World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Radhika et al. SJIF Impact

World Journal of Pharmaceutical Factor 8.084
Research
Volume 8, Issue 11, 1354-1374. Review Article ISSN 2277– 7105

NUTRACEUTICALS - A REVIEW

Radhika Parasuram Rajam*, Gowsalya Murugesan, Kaviya Vadivelkumar,

Vigneshwari Menachisundaram

*Department of Pharmaceutics, The Erode College of Pharmacy and Research Institute,

Erode, Tamilnadu, India.

ABSTRACT
Article Received on
19 August 2019, Nutraceutical is the hybrid of „Nutrition‟ and „Pharmaceutical‟.
Revised on 09 Sept. 2019, Nutraceuticals, in broad, are food or part of food playing a significant
Accepted on 29 Sept. 2019,
DOI: 10.20959/wjpr201911-15964
role in modifying and maintaining normal physiological action that
maintains healthy human beings. In recent years there is a growing
interest in nutraceuticals which provide health benefits and are
*Corresponding Author
alternative to modern medicine. Nutraceutical-rich vegetables and
Dr. Radhika Parasuram
Rajam fruits are an important component of a healthy diet. The principal
Department of reasons for the growth of the Nutraceutical market worldwide are the
Pharmaceutics, The Erode current population and the health trends. The food products used as
College of Pharmacy and
nutraceuticals can be categorized as dietary fiber, prebiotics,
Research Institute,
probiotics, polyunsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants and other different
Erode, Tamilnadu, India.
types of herbal/ natural foods. The era of emergence of nutrients as
medicines in the pharmaceutical world is of great importance and draws attention of scientists
and researchers toward the appreciable benefits. As a result, interdisciplinary approaches are
now been applied to design and develop various dosage forms to deliver these herbal
products relative to their applications. The extensive researches have revealed the
involvement of these agents in the treatment of many disorders such as cancer, arthritis,
metabolic abnormalities, diabetes, asthma, and many others. The presented review is an
attempt to classify all types of nutraceuticals with examples followed by their applications in
the treatment of various disorders. the implementation of the designing and development of
dosage forms for offering better delivery carrier of the nutraceuticals, the importance and
challenges have also been enumerated. Ultimately, they ensure better quality of life and help
to formulate further innovative research plan in new domain on nutraceuticals.

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KEYWORDS: Nutraceuticals, Nutrition, Health Benefits, Dietary Supplements, Therapeutic

Effects.

INTRODUCTION
Industrialization has caused numerous air and water pollutions, soil and food contamination
because of extensive use of various chemicals, heavy metals, electromagnetic waves, and
other potentially harmful man-made items. These problems have led to an increased
incidence of diabetes, obesity, different cancers and vascular diseases, physiological
problems, as well as other degenerative diseases. The raised demands for healthcare have
dramatically increased the cost of medical care. Exploration of novel dietary products with
medicinal properties has created a renaissance in health and nutrition research. Nutraceuticals
creates a new era of research to promote quality of life. It can reduce the risk of disease onset
by retaining normal health condition and improving immunity.[1]

Plants are one of the most important resources of human foods and medicines. Increasing
knowledge on nutrition, medicine, and plant biotechnology has dramatically changed the
concepts about food, health and agriculture, and brought a revolution on them. With recent
advances in medical and nutrition sciences, natural products and health promoting foods have
received extensive attention from both health professionals and the public.[2,3]

