276
have gained much attention in many scientific research areas, as they have strong
antioxidant properties. In vivo experiments confirmed that polyphenol rich diets
may decrease the risk of chronic diseases by reducing oxidative stress. Also, Meyer
et al. (1998) reported that hydroxyl cinnamates such as ferulic, caffeic and
p- coumaric acid reduce low-density lipoprotein oxidation, potentially protecting the
body from atherosclerosis. Ferulic acid, as the most common phenolic acid in whole
cereal grains, was predominantly found in bound form in corn, wheat, oats, and rice
(Zilic et al. 2011).
15.6 Pharmacological Studies on Cereals and Grains
Phytoconstituents such as ascorbic acid, tocopherols, carotenoids and phenolic
compounds (polyphenols), besides other bioactive compounds are reported to have
antioxidant activity. A majority of the antioxidant activity is attributed to the flavones, isoflavones, flavonoids, anthocyanin, coumarin, lignans, catechins and isocatechins (Firdous and Bharathi 2014). In recent years, cereals and its ingredients
are accepted as functional foods and nutraceuticals because of providing dietary
fibres, proteins, energy, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants required for human
health. It is widely recognized that dietary ingredients have a dual role, one of them
is nutritional and another is pharmaceutical. So now it’s often called
nutraceuticals.
The antidiabetic and antioxidant potential of Triticum aestivum were evaluated in
streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Ethanolic extracts of Triticum aestivum
(100 mg/kgb.w.) were administered orally for 30 days. Result showed that a significant increase in the liver glycogen and a significant decrease in fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin levels, and serum marker enzyme levels. The total
cholesterol and serum triglycerides levels, low density lipoprotein, and very low
density lipoprotein was also significantly reduced and the high density lipoprotein
level was significantly increased upon treatment with the ethanolic wheat extract. A
significant decrease in the levels of lipid peroxides, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidise and increase in the levels of vitamin E, catalase, and reduced
glutathione were observed in treated diabetic rats (Mohan et al. 2013). In other
study ethanolic extract of the leaves of Triticum aestivum were evaluated for its
effect in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) in an experimental mice
model. After 7 days, various behavioural tests (mirror chamber and elevated plus
maize test for anxiety, open field test for locomotor activity) and biochemical estimations (malondialdehyde [MDA] and catalase activity) in mice brain were performed. Result showed that forced swimming in the stressed group resulted in a
significant increase in immobility period, decrease in locomotor activity and elevated anxiety level. The brain homogenate showed significantly increased MDA
and decreased catalase levels. The extract-treated groups showed significantly
(P < 0.05) improved locomotor activity, decreased anxiety level, elevated catalase
levels and reduction of MDA (Borah et al. 2014). One more study was conducted on
S. A. A. Makbul et al.
have gained much attention in many scientific research areas, as they have strong
antioxidant properties. In vivo experiments confirmed that polyphenol rich diets
may decrease the risk of chronic diseases by reducing oxidative stress. Also, Meyer
et al. (1998) reported that hydroxyl cinnamates such as ferulic, caffeic and
p- coumaric acid reduce low-density lipoprotein oxidation, potentially protecting the
body from atherosclerosis. Ferulic acid, as the most common phenolic acid in whole
cereal grains, was predominantly found in bound form in corn, wheat, oats, and rice
(Zilic et al. 2011).
15.6 Pharmacological Studies on Cereals and Grains
Phytoconstituents such as ascorbic acid, tocopherols, carotenoids and phenolic
compounds (polyphenols), besides other bioactive compounds are reported to have
antioxidant activity. A majority of the antioxidant activity is attributed to the flavones, isoflavones, flavonoids, anthocyanin, coumarin, lignans, catechins and isocatechins (Firdous and Bharathi 2014). In recent years, cereals and its ingredients
are accepted as functional foods and nutraceuticals because of providing dietary
fibres, proteins, energy, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants required for human
health. It is widely recognized that dietary ingredients have a dual role, one of them
is nutritional and another is pharmaceutical. So now it’s often called
nutraceuticals.
The antidiabetic and antioxidant potential of Triticum aestivum were evaluated in
streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Ethanolic extracts of Triticum aestivum
(100 mg/kgb.w.) were administered orally for 30 days. Result showed that a significant increase in the liver glycogen and a significant decrease in fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin levels, and serum marker enzyme levels. The total
cholesterol and serum triglycerides levels, low density lipoprotein, and very low
density lipoprotein was also significantly reduced and the high density lipoprotein
level was significantly increased upon treatment with the ethanolic wheat extract. A
significant decrease in the levels of lipid peroxides, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidise and increase in the levels of vitamin E, catalase, and reduced
glutathione were observed in treated diabetic rats (Mohan et al. 2013). In other
study ethanolic extract of the leaves of Triticum aestivum were evaluated for its
effect in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) in an experimental mice
model. After 7 days, various behavioural tests (mirror chamber and elevated plus
maize test for anxiety, open field test for locomotor activity) and biochemical estimations (malondialdehyde [MDA] and catalase activity) in mice brain were performed. Result showed that forced swimming in the stressed group resulted in a
significant increase in immobility period, decrease in locomotor activity and elevated anxiety level. The brain homogenate showed significantly increased MDA
and decreased catalase levels. The extract-treated groups showed significantly
(P < 0.05) improved locomotor activity, decreased anxiety level, elevated catalase
levels and reduction of MDA (Borah et al. 2014). One more study was conducted on
S. A. A. Makbul et al.