NUTRACEUTICALS

The term Nutraceuticals was first coined by Dr. Stephen L de Felice, in

1989. Nutraceutical is a combination of two words ‘Nutrition’ &
‘Pharmaceutical’ which means “A food or Food product that provides
health benefits along with the prevention & treatment of diseases.”
Nutraceuticals are foods that provide health benefits & reduce risk of
chronic diseases. Ex: of nutraceuticals are natural foods, antioxidants,
dietary supplements, dairy products, citrus fruits, vitamins, milk &
cereals.
CLASSIFICATION OF NUTRACEUTICALS:

1. Dietary Supplements: It is a product taken orally that contains

dietary ingredients aimed to supplement the diet. The dietary
ingredient many include Vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, etc. It
is available in form of tablets, capsules, soft gels, liquids or powders.

2. Functional Foods: These foods can be consumed in natural state

rather than in liquid or tablet form. these foods are enriched by a
process called as Nutrification. Ex: Vitamin D is added to milk.
Vegetables, rice, wheat, fruits, eggs, meat, are covered under this
category.

Prepared by: RUPAK KUMAR SWAIN, Asst.prof.

 Nutraceuticals

Traditional Non-traditional

Chemical constituents Fortified Nutraceuticals Recombinant neutraceutical

a.) Herbals: Aloe, Turmeric Orange juice fortified with Products from recombinant
calcium, Milk fortified with plants, animals & microbes
b.) Nutrients: Vitamins, Amino acids, Minerals cholecalciferol
Ex. Golden rice,
c.) Phytochemicals: Carotenoids, Flavonoids, polyphenols multivitamin corn

Neutraceutical Enzymes

a.) Plant: Bromolein, Pectinase

b.) Microbial: Catalase, Amyloglucosidase

c.) Animal : Trypsin, Pepsin

Probiotic Microorganism
Lactobacillus, Streptococcus,
Enterococcus

Sl No. Products available

1 Functional foods
Oats, cornflakes, sundrop, horlicks, ceregrow, amul products

2. Dietary supplements
Glucose-D, Calcium Sandoz, protinex, nutrilite products
3. Functional beverages
Red bull, minute maid, Gatorade, fruit juice of different brands

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 HEALTH BENEFITS & ROLE OF NUTRACEUTICALS IN DIABETES
Many plants & nutraceuticals lower blood glucose by different mechanism. Diabetes
is characterized by abnormal high levels of blood glucose which is due to insulin
resistance, destruction of β-cell etc.

ROLE OF NUTRACEUTICALS IN DIABETES:

1. Vitamins: Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) being antioxidant in nature having scavenging

activity against oxygen species thus reduces protein glycation. Vitamin E also has
protective action against diabetes, Biotin acts by stimulating liver glucokinase activity,
increasing insulin production.

2. Calcium & Vitamin D: Vitamin D alters the balance between calcium levels in β cells
thereby decreasing insulin resistance & increases insulin secretion. Vit.D is anti-
inflammatory agent, reduces inflammation of pancreas.

3. L-Carnitine: It is found in mammalian plasma mainly in skeletal & cardiac muscle. It

promotes insulin sensitivity. It fights oxidative stress & insulin resistance.

4. Omega-3 fatty acids: It lowers triglycerides , cholesterol, inflammation, & blood

pressure. Also avoids insulin resistance.

5. Chromium: It increases insulin sensitivity & glucose tolerance in diabetes.

6. Magnesium: it is involved in glucose transport across cell. It enhances insulin

secretion, improves insulin sensitivity.

7. Dietary Fibres: As it forms viscous solutions , it increases insulin sensitivity &

reduces glucose levels.

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ROLE OF NUTRACEUTICALS IN CARDIO VASCULAR DISEASES: (CVS)

Diseases related to heart & blood vessels are known as cardiovascular

diseases (CVD). CVD are the major cause of deaths & are of growing
concern. It is mainly related to atherosclerosis that is deposition of
lipoproteins (LDL) & causing inflammation, plaque formation in arteries.

1. Curcumin: it is a component of turmeric , it has anti-inflammatory,

antibacterial, anti carcinogenic, hypoglycaemic & hypocholesteromic
effect. It stimulates cholesterol catabolism & decrease total cholesterol
level.