“Nutraceutical” is a term coined in 1979 by Stephen De Felice which is defined as “a food or

parts of food that provide medical or health benefits, including the prevention and treatment
of disease”. The motto of nutritional therapy is based on the complimentary therapy with
nutraceuticals as food is not only the source of energy and nutrients but also provides
medicinal benefits. Nutraceuticals are detoxifying our body, restoring our healthy digestion
and dietary habits also.[4] Nutraceuticals are marketed in concentrated forms as pills,
capsules, powders and tinctures either as a single substance or as combination preparations. A
nutraceutical may be a naturally nutrient- rich food such as spirulina, garlic, soya or a specific
component of a food like omega-3 oil from salmon. They are also known as medical foods,
nutritional supplements and dietary supplements. Global demand for herbal and non-herbal
extracts is increasing continuously. Green tea for weight loss and cancer treatment, while
Ginkgo biloba for improving cognitive function, has been widely used as nutraceuticals.[5]
The Nutraceutical market has been developed from past few years due to growing attention of
researchers and sophisticated techniques for determination of qualitative and quantitative
parameters.[6, 7] Consumers being frustrated with the expensive, high-tech, disease treatment

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approach in the modern medicines is seeking complementary or alternative beneficial

products from nutraceutical products.

WHY NUTRACEUTICALS?
For so many of us, it is impossible to get adequate nutrition from the routine food. Secondly,
we live in highly toxic environment, filled with pollution and pesticides that throw off our
body‟s ability to regulate it. A number of new ailments that are haunting us are now wide
spread in our population. This is more sensible strategy-to strengthen our system or terrain
rather than settling for antibiotic which has lost their effectiveness. There are typically side
effects from drugs because they are not natural to the body, whereas with good quality
supplementation that can be absorbed and utilized by the body can truly strengthen our body
and add vitality.

Why Nutraceutical seems attractive?

Many diets are rich in phenolic component and are daily consumed by human beings which
rarely have any side effects and have relatively long half-life. They are easily absorbed in the
intestine after ingestion and do not require on appointment with a health care provider and are
easily available without prescription. Many people believe this approach is more natural than
using prescription drug. They feel dietary supplements will help them feel stronger and
healthier, give them more energy and prevent illness. Some people turn to these products
when they feel standard treatments for their specific illnesses have failed.

Concept of Nutraceuticals
In the pharmaceutical development process, it is a requirement to have clinical test results for
animal tests and studies and for verification of their therapeutic effects. But in the case of
nutrition, there was no verification method for foods in preventing diseases in the past. In
recent years however, as food composition has been scientifically proven to cause life style
related diseases, and has become a social issue. The nutraceutical products are recognized
and produce health benefits like alleviating the risk of cancer and heart disease and also to
prevent or treat hypertension, high cholesterol, excessive weight, osteoporosis, diabetes,
arthritis, macular degeneration (leading to irreversible blindness), cataracts, menopausal
symptoms, insomnia, diminished memory and concentration, digestive upsets and
constipation, not to mention headaches; other products are touted as cures for thinning hair,
lack of confidence, poor complexion, varicose veins, alcoholism, depression, and lethargy.

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The concept of Nutraceuticals has started to be acknowledged as one of the measures for
preventing such diseases.[8-14] The concept of nutraceuticals is shown in Fig. 1

Fig. 1: Concept of Nutraceuticals.

Nutraceutical Growth
In the global marketplace nutraceuticals and functional foods have become a multi-billion
dollar industry. Internationally, significant limitations to growth in this area are resulting
from a necessity to properly label and assess the health effects of nutraceuticals and
functional foods. The United States of America (USA) currently possesses the largest and
most rapidly expanding functional food and nutraceutical market in the world.[15] India is the
home of a large number of medicinal herbs, spices and tree species that have a substantially
large domestic market. However, India‟s major export destination is the USA and Japan.[16]
The global food market growth about the nutraceuticals is shown in Fig 2. Different scientific
groups as well as various government agencies[17-23] increased the popularity of nutraceuticals
and functional foods among the public sector. Recognition of variation in functional food and
Nutraceutical composition will provide opportunity for the industry to give consumers a
variety of new products that can be developed for specialized markets.

Fig. 2: Global food market growth about the nutraceuticals.

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CLASSIFICATION
1. Traditional
 Chemical constituents Nutrients, Herbals, Phytochemicals.
 Probiotic organisms.
 Nutraceutical enzyme.

2. Non Traditional
 Fortified nutraceuticals.
 Recombinant Nutraceutical.

3. Substance with established nutritional functions

 Vitamins, Minerals, Amino acids, Fatty acids.

