Arjuna Natural Extracts Limited

This is a herb that can be compared favorably to the world's most renowned herbal tonics such as ginseng (panax ginseng), astragalus (astragalus membranaceus) dang gui (angelica sinensis), reishi mushroom (ganoderma lucidum) and south american suma (pfaffia paniculata). Ashwagandha has been held in high regard by generations of people over the course of millennia for its ability to increase vitality, energy, endurance and stamina, promote longevity and strengthen the immune system without stimulating the body's reserves. It nurtures the nervous system, counteracts anxiety and stress to promote a calm state of mind. Ashwagandha also has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and is specific for treating arthritic and rheumatic conditions. It is also easily the most potent tonic aphrodisiac in the entire botanical kingdom.

Akbamax™ is a vastly improved standardized extract of boswellia serrata gum. Boswellic acids, the active constituents of boswellia, are well known for their anti- inflammatory properties. Unlike all mainline drug therapy for inflammation, which uses the cox inhibition path, boswellic acids are safe, natural inhibitors of the 5-lox pathway. Conventional boswellia extracts are a mixture of at least 6 boswellic acid, beta boswellic acid being the major component. Recent research, however, indicates that this component may be undesirable due to its negative actions such as platelet aggregation and thrombin formation. Desirable bioactivities of boswellia reside only in the acetyl boswellic acids. With this in view, arjuna now offers akbamax, which is a mixture of the active acetyl boswellic acids. Akbamax™ exerts potent anti-inflammatory action for enhanced results.

Bacopa monniera has been used in india since ancient times in ayurveda as a brain tonic. Extensive coverage of the medicinal properties of brahmi can be found in the three great ayurvedic classics of charaka, susruta and vagbhata. Charaka includes brahmi in those formulations indicated in psychotropic conditions such as unmada, apasmara and medasmritignana haracha roga. Susruta supports charaka in specifying brahmi as a useful drug in unmada and bhootagraha. Brahmi is more than just a brain tonic: according to charaka and

According to the united states national health and nutrition examination survey (nhanes iii), an estimated 5. 5 million americans with coronary heart disease (chd) should be treated with lipid lowering medication under the national cholesterol education program (ncep) guidelines. While numbers may vary, it is the same story with every developing and developed country. However, there is a general reluctance among the population to be treated with chemically derived drugs, especially for primary prevention. There is, thus, a need for effective, safe, and ideally, naturally derived cholesterol-lowering drugs.

policosanol is one such agent currently in use in more than 25 countries throughout the world to reduce elevated ldl-cholesterol in patients with hypercholesterolemia. Policosanol is a mixture of aliphatic primary alcohols isolated and purified from natural waxes. Although human diets have contained waxes for millennia, their metabolism in humans is not well understood.

policosanol may be represented by the chemical formula ch 3-(ch 2)n-ch 2oh with chain lengths varying from 24 to 34 carbon atoms. Octacosanol (c-28), hexacosanol (c-26) and triacontanol (c-30) are the major constituents. The product was originally developed by the dalmer laboratories, havana, cuba.

lipid-lowering effects of policosanol have been shown in a range of animal species. In cultured human fibroblasts, policosanol decreased 14c-labeled acetate into cholesterol whereas 14c-labeled mevalonate was not affected suggesting inhibition of cholesterol synthesis in vitro at a step before the mevalonate formation. On the basis of published studies, the precise mechanism leading to ldl-c remains unclear, but inhibition of cholesterol synthesis, increased hepatic ldl uptake and increased serum ldl catabolic rates may play a role.

Tribulus terrestris is a perennial trailing plant, growing wildly all over india. It has been used widely in the ayurvedic system of medicine for the treatment of various urinary disorders including urolithiasis. It is effective against oxalate and stone formation in urine. The greeks used tribulus terrestris as a diuretic. In china and vietnam it has been used as a styptic, in the treatment of post-partum haemorrhage, epistaxis and gastro intestinal bleeding. It is a south african remedy for inflammation and arthritis.

tribulus terrestris extract is prepared by crystallising the alcohol extract of the whole plant. The extract contains alkaloids, saponins, resins and nitrates and is popularly used as a sports nutritient in usa. The extract of the plant is recognized as a diuretic and aphrodisiac. It has anti-oxidant and hypolipedemic activities. Tribulus terrestris extract was effectively used for nonspecific impotence and aging. All the pharmacological properties of tribulus terrestris are clinically proven.

