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Background Medicinal plants occupy an important place in the lives of people around the world. This study covers an area where medicinal plants are widely used for various health-related problems due to easily available sources. Objective: The current study aimed to document the quantities of data about the most commonly used medicinal plants in the district Bannu and two common species' biological activities. Methods Ethno-pharmacological data were collected from different locations of district Bannu in the period from 2018 to 2019.The information about biological activities was concentrated on two species: Withania coagulans (Stocks) Dunal and Mentha viridis L. The data was compiled randomly by semi-structured interviews from having different groups, ages consist of both genders, male and female. Results The ethno-pharmacological data were collected from 115 native people, including 14 traditional healers. The most frequently cited families were: Solanaceae and Moraceae with 5 species (5.88%) followed by Apiaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae with 4 species each (4.7%). The highest use-value was reported for Withania coagulans (0.47), followed by M. viridis (0.44), Tamarix aphylla (0.43), Curcuma longa (0.42), Plantago ovata (0.41), Linum usitatissimum (0.40). Least use value was reported for Ziziphus nummularia (0.04).The highest RFC value was reported for W. coagulans (47.82), followed by M. viridis (44.34), and T. aphylla (43.47). Conclusion The study will result in further pharmacological and clinical research to discover new medicines to improve the health system. It is the first step in unraveling natural products' potential and requires careful study and investigation to enrich the system worldwide. The study will also contribute to the conservation of medicinal plants in the area of Bannu.

Psyllium husk (Plantago ovata Forssk.), is an excellent source of natural soluble fiber. Arabic flatbread formulation standardized in a laboratory was scaled up for production in a commercial bakery. The water holding capacity (WHC) of wholegrain wheat flour (WGF), white wheat flour (WWF) and psyllium husk (PS) were found to be 2.9, 2.3 and 59.2 g water/g dry matter, respectively. The total dietary fiber (TDF) for WWF control bread (3.20 ± 0.23%) increased significantly to 5.62 ± 0.16 and 7.56 ± 0.18% with the addition of 3% and 5% psyllium, respectively. The corresponding soluble dietary fiber (SDF) values for these samples were 1.31 ± 0.13, 3.02 ± 0.16 and 4.15 ± 0.14%, respectively. The WWF Arabic flatbread samples also followed a similar trend for TDF and SDF contents with the addition of psyllium husk. At a level of 5% psyllium, the WWF test bread had a puncture force of 2.97 ± 0.16 N (much softer) compared with 3.40 ± 0.35 N for the WWF control bread (0% psyllium), whereas the WGF with 5% psyllium addition had a puncture force of 3.05 ± 0.19 N at the zero day of storage compared to that of 3.94 ± 0.19 N for WGF bread with no psyllium added. The major objective of this study was not only to enhance the soluble dietary fiber content in Arabic flatbread, but also to improve the consumer acceptability of this staple food of this region. Incorporation of psyllium husk did not adversely affect the objective color of crumb or overall consumer acceptability, and produced Arabic flatbread with softer texture, better flexibility (folding) and superior eating quality.

The antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of psyllium husk mucilage (PHM) were studied in carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity rat model. Subsequently, biochemical hepatic parameters were evaluated alongside the assessment of glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase and catalase potentials in the rats’ liver tissue. Moreover, histopathology and western blot techniques were employed for the assessment of TNF-α protein expression level in the current study. Our results demonstrated that oral administration of PHM at 100 mg/kg in rats significantly ameliorated the deleterious effects induced by CCl4 on the rats’ livers. This was manifested by the substantial results obtained from in vitro antioxidant assays, the reestablishment of the level of different liver biomarkers, the fortification of the liver architecture to close typical and reduction of the TNF-α expression level in comparison to that of CCl4- intoxicated control group. The current approach highlighted the special role of the dietary fiber of psyllium husk, as a promising natural hepatoprotective agent.

