1.  Title

Inhibitory Effects of Maharishi-4 [MAK-4] and Maharishi-5 [MAK-5] on Microsomal Lipid Peroxidation

Publication

Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior, Vol. 39, No. 3, pp. 649-652, 1991.

Authors

Chandradhar Dwivedi,* Hari M. Sharma,** Stacy Dobrowski,* and Ferzaan N. Engineer.*

Conducted at

* College of Pharmacy, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD

~College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH

Summary

The effects of Maharishi-4 (MAK-4) and Maharishi-5 (MAK-5) on microsomal lipid peroxidation were examined in vitro. Rat liver microsomes were incubated with an NADPH-generating system or with sodium ascorbate and an ADP-iron complex to stimulate enzymatic or nonenzymatic lipid peroxidation, respectively. Alcoholic or aqueous extracts of MAK-4 or MAK-5, when added to these incubation systems, inhibited hepatic microsomal lipid peroxidation in a concentration-dependent manner. The aqueous extract of MAK-4 was the most effective antiperoxidant in these systems. A 10% (w/v) aqueous extract of MAK-4 inhibited ascorbate or NADPH-induced lipid peroxidation by approximately 50% when added at volumes of 8 microliters and 3.5 microliters, respectively, to the incubation mixtures (total incubation volume, 2 mL). These findings suggest that MAK-4 and MAK-5, by virtue of their antioxidant properties, may be useful in the treatment of free radical-linked drug toxicities and disease states. Abstract reprinted by permission of the publisher from Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior, Vol. 39, No. 3, pp. 649-652. Copyright 1991 by Elsevier Science Inc.

 

 

2.  Title

Effect of Maharishi 4 [MAK-4] and Maharishi 5 [MAK-5] on Inflammatory Mediators With Special

Reference to Their Free Radical Scavenging Effect

Publication

Indian Journal of Clinical Practice, Vol. I, No. 8, pp. 23-27, January 1991-

Author

Yukie Niwa.

Conducted at

Niwa Institute for Immunology, Japan

Summary

Maharishi 4 (MAK-4) and Maharishi 3 (MAK-5) were investigated for their effects on human neutrophil chemotaxis, phagocytosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and lymphocyte response to mitogens. The effect on ROS generated in a xanthine-xanthine oxidase system was also tested. Chemotaxis was significantly inhibited in the presence of MAK-4 and phagocytosis was slightly decreased in the presence of both MAK-4 and MAK-5. MAK-4 and MAK-3 markedly decreased superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radicals, generated both in the neutrophil and xanthine-