Scientific Research on Maharishi Ayurveda

antioxidant research > antioxidant study 17

Antioxidant Study #17

Title
Superoxide Scavenging of Two Natural Products, Maharishi-4 [MAK-4] and Maharishi-5 [MAK-5]

Publication
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Journal, Vol. 5, No. 5, p. A1284, 1991 (Abstract).

Authors
Philip F. Tomlinson, Jr. and Robert Keith Wallace (SPON: J. Fagan).

Conducted at
Department of Physiological and Biological Sciences, Maharishi International University, Fairfield, IA 52556

Summary
Maharishi Ayurveda, a recent restoration of the traditional health care system of India, upholds an herbal fruit concentrate (M-4) and an herbal tablet (M-5) as rasayanas—food supplements that promote physiological balance, health, and immunity. The superoxide scavenging properties of M-4, M-5, and ascorbic acid were investigated with superoxide radicals generated during the catalytic activity of xanthine oxidase. M-4 and M-5 (10 mg/ml prior to centrifugation) inhibited the reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) 98% and 96%, respectively. 50% inhibition of NBT reduction was obtained with 0.04 mg/ml M-4 and 0.15 mg/ml M-5. Ascorbic acid inhibition of superoxide radical reduction of NBT reached 88% at 1 mM, but declined to 42% at a concentration of 10 mM. The rate of uric acid production monitored at 290 nm demonstrated negligible inhibition of xanthine oxidase by M-4, M-5, or ascorbic acid. The results contribute to an understanding of previously reported antineoplastic, antioxidant, and anti-aging properties of M-4 and M-5, and warrant consideration in the light of present preventive, nutritional, and chemotherapeutic approaches to health, antioxidant defense, and carcinogenesis.