Background Oral mucositis (OM) is one of the most common complications of mucotoxic cancer therapy. Mucositis induces clinically significant pain, increases the risk of infections and affects the patients’ quality of life. Objective This study investigated the effects of an herbal preparation from Plantago ovata hydrocolloid in the prevention and treatment of OM, in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy with a regimen including adriamycin. Design, setting, participants, and interventions This research was a double-blind, randomized, controlled crossover trial. The herbal compound consisted of a mixture of 500 mg of P. ovate husk in 30 mL water plus three drops of vinegar per dose, which was used as a mouthwash. Phytochemical and physicochemical tests of the compound were also performed. Twenty-eight patients who developed mucositis during the chemotherapy screening cycle were randomized to the herbal compound (n = 14) and placebo (n = 14) groups. They received herbal compound or placebo three times per day during their next chemotherapy cycle (cycle 1 of treatment). Patients were crossed over during cycle 2 of treatment and received the alternative therapy. An oral care protocol was prescribed to all patients in cycles 1 and 2 of the treatment. Main outcome measures The patients were visited at baseline, the end of the first and second weeks of the screening cycle, and the end of the first and second weeks of each of two treatment cycles. The degree of mucositis was used as the main treatment outcome. Other indexes, such as the severity of pain, xerostomia grade and the quality of life were also measured. Results Compared with the placebo, the herbal compound significantly reduced the degree of mucositis, the severity of pain and the xerostomia grade; it also improved the patients’ quality of life (P Conclusion The oral care protocol and the herbal compound based on P. ovata are effective ways for preventing and treating OM in patients undergoing mucotoxic cancer therapy. Trial registration Iranian registry of clinical trials IRCT20180923041093N1.

Background Fiber intake has been associated with a lower risk of developing various chronic diseases such as metabolic diseases (e.g. obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia). In this line, psyllium presents a high content of soluble fiber, associated with health benefits. Scope and approach The aim of this review is to evaluate the scientific evidence of psyllium health benefits. The nutritional properties of psyllium are presented, as well as its various applications in food products. The main functional benefits of psyllium are presented in topics, as follows: the effect on cholesterol control, on type 2 diabetes, and on obesity and satiety. Key findings and conclusions Products containing psyllium can be an effective alternative to improve the functionality and produce healthy foods. The addition of psyllium to a food product (e.g. bakery goods, dairy, meat and gluten-free products). Can provide the health claim for a fiber-containing product, which is an important advantage in the market. In addition, it may allow consumers to ingest adequate amounts of fiber without increasing calorie intake, as well as contributing to other health benefits such as cholesterol control, glycemic control, satiety, among others. Psyllium can be easily added to food formulations and does not change the flavor perception of the product. Thus, the food industry may play an important role in the prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases when using psyllium in food products.

The structures of two hydrogels formed by purified brush-like polysaccharides from Plantago ovata seed mucilage have been characterised from the nanometre to micrometre scale by using a combination of SANS and USANS techniques. These two hydrogels have distinctly different melting and rheological properties, but the structure of their gel networks bears striking similarity as revealed by USANS/SANS experiments. Surprisingly, we find that the dramatic changes in the rheological properties induced by temperature or change in the solvent quality are accompanied by a small alteration of the network structure as inferred from scattering curves recorded above melting or in a chaotropic solvent (0.7 M KOD). These results suggest that, in contrast to most gel-forming polysaccharides for which gelation depends on a structural transition, the rheological properties of Plantago ovata mucilage gels are dependent on variations in intermolecular hydrogen bonding. By enzymatically cleaving off terminal arabinose residues from the side chains, we have demonstrated that composition of side-chains has a strong effect on intermolecular interactions, which, in turn, has a profound effect on rheological and structural properties of these unique polysaccharides.

Flavonoids are the most widespread secondary metabolites in plants, which are synthesized through the phenylpropanoid pathway. These are known to possess various types of health promoting activities. Plantago ovata, a medicinally important plant has not been explored much in terms of its antioxidant potential. In the present study, the expression pattern of genes of the phenylpropanoid-flavonoid biosynthetic pathway in P. ovata was studied in detail for the first time. These genes showed expression in both the tissues under study (leaf and ovary). In addition, the in vitro radical scavenging activity, total antioxidant capacity, and reducing power ability of the plant extracts were also assessed. The experiments revealed that the leaf extract of P. ovata had higher antioxidant activity than that of the husk extract, which also correlated with their total phenolics and flavonoid content. The flavonoid and phenolics content of the leaf extract was observed to be 320.9 ± 0.052 mg Rutin/g dry wt. and 43.8 ± 0.092 mg GAE/g dry wt., respectively. The results of this study suggest that the methanolic extract of P. ovata leaf is a source of natural compounds with significant antioxidant activity. It also presented P. ovata as a possible new source of natural antioxidants which can be further explored as a therapeutic agent in the free radical induced diseases.

