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Facial skin characteristics and appearance vary according to ethnicity. While much of this knowledge is derived from the Caucasian population, lately there have been efforts to gain such understanding in various regions in Asia. In this paper, we have built an understanding of such features in Indonesia. In Indonesia, a section of females wears a traditional veil (hijab) to cover the scalp and part of face. The influence of the hijab on facial skin attributes was also investigated.In a cross-sectional observational study design involving 419 female volunteers in Jakarta, Indonesia, facial skin attributes (colour, radiance, hydration, trans-epidermal water loss [TEWL], wrinkles, fine lines, pores, and sebum levels) and conditions (melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), solar lentigines/ senile lentigines, seborrheic keratoses and acne) were assessed by trained operators and dermatologists using standard validated instruments and scales.With age, facial skin colour showed darkening in cheek; forehead on the other hand showed slight lightening. The skin evenness and radiance decreased, substantially. Aging attributes measured in terms of lines, wrinkles, and under-eye dark circles showed deterioration with age; the decline was progressively faster than colour change. Facial image data analysis corroborated these findings. Skin hydration remained similar across the age groups even though the skin barrier function measured in terms of TEWL improved with age. Sebum levels in the skin were similar up to the age of 50 but declined in the next group of 50-60 year. Pore severity increased with age. Melasma, seborrheic keratosis and PIH showed a high prevalence (∼50%) at the young age group (20-30 years), itself. Melasma prevalence attained 100% in the age group of 41-50 year and onwards, and its severity similarly showed a steady rise with age. PIH on the other hand showed a steady decline with age. Solar lentigines prevalence (∼30%) did not change much across age groups, and the severity scores were similar in age groups up to 50 year but increased substantially in 51-60-year age groups. Seborrheic keratosis was similar (∼47%) in age groups up 20-40 year but steadily increased in upper age groups. Its severity was similar in the age groups of 20-30 year and 31-40 year but showed a two-fold increase in subsequent age groups. Acne was 10% in the age group of 20-30 year and declined gradually to 0.7% in the 51-60-year age group. Hijab wearers showed slight protection in skin colour darkening and improvement of evenness and radiance but were similar on aging (fine lines and wrinkles on crow's feet, under eye and peri-oral areas) markers to non-wearers. In general, in majority of age-groups, hijab wearers showed a higher prevalence of melasma, solar/senile lentigines, seborrheic keratosis and PIH.

This study aims to assess the financial performance of select public sector banks, having the highest level of gross non-performing assets, using the Altman's Z-Score model. It was found that all the select banks were in the safe zone, with the average Altman's Z-Score value being higher than the prescribed safe zone cut-off limit of 2.9. The Altman's Z-Score values differed significantly between the banks, possibly due to their varying asset sizes. However, when considered individually for each bank, the Altman's Z-Score did not exhibit statistically significant variation between the years, in the ten year study period. The Altman's Z-Score value, for the first five year period, was found to be statistically different from the last five year period when all the banks were pooled together. This may be on account of the increase in the non-performing assets in the last five year period. The results of linear regression analysis indicated that for every 1% increase in the gross non-performing assets, the Altman's Z-Score decreased by about 3.1%. However, for every 1% increase in the net profits, the Altman's Z-Score increased by about 15.31%. Hence the public sector banks not only have to keep their non-performing assets under control but also devise innovative ways to increase their profits.

Black tea (C. sinensis) consumption is well associated with enhanced endothelial function (EF) and reduced cardiovascular (CV) risk. This clinical end benefit is endorsed to flavonoids in tea. The black tea flavonoid composition varies across geographies and may impact its health benefits. Moreover, the underlying functional species and a precise working mechanism responsible for the observed health benefit also remain to be investigated. In this Article, we investigated the effect of black teas from various geographies (WoBTs) on different working mechanisms (antioxidant potential and endothelial function) proposed to influence certain risk factors of CVH, in vitro. Pearson correlation analysis showed that the antioxidant benefits are fairly influenced by majority of tea actives such as catechins, theaflavins, thearubigins, and phenolic acids, while NO potentiating effects are mainly regulated by catechins in black tea. The data also suggest that the net vascular function benefit of black tea is majorly influenced by NO enhancement, while mildly contributed by its antioxidant benefit.

