Scientific Research on Maharishi Ayurveda

antioxidant research > antioxidant study 6

Antioxidant Study #6

Title
In Vivo Effect of Herbal Mixture MAK-4 on Antioxidant Capacity of Brain Microsomes

Publication
Biochemical Archives, Vol. 12, pp. 181-186, 1996.

Authors
Hari M. Sharma, Jae Y. Lee, Ellen M. Kauffman, and Atef N. Hanna.

Conducted at
Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210

Summary
There is increasing evidence that free radicals are linked to neurological disorders and aging. The herbal mixture Maharishi Amrit Kalash-4 (MAK-4) has antioxidant properties, as assessed by inhibition of low-density lipoprotein oxidation in vivo and in vitro. This study examined the in vivo effect of MAK-4 on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant protection capacity of the brain of Watanabe Heritable Hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbits. A group of 5 rabbits (controls) were fed normal rabbit chow, and a group of 6 rabbits were fed normal chow supplemented with 6% MAK-4 (w:w) for 6 months. Brain microsomes were then prepared and incubated in the presence or absence of either an enzymatic or nonenzymatic system for inducing lipid peroxidation; in the absence of either system, air-induced lipid peroxidation was measured. Lipid peroxidation was assessed by measuring thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). The baseline level of TBARS (nmoles malondialdehyde/mg microsomal protein) was significantly lower (p<0.05) in the rabbits fed MAK-4 (1.18 +/- 0.07 vs. 1.51 +/- 0.25 for controls). Also, the MAK-4 group showed significantly lower TBARS (p<0.05) after air-, enzymatic-, and nonenzymatic-induced lipid peroxidation (1.29 +/- 0.21, 1.27 +/- 0.16, and 2.91 +/- 0.79, respectively), as compared to controls (1.92 +/- 0.45, 2.28 +/- 0.26, and 12.85 +/- 0.61, respectively). These results indicate MAK-4 may yield increased antioxidant protection in the brain, and may therefore be useful in preventing or treating free radical-induced neurological disorders.