Plantago ovata and P. psyllium are of the most abundant and widely distributed Plantago species in the world. World-wide, it is an important and growing industrial and medicinal crop for dry land agriculture. In spite of this, basic characterization for economically important traits of these species is lacking for many accessions. In particular, there are gaps in our knowledge about accession identity and ploidy levels and the effects of agronomic practices of yield. This study is aimed at determining mitotic chromosome number, karyotype characteristics, morphological and mucilage character variation of wild accessions of Plantago species collected from a wide geographic range in Iran. Chromosome numbers were determined by a modification of conventional root tip squash method and karyotypes were digitally analysed. Morphological characters were evaluated under experimental field condition. Three replications of morphological and mucilage characters were also measured in the wild in situ natural habitats. The analysis of the karyotype indices showed that all P. ovata accessions were diploid (2n = 8) with small, homogeneous chromosomes. Likewise, P. psyllium accessions were diploid (2n = 12) and had symmetrical karyotype demonstrating P. psyllium as a primitive species. Results showed significant differences in accessions and environments with respect to seed yield, thousand grain weight, mucilage yield, mucilage content, days to flowering and plant height. P. ovata accumulated higher mucilage than P. psyllium. Mucilage content was higher in samples collected from natural habitats compared with those grown under experimental field conditions whereas mucilage yield was lower under field evaluation in natural habitats. Genotype by environment analysis revealed that the most stable accessions were G2 (P. ovata) and G6, G7 and G8 (P. psyllium) for seed yield, and G2 and G4 (P. ovata) and G8 (P. psyllium) for mucilage content, G4 (P. ovata) and all P. psyllium for grain weight. All accessions tested showed stability for mucilage yield, flowering stalk height and days to flowering. The outcome of karyotype analysis and field evaluations in this study provides information important to Plantago breeders focused on crop improvement.

The aim of the study was the evaluation of the effect of the Plantago products of different origins and their addition levels on the rheological properties of the wheat dough as well as the technological and nutritional quality of the supplemented wheat bread. Plantago psyllium seeds (PPS), Plantago ovata seeds (POS) and Plantago ovata husk (POH) were incorporated into wheat dough at 4 and 8 g/100 g levels of substitution. Among the tested materials, the POH addition had the greatest contribution to the positive changes namely increasing the dough hydration (by 54.56% at 8 g/100 g contribution), dough development time and dough stability and by reducing dough softening and retrogradation (by 50.76% at 8 g/100 g contribution). The bread enriched with Plantago enriched bread had a significantly higher dietary fibre content, the POH had the greatest impact on its concentration (up to 13.4% at 8 g/100 g contribution). The seeds (PPS and POS), on the other hand, increased the protein content in the studied breads. The analysis of the antioxidant properties of the breads with Plantago additions showed that the PPS addition had the highest potential of increasing the antioxidant activity of the bread.

Enteropathy associated with sand accumulation in the large colon of horses has been reported worldwide. Intestinal sand accumulations are commonly treated medically, but randomised controlled clinical trials on horses are scarce. This prospective study evaluated the efficacy of an enterally administered combination of psyllium and magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) for the removal of large colonic sand accumulations in horses without clinical signs of acute colic. The two groups comprised 20 untreated control horses and 20 horses treated with 1 g/kg bodyweight (bwt) of psyllium and 1 g/kg bwt of MgSO4 administered by nasogastric intubation once daily for 4 days. Both groups had no access to soil during the study period. The amounts of accumulated sand were evaluated radiographically before and after treatment. Significantly more treated horses cleared their sand accumulations than horses in the control group. This clearance was determined by observing the estimated quantity by area of sand remaining in the large colon (P < 0.001) and by comparing the numbers of successfully treated horses (P = 0.004) between the two groups after 4 days of treatment. However, there were unexplained individual variations in the clearance of sand accumulation.