2. Flavonoids: these are class of polyphenolic compounds found in onion,

apples, cabbage, etc having antioxidant activity. It reduces BP by inhibiting
ACE. Isoflavonoids decreases cholesterol level in body.

3. Phytosterols: These are present in fruits, vegetables, cereals, seeds etc.

they inhibit intestinal absorption of cholesterol in the body.

4. Omega-3 fatty acids: they are protective against CVD, they reduce TG
level & have antiarrythmic activity. It decreases platelet aggregation, blood
viscosity, & increase capillary flow.

5. α-Tocopherol: (Vitamin E) is a fat soluble antioxidant. It inhibits

cholesterol synthesis.

6. Polyphenols: It consist of flavonoids, phenolic acids found in fruits,

vegetables, cereals, nuts. It is an anti-atherosclerotic agent by decreasing
LDL. Ex: Resveratrol a polyphenol found in grapes, winesinhibits LDL
synthesis, & has cardio protective effects.

7. Spirulina: (cyano bacterium) is a blue green algae rich in protein,

vitamins, carotenoids it alters lipid profile.

Prepared by: RUPAK KUMAR SWAIN, Asst.prof. RIPS

ROLE OF NUTRACEUTICALS IN CANCER:

1. Curcumin: It induces apoptosis in malignant cell, it suppress tumor

growth, it acts as anti neoplastic agent arrests cell cycle. Helpful in
treatment of stomach, colon, lungs, breast & skin cancer.

2. Capsaicin: It induces apoptosis of cancer cell, used in treatment of

ovarian cancer,

3.Berries: Blue berries, black berries are phenolic compounds rich in

antioxidants. They prevent growth of cancer cells.

4. Vitamins: & minerals: Vitamins A, C ,E can prevent cancer, Vitamin C can

prevent apoptosis. Appropriate dose of Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Vitamin D,
zinc can reduce chance of bladder cancer, breast skin cancer. Vitamins are
antioxidant in nature, they protect DNA damage from free radicals.

5. Polyphenolic compounds: compounds like flavonoids, inhibit breast

cancer, stomach & bladder cancer.resveratrol used to prevent lung cancer,
blood cancer because of its antproliferative action.

ROLE OF NUTRACEUTICALS IN IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS) & GI

DISEASES.

IBS is characterized by various reasons like constipation, diarrhea, bulk

laxatives & carminatives can be used for treatment. Mostly peppermint oils
are used for GI issues.

1. Fibres: It decreases constipation, improves intestinal transit.

2. Curcumin: obtained from turmeric is an anti inflammatory agent used to

treat GI disorders. it heals peptic ulcer.

3. Probiotics: these are living microorganisms, they improve the balance of

intestinal microflora & avoid any damage to it. It also maintains defence
system by lowering PH level of colon & probiotics avoid inflammation.

4. Zinc: its deficiency causes inflammation, ulceration, & poor absorption

of fats, impairs sodium & water balance.

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5.Vitamins: fat soluble vitamins like A & D have protective action in IBS.
Vitamin D deficiency related with mucosal inflammation.

6.Bael (Aegle marmelos): the chemical content of seeds has shown to

protect gastric mucosa in ulceration.

HERBS AS HEALTH FOOD

1. ALFA ALFA:

It consist of entire herb of Medicago sativa, family: Leguminosae.

It is known as “father of all foods” which comes a Arabic name ‘al-fac-facah’.

Chemical constituents: It contains Vitamin-K, Vitamin-C, thiamine, Riboflavin,

Minerals like calcium, potassium, iron, coper magnesium, also contains amino
acids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, phytosterols etc.

Benefits:

In treatment of High BP, asthma

It has antibacterial activity, anti fungal activity
In treatment of kidney stones
Decreases intestinal absorption of cholesterol
It has antioxidant activity
Beneficial in arthritis, CV disorders, GI upset.

Prepared by: RUPAK KUMAR SWAIN, Asst.prof. RIPS

2. CHICORY:
It consist of dried roots of Cichorium intybus, family: Asteraceae.

Chemical constituents: It contains amino acids, seeds contains vitamins,

minerals like iron, copper, zinc, manganese, calcium, magnesium, etc. also
contains 64 phenolic acids, sesquiterpene lactones, flavonoids are extracted
from chicory.

