T h e r a p e u t i c I n d e x 233 Tinospora cordifolia protects against lipid peroxidation by its high reactivity towards DPPH, superoxide, and hydroxyl radicals. It decreases plasma thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and ceruloplasmin, along with an increase in glutathione and ascorbic acid. Vitex negundo also has antioxidant action. Zingiber officinale has an antioxidant effect comparable to ascorbic acid. It lowers lipid peroxidation while maintaining the activities of other antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase). 3. Glycosaminoglycan-building and cartilage-protective actions: The boswellic acids in Boswellia serrata lessen the degree of degradation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), and play an essential role in cartilage-protective action. 4. Gastroprotective action: Glycyrrhiza glabra promotes gastric and duodenal ulcer healing by altering the composition and quantity of mucin. Extracts from the rhizomes of Alpinia galanga protect against the gastric mucosal damage by releasing the beneficial endogenous prostaglandins. 5. Immunomodulatory action: Boswellia serrata has a strong immunomodulatory activity. Alpinia galanga stimulates the reticuloendothelial system. Glycyrrhiza glabra stimulates macrophages de novo, and inhibits the classical complement pathway. Tinospora cordifolia reduces macrophage chemotactic activity and protects against myelosuppression, with an increase in white blood cells (WBCs) and antibody titers. Tinospora cordifolia reverses chemically-induced immunosuppression. The activation of macrophages by Tinospora cordifolia leads to an increase in granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), which leads to leukocytosis and improved neutrophil function. Zingiber officinale has immunomodulatory action—it raises the thymus and spleen indices, phagocytosis, rate of alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase, and IgM titer. Rumalaya® forte (tablet)
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