Guggul is the gum resin from the tree commiphora mukul, a small thorny tree belonging to the same genus as myrrh and having similar components and actions. The tree grows throughout india and arabia. The guggul resin contains steroids, diterpenoids and aliphatic esters. The active component is guggulsterone, a steroid compound [4,17(20)-pregnadiene-3,16-dione].

the resin has been used in ayurvedic preparations for centuries to treat various ailments, including obesity, bone fractures, arthritis, inflammation, cardiovascular disease, and lipid disorders. Modern research has confirmed these properties of guggul. The anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory activity of the gum was demonstrated as early as 1960. Work on the hypo-cholesterolemic property soon followed and confirmed in animal and human studies
in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, the combined effect of diet and guggulipid was as great as the reported lipid lowering effects of lipid-lowering drugs. Guggulipid also effectively inhibited ldl oxidation. A combination of guggul and inula racemosa was shown to be superior to nitroglycerine in reducing chest pain and dyspnea associated with angina.

guggul in hypercholesterolemia: recent research has thrown light on the possible lipid lowering mechanism of guggulipid. Cholesterol levels are controlled in a number of ways including intestinal uptake, endogenous biosynthesis, transport and elimination. Guggulipid probably works by the last-mentioned mechanism – elimination.

Mango butter is a new ingredient brought to the cosmetic industry. Mango, Mangifera indica is one of the most important and widely cultivated fruits of India. Each fruit has a large flat seed. Mango Butter is the soft fat extracted from this seed, neutralized, bleeched and distilled to produce a soft pale coloured fat. This is free from pesticides and synthetic anti-oxidants.

The resultant Mango Butter has a luxurious emollient feel. It is an ideal ingredient for use in skin care and sun tan preparation and a super fatting agent in soap. Advantage of Mango Butter over other butters like shea butter and cocoa butter is its wound healing property. Externally it has a healing property and hence used as an application to ulcerations, fissures of the lips, hands, chapped skin, etc. It is also used in wounds and sores that are accompanied with inflammation. Chemically it is mainly composed of glycerides of oleic and stearic acids.

This is the encapsulated powder form of Omega-3 fatty acids of fish oil with a high content of Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

amlamax™ is produced from the ripe fruits of emblica officinalis gaertn (euphorbiaceae), amlamax™ is a cream-colored, free flowing, water soluble powder, produced under specific controlled conditions from right ripened fruits and is not subjected to any chemical treatments.

amla is india's own product and is a major constituent of the celebrated ayurvedic preparations, chyavanaprash and triphala. Originally thought to be a rich source of vitamin c, the active principles of amla have been shown to be low molecular weight hydrolyzable tannins containing a molecular fragment similar to ascorbic acid (vitamin c). Free ascorbic acid is absent from amla. These active principles have been consistently proven superior to ascorbic acid in all biological properties.

in ayurvedic system, amla is credited with vitalizing and rejuvenating properties.
amla offers a broad spectrum of benefits - among them:

• antioxidant action
• anti-cancer properties
• hepato-protective action
• anti-ulcerative action
• significant adaptogenic and anti-stress action

antiinflammatory and analgesic properties of amla have been reported. Protection against cytotoxic effects of arsenic and cadmium has also been recorded. Arsenic poisoning is prevalent in eastern parts india.

amlamax™ has undergone trials pharmacologically (on animals) and clinically for the following and found to be effective.