Benefits:

As anti-inflammatory agent
As anti oxidant agent
As Hepatoprotective agent
In treatment of diarrhea.
As anti microbial agent
Has wound healing activity.

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3. GINGER:
It consist of fresh & dried rhizomes of Zingiber officinale, family:Zingiberaceae.

Chemical constituents: contains volatile oils & mainly monoterpenes,

zingiberene, zingiberol is main aromatic principle of ginger. Non volatile
principle of ginger is gingerols, also contains minerals, fibers, calcium, sodium,
zinc, potassium, vitamins like thiamine, riboflavin, niacin & vitamin-C.

Benefits:

It is used to treat indigestion, loss of appetite, flatulence, vomting, allergic

reactions, cough etc.
Prevents motion sickness.
Has Anti microbial activities.
Decreases serum cholesterol levels, TG & Blood pressure.
Acts as Hepato protective.
It has anti inflammatory activity.
Anti oxidant activity of ginger improves body defence mechanism.
Prevents formation of gastric ulcers.
Reduces fatty acid synthesis.

Prepared by: RUPAK KUMAR SWAIN, Asst.prof. RIPS

4. FENUGREEK: (Methi)
It consist of herbs of Trigonella foenum-graceum family: Fabaceae.

Chemical constituents: Leaves contain vitamin C, fibres, steroids like diosgenin,

sapogenin, fla

vonoids, amino acids, calcium, iron, sodium, potassium, folic acid.

Benefits:

Acts as flavouring & preservative agent.

Reduces cholesterol levels.
Anti inflammatory & analgesic activity.
Used to treat digestive problems.
It maintains blood sugar levels.

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 5.GARLIC:
It consist of bulbs of Allium sativum, family: Liliaceae.

Chemical constituents: Sulphur containing compounds, Allicin has strong odour,

shows presence of magnesium, zinc, Vitamin-A, C. proteins, amino acids.

Benefits:

Used to treat high BP, Cholesterol.

It is anticancer agent.
Prevents ear infection, Hepatoprotective affect.
Prevents respiratory disorders.
It is antibacterial.

6.HONEY:

It is Produced from honey bees, Apis mellifera Family: Apidae.

Chemical constituents: mixture of sugar & water, contains fructose & glucose.
Contains Vitamins (B2, B4, B5, B6, B11) , calcium , iron, zinc. Potassium,
phosphorus, magnesium, selenium, amino acids.

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Prepared by: RUPAK KUMAR SWAIN, Asst.prof. RIPS

Benefits:

Acts as anti inflammatory agent,

As anti oxidant.
In treatment of gastro intestinal infection.
In wound healing.
In bronchitis, asthma, cough.
Anti bacterial, anti fungal.

7. AMLA :

It consist of fresh & dried fruits of Emblica officinalis family: Euphorbiacea.

Chemical constituents: contains hydrolysable tannins, gallic acid, ellagic acid,

alanine & lysine amino acids are present. Also contains zinc, copper, manganese
etc.

Benefits:

Acts as immunity booster.

Treats respiratory disorders.
Antibacterial & anti-inflammatory.
As Antioxidant.
Source of Vitamin-C, has anti ageing agent.
Cardioprotective, hepatoprotective.

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8. GINSENG:

It consist of dried roots of Panax ginseng. Family: Araliaceae.

Chemical constituents: mainly contains ginsenosides, polyphenolic compounds,

ascorbic acids, salicyclic acids, vannilic acids, alkaloids, polysaccharides etc.

Benefits:

Used to treat infertility, liver diseases.

Improves stamina, decrease fatigue, improves concentration.
Treats anaemia, anti diabetic agent, anti cancer, anti pyretic & anti ageing
agent.
Treatment of diabetes.
As anti microbial agent.
Anti inflammatory agent.
Anti neurodegerative agent.

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Prepared by: RUPAK KUMAR SWAIN, Asst.prof. RIPS

9. ASHWAGANDHA:

Dried roots of Withania somnifera ,family: Solanaceae.

