IN-VIVO EFFECT OF HERBAL MIXTURE MAK-4 ON ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY OF BRAIN MICROSOMES

There is increasing evidence that free radicals are linked to neurolog ical disorders and aging. The herbal mixture Maharishi Amrit Kalash-4 (MAK-4) has antioxidant properties, as assessed by inhibition of low-d ensity lipoprotein oxidation in vivo and in vitro. In this study, we e xamined the in vivo effect of MAK-4 on lipid peroxidation and antioxid ant protection capacity of the brain of Watanabe Heritable Hyperlipide mic (WHHL) rabbits. A group of 5 rabbits (controls) was fed normal rab bit chow, and a group of 6 rabbits was fed normal chow supplemented wi th 6% MAK-4 (w:w), for 6 months. Brain microsomes were then prepared a nd incubated in the presence or absence of either an enzymatic or none nzymatic system for inducing lipid peroxidation; in the absence of eit her system, air-induced lipid peroxidation was measured. Lipid peroxid ation was assessed by measuring thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance s (TEARS). The baseline level of TEARS (nmoles MDA/mg microsomal prote in) was significantly lower (p<0.05) in the rabbits fed MAK-4 (1.18 +/ - 0.07 vs 1.51 +/- 0.25 for controls). Also, the MAK-4 group showed si gnificantly lower TEARS (p<0.05) after air-, enzymatic-, and nonenzyma tic-induced lipid peroxidation (1.29 +/- 0.21, 1.27 +/- 0.16, and 2.91 +/- 0.79, respectively) as compared to controls (1.92 +/- 0.45, 2.28 +/- 0.26, and 12.85 +/- 0.61, respectively). These results indicate MA K-4 may yield increased antioxidant protection in the brain, and may t herefore be useful in preventing or treating free radical-induced neur ological disorders.