1. Hyperlipidemia
a) reduces total cholesterol, ldl cholesterol and triglycerides
b) increases hdl cholesterol (patent pending)

2. Atherosclerosis
a) retards intima - media thickening (patent pending)
b) reverses intima - media thickening (patent pending)

3. Immuno-modulation
a) increases rbc, wbc, lymphozytes and haemoglobin

amlamax and heart disease

the most notable benefit from amlamax™ is in heart disease conditions. Our animal and human studies have shown the effectiveness of amla in hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis. A near reversal of the atherosclerotic condition was observed in experimental animals. We believe this arises from the rejuvenating benefits of amla rather than a simple correction of dyslipidemia. This is borne out by the fact that despite the availability of a host of cholesterol-lowering agents, including statins, coronary heart disease continues to be a major cause of premature death throughout the world.

amla's safety is time-tested.

boswellia gum oleoresin (frankincense) has a history probably as old as human civilization. Frankincense along with myrrh are best known through the story of three wise men (magi), delivering gold, frankincense and myrrh for baby jesus. Myrrh was also used to annoint jesus' body after crucifixion. These herbs, valued like gold, are mentioned repeatedly in the old testament, in instructions to moses about making incense and anointing oil.

boswellia has a long history of medicinal use, too. In ayurvedic texts, boswellia is one of a group of gum resins collectively referred to as guggals and guggals were recommended for a variety of conditions including osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dysentery, asthma, bronchitis and other pulmonary diseases, ringworm, pimples, sores, cancers, dysmenorrhea, stimulation of menstrual flow, syphilis and as a diuretic. In modern chinese materia medica, myrrh and frankincense are classified as herbs for vitalizing circulation of blood and are utilized for treating traumatic injury, painful swellings, masses, and other disorders related to stasis syndromes.
the oleo-gum resin of boswellia serrata is a complex mixture of lower and higher terpenoids and carbohydrates. Higher terpenoids, collectively called the boswellic acids, constitute the major fraction (25-35%) of the resin.

mustard (brassica juncea) belong to the cruciferae family. The seeds of this plant are widely used as a traditional pungent spice, a source of edible oil and protein and as medicine. It is an indispensable component of curry powders, pungent sauces. The pungent flavor is developed when the seeds are ground with water initiating the hydrolysis of the thioglucosides present in the seeds by the enzyme myrosinase. The hydrolytic conditions affect the composition and yield of the mustard essential oil, the main component of which is allyl isothiocyanate (aitc).

isothiocyanates (itcs) are present in a number of cruciferous plants such as cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, brussel sprouts in the form of glucosinolates are thus part of regular human diet. Glucosinolate levels have been estimated to be as high as 180 mg/g in some vegetables.

to date, the most important biological property of itcs is their ability to prevent chemical carcinogenesis. More than 20 itcs have been shown to inhibit tumorigenesis induced by a variety of chemical carcinogens in animal models, inhibiting tumorigenesis in the lung, stomach, colon, liver, esophagus, bladder and mammary glands. Several epidemiological studies suggest that humans who consume higher amounts of itcs (through food) might be less likely to develop lung and colon cancer.

mechanistic studies have shown that the remarkable anticarcinogenic property of itcs stem from their ability to disrupt multiple steps in the carcinogenic process - reducing genetic damage by inhibition of carcinogen activating enzymes and induction of carcinogen detoxifying enzymes, inhibiting proliferation of genetically damaged cells as a result of induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest and inducing the differentiation of malignant cells.

Obesity is a chronic disease characterized by an accumulation of excess adipose tissue and is associated with an increased risk of multiple morbidities and mortality. Unfortunately, once adipose tissue accumulates, a system of overlapping neuroendocrine responses prevents it from diminishing. When food intake is limited, counter-regulatory mechanisms cause an increase in appetite and a decrease in energy expenditure as protective measures against starvation and make volitional weight loss through dieting difficult to achieve.

Pharmacological intervention is considered necessary in overweight and obese patients with a body mass index greater than 27 kg/m2, particularly in the presence of other risk factors such as type 2 diabetes, or hypertension when conservative measures such as behavioral therapy, diet and exercise have not resulted in achieving the desired weight loss. Most cardiovascular risk factors improve even at modest weight reduction because loss of visceral fat leads to disproportionate improvement in risk of developing complications. The National Institute of Health (USA) guidelines recommend that if a chosen medication dies not lead to a 2-kg weight loss in the first month of treatment, the dose should be adjusted or the medication stopped.