4. Herbs (or)Botanical products

5. Reagents derived from other sources
 Pyruvate, Chondroitin sulphate, Steroid hormone precursors

6. Functional foods
7. Probiotics and prebiotics
8. Polyunsaturated fatty acids
9. Antioxidant vitamin
10. Polyphenols
11. Spices

TRADITIONAL NUTRACEUTICALS
The category consists of the food which does not undergo any manual changes. The
components are natural and are having some potential which are actively involved in health
benefits E.g. Lycopene is obtained from tomatoes, pink grape fruit, guava, papaya, water
melon are its potential benefits and its anti-oxidant activity, protects against formation of
cancer mainly prostate, bladder, cervical, leukemia.

NON-TRADITIONAL
This category of nutraceuticals is of Boosting of nutritional content by addition of nutrients,
dietary components for improvement of quality of nutrition.[24] Eg: β-carotene obtained from
carrots, various fruits and vegetables carrots, orange, tangerines are its potential benefits

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which have anti-oxidant activity neutralizes free radicals, protect cornea against UV light,
anti-oxidants, anti-carcinogenic and anti-cancer.

Fortified Nutraceuticals
Fortification of food components is the process of addition of micronutrients (essential trace
elements and vitamins) to food for enhancing the effectiveness and nutritional value. Its
example includes milk fortified with cholecalciferol used in Vitamin D deficiency.

Recombinant Nutraceuticals
It involves the application of biotechnology and genetic engineering in the production of
energy providing foods such as yoghurt and cheese or extraction of bioactive components by
enzymatic or fermentation technology. Gold kiwifruit is genetically modified for a high level
of ascorbic acid, Carotenoids, and Lutein and Zeaxanthin. Eg: Lutin is obtained from corn,
avocado, egg yolk, spinach and has potential benefits as anti-cancer activity.[25-27]

SUBSTANCE WITH ESTABLISHED NUTRITIONAL FUNCTIONS

Vitamin
Roles of various vitamins in maintaining normal metabolism and health status is essential.
Deficiency of any kind of vitamins can cause distinguishable clinical symptoms. Therefore,
most nutraceutical or nutritional therapy products contain some vitamins, which are of
common vitamins like vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin E. A large
portion of vitamin sources for human beings is from plant foods, plant biotechnology thus has
been used for improvement of contents of vitamins in crops.

Minerals
Ca, I, Zn, Fe, Mn, Mg, and other mineral elements are essential components for human
health. Deficiency of any one of these minerals may cause serious health problems. Dietary
Ca, Zn, Fe, and other minerals are taken from both meats and plant foods. Due to various
reasons, mineral deficiencies, mainly Ca, Zn, and Fe deficiencies, are the major health
problems in developing countries, particularly for infants and children. Nevertheless,
increasing dietary Ca, Fe, and Zn in plant foods is an important strategy to enhance mineral
nutrition.[28]

HERBS (OR) BOTANICAL PRODUCTS

Herbs (or) botanical products are obtained as concentrates and extracts. Herbals are as old as
human civilization and they provide a complete store house of remedies to cure acute and

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chronic diseases. India has the oldest written tradition for natural remedies called “Ayurveda”
which possess many effective means of ensuring health care. Numerous nutraceuticals are
present in medicinal herbs of key component.

REAGENTS DERIVED FROM OTHER SOURCES

Glucosamine and Chondroitin
Glucosamine is a precursor to a molecule called a glycosaminoglycan-this molecule is used
in the formation and repair of cartilage. Source-bovine or calf cartilage Glucosamine sulphate
in several European countries used as first line of treatment for arthritis. Glucosamine
sulphate stimulates the production of hyaluronic acid in joint fluid. Hyaluronic acid relieves
pain and improves mobility damaged cartilage. In vitro experiment of Glucosamine has
shown a dose dependent increase in proteoglycan after administering it. It is marketed usually
as hydrochloride or sulfate salt. Both compounds have anti-inflammatory effects.
Combination of Glucosamine and Chondroitin are available. Chondroitin is the most
abundant glycosaminoglycan in cartilage and is responsible for the resiliency of cartilage.

