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A Project Report on
NUTRACEUTICALS AS AN ALTERNATIVE
TO PHARMACEUTICALS
REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE PT. BHAGWAT DAYAL SHARMA UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCE,
ROHTAK
Presented by
ALTAAF (940326)
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the work contained in this project report entitled
“nutraceuticals as an alternative to pharmaceuticals “submitted to partial
fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Bachelor of Pharmacy in
Branch to PT. BHAGWAT DAYAL SHARMA UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH
OF INSTITUTIONS, KARNAL. The work has not been submitted in part of full
for the award of any other degree in any other University in my knowledge.
Supervisor
Forwarded by
Acknowledgement
I express my sincere thanks to Mrs. DIVYA KIRAN, HOD, RPIIT College of
Pharmacy, for providing his valuable support and time whenever I needed. I
his generous guidance that kept my attitude positive and has developed all
Last but not least, I would like to thanks to my parents and almighty God for
their blessings.
ALTAAF
Content
1.
History
2.
Definition
3.
Introduction
4.
Classification
5.
Scope
6.
Area covered by nutraceuticals
7.
Marketed products
8.
Conclusion
9.
Reference
HISTORY
The Greek physician Hippocrates, often known as the "father of medicine" said "Let thy
food be thy medicine, and the medicine be thy food.". The Philosophy behind is:
The scientist to be successful must be a sort of Janus looking at the same time to the
future and the past—Francisco Grande Throughout history, civilized societies have
devoted a deep interest in, and concern about, the integrity of food supply. Long before
the development of the dis-tinct scientific discipline of nutrition, philosophers and later
physicians paid close attention to the role of the daily diet in individual and public
health. Interestingly, during the last 2000 years, from the time of Hippo krates(460–377
BC) to the dawn of modern medicine, the rewas little distinction made between food
and drugs. The practice of medicine itself consisted largely of the wise choice of natural
food products. Hippo krates clearly recognized the essential relation-ship between food
and health and emphasized that‘‘...differences of diseases depend on
nutriment’’ (Jones)
DEFINITION OF NUTRACEUTICALS
A nutraceutical is any substance considered as a food, or its part which, in addition to its
normal which, in addition to its normal nutritional value provides health benefits
including the prevention of disease or promotion of health.
It is "any non-toxic food component that has scientifically proven health benefits,
including disease treatment or prevention".
The functional component of the food must be standardized in thenutraceutical product
and produced under good manufacturing practices
(GMP)
FOOD AS MEDICINE
Nearly two thirds of the world's 6.1 people rely on the healing
power of plant based materials for many reasons- availability,
affordability, safe tyor their belief in traditional affordability, or
belief intraditional cures.
Medical benefits of food have been explored forthousands of
years Modern nutraceutical Industrybegan to develop during the
1980s.
SCOPE OF NUTRACEUTICALS
Figure:Showing Pharmaceutical
INTRODUCTION
Food and drugs from nature place a quite significant role in public healthcare system
throughout the world'. Human inquisitiveness and search for specific constituents of plants
animal's minerals and microbial origin which are beneficial to our overall health have cost
coining of terminologies such as functional food or nutraceuticals. Nutraceuticals have evolved
from the recognition of the link between food and health. The term nutraceuticals was coined
from two words "nutrition" and "pharmaceutical" in 1989 by Stephen Defelice MD, founder
and chairman of the foundation for innovation in medicine (FIM) Cranford, New Jersy
According Defelice nutraceuticals can be defined as a food (or part of a food) that provides
medical or health benefits including the prevention and/or treatment of a disease.
Nutraceuticals are also termed as 'Functional foods'. They may include dietary supplements,
herbal ingredients, vitamins, refined foods (like soups, cereals and beverages) and nutrients.
Functional foods may be called as the foods which comprise one or more than one compounds
with various physiologic and biochemical concern that are beneficial to human population.