Chemical constituents: Contains 13 Alkaloids, 138 Withanolides, mainly

Withaferin- A. contains steroidal compounds, withananine, somnine,
somniferine etc amino acids, flavonoids etc.

Benefits:

As anti inflammatory agent, anti-arthritic agent.

Anti cancer & chemoprotective agent.
Reduces cholesterol levels.
Cardioprotective agent, hepatoprotective agent.
Anti stress & anti ageing properties.
Improves attention in childrens

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10. SPIRULINA:
These are blue green algae of different species like Spirulina maxima family:
Oscillatoriaceae.
It is known as ‘Food of the future”

Chemical constituents: It contains Vitamins like ( A,C,D,E , Vitamin B 12, ,thiamine,

riboflavin, folic acid. Also contains proteins, carbohydrates, fats, fibres, sugars,
etc. omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6- fatty acids. Also contains iron, calcium,
copper, zinc, potassium, magnesium, selenium.

Benefits:

Used as Food supplement.

As antifungal, anti bacterial & Anti viral
As Hepatoprotective, neuroprotective
It reduces cholesterol levels.
As Anti inflammatory agent.
As immunomodulator.

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 HERBAL-DRUG AND HERB-FOOD INTERACTIONS
A Drug interaction is a reaction between 2 or more drugs or between a drug & food,
beverages, or supplement.
There is no chemical reaction between herb & drug, but the contents of herbs can
enhance or decrease the amount of drug present in blood.

Classification of Herb-drug / Herb-food interactions:

It is of 2 types:-

A.) Pharmacodynamics: It is concerned with the effect of drug in human body.

The interactions can be additive, synergistic or antagonistic. ex: Warfarin
when combined with herbs like garlic, ginger the anticoagulant effects gets
increased.
Caffeine containing drugs can antagonize the effects of anti hypertensive
drugs.

B.) Pharmacokinetics: It is concerned with the effects of body with respect to

drug. It involves absorption, distribution, metabolism, & elimination of
phytoconstituents. It helps to decide the dose of drugs, their bioavailability
study, safety & toxicity of plants should be studied, information about
traditional plants should be collected, proper dosage forms should be
selected, size & solubility of molecules, fist pass metabolism, food interactions
should be considered.

Absorption: Gums & mucilage are soluble in water but poorly absorbed & can
bind to other drugs & reduce their activity. Ex: Rhubarb & aloe can cause
diarrhea.
Distribution: certain herbs can bind to plasma proteins & can remove
warfarin & carbamazepine &increase serum drug levels.
Metabolism: After entering into blood stream drugs are metabolized by
liver. Herbal drugs has ability to alter liver metabolism by inducing it or
inhibiting it. Ex: St.john;s wort can induce activity of cytochrome P450
enzymes & reduce the activity of oral contraceptive.

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Metabolism of corticosteroids is reduced due to liquorice leading to toxicity
is a case of enzyme inhibition.
Elimination: few drugs are eliminated through kidney herbs may effect the
functioning of kidney, ex: use of liquorice may cause hypokalemia, & water
retention & interfere with anti hypertensive drugs.

HERB-FOOD INTERACTION

 Milk should not be administered with Garlic, Mentha.

 Pipali (piper longum) should not be administered with fish.
 Tea should not be administered with garlic, it causes bleeding.
 Leaves of asafoetida should not be administered with milk, it cause
loss of strength & sterility.
 St. john wort causes interaction with tyramine containing food &
cause hypertension, insomnia, restlessness, tachycardia.

STUDY OF FOLLOWING DRUGS & THEIR INTERACTIONS

1. ST. JOHN’S WORT: (HYPERICUM):

It consist of aerial parts of plant Hypericum perforatum family: hypericeae.
It contains flavonoids, phenolic acids, alkaloids etc.

Use: in treatment of depression, heart palpitations, migraine, IBS,

hepatitis etc.
Side effects: Dry mouth, dizziness, anxiety, headache, nausea, vomiting
etc.
Interactions:
 Stimulated drug interactions due to stimulation of Cytochrome P450
enzymes.
 Increases metabolism of anti-anxiety drugs, i.e. alprazolam.
 Decreases the activity of oral contraceptives.
 When administered with warfarin it increases risk of blood clotting.
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Prepared by: RUPAK KUMAR SWAIN, Asst.prof. RIPS

  Decreases the activity of anti HIV drugs.