Flavonoids
The major active Nutraceutical ingredients in plants are flavonoids. As is typical for phenolic
compounds, they have antioxidant, antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal, anti-
ulcer, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, vasorelaxant, anti-atherosclerotic,
antithrombogenic, cardio protective and anti-neoplastic activities in addition to their profound
effects on the central nervous system. [29]

Dietary Supplements and Dietary Fibers

A dietary supplement is a product which comprises a supplementary dietary ingredient added
as a remedy to deficiencies or diseases. The inclination toward dietary supplements has raised
many folds to improve health, fitness, tonic to delay aging, improve performance, and body
building. A dietary ingredient is one which enhances the food and its nutritional assessment.
Vitamins and minerals as dietary supplements exist in multiple ingredients or single
ingredient products in the market.[30] Dietary supplements other than vitamins and minerals
also involve herb, botanicals, amino acids, pure extracts, concentrate or combination of
number of ingredients gland extracts, and organ tissues. It is not supposed to be used as
traditional or conventional food element or as the regular item in the meals or diet.[31] Dietary
fibers and high fiber products are of great interest because of significant health benefits.

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These products normalize the intestinal transit time. Its sources include brown rice, banana,
cereals, oats, dry beans, and legumes.

Phytochemicals
Phytochemicals are also nutraceuticals and in the present communication they provide
medical and health benefits. Glucose and insulin regulations are important features of
phytochemicals and there are fascinating reappraisals of traditional treatment of diabetes.
Actually, more than 1000 plants have been claimed to other special benefits in the treatment
of diabetes, few have received scientific investigations. In addition, the nutritional, tonic, and
medicinal properties of mushrooms have been recognized for a long time medicinal values
like antitumor, antiviral and hypolipidemic effects have been emphasized. Lentinan enhances
host resistance against infections with bacteria as well as fungi, parasites, and viruses,
including the agent of AIDS.

FUNCTIONAL FOODS
Functional foods are the source of absolutely necessary nutrients providing more than the
quantities required for maintenance, growth, and development.[32] The class of functional
food includes many further subclasses such as cereals, legumes, and fermented food. The
potentiality of the functional food including cereals such as rice, corn, wheat, millets,
sorghum, and buckwheat has been found in many ways to eliminate the risk of coronary heart
disease, tumor incidence, and lowering of blood pressure.[33, 34]
Kidney beans, split beans,
chickpeas, lentils, and soybeans have been explored to have profound antioxidant and
protective effect against cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.[35, 36] In addition, chocolate has
also been found to be a subclass of functional food which is a richest source of proteins,
calcium, iron, magnesium, and riboflavin.[37-39] Citrus fruits are another type of functional
food which has already been reported to produce therapeutic effects as anticancer, antiviral,
antioxidant agents, and further have potential to stimulate immune system.[40] The fermented
milk and related products are also the example of a functional food which offers good
digestive effects. For instance, Yoghurt is a highly nutritive fermented food associated with
the anticancer activity; it has also been reported to prevent gastrointestinal infections and
atherosclerosis. It is recommended for lactose intolerant patients.[41]

PROBIOTICS AND PREBIOTICS

Probiotic category includes the live microbial food ingredients which are advantageous to
health. Their action includes adhesion to gastrointestinal tract at specific sites and their

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survival lead to elimination of pathogens.[42-45] Prebiotic category includes selectively

fermented ingredients or a fiber that promote changes in gastrointestinal microflora and its
activity providing good effects to the health of host. They are the fertilizing agents for the
probiotic bacteria in colon. These are not affected by gastric pH and digestive acids. The
example includes insulin which on further hydrolysis gives oligo fructose and galacto
oligosaccharide.[46-50]

POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS

The group of poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) is divided into two groups: omega-3 (n-3)
and omega-6 (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), differing in the position where the
first double C-bound is located. Two PUFAs are called essential fatty acids since they cannot
be synthesized in the human body and are vital for physiological integrity. Therefore, they
must be obtained from the diet.