Hippocrates stressed in the approved manner "Let food be the medicine and medicine be the
food", about 2000 years past. If nutraceuticals are consumed habitually, they will be proven
beneficial to human health also in lowering the risk of various harmful diseases such as cancer,
diabetes, heart disorders, hypertension etc. American association of nutritional chemist
mentioned nutraceuticals as a products that has been isolated or purified from food and
generally solved in medicinal forms not usually associated with food1. When food is been
cooked or prepared using "scientific intelligence" with or without knowledge of how or why it
is being used, the food is called functional food". Nutraceuticals are regarded as bioactive
substance and constituents are either of known therapeutic activity or chemically defined
substances generally accepted to contribute substantially to the therapeutic activity of the
drug. Nutraceuticals have received considerable interest because of their presumed safety and
potential nutritional and therapeutic effects. In recent years there is a growing interest in
nutraceuticals which provide health benefits and are alternative to modern medicine. By using
nutraceuticals, it may be possible to reduce or eliminate the need for conventional medications
and reducing the chances of any adverse effect. I propose to redefine functional foods and
nutraceuti-cals. When food is being cooked or prepared using "scientific intelligence" with or
without knowledge of how or why it is being used, the food is called "functional food." Thus,
functional food provides the body with the required amount of vitamins, fats, pro-teins,
carbohydrates, etc, needed for its healthy survival.is a product (other than tobacco) that is
intended to supplement the diet that bears or contains one or more of the following dietary
ingredients: a vita-min, a mineral, an herb or other botanical, an amino acid, a dietary
substance for use by man to supplement the diet by increasing the total daily intake, or a
concentrate, metabolite, constituent, extract, or combinations of these ingredientsis a
product(other than tobacco) that is intended to supplement the diet that bears or contains
oneor more of the following dietary ingredients: The entire world is fighting diseases
characteristic of the modem age such as obesity, osteoporosis, cancer, diabetes, allergies and
dental problems. A product isolated or purified from foods that is generally sold in medicinal
forms not usually associated with food. A nutraceutical is demonstrated to have a physiological
benefit or provide protection against chronic disease. In this review, I have critically discussed
the beneficial role of nutraceuticals in various types of disorders. [2,3]
Magnesium
Magnesium is an essential element involved in various enzymatic processes and critical in the
proper use and maintenance of calcium. Many individuals with calcium deficiency are actually
magnesium deficient which prevent proper use of calcium.
Manganese
Manganese is required in several enzymatic reactions and necessary for proper bone and
cartilage formation.
Boron
Boron is reported to be helpful in supporting the calcium and estrogen level in post men
opausal in women.
Copper
Copper is an essential element needed by all tissues in the body. Copper and Zinc must be in
proper formation. Copper is best absorbed when bound to an amino acids.
Zinc
Zine is one of the most important trace mineral. Zinc supports the bodies overall antioxidant
system by scavenging free radicals. It also perform many other vital functions.
Phosphorus
Phosphorous important in maintaining bone structure and modulating plasma and bone
formation
Silicon
Silicon is concentrated in the active growth areas of bone. It influences both for bone
formation and calcification.
PROBIOTICS
Probiotics (for life) can be described as a living micro-organism which when ingested with or
without food improves the intestinal microbial balance and consequently the health and
functioning of large intestine. The major sources are the cultured dairy products such as
natural cheese, yogurt, kefir and butter milk lactobacillus also in green foods such as wheat
grain, spirulina and chlorella. There are over 400 different bacteria living in the human GI tract,
of all these lactobaccilus acidophilus is one of the major component of the probiotic fighter. It
enhances the immune system. Lactobacillus acidophilus can reduce the incidence of vaginal
infections including thrush and bacterial vaginosis. Bifidobacteria and Streptococcus
thermophilus both found in yoghurt can prevent young children suffering from diarrhoea also
in treating travelers diarrhoea and rotavirus infection. Probiotics only have a transient effect
and regular daily intake is needed to bring about health benefits. Probiotics gaining importance
against helicobacter pylori infection, colonic cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, pancreatitis,
antibiotic induced diarrhea, Crohn's disease and pouchitis. Probiotics are food components
that escape digestion by the normal human digestive enzymes and safety in intact form, reach
the colon after passage through the stomach and small intestine where they selectively
promote the growth of probiotics, Fructo-oligo saccharides (FOS) are increasingly used as food
supplements. FOS have more long-lasting effect as they encourage the growth of Bifido
bacteria already present in the gut. At least 10gm FOS is needed daily. [4]
DIETARY FIBRE
Dietary fibres plays critical role in keeping good health in human individuals and animals They
are rich in antioxidants.
Cereals and grains are largely used throughout the worked as the major food material. These
can be used in the entire form and sprouted cereals and grains in this milled form. These
cereals and grains are rich in normal food nutrients, vitamins minerals and specific
phytochemicals. Cereals and grains helps in calcium fortification, maintaining healthy heart and
a healthy immune system. Breads of soya flour and linseed provides phytooestrogenic natural
substances that mimic the structure of the hormone oestrogen. The sprouts are known for this
powerful nutritive and healing properties, they are the best "living food" because they contain
high proportion of proteins and essential amino acids needed for normal growth of human
being. Many sprouted seeds such as those of alfalfa and sunflower contain all the essential
amino acid in their 'free state'. Sprouting increases the vitamin content of a seed dramatically.
