REVIEW ON ANTI AGING

ABOUT AUTHOR:
Sayoni Sengupta
M.Pharm 1st Sem.
Kanak Manjari Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Rourkela, Orissa
bonirini@hotmail.com

ABSTRACT
Aging is the accumulation of changes in person overtime. Aging in humans refers to a multidimensional process of physical, physiological and social changes.
Recent studies have revealed that certain medicinal herbs are effective in the intervention or prevention of aging and also in the eradication of age associated disorders. Herbs used in anti-aging programmes have medicinal properties which stimulate the vital organs in the body and restore their normal function. Many of them possess antioxidant properties.
Ginseng derived from the Chinese term, belongs to the genus Panax, of the family Araliaceaeby the presence of ginsenoside.
Recent studies explain the exotic role of Panax ginseng’s ginsenoside in promoting neurological health support and also state its beneficial effects in anti-aging and nerve related problems.

REFERENCE ID: PHARMATUTOR-ART-2056

INTRODUCTION
Aging maybe referred as to the progressive, deleterious and universal changes in the organisms.

Since ancient times, aging was considered as an “unsolved problem in biology”. However, after much research in the respective field, it is now widely accepted that aging is a multifarious event, resulting from the collective effects of genetic variation, environmental risk factors, nutritional factors and lifestyle. Under the influence of these factors, our body undergo progressive deterioration of physical functions, loss of homeostasis and increased susceptibility to diseases.

Many theories have been proposed explaining aging. The most widely accepted theory is that proposed by Harman (1956). It explains that increased levels of free radicals with age cause a progressive accumulation of cellular damage, which mainly includes DNA, protein and lipid.

This ultimately leads to pathological aging coupled with skin aging, which displays variable epidermal thickness, reduced collagen, severe atrophy etc.

HERBAL COSMETICS  FOR ANTI AGING
Herbal cosmetics play a leading role in impeding and reversing aging of skin. Ingredients present in herbal cosmetics impact biological functions of skin and also provide required nutrition for healthy skin.

Herbal cosmetics are not restricted only under the preview of Drugs and Regulations of Food and Drug Administrations. The imperative methods are based on scientifically validated procedures. The aforesaid methods thrive in the emergence of novel cosmeceuticals for the prevention of sagging.

ANTI- AGING HERBS
Herbs used in anti-aging programs have medicinal properties which stimulate the vital organs in the body and restore their normal function. Many of them possess antioxidant properties. Restoring the brain, glands and vital organs are the most important role of these herbs in the healing process.

Some important herbs that are extensively acquired in our daily life maybe given as under:

GINSENG (PROTOTYPE) AS ANTI-AGING:
The English word Ginseng is derived from the Chinese term renshen , where ren means “man” and shen means “plant root”. The botanical genus name Panax means “all heal” in Greek.

It is a slow growing perennial plant with fleshy roots, belonging to the genus panax, of the family Araliaceae. The root is most often available in dried form, either whole or sliced.

Ginseng is found only in the northern Hemisphere, in North America and Eastern Asia. It is particularly characterized by the presence of gensenosides.

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COMMON CLASSIFICATION OF GINSENG:

Asian Ginseng:
PanaxGinseng is commercially available in 4 forms: fresh, red, white and sun ginseng.

1.     Red Ginseng: it is usually peeled, heated through steaming and then dried or sun dried. Most commonly used as herbal medicine. This version of ginseng is associated with stimulating sexual function and increasing energy.

Falcarinol, a  17- carbon di-yne fatty alcohol constituent, isolated from red ginseng is thought to possess potent anticancer property.

2.     Fresh Ginseng: Raw product, with limited use.

3.     White Ginseng: Native to America. It is fresh ginseng which has been dried without being heated. Contains less therapeutic constituents.

4.     Sun Ginseng:  Sun ginseng is created from a heat processing method, which increases ginsenoside component. Sun ginseng has increased nitric oxide, superoxide, hydroxyl radical etc. Produces optimal biological activities due to its ability to amplify ginsenosides.

P.quinquefoliusAmerican Ginseng (Root) :
American ginseng is entitled to promote energy and also calms and cleans the body.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GINSENG:
The dried roots and the rhizomes of ginseng (p.ginseng C.A Meyer) contain many physiologically important constituents. These mainly include ginseng saponins, ginseng oils and phytosterol, carbohydrates and sugar, amino acids, peptides and certain enzymes that have been isolated and characterized. Amongst the above mentioned constituents ginseng saponins are proven to be the principal and most active constituent. According to detailed researches, almost 13 saponins have been isolated and identified and these have been termed as ginsenosides or panaxosides. The most abundant ginsenoside present is ginsenoside Rb1. This ginsenoside is reported to have sedative effect. Ginsenoside Rg1 is reported to have stimulant effect. They are principally triterpenes of dammarene and oleanane structures. The saponins are mainly present in ginseng root. The root of ginseng contains a resin, sugar, mucilage, starch and several steroid compounds. Ginsenosides are noted to be powerful adaptogens. Saponins are anti- inflammatory, analgesic, anti-convulsant and also help to regulate blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

GINSENG IN ANTI-AGING AND NERVE RELATED PROBLEMS:
Recent studies states the exotic role of Panax ginseng’s ginsenosides, that exert neurosupportive action and thus aids to promote neurological health. It also exerts beneficial effects on aging and nerve related problems.

