TNF, reported as anti influenza cytokine, has been reported to be present in ginger. WZ3146 5.1.6. Phyllanthus emblica. The Indian gooseberry is a deciduous tree of the Euphorbiaceae family. It is also known as Amlaka and Amla. In traditional Indian medicine, dried and fresh fruits of the plant are used. All parts of the plant, including the fruit, seed, leaves, root, bark, and flowers, are used in various Ayurvedic/Unani Medicine herbal preparations. According to Ayurveda, Emblica officinalis fruit is sour and astringent in taste, with sweet, bitter, and pungent secondary tastes. Methanol extract of the fruit of Emblica officinalis has potent inhibitory action against human immunodeficiency virus 1 reverse transcriptase. Emblica officinalis aqueous extracts are used in Cuban traditional medicine for their antiviral activity against Hepatitis B virus and A and B influenza virus.
The cytotoxicity of the extract was tested by means of colony forming ability and growth inhibition assays, as well as by measuring the mitotic index. Apoptosis induction AMG-208 and cell cycle kinetics were analyzed by cytofluorimetric methods. In Ayurvedic polyherbal formulations, Emblica officinalis is a common constituent, and most notably is the primary ingredient in an ancient herbal preparation called Chyawanprash, which is itself an effective adaptogen and immunity booster that could help control swine flu infection. 5.1.7. Tinospora cordifolia. Tinospora cordifolia, also called Guduchi, is a herbaceous vine of the familyMenispermaceae indigenous to the tropical areas of India, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka.
The active constituents are diterpene compounds, including tinosporone, tinosporic acid, cordifolisides A to E, syringen, the yellow alkaloid, berberine, Giloin, crude Giloininand, and a glucosidal bitter principle, as well as polysaccharides, including arabinogalactan polysaccharide. These compounds possess adaptogenic and immunomodulating properties. Picrotene and bergenin, possessing antioxidant properties have been reported from Tinospora. Tinospora cordifolia has been studied extensively for its immunomodulating activities. The active principles of Tinospora cordifolia were found to possess immunomodulatory activities and caused significant increases in IgG antibodies in serum, along with macrophage activation. Enhancement in humoral immunity, evidenced by the hemagglutination titre, along with stimulation of cellmediated immunity were observed in the leukocyte migration inhibition tests.
The plant has immense potential for use against novel H1N1 flu since it is a potent immunostimulant. 5.1.8. Mentha piperita. Mentha piperita, family Labiatae, is a herbaceous rhizomatous perennial plant widely used in Ayurveda. It contains about 1.2% 1.5% essential oil. The volatile oil, also known as menthae piperitae aetheroleum, contains 30 70% free menthol, menthol esters and more than 40 other compounds. The principal components of the oil are menthol, menthone, and menthyl acetate. Pharmaceutical grade oil, produced by distilling the fresh aerial parts of the plant at the beginning of the flowering cycle, is standardized to contain no less than 44% menthol, 15% 30% menthone, and 5% esters, in addition to various terpenoids.