Scientific Research on Maharishi Ayurveda

antioxidant research > antioxidant study 19

Antioxidant Study #19

Title
Anti-Aging and Oxygen Free Radical (OFR) Scavenging Effects of an Anti-Carcinogenic Natural Product, Maharishi Amrit Kalash [MAK-4 and MAK-5]

Publication
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Journal, Vol. 5, No. 6, p. A1735, 1991 (Abstract).

Authors
J.Z. Fields, E. Eftekhari, J.F. Hagen, L.J. Wichlinski, and R.H. Schneider (SPON: A.H. Friedman).

Conducted at
Research Service 151, VA Hosp., Hines, IL 60141
Dept. of Pharmacology, Loyola Univ. Med. Sch., Maywood, IL
Dept. of Physiology, Maharishi International University, Fairfield, IA

Summary
MAK is an herbal preparation available as a food supplement. It is being taken for its anticipated health-promoting and anti-aging benefits. MAK refers to the combination of two natural products: M4 a paste, and M5 a tablet. Combined MAK is comprised of plants or plant parts from 24 different herbs. Sharma et al (Pharmacol Biochem Behav, 35:767-773, 1990) showed that MAK prevents and even reverses chemically induced breast tumors in rats. We showed (JZ Fields et al, The Pharmacologist, 32:155, 1990) that aqueous extracts of MAK scavenged both OFR (superoxide) and non-radical oxidants (hypochlorous acid) in suspensions of human neutrophils without compromising the viability of the cells. In mice (C57BL/6 male, n=29/group) fed 6% MAK in the diet starting at 18 months of age, 80% of MAK mice were alive at 23 mo vs. 48% for controls (p < 0.05). Body weights for control (41.5 g) and MAK mice (38.3 g) were not significantly different. In fruitflies (male, wild type, Drosophila melanogaster, n=100/group) fed 12% MAK from hatching to expiration, mean life span was significantly increased (+70%). The anti-oxidant properties and anti-carcinogenic properties of MAK may contribute to its anti-aging properties.