Sprouts reduce inflammation lower fever and tone the body. [6]
1. Flaxseeds
Flaxseeds are the dried ripe seeds of Linum usitatissimum, family Linaneae. The
components are of great interest as functional food. Flaxseed incorporations into the diet is
particularly attractive from the perspective of specific health benefit. Flaxseed has been
recorded as one of the six plant materials as cancer preventive foods. Alpha linolenic acid
R.P EDUCATION TRUST GROUP OF INSTITUTION,KARNAL 33
NUTRACEUTICALS AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO PHARMACEUTICALS
(ALA) has a broad spectrum of health advantages. It inhibits the production of eicosanoids,
alters the production of several prostanoids, reduces blood pressure in hypertensive
patients and lowers triglycerides and cholesterol. Dietary ALA may retard tumour growth
and plays an important role in metastatis. It has been suggested that Ala is dietary essential
for optimal neurological development of humans especially during fetal and
early postnatal life.
Dietary fibres of flaxseeds contain about 6% mucilage which has nutritional value. It appears to
play a role in reducing diabetes and coronary heart disease risk, preventing colon and rectal
cancer and reduces the incidence of obesity. [7]
2. Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo biloba, family Ginkgoaceae, known as fossil tree is an important drug used in traditional
Chinese medicine since more than 2800 years. Mainly leaves and edible seeds are used as
drugs. Ginkgolides A, B, C and bilobalide are also the therapeutically active constituents. Leaf
contains 6-hydroxykynurenic acid, a metabolite of tryptophan.
The leaves are recommended as being beneficial to the beneficial to the heart and lungs.
Ginkgolides present in the leaves are able to alleviate the adverse effects of platelet-activating
factor in a number of tissues and organs both in animals and in humans. It is also effective in
the treatment of arterial insufficiency in the limbs and in the brain.
extract or the volatile oil, all lowers cholesterol and plasma lipids, lipid metabolism, and
atherogenesis both in vitro and in vivo. The mechanism of garlics antihypercholesterolaemic
and antihyperlipidaemic activity appears to involve the inhibitin of hepatic HMG-CoA reductase
and remodeling of the plasma lipoprotein and cell membrane. The overall activity of garlic is
mainly due to the presence of sulfur compound such as allin, allicin, ajoene and others.
4. Soya products
Soyabean, Glycin max, family Leguminoseae has clearly been a plant food in the spotlight in
the 1990s. It has been recognized as an excellent source of protein, equivalent to quality to
animal protein. Soya has been extensively investigated for its ability to treat and prevent a
variety of chronic diseases including cancer. Soyabean meals, concentrates and isolates are
used as meat substitute and have many healthful benefits. Soyabean is also a major source of
lecithins which yields liposomes used to formulate stable emulsions and finds major use in
food technology.
The primary isoflavones in soya, genistein and daidzein are structurally similar to the
estrogenic steroids and have been reported to have estrogenic and antiestrogenic activities.
Due to their weaker activity, isoflavones may act as antiestrogens by competing with the more
potent naturally occurring estrogens for binding to the estrogen receptor. Due to this, soya
consumption may reduce the risk for estrogen-dependent cancers. South East Asian population
who consume 20-80 mg of genistein per day are found to have significantly lower incidence of
breast and prostate cancer. Genistein has been reported to be a potent and specific inhibitor of
protein tyrosine kinase. Genistein also inhibits DNA topoisomerase II activity, alters cell cycle
specific events, induce apoptosis and inhibits angiogenetic process which is essential
for tumour growth. [8,9]
5. Tomato lycopenes
Lycopene is a carotenoid principle present in lycopersicon family Solanaceae known
throughout the world as tomato. Clinical studies have indicated that lycopene significantly
lowered the risk of prostate cancer. The candidates that consumed processed tomato products
about 10times per week had less than one half the risk of developing prostate cancer.