2. KAVA KAVA :
The name “ kava” comes from word ’awa’ means bitter. The root of the
plant is used to prepare a drink to cure sedative, anaesthetic activity.
It contains water, starch, fibers, proteins, sugars, minerals.etc.

Use: in treatment of anxiety, insomnia, in cancer, common cold, RTI, TB,

UTI.

Side effects: can cause liver damage, aggravates depression & Parkinson’s
disease.

Interactions:
 Kava induces drowsiness with alprazolam.
 It also interacts with CNS depressants & cause drowsiness.
 It cause side effects by decreases metabolism of drugs vincristine,
vinblastine etc.
 Causes hepatotoxicity when administered with methyldopa,
itraconazole & cause hepatotoxicity.

3. GINKGO BILOBA:
It consist of dried leaves of Ginkgo biloba, family: Ginkgoaceae.
It contains Flavonoids, terpenoids, mainly quercetin, ginkgolides A,B,C & J.

Use: As anti inflammatory, hepatoprotective, anti lipidemic, anti diabetic

& anti oxidant, anti allergy.

Side effects: headache, dissiness, constipation,can cause seizures &

anaemia.

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Interactions:
 It decreases effect of alprazolam.
 Decreases the effect of HIV drugs.
 It may increase rate of liver metabolism of diazepam, omeprazole.
 It decreases the effect of antidiabetic drugs glimepride, insulin etc.
 It decreases the effect of anti convulsant drugs, phenobarbitol.

4. GINSENG:
It consist of roots of panax ginseng, family: Araliaceae.
It contains ‘ginsenosides’

Use: To treat depression, anxiety, anaemia, fertility problems, diabetes,

COPD, loss of apetite, high BP.

Side effects: skin reactions, insomnia, diarrhea, headache, loss of

appetite.

Interactions:
 When taken with caffeine, it increases heart rate.
 Decreases effects of oral contraceptives.
 Decreases blood glucose level.
 It slows down blood clotting when used with anti coagulant.
 When taken with CNS stimulant drugs like phentermine it cause
serious side effects.
 Can cause Liver toxicity when administered with HIV drugs.

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Prepared by: RUPAK KUMAR SWAIN, Asst.prof. RIPS

5. GARLIC:
It consist of dried bulbs of Allium sativum, family: liliaceae.

Use: To treat hyperlipidemia, TB, carminative, aphrodisiac, carminative,

diabetes & stimulant.

Side effects: Allergic reactions like swelling of face, tongue, lips, throat
etc, bad breath, nausea, vomiting etc.

Interactions:
 May increase bleeding time when taken with anti coagulants.
 After surgery garlic cause bleeding.
 Reduces absorption of isoniazide.
 Decreases effects of anti HIV drugs.
 Garlic decreases effect of calcium channel blockers.
 Garlic decreases BP when taken with BP lowering drugs.

6. PEPPER:
It consist of dried ripe fruits of Piper Nigrum, family: Piperaceae.

Use: Anti hypertensive, anti platelet, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti

diarrhoeal, anti bacterial etc.

Side effects: may cause redness & burning if falls into eyes, can cause
death in childrens if enters lungs, can cause miscarriage.

Interactions:
 It can cause increase concentration of lithium & cause toxicity.
 Slows down blood clotting so when given with anticoagulant may
cause bruises.
 It can increase sedative effects of pentobarbital.
 It enhances the side effects of phenytoin.
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7. EPHEDRA:
It consist of dried young stems of Ephedra gererdiana, family:
Ephedraceae.

Use: In asthma, bronchitis, allergies, cold& flu.

Side effects: Dizziness, anxiety, headache, irritability, nausea, vomiting.

Interactions:
 When administered with CNS stimulants can cause increase BP.
 Ephedra + Ergot can increase BP.
 Ephedra decreases efficacy of anti diabetic drugs.
 When taken with antidepressants can cause fast heart beat. High BP.

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Prepared by: RUPAK KUMAR SWAIN, Asst.prof. RIPS