Green tea is often associated with glycemic control benefit. However, the available evidence is not conclusive. In this study, we systematically assessed the contribution of main green tea extract (GTE) ingredients to the inhibition of carbohydrate digestive enzyme and intestinal glucose transport, which are two intervention options for postprandial blood glucose control. A catechin mixture (CM) solution containing seven catechins and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) solution was prepared based on the contents of individual catechins in the GTE as determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The inhibitory potency of GTE, CM, and EGCG on α-amylase or α-glucosidase was compared in cell-free system. GTE’s inhibitory potency was mainly attributed to catechins, among which, EGCG accounted for at least 80 % of the α-amylase inhibitory activity and 90 % of the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of GTE. In addition, the fluorescence quenching of the digestive enzymes by EGCG revealed that the binding site of EGCG-α-amylase was 1.2, and that for EGCG-α-glucosidase to be 2.0. The inhibitory potency of GTE, CM, and EGCG on glucose transport was assessed in Caco-2 monolayer system. Under the simulated fasting state, there was significant difference between the test materials regarding inhibitory potency according to two-way ANOVA (P > 0.05). Under the simulated fed state, CM showed stronger inhibition than EGCG only at the highest test concentration (25.7 μg/mL), while no significant difference was observed between CM and the GTE. In conclusion, our results suggest that green tea’s postprandial hypoglycemic potential can be attributed to its catechins.

Consumption of tea ( Camellia sinensis ) improves vascular function and is linked to lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease. Endothelial nitric oxide is the key regulator of vascular functions in endothelium. In this study, we establish that l-theanine, a non-protein amino-acid found in tea, promotes nitric oxide (NO) production in endothelial cells. l-theanine potentiated NO production in endothelial cells was evaluated using Griess reaction, NO sensitive electrode and a NO specific fluorescent probe (4-amino-5-methylamino-2',7'-difluororescein diacetate). l-Theanine induced NO production was partially attenuated in presence of l-NAME or l-NIO and completely abolished using eNOS siRNA. eNOS activation was Ca 2+ and Akt independent, as assessed by fluo-4AM and immunoblotting experiments, respectively and was associated with phosphorylation of eNOS Ser 1177. eNOS phosphorylation was inhibited in the presence of ERK1/2 inhibitor, PD-98059 and partially inhibited by PI3K inhibitor, LY-294002 and Wortmanin suggesting PI3K-ERK1/2 dependent pathway. Increased NO production was associated with vasodilation in ex ovo (chorioallantoic membrane) model. These results demonstrated that l-theanine administration in vitro activated ERK/eNOS resulting in enhanced NO production and thereby vasodilation in the artery. The results of our experiments are suggestive of l-theanine mediated vascular health benefits of tea.

The effects of Ocimum sanctum (Lamiaceae), Tulsi on the cellular oxidative state in a hepatocyte cell line (HepG2) and its putative potency to enhance endogenous antioxidant defenses were investigated. Cells were incubated with aqueous extracts of Tulsi (1–100 μg·ml−1) between 4 and 48 h, and biochemical markers of OS were determined. Tulsi up to 100 μg·ml−1 concentrations had no effect either on cytotoxicity or cell proliferation but increased the levels of glutathione (18%–32%) and antioxidant capacity (19%–31%) of cells and enhanced activities of endogenous antioxidant enzymes. Results suggested that aqueous extract of Tulsi reduced the basal OS in HepG2 cells, by induction of antioxidant enzymes and enhancing levels of antioxidant molecules either of which can potentially effect faster dissipation of ROS.

2',4'-Dihydroxy-6'-methoxy-3',5'-dimethylchalcone (DMC), a compound isolated and purified from the dried flower buds of Cleistocalyx operculatus (Roxb.) Merr. et Perry (Myrtaceae), was investigated for its glucose control benefits using in vitro methods. DMC showed strong noncompetitive (IC(50) of 43 μM) inhibition of pancreatic α-amylase; it was, however, ineffective against intestinal α-glucosidase. In addition, DMC exhibited remarkable glucose transport inhibition effects in both simulated fasting and fed states in Caco-2 cell monolayers (P0.05). Besides, exposure of MIN6 cells to 250 μM H(2)O(2) for 1 h caused a significant viability loss and insulin secretion reduction. Pretreatment of MIN6 cells with DMC for 2 h protected against the H(2)O(2)-induced decrease in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in a dose-dependent manner and also enhanced the impaired basal insulin secretion. Such effects highlight the therapeutic potential of DMC in the management of hyperglycemia.

Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna) is a medicinal plant used in many polyherbal hepatoprotective formulations. Although widely claimed to be antioxidant, data supporting such actions of Arjuna are limited. In the present study, we have investigated the efficacy of the aqueous extract of T. arjuna (AETA) using a standard pro-oxidant [tertiary butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP)] in HepG2 cells. Cells were incubated with AETA (5–100 µg/ml) for a range of time points (4–24 h) with or without TBHP (500 μM), and biochemical markers of oxidative stress (OS) were determined. Cells incubated with TBHP showed the significant induction of OS response in cytosol manifested as lipid hydroperoxide (76%–198%) and the generation of reactive oxygen species (60%–127%). Diminished levels of reduced glutathione (35%–60%) and total antioxidant capacity (20%–61%) suggested an altered redox state. Significant perturbations in the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (30%–56%), superoxide dismutase (25%–68%), glutathione S-transferase (29%–67%), glutathione peroxidase (24%–68%) and glutathione reductase (38%–49%) were discernible suggesting the ongoing OS in the cells. However, cells treated with AETA (100 µg/ml) along with TBHP offered significant protection by reducing levels of lipid hydroperoxide (33%–62%) and ROS (69%) and by increasing antioxidant capacity (54%–81%) and levels of reduced glutathione (49%–82%). Further, it also enhanced the activities of endogenous antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, 60%; catalase, 35%–82%; glutathione peroxidase, 42–65 %; glutathione reductase, 48%–62%; and glutathione S-transferase, 22%–100%). Taken together, these data suggest that Arjuna can protect against the oxidative damage induced by TBHP and may be effectively used as a hepatoprotective adjuvant to abrogate OS in vivo. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Ethnopharmacological relevance With the mounting pandemic of glucose metabolism dysregulation and type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), traditional medicine such as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) recipes has been widely adopted as a part of therapeutic approach, especially in Asian countries. Aim of the study A novel approach, which is adopted from cohort studies from epidemiology has been applied to explore the clinical efficacy, as well as the herbal component selection of a variety of TCM formulations against T2DM. Materials and methods In the current study, 98 newly diagnosed T2DM patients were recruited in two hospitals. Over a span of 4 weeks, the patients were treated by prescriptions of their individual TCM physicians. General TCM symptoms, blood glucose parameters, as well as general metabolic health biomarkers were evaluated over the therapy period. The pattern of which herbs were used, together with association between blood glucose level change and the use of herbs, were analyzed. Results TCM diabetic syndrome diagnosis was made by physicians based on symptoms, who prescribed herbal TCM medication afterwards for individual subjects. The results showed significant reduction in fasting and postmeal glucose levels, as well as insulin after the TCM treatment regimen as compared to baseline. As secondary endpoint, total triglyceride level decreased over the period of study as well. Kudzuvine root, Rhemannia root, Figwoot root, and Mulberry leaf were the top herbs associated with pronounced glucose reduction. Conclusions In conclusion, an observational study on a cohort of patients receiving TCM therapy has shown good clinical outcome for T2DM patients receiving TCM treatments. Association analysis on herbal usage and clinical outcome suggested opportunity in constructing optimized formulation for superior efficacy with future studies at a larger scale.

The effect of a tea fortified with five herbs selected from Indian traditional medicine (Ayurveda) for their putative immunoenhancing effect (Withania somnifera, Glycyrrhzia glabra, Zingiber officinale, Ocimum sanctum and Elettaria cardamomum) on innate immunity was investigated. Ex vivo natural killer (NK) cell activity was assessed after consumption of fortified tea compared with regular tea in two independent double-blind intervention studies. Both studies were conducted in India with healthy volunteers (age >or= 55 years) selected for a relatively low baseline NK cell activity and a history of recurrent coughs and colds. In a pilot study conducted with 32 volunteers, the consumption of Natural Care tea significantly improved the NK cell activity of the volunteers in comparison with a population consuming regular tea. These results were validated in an independent crossover study with 110 volunteers. Data from these two studies indicate that regular consumption of the tea fortified with Ayurvedic herbs enhanced NK cell activity, which is an important aspect of the (early) innate immune response to infections.

Two natural homogalacturonan (HG) pectins (MW ca. 20 kDa) were isolated from green tea based on their immunomodulatory activity. The crude tea polysaccharides (TPS1 and TPS2) were obtained from green tea leaves by hot water extraction and followed by 40% and 70% ethanol precipitation, respectively. Two homogenous water soluble polysaccharides (TPS1-2a and TPS1-2b) were obtained from TPS1 after purification with gel permeation, which gave a higher phagocytic effect than TPS2. A combination of composition, methylation and configuration analyses, as well as NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectroscopy revealed that TPS1-2a and TPS1-2b were homogalacturonan (HG) pectins consisting of a backbone of 1,4-linked α-d-galacturonic acid (GalA) residues with 28.4% and 26.1% of carboxyl groups as methyl ester, respectively. The immunological assay results demonstrated that TPS1-2, which consisted mainly of HG pectins, showed phagocytosis-enhancing activity in HL-60 cells.

Operational Self Sufficiency (OSS), expressed in percentage terms, provides an indication as to whether a Microfinance Institution (MFI) is earning sufficient revenue (through interest, fee and commission income) so as to cover its total costs-financial costs, operational costs and loan loss provisions. MFIs can achieve OSS of 100%, either by increasing their operating income or by decreasing their total costs. This paper analyzed the Operational Self Sufficiency (OSS) of six select Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFC)-MFIs, which have their headquarters in Andhra Pradesh. It has identified five factors that have an effect on the OSS of these MFIs, using the multiple regression analysis technique. These five factors are-Yield on Gross Loan Portfolio (Nominal), Total Assets, Cost per Borrower, Gross Loan Portfolio and Number of Active Borrowers. The study results indicated that an increase in the yield on gross loan portfolio and total assets of a MFI, resulted in the increase of OSS while an increase in the cost per borrower and number of active borrowers, decreased the OSS of the MFIs.

