules, they knock out electrons from them thereby derailing the normal physiology. Having no prejudices, free radicals target lipids, proteins and DNA. As a consequence, our physiology takes a beating and the processes go haywire. The result is cellular damage and death.

Oxidative stress has been shown to be involved in a wide variety of diseases from hypertension, diabetes, arthritis postmenopausal syndrome to Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative disorders. Oxidative stress has also been implicated in aging and various disorders associated with old age. Oxidative stress has been shown to initiate the growth and proliferation of cancers and also result in a host of other illnesses such as weakening the immune system and making us prone to infections etc.

An increase in oxidative stress has also been shown to increase levels of pain and inflammation in our bodies, as is the case with arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and dermatitis. Even aging has been attributed to oxidative damage to the cellular processes.

Oxidative stress has come to be the norm of the day. Thanks to the increasing levels of pollution and our fast-track lives, free radicals are on the rise. And the damage that they cause our body is immense.

Herbs have many bioactive compounds that render them powerful antioxidants

Some other sources of free radicals are cigarettes, auto exhaust, radiation, a diet rich in saturated fats, proteins, artificial colours and food additives have all been shown to whip out free radicals.

While fruits and vegetables are your best sources, you can now add herbs to help boost your antioxidant arsenal.Herbs act as excellent natural sources of antioxidants.

In addition, they also have other nutrients that are vital for the healthy maintenance of tissues. Many of the antioxidant herbs are promising candidates in the treatment of cancer, atherosclerosis, diabetes, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agents and those with neuroprotective abilities.

Many of the Indian medicinal plants have potent antioxidant potential.

Some of the herbs that have proven antioxidant activities are Curcuma longa (turmeric), Allium cepa (garlic), Terminalia arjuna, Eugenia jambolana, Ocimum sanctum and basilicum (holy basil), Withania somnifera (ashwagandha), Tinospora cordifolia (Guduchi), Glycyrrhiza glabra, Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari), Zingiber officnalis (ginger) and Aloe barbadensis (aloe).

The powerful anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities of Curcuma longa, the antihypercholesterolemic activity of Terminalia arjuna, the anti-inflammatory activity of Boswellia serrata and the antidiabetic potential of Glycyrrhiza glabra, all have been due to the powerful antioxidant compounds contained in them.

A study by Russo and his team at the university of Catania, Italy found that the antioxidant effects of active principles of Celastrus paniculatus, Picrorhiza kurroa and Withania somnifera atleast in part was responsible for the anti-stress, immunomodulatory, cognition-facilitating, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects.

Various Indian spices namely cloves, cinnamon, pepper, ginger, garlic, mint and onion all have been shown to have powerful antioxidant activity.

Herbs have many bioactive compounds that render them powerful antioxidants. In one study, scientists demonstrated the antioxidant power of a series of flavonoids isolated from Indian medicinal plants: kaempferol-3-O-galactoside, hispidulin, nepetin, scutellarein, scutellarein-7-O-glucuronide, hibifolin and morelloflavone. Saponins found in tea (Camellia sinensis) are also shown to be powerful antioxidants. Polyphenols, glycosides, essential oils, tannins, acids such as ferulic, caffeic acids and specific compounds such as quercetin in onions, allicin in garlic and boswellic acids in Boswellia serrata, with anolides from Withania somnifera are all are phytochemicals with potent antioxidant potential.

So next time you see the word "oxidative stress", think of a herb and reach out for one. It surely can help you build a firewall against the onslaught of free radicals.

The writer is a senior medical advisor, R&D with The Himalaya drug Company, Bangalore