ANTI-OXIDANT
Damage to cells caused by free radicals is believed to play a central role in the aging process
and in disease progression. Antioxidants are our first line of defense against free radical
damage, and are critical for maintaining optimum health and wellbeing. Oxygen is a highly
reactive atom that is capable of becoming part of potentially damaging molecules commonly
called free radicals. Free radicals are capable of attacking the healthy cells of the body,
causing them to lose their structure and function. Antioxidants are capable of stabilizing, or
deactivating, free radicals before they attack cells. Antioxidants are absolutely critical for
maintaining optimal cellular and systemic health and well-being. Humans have evolved a
highly sophisticated and complex antioxidant protection system. It involves a variety of
components, both endogenous and exogenous in origin, that function interactively and
synergistically to neutralize free radicals.

POLYPHENOLS
Polyphenols are natural phytochemical compounds in plant-based foods, such as fruits,
vegetables, whole grains, cereal, legumes, tea, coffee, wine and cocoa; more than 8000
polyphenolic compounds, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, have been identified in whole
plant foods. These compounds are secondary metabolites of the plants that act as a defense
against ultraviolet radiation, oxidants and pathogens. Polyphenols may be classified into
several categories based on the number of phenol rings and structural elements that bind these
rings to one another. Phenolic acids are approximately a third of the polyphenolic compounds

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in the diet and include two main classes- a) hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives (protocatechuic
acid, gallic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid) and b) hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives (caffeic
acid, chlorogenic acid, coumaric acid, Ferulic acid, sinapic acid); berry fruits, kiwi, cherry,
apple, pear, chicory and coffee are the foods with high content of these phenolic acids.

SPICES
Spices are aromatic vegetable substances, in the whole, broken or ground form, whose
significant function in food is seasoning rather than nutrition. These spice ingredients impart
characteristic flavor, aroma and pungency to foods. Volatile oil spices responsible for aroma,
flavor and oleoresin contribute the pungency. Apart from flavoring and seasoning, spices are
widely used in indigenous medicines, pharmaceuticals, Nutraceuticals, aroma therapy,
preservatives, beverages, natural colors, perfumes, dental preparations, cosmetics and
botanicals as pesticide and thus, play a significant role in the economy of the producing
country. These properties are due to diverse array of chemicals synthesized by these spices.
Spices like turmeric, red pepper, black pepper, clove, ginger, garlic, coriander, rosemary,
saffron and cinnamon has been shown to exert its activity against neurodegenerative diseases.

RATIONALE FOR USE OF NUTRACEUTICALS

Dietary factors play an important role in premature chronic disease appearance, disease
progression, morbidity and mortality. A traditional medicine is not a part of nutraceuticals.
Foods for special dietary use are specifically processed or formulated to satisfy particular
dietary requirements which exist because of a physical or physiological condition or specific
disease and disorder. These are presented as such; where in the compositions of these
foodstuffs must differ significantly from the Indian Standard (IS) composition of ordinary
foods of comparable nature.

APPLICATIONS OF NUTRACEUTICALS IN DISEASE MANAGEMENT

The extensive researches have revealed the involvement of nutraceuticals in the treatment of
many disorders such as insomnia, digestion problems, blood pressure abnormalities, cold and
cough, depression, delayed gastrointestinal emptying, and many more conditions which need
special care. Nutraceuticals are currently receiving recognition as being beneficial in
coronary heart disease, obesity, diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis and other chronic and
degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. Evidences indicate that
the mechanistic actions of natural compounds involve a wide array of biological processes,
including activation of antioxidant defenses, signal transduction pathways, cell survival-

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associated gene expression, cell proliferation and differentiation and preservation of

mitochondrial integrity. It appears that these properties play a crucial role in the protection
against the pathologies of numerous age-related or chronic diseases.