Amla [Emblica officinalis Gaertn. (Euphorbiaceae)], a major constituent of several herbal formulations, is a well-known hepatoprotectant. Despite its extensive use, mechanistic understanding of its antioxidant action is rather limited.In the current study, we investigated the effects of E. officinalis extracts (from dried fruits) on cellular oxidative state using a hepatocyte cell line (HepG2). We hypothesize that E. officinalis aqueous extracts have potency to modulate basal oxidative markers and enhance endogenous antioxidant defenses.Cells were incubated with aqueous extracts of E. officinalis (1-100 μg/ml) for varied time points (4-24 h) and biochemical markers of oxidative stress were determined in cell lysate.Aqueous extracts of E. officinalis at 100 μg/ml can significantly modulate the basal levels of oxidative markers and enhance antioxidant defenses of the cells.Our findings clearly indicate the propensity of E. officinalis aqueous extracts to improve endogenous antioxidant defenses in HepG2 cells. Although further studies are required to assess their efficacy under experimentally induced oxidative, our data suggest that the hepatoprotective effects of E. officinalis reported earlier may be largely due to its potential to enhance the antioxidant defenses in vivo.Because E. officinalis up to 100 μg/ml concentrations had no effect on cell viability; it was considered noncytotoxic. Incubation with E. officinalis for 24 h resulted in significant diminution in the levels of lipid hydroperoxide (18-42%) and reactive oxygen species (11-29%). Furthermore; E. officinalis increased the levels of glutathione (GSH; 18-32%); antioxidant capacity (19-31%); and activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase; 25-41%; catalase; 39-50%; GSH peroxidase; 20-35%; GSH reductase; 26-35%; and GSH S-transferase; 12-30%).

Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna) is a medicinal plant used in many polyherbal hepatoprotective formulations. Although widely claimed to be antioxidant, data supporting such actions of Arjuna are limited. In the present study, we have investigated the efficacy of the aqueous extract of T. arjuna (AETA) using a standard pro-oxidant [tertiary butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP)] in HepG2 cells. Cells were incubated with AETA (5-100 µg/ml) for a range of time points (4-24 h) with or without TBHP (500 μM), and biochemical markers of oxidative stress (OS) were determined. Cells incubated with TBHP showed the significant induction of OS response in cytosol manifested as lipid hydroperoxide (76%-198%) and the generation of reactive oxygen species (60%-127%). Diminished levels of reduced glutathione (35%-60%) and total antioxidant capacity (20%-61%) suggested an altered redox state. Significant perturbations in the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (30%-56%), superoxide dismutase (25%-68%), glutathione S-transferase (29%-67%), glutathione peroxidase (24%-68%) and glutathione reductase (38%-49%) were discernible suggesting the ongoing OS in the cells. However, cells treated with AETA (100 µg/ml) along with TBHP offered significant protection by reducing levels of lipid hydroperoxide (33%-62%) and ROS (69%) and by increasing antioxidant capacity (54%-81%) and levels of reduced glutathione (49%-82%). Further, it also enhanced the activities of endogenous antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, 60%; catalase, 35%-82%; glutathione peroxidase, 42-65 %; glutathione reductase, 48%-62%; and glutathione S-transferase, 22%-100%). Taken together, these data suggest that Arjuna can protect against the oxidative damage induced by TBHP and may be effectively used as a hepatoprotective adjuvant to abrogate OS in vivo.

Nitric oxide (NO), produced by endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS), is recognized as a central anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic principle in the vasculature. Decreased availability of NO in the vasculature promotes the progression of cardiovascular diseases. Epidemiological and clinical studies have demonstrated that natural products, in daily diet or phytomedical preparations, may improve vascular function by enhancing NO production and bioavailability. Phyto-ingredients in tea, cocoa, pomegranate and soy are known to positively influence eNOS activity and/or endothelial function, in vitro and in vivo. In this review, we discuss the common pathways modulating endothelial NO production to provide a basis for subsequent mechanistic discussions. We herein also discuss about the mechanism and clinical efficacy of the mentioned dietary ingredients. In summary, there is increasing evidence that several single natural products and plant extracts influence endothelial NO production. Identification of such compounds and characterization of their cellular actions may increase our knowledge of the regulation of endothelial NO production and could provide valuable clues for the prevention or treatment of cardiovascular diseases.