Haridra is a single-herb formulation prepared from the rhizome extract of Haridra (Curcuma longa). Haridra has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities and is recommended in the long-term management of infections, allergies, and stress-related conditions. activities Haridra produces a cytoprotective effect through its antioxidant, lipid peroxidation inhibition and free radical scavenging activities. Curcumin, a potent immunomodulator, increases the number of immune cells and bone marrow cellularity. Curcumin inhibits histamine release from mast cells, thus producing antiallergic effects. Curcuminoids inhibit inflammation by blocking the adhesion of monocytes to endothelial cells.
Pharmacological Actions
1. Cytoprotective and immunomodulatory activities
Superoxide anion is a causative agent of neuronal cell injury induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Superoxide anion causes PC12 cell death. Haridra having superoxide anion scavenging activity is found to rescue PC12 cells. Hypoxia/reoxygenation injury of PC12 cells is also blocked by Haridra. It is said to protect PC12 and normal human umbilical vein endothelial cells from amyloid -peptide (amino acid sequence of 1-42; Ap) insult. Thus, Haridra exhibits s cytoprotective role
Haridra contains chemopreventive compounds. It also contains powerful antioxidants such as curcumin, bis-demethoxycurcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and volatile oils. Curcumin alone is a potent immunomodulatory agent that can modulate the activation of T cells, B cells, macrophages, neutrophils, natural killer cells, and dendritic cells. It acts as an immunorestorer by increasing the number of immune cells and bone marrow cellularity. which in turn leads to an increase in the level of immunoglobulins and complements in addition to other types of immune cells.
2. Anti-inflammatory activity
The rhizomes of Haridra are rich in phenolic curcuminoids-curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin. Curcuminoids inhibit inflammation by blocking the adhesion of monocytes to endothelial cells by inhibiting the activation of the cell surface adhesion molecules. Also, they suppress inflammation by inhibiting the nuclear factor-kB activation, which leads to inhibition of gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-a and interleukin 1B), chemokines (such as monocyte chemoattractant protein-1), and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 as well as osteoclastogenesis. COX-2 converts arachiodonic acid into prostaglandins (PG) such as PGE2
3. Antimicrobial activity
It has been hypothesized that the antibacterial action of Haridra involves the bonding of phenolic compounds with membrane proteins through hydrophobic and hydrogen bonds followed by the partition of the lipid bilayer; perturbation of membrane permeability consequent to its expansion and increased fluidity causing the inhibition of membrane-embedded enzymes; membrane disruption; destruction of electron transport systems; and cell wall perturbation.¹
The fungistatic or fungicidal effect of Haridra is due to the inhibitory action of natural products, and the mechanisms involved are cytoplasm granulation, cytoplasmic membrane rupture, and inactivation and/or inhibition of intracellular and extracellular enzymes. These biological events could take place separately or concomitantly, culminating with mycelium-germination inhibition.
4. Antiallergic activity
Haridra shows suppressive action on IgE antibody formation and exhibits significant inhibitory effects on histamine release from mast cells. Curcumin 4'-0-B glycoside shows the highest inhibitory activity for both IgE antibody formation and histamine release. Enzymatic glycosylation of physiologically active compounds drastically improves their water-solubility and the glycosides act as potential antiallergic agents.
5. Antioxidant activity
Haridra contains peptide, turmerin, turmeric antioxidant protein, curcumin, bis demethoxycurcumin, and demethoxycurcumin. These compounds are found to be powerful antioxidants, which inhibit lipid peroxidation and scavenge free radicals. A water-soluble peptide in C longa shows good antioxidant activity, inhibits a-amylase, and is insensitive to heat, trypsin, and pepsin. The 14-kDa protein, turmerin, purified from C longa shows potent antioxidant activity against venom phospholipase A2-induced free radical formation. B-turmerin, a 34-kDa glycoprotein, also isolated from C longa, shows strong antioxidant activity.
6. Wound-healing activity
Curcumin, an important active agent of Haridra, 3 has been proved to promote wound healing in various wound models. Collagen plays a central role in wound healing, being a principal component of connective tissue that provides a structural framework, strength, and a milieu for regenerating tissue. Collagen is produced by fibroblasts and helps the wound gain tensile strength during the repair. Irradiation causes a significant reduction in collagen synthesis, as is evident from the estimation of hydroxyproline content in the granulation tissue. Increasing doses of y-rays induce progressive destruction of the native collagen fibrils. Curcumin inhibits the radiation-induced decrease in collagen synthesis at all postirradiation days.
Indications
• Skin infections and allergies
• Oxidative stress-diabetes, chronic eye disease, and tissue injury
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