From a collection of 105 genetic stocks of Plantago sp., a 7 × 7 diallel analysis was conducted for the estimation of gene action in seven parents in Plantago ovata. Using Hayman's Graphical (Wr – Vr graphs) model we analyzed the gene action for fourteen agronomic traits. The traits – days to 50% flowering, plant height, branches per plant, panicles per plant, peduncle length, panicle length, panicle weight per plot, days to maturity, seed yield per plot, inflorescence husk yield per plot, husk yield per plot and 100 seed weight exhibited overdominance whereas, leaf area and swelling factor exhibited partial dominance. The pattern of distribution of the seven parents along the regression line deciphered the absence of recessive genes in most of the traits.

Species of Plantago are mostly grown as weed, but some of them are used for local medicines. In order to achieve the genetic determinants of agronomic traits, a comprehensive genome-wide association mapping was performed on 39 selected ecotypes using 24 start codon targeted (SCoT) primers. To this end, two species of Plantago (Plantago psyllium and Plantago ovata) were used. The primers produced 431 remarkable bands with an average of 88.48% polymorphism, demonstrating the ability of these markers to distinguish the studied genotypes appropriately. A cluster analysis and population structure was performed for each species separately. The structure analysis grouped the 22 Plantago ovata ecotypes into three sub-groups. Moreover, the structure analysis also grouped the Plantago psyllium into 2 sub-groups. Among the 22 Plantago ovata ecotypes, eight ecotypes were admixture, while among the 17 Plantago psyllium ecotypes, two ecotypes were admixture. In the association analysis, according to the results of MLM model using both Q and K factors, 16 markers associated with the measured traits were identified. The markers included three loci associated with spike weight, two loci associated with plant height, number of spikes, spike length, days to flowering, days to maturity, one locus associated with 1000 grain weight, number of grain/spike and grain yield. Interestingly, 4 out of 24 SCoT loci were linked with more than one agronomic trait. These markers would enhance the efficiency of allele selection in Plantago breeding programs.

We report rheological characterisation of hydrogels formed by highly substituted brush-like arabinoxylans from Plantago ovata seed mucilage. Two arabinoxlyan fractions with similar molecular weight and linkage compositions are chosen to form gels with distinct rheological properties but a similar network structure. Small and large amplitude oscillatory shear rheology is used to characterise the sol-gel transition as a function of temperature and concentration. Differences in rheology and gelation of the two hydrogels are found to be associated with the different proportion of ‘slow’- and ‘fast’-dissociating junctions stabilised by hydrogen bonds, with the ‘fast’-dissociating junctions playing an important role in rapid self-healing of the gel. Based on the temperature dependence of storage modulus and time–temperature superposition principle in combination with the Arrhenius equation, the activation energies of junction zone dissociation are estimated to be 402–480 kJ/mol and 97–144 kJ/mol for the ‘slow’ and ‘fast’ junction types, respectively.

Mucilages are hydrocolloid solutions produced by plants for a variety of functions, including the creation of a water-holding barrier around seeds. Here we report our discovery of the formation of three distinct mucilage layers around Plantago ovata seeds upon their hydration. Each layer is dominated by different arabinoxylans (AXs). These AXs are unusual because they are highly branched and contain β-1,3-linked xylose in their side chains. We show that these AXs have similar monosaccharide and linkage composition, but vary in their polymer conformation. They also exhibit distinct rheological properties in aqueous solution, despite analytical techniques including NMR showing little difference between them. Using enzymatic hydrolysis and chaotropic solvents, we reveal that hydrogen bonding and side chain distribution are key factors underpinning the distinct rheological properties of these complex AXs.

In this study, the influence of psyllium husk (PH) on gel properties of myofibrillar protein (MP) and the corresponding interaction mechanism were investigated. The results indicated that the gel properties of MP could be adjusted by the addition of PH. At a low PH addition (0.1–1%, w/w), the MP gel network was filled, promoting the unfolding of protein structure and the interaction between proteins. The dense network effectively improved the texture property and water holding capacity (94.8%) of MP gels. At 2% PH addition, a complex interpenetrating gel network composed of MP and the polysaccharide in PH was formed, showing the best gel properties. The water holding capacity of MP gel was increased by 53.8%, the gel strength (132.09 g) was almost doubled, and the adhesiveness (22.92 g s) was also increased to six times as compared with pure MP gel. Increasing PH addition to 3%, the polysaccharide network dominated the system. The MP network was blocked, causing the unfolding of protein structure. The gel properties such as gel strength and water holding capacity were deteriorated. This study may provide some guidance for the application of PH as a potential functional ingredient in meat products.