Lycopene activity is likely to be related to its antioxidant function because lycopene has been
reported to be the most efficient quencher of singlet oxygen in biological system. Lycopene has
also been shown to reduce risk of other types of cancers of digestive tract, pancreas, cervix,
bladder and skin. Recently it has been proved that low plasma lycopene levels may be an
independent risk factor for lung cancers especially in smokers. [10]
SCOPE OF NUTRACEUTICALS
Nutraceuticals play a significant role in modifying and maintaining normal physiological
function that maintains healthy human beings. The food products used as nutraceuticals
can be categorized as dietary fiber, prebiotics, probiotics, polyunsaturated
fatty acids, antioxidants, and other different types of herbal natural foods. These
nutraceuticals are used in various diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases, cancer,
osteoporosis, arthritis, diabetes, cholesterol, etc. On the whole, “nutraceutical” has to lead to
a new era of medicine and health, in which the food industry has become a research-oriented
sector. [11]
unit quantities. Dietary supplements contain all products that can be purchased by the
consumer without a prescription.
The nutraceutical market is becoming more competitive with the entry of pharmaceutical and
major food companies into the nutraceutical arena. Also, many food companies have
established their nutraceutical divisions with a view toward a diversified product line.
Pharmaceutical companies have also joined the race by acquiring dietary supplement
producers. Recent years have marked the entry of major food and pharmaceutical companies
into the nutraceutical marketplace, including Kellogg, Heinz, M&M, Quaker Oats, Unilever,
Cargill, Hormel, Glaxo-SmithKline, Warner-Lambert, Johnson & Johnson and Wyeth. The 2004
global nutraceuticals market at the retail level is estimated at approximately $106 billion and is
poised to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 6.0% during 2004-2009 to exceed $140
billion in 2009. Functional foods represent the largest and fastest growing segment worldwide,
with sales estimated at $77 billion for 2004 and projected to reach $103 billion by 2009. The
functional food segment is expected to retain its leading position to 2009. [12,13]
BENEFITS OF NUTRACEUTICALS
Nutraceuticals are in use, from since many earlier years. Current researches and nutritional
supports and medical proofs have allowed nutraceuticals to come out very effectively. As we
know, they can be derived from plants and animals which are used in food manufacturing that
are helpful in creating novel food for future. Review of Literature revealed that dietary
supplements we consume daily may account about 64% of nutraceuticals market. Dietary
supplements play a vibrant role in preventing appearance of chronic diseases, its advancement
and mortality. From past decades, diseases can be treated or prevented by taking food as
medicine. For example, table salts are fortified with iodine, flour with folic acid so as to prevent
individual from iodine deficiency which may result anemia and goiter. [15]
DISADVANTAGES OF NUTRACEUTICALS
With all advantages researcher finds the Nutraceuticals are usually considered to be safe but in
some extent it may be dangerous. The reason behind to be as dangerous because they are
brought into the market without any experimental assessment or clinical trials. The adverse
effects associated with the intake of dietary supplements were first time marked after the
emergence of the case reports of the signs of intake of some dietary supplements. According
to report, it has been found that about 33% adults in US consume multivitamins 15. This value
is considered very high to be consumed by a normal adult. The adverse effects of
nutraceuticals on human health are: Higher intake of pyridoxine (vitamin B6) may cause
pyridoxine-associated sensory polyneuropathy in old age patients that consumes
multivitamins. a-Trocopherol and B-Carotene are phytoconstituents which are studied in
cancer prevention studies, but the male who is use to of smoking may be affected by a-
Trocopherol and B-Carotene i.c., there is risk of lungs cancer. There may be greater chances of
occurrence of congential irregularity in the babies which are born to ladies that consume
vitamin A in high amount. Patients with persistent hyper vitaminosis A, consuming
supplements, are also reported with intrahepatic cholestasis after 12 years. It is reported that
omega-3 fatty acids and fish oil is well tolerated and is little toxic when taken at a dose level of
1000-2000 mg/day. But in case of patients taking anticoagulants (like warfarin), they may
intensify anticoagulation's and increase haemorrhage. [16,17]
CONCLUSION
Nutraceuticals have proven health benefits and disease prevention capabilities, which
should be taken under their acceptable recommended intake. Nutraceuticals play an
important role in therapeutic development in the current self-medication landscape, but
their success depends on maintaining their quality, purity, safety, and efficacy. At present, a
wide range of nutraceuticals have been successfully marketed due to their excellent
therapeutic activity against various diseases, there is currently a great demand for natural
products in the market, and the nutraceutical industry in the food industry and
pharmaceutical industry is also developing faster and faster. The global market is currently in a
post-recession experimental growth phase, although the impact of the recession has
diminished; the nutraceuticals market is expected to remain in a growth phase, driven by
new markets in countries such as India, China, Brazil, the United States, Europe, etc.
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