Weight-loss without Tears

Hydroxycitric acid (HCA), the active ingredient in the herbal compound Garcinia cambogia, competitively inhibits the extramitochondrial enzyme adenosine triphosphate-citrate (pro-3S)-lyase, which is needed for the conversion of carbohydrate into fat.. As a citrate cleavage enzyme that may play an essential role in de novo lipogenesis inhibition, G cambogia has been shown to lower body weight and reduce fat mass in experimental animals and humans. Since excess carbohydrates cannot be stored, especially if the consumption of carbohydrate is high, this results in a loss of appetite and suppression of hunger and hence reduced food intake and weight loss. One study in mice suggest that chronic administration of HCA promotes lipid oxidation and spares carbohydrate utilization in mice at rest and during running.

Asafoetida (Feaula asafoetida) is a small plant grows wild in India. The aromatic gum obtained by incision from the roots of the plant is in popular use in India for many centuries as a flavouring agent, as an ingredient in condiments and in many spice mixtures.

Asafoetida oil is the volatile oil obtained by steam distillation of the asafoetida gum. The essential oil of asafoetida is highly used as a flavouring agent in certain delicacies. It is used as a carminative and stimulant. Being a nervine and pulmonary stimulant this oil is used as an expectorant. Asafoetida oil is also used for intestinal disorders and as a blood purifier.

omega-3 family of essential fatty acids is an important supplement that is doing well in today’s rough marketplace. Fueled by a steady steam of positive clinical research, these nutrients have captured the interest of consumers and the admiration of supplement retailers.

ginger (zingiber officinale) is one of world's best known spices and it has been used throughout history for its health benefits. It is one the most well-researched herbs; a pubmed search carried out in april 2005 returned 520 citations. It has been an important plant for the traditional chinese and indian pharmacopoeia. German and european monographs on ginger are available. Recently, the us pharmacopoeia has approved ginger and powdered ginger monographs for inclusion in the national formulary.

the dried ginger extract contains mono- and sesquiterpenes. The main antioxidant principles are the gingerols and shogaols and related phenolic ketone derivatives. Ginger can scavenge superoxide anion and hydroxyl radicals. Gingerol has been shown to inhibit platelet function by blocking thromboxane formation and ginger was also suggested to interfere with the inflammation processes. Further, ginger acts as a hypolipidemic agent. Feeding rats with ginger significantly elevated the activity of hepatic cholesterol-7a-hydroxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme in bile acid biosynthesis, resulting in the elimination of cholesterol from the body.

nausea and vomiting: the aromatic, spasmolytic, carminative and absorbent properties of ginger suggest that it has direct effect on the gastrointestinal tract. The notion that ginger may be effective in nausea and vomiting is supported by several lines of evidence. Animal experiments suggest that ginger has antiemetic activity when naausea is induced by cisplatin or cyclophosphamide. Studies in healthy human volunteers suggest that ginger reduces experimentally induced nausea. Six rigorously controlled clinical studies have been published relating to four different clinical conditions: sea sickness, morning sickness, chemotherapy induced nausea and postoperative nausea. Majority of these studies reported that ginger powder 1 g daily alleviated clinical nausea of diverse causes.

A large body of research supports the hypothesis that oxidative damage to DNA, lipids and proteins may contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species are formed in the body and endogenous antioxidant defenses are not always sufficient to counteract them completely. Diet-derived antioxidants may therefore be particularly important in protection against chronic diseases. Tea is an important source of antioxidants. Typical brew of black tea provides about 200 mg of flavonoids per cup.

The flavonoids present in green and black tea are very effective antioxidants in vitro and may therefore be effective antioxidants in the body. The uptake of flavonoids from tea is most efficient for the monomeric catechins found in green tea, namely, epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the last named being the most important.

Green tea has been found to be beneficial in two of the most life-threatening diseases – heart disease and cancer.