Basic Mechanism Of Action (MOA) of Ginseng:
The basic MOA of ginseng maybe elaborated as follows:

Neural progenitor cells (NPCs)exists not only in the developing brain, but also in certain defined areas in adult brain in mammals. Studies suggest that in promoting neurogenesis in adult mammals, one may investigate therapeutic way to cure age-related neurodegenerative diseases.

Hence, it is imperative to find out drugs that can increase the proliferation and differentiation ability of neural progenitors.

MECHANISM DIRECTED TOWARD ANTI-AGING:
The present study suggests the influence of ginsenosides Rg1, an active constituent of Panax ginseng C.A Meyer and also states its proliferation ability in rodent hippocampal progenitor cells both in-vivo and in-vitro.

The mechanism maybe explained by the experiment:

Incubation of the NPCs with ginsenosides Rg1 that results in significant increase in absorbancy value, 3 H- thymidine incorporation and number of proliferating progenitor cell spheres.

After a definite span of time interval, it was observed that Rg1 administration led to marked enhancement of the number of dividing cells in hippocampus of adult mice.

The above experiment concludes that ginsenoside Rg1 is involved in the regulation of proliferation of hippocampal progenitor cells.

This effect maybe concluded to serve as one of the elementary mechanisms for anti- aging action.

THE COMMON HEALTH BENEFITS OF GINSENG:
The gnarly root of ginseng plant has been used as a medicine in China for over 5000 years. It is known as adaptogen i.e it increases the body’s ability to adapt to stress and also changing situations. The root is usually chewed or brewed as tea. It is also available as tablet, capsule and liquid extract.

Certain benefits of ginseng are:

• Stress Reliever: It is known to reduce stress and also acts as stimulant. It also regulates metabolism and increase energy levels.
  

• Anti aging: Ginseng helps to slow the signs of aging as it is significant source of antioxidant which halts the formation of free radicals and another anti aging substance called maltol.
  

• Mental Stimulant: Ginseng tea helps to stimulate brain cells and hence improves concentration, memory and thinking ability.
  

• Helps to control weight: ginseng tea is natural appetite suppressant and thus helps to fight obesity.
  

• Aids in Erectile Dysfunction: Acts as a potent aphrodisiac and is believed to help those men with erectile dysfunction.
  

• Blood sugar Control: Ginseng may help diabetics to control blood sugar levels as it creates sugar lowering effects in fasting and after-meal blood sugar levels.
  

• Side Effects Associated: It must be used under medical supervision. It may induce allergy, headache, gastrointestinal and  sleep problems.
  

CONCLUSION:
The above article hence bestows knowledge regarding the beneficial use of the various medicinal plants and also its various therapeutic uses. It also relates to the various medicinal herbs that aims towards anti-aging programs.

It mainly relates to the various aspects of aging and also the various theories proposed to explain the concept of aging.

The above review particularly emphasises the anti-aging properties and therapeutic efficiency of panax ginseng (family: Araliaceae). It strives to give detailed information regarding ginseng’s location, its common classification and also chemical composition. The common health benefits of ginseng, its related side-effects have been detailed respectively. The article also includes experimental mechanisms which concludes ginseng’s prominent role in anti-aging.

Therefore, it maybe concluded that the meaning of anti aging has been changed from simply prolonging the life span to increasing the health span which emphasizes more on the quality of life. Recent studies have also shown that medicinal herbs are effective in the intervention of aging.

REFERENCES:
Dwivedi J, Deshmukh VK, Matlam M, Jha AK, Roy A, Sahu RK, Review on Skin Aging and Compilation of Scientific Validated Medicinal Plants, Prominence to Flourish a Better Research Reconnoiters in Herbal Cosmetic, Research Journal of Medicinal Plant, 7:1-22
Lu MJ, Yao Q, Chen C, Ginseng Compounds: An update on their Molecular Mechanisms and Medicinal Applications, 2009,Vol.7 (3),293-302
Ho YS, So KF, Chang RC, Anti aging Herbal Medicine, 2010, Vol.9(10), 354-362
Harman, D., 1998. Aging: phenomena and theories. Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 854, 1–7.
Harman, D., 1956. Aging: a theory based on free radical and radiation chemistry. J. Gerontol. 11, 298–300.

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