Fig. 3: Role of nutraceuticals in health promotion and disease prevention Cardio

vascular diseases.

Nutraceuticals like flavonoids, flavones, flavonones, quercetin in onion, cruciferous

vegetables, black berries, cherries, berries, apples and other antioxidant vitamins and
minerals may reduce the risk of death from CVDs. They inhibit cyclooxygenase pathway and
angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) which is responsible for high blood pressure.[51]
Flavonoid groups strengthen tiny capillaries which carry oxygen and essential nutrients to all
cells. A potent antioxidant ginger is an anti-inflammatory agent is recommended for the
prevention of hypertension and palpitation. Allicin lowers blood pressure and cholesterol.
CVD could be managed by the supplementation of different lipid lowering nutraceuticals
along with maintenance of proper life style.[52] Poly-herbal products could affect
synergistically to achieve a potential therapeutic target.[53]

Cancer
Nutraceutical rich bioactive dietary components have the ability to prevent cancer.[54] Herbal
nutraceuticals possess anti-mutagenic and anti-carcinogenic properties. Antioxidant activities
of carotenoids, lycopene are effective for cancer. They are oxygen quencher and decreases
oxidative stress. Nutraceutical controls DNA damaging factors in cells and prevents DNA
transcription in tumors. Chemo preventive components in fruits and vegetables have potential
anti-carcinogenic and anti-mutagenic activities. Beta carotene from yellow and orange fruits
has anti-cancer activity. Cruciferous vegetables lowers the chances of colorectal and lung
cancer. They block enzymes that promote tumor growth. Recent research further reported
herbal nutraceuticals has the ability to alter metastatic spread of cancer.

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Diabetes
Herbal dietary supplements containing nutraceuticals have proven to offer therapeutic benefit
on type 2 diabetes. Universal antioxidants like lipoic acid and catechins, the spices like
fenugreek and cinnamon are used to treat diabetic neuropathy, nephropathy and retinopathy.
Magnesium, chromium, calcium, vitamin D promotes insulin sensitivity, improve glycemic
control etc. Caffeic acid reduces elevated plasma glucose in insulin resistant patients. Green
tea and epicatechin 3 gallate reduces fasting and postprandial glucose and improves insulin
resistance. Bitter melon, pomegranates are good for diabetes which regulates metabolism and
transports glucose from the blood into cells.[55]

Obesity
Obesity is a medical condition characterized by accumulation of excess body fat.
Nutraceuticals like conjugated linoleic acid, capsaicin, psyllum have an excellent anti-obese
properties. Herbal nutraceuticals like chitosan, caffeine, fenugreek, vitamin C, green tea,
curcumin, black gram, bottle guard reduces body weight. They secrete leptin and other
cytokines like IL-1, IL-6 and help to reduce LDL and total cholesterol and regulate food
intake.[56]

Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a disease with a multifactorial etiology affecting all joint tissues and
involving both biochemical and mechanical factors that act in synergy to degrade cartilage.
Joint discomfort reduces physical activities resulting energy imbalance and weight gain.
Nutraceuticals like chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine, diacerin, banana, ginger, green tea,
pomegranate, boswellia, oxaceprol, tipi, willow bark, curcumin, avocado, soybean, collagen
hydrolysates are used to alleviate the complications. They have pharmacological properties
and important role in the regulation of gene expression along with their normal function as
nutrient. Nutraceutical antioxidant agents have considerable evidence for treating
inflammation, pain and joint destruction.[57] Application of olive oil also reduces pain,
stiffness and swelling, physical function and knee status.

Oral diseases
Odonto nutraceuticals, a new term has been discovered. It represents pleiotropic
phytotherapeutic agents in dentistry as they regulate different molecular and biochemical
targets. Odonto nutraceuticals includes green tea, grapes, cocoa seed extracts that are rich in
polyphenols, flavonoids and proanthocyanidins. Aloe vera gel heals mucosal wound and it

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can alleviate pain of patient with oral lichen planus disease.[58] Probiotics are also helpful in
the prevention of dental caries, gingivitis, periodontitis, halitosis, malodour etc.

Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease is also known as senile dementia. Antioxidants appear to slow down the
advancement of the disease. Nutraceuticals like beta carotene, lycopene, curcumin, lutein and
lavandula exploits their antioxidant effects to combat oxidative stress induced neuronal
damage. These compounds are able to delay the development of dementia.[59]

Parkinson's disease
In Parkinson disease the dopamine-releasing cells in the brain damaged due to neuro
degeneration. It is the second most common age related disorder in the world. Plant
Polyphenols, stilbenes, soybean and other phytoestrogens, and unsaturated fatty acid revealed
protective roles against progression of Parkinson‟s diseas. [60] Herbal Nutraceutical (Brahmi)
is a natural brain tonic that helps in mental peace and relaxation, migraine, headache,
insomnia, depression, anxiety, brain cell rejuvenation, blood circulation in the brain,
improved memory function and hormone secretion.

Eye disorders
Nutraceuticals rich diet appears beneficial for age related macular degeneration. Lutein,
DHA, green tea, carotenoids, flavonoids, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10 possesses antioxidant
activity and are affective for presbyopia, cataracts. Flavonoids, ascorbic acid, tocopherol,
carotenoids, caffeine, pyruvate are efficacious for retinitis pigmentosa.[61] Rice bran, fruits
and vegetables contain both lutein and zeaxanthin which improves eye sight and reduces the
chance of cataracts formation. The essential fatty acid, omega 3, 6, and 9, folic acid in rice
bran also promote eye health.

Stress Management
Stress is a vital part of our psychological mind. The natural bioactive compounds called
adaptogens helps to cope up against stress related cellular damages. They exert to normalize
and provide balancing action both for stress and mental health. They gradually increase
emotional performance that promotes recovery from stressful situations. Herbal
nutraceuticals like ashwagandha, ginseng are effective adaptogens that activates the
production of stress suppressing heat-shock protein 70 (HSP-70). They also stabilizes
physiologic processes, promotes homeostasis, increases resistance to environmental stress,

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reduces moderate to severe anxiety, improves sleep, reduces depression and improves
secondary memory.[62]

ADVANCEMENT IN DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS WITH MEDICATED HERBS

The increasing preferences of consumers to eat healthy food products and the nutraceuticals
showing up to be favorable in preventing as well as curing many diseases impelled scientists
and researchers to look for efficient delivery systems. The use of novel drug delivery system
to deal with the efficacy issues of the products is drawing more and more attention of the
researchers.

Nano emulsions
Nano emulsion is the nano-sized formulation in which two immiscible liquids are mixed to
form a single phase, thermodynamically stable isotropic system with the help of an
emulsifying agent. The droplet size ranges from 20 to 200nm.[63] Resveratrol which is a
natural compound found in red grape skin, peanuts, and blueberries have been found to
possess powerful antioxidant properties. However, the problem with the compound is the
poor bioavailability. Therefore, to overcome the problem and enhance the effect, it has been
encapsulated in the nano emulsion formed with spontaneous emulsification method which
has resulted in better retention and enhanced properties of the system.

Liposomes
Liposomes are the spherical vesicles composed of phospholipids consisting lipid bilayer.
These are spherical in shape and can be formulated using cholesterol and natural
phospholipids. Liposomes are also preferred to be an advanced delivery system for
nutraceutical products. Similarly, buccal liposomal formulation of silymarin has also been
proved to offer hepato protective effect with enhanced bioavailability of the product resulting
into better therapeutic response. The anti-gout topical liposomal preparation of colchicine has
also been proven very effective in the treatment of gout.[64]

Phytosomes
Phytosomes are the complex of phospholipids and the biologically active ingredients. Oral
formulation of Ginseng phytosomes, prepared using phospholipid complexation has been
found to overcome the problem related to the low solubility of Ginseng and results in the
increased absorption in the body which enhances the therapeutic effect of Ginseng as an
immuno modulator. Oral phytosomal preparation of Hawthorn (Flavonoid) having cardio

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protective and antihypertensive properties has also been reported to offer enhanced efficacy.
Quercetin, possessing the properties of an anticancer as well as an antioxidant compound was
also subjected to the oral preparation of Quercetin phytosomes providing better therapeutic
efficacy of the drug.[65] Furthermore, curcumin phytosomal oral preparation, using curcumin-
phospholipid complexation method has also been researched on, and it has offered elevated
bioavailability and increased antioxidant activity.