Lead is one of the most important environmental, human hazard. Accordingly, the lead (II) absorption capability of the mucilaginous seed of psyllium (Plantago ovate) in mice was investigated. Experimental mice were divided into six groups: healthy control, psyllium groups (1 and 2% psyllium), Lead group (75 mg/kg body weight lead), and psyllium + Lead groups (1 & 2% psyllium and 75 mg/kg body weight lead). The amount of lead in weekly feces samples and liver, kidney, and brain tissue after 5 weeks were measured by the atomic absorption method. At the end of the experimental period, the histopathological lesions of the kidney, liver, brain, and intestine were examined. The results indicated that psyllium increases the fecal excretion of lead and decrease its tissue absorption. Oral administration of the 2% psyllium, significantly reduced the pathological lesions of the kidney, liver, brain, and intestine caused by lead. The use of psyllium seed in lead-exposed populations is recommended.

To elucidate the fate of azoxystrobin and combination formulation of trifloxystrobin and tebuconazole in isabgol ecosystem, a simple and efficient analytical method was developed using QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe) extraction method followed by analysis in gas chromatography combined with electron capture and nitrogen-phosphorus detector. The method gave very good overall mean recoveries in the range of 69–91%. The limit of quantification were 65, 25, 40 μg kg−1 for azoxystrobin, trifloxystrobin and tebuconazole in isabgol herbage, respectively. The values for corresponding fungicide in soil were 50, 25 and 25 μg kg−1, for isabgol seed with husk were 80, 50 and 75 μg kg−1, respectively. The results revealed that the dissipation pattern of studied fungicides in the soil and isabgol herbage followed first-order kinetics. The half-life of trifloxystrobin in isabgol herbage were shorter (3.0–3.3 days) than tebuconazole (5.1–5.6 days) and azoxystrobin (5.5–7.7 days). Similarly soil half-lives were also shorter for trifloxystrobin (5.0–6.1 days) as compared to tebuconazole (7.9–8.6 days) and azoxystrobin (8.4–10.0 days). The residues of these fungicides in soil, isabgol herbage and seed with husk at harvest were below the detectable limit which supports the application of these fungicides in the management of fungal diseases in isabgol.

Wilt disease of isabgol (Plantago ovata Forsk.), caused by Fusarium oxysporum species complex is one of the economically important disease in India. The pathogen survive in soil on plant debris and invaded crop plants at any stage from germination to maturity and drastically imposed the production. The disease incidence influenced by several agronomical and environmental factors and varied from 10 to 60 % prevalence. The present study was carried out to confirm the pathogenicity of associated Fusarium species of wilt disease, characterization using the morphological and molecular tools and devise the of management strategies. The Fusarium oxysporum species complex induced typical wilt symptoms on mature isabgol plants whereas, damping off like symptoms on the seedling stage. The fungal colony appeared white to purplish with cottony mycelium growth on PDA. Macroconidia were oval to slightly curved shape and septate in 2–4 cells with tapering pointed ends. The phylogenetic tree constructed based on partial ITS, translation elongation factor (EF-1α) and RNA polymerase II (RPB2) and Fusarium MLTS database confirmed the association of Fusarium oxysporum species complex with the wilt disease of P. ovata. Seed dressing using carbendazim (50 W P) along with the soil application of Trichoderma viride enriched neem cake mixture before sowing significantly reduce the disease incidence. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive report on molecular characterization of Fusarium oxysporum associated with wilt disease of P. ovata.

A biocoagulant was successfully extracted from Plantago ovata by using an FeCl3-induced crude extract (FCE). The potential of FCE to act as a natural coagulant was tested for clarification using the turbid water of a river. Experimental tests were performed to evaluate the effects of turbidity concentration, coagulant quantity, water pH, and humic acid concentration on the coagulation of water turbidity by FCE. The maximum turbidity removal was occurred at water pH

Response surface methodology based on 3(2) factorial design was used to develop ispaghula (Plantago ovata F.) husk mucilage (IHM)-gellan gum (GG) mucoadhesive beads containing metformin HCl through Ca(2+)-ion cross-linked ionotropic-gelation technique for the use in oral drug delivery