Microsphere
Microspheres are the spherical vesicular particles falling within the diameter range of 1-
1000µm. Due to their small size, microspheres can be ingested or injected, can be adjusted to
any desired release profile and can also exhibit site-specific as well as organ targeted drug
delivery.[66] Intravenous preparation of camptothecin (natural product) loaded microspheres;
formulated using oil-in-water evaporation method has been reported to provide prolonged
anticancer effect.

Transfersomes
Transfersomes are also known as the ultra-deformable vesicles consisting of an aqueous
phase as a core surrounded by the lipid bilayer complex which makes the formulation self-
optimizing and self-regulating. Colchicine transfersomal formulation has also been studied to
provide better penetration and thus advanced treatment of gout.[67] Transdermal formulation
of curcumin transfersomes has been also reported to deliver enhanced entrapment efficiency
with intensified permeation through the skin which improvises the anti-inflammatory effect
of curcumin on the body.

HEALTH BENEFITS
 Avoid the side effect.
 May increase the health beneficial effect.
 May have naturally dietary supplement, so do not have unpleasant side effect.
 May increase the health value, our diet and improve medical condition of human.
 May easily be available and economically affordable.

Nutritional therapy is a healing system using dietary therapeutics or nutraceuticals as a

complementary therapy. This therapy is based on the belief that foods cannot only be sources
of nutrients and energy but could also provide medicinal benefits. According to Nutraceutical
and nutritional therapy theory, it achieves this goal by detoxifying the body, avoiding vitamin

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and mineral deficiencies, and restoring healthy digestion and dietary habit. Phytonutrients
basically is plant nutrients with particular biological activities in supporting human health.

FDA MODERNIZATION ACT

The passage of the Food and Drug Administration Modernization Act of 1997 (FDAMA)
made additional options available to the manufacturers of nutraceuticals leads to brings a
balance in FDA regulations between approving therapeutic products so that they can benefit
patients and protecting public health with significant changes were also made in the labeling
of nutraceuticals.

FUTURE ISSUE AND PROPOSALS

Change in the lifestyle can prevent the diseases like metabolic syndromes. One of the
solutions in the lifestyle change is changes in their diet. The key issues for Nutraceuticals are:
 Establishment of scientific assessment standard for prevention of diseases.
 Establishment of assessment system for disease prevention by human trials.
 Establishment of seamless system to transfer stage from basic research to
industrialization.

Nutraceuticals are not necessarily a single material; therefore the expected effect for the
prevention of disease might be the complex action of several components which are present
in the product, it is also necessary to compare preventative effects for different types of food.
Hence, it is necessary to conduct biomarker research for prevention of target diseases.
Therefore, it is also necessary to define the measurement method of biomarkers and
standardize indicators.

CURRENT STATUS
The explosive demand growth for bioactive ingredients for nutraceuticals and functional
foods is being driven by frequently cited health concerns:
Cardiovascular disease, Breast, skin, colorectal, and brain cancers, Female health concerns,
CNS disorders, Metabolism management, gastrointestinal disorders, Immuno modulation.

A significant problem with the use of nutraceuticals in treating diseases is the lack of serious
studies published with clear clinical evidence. The development, production, packaging,
marketing, and sales of nutraceuticals has come a long way and is evolving constantly.

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Nutraceuticals are the preferred choice of today's consumer for regular usage. The latest
scientific research and clinical trials continue to boost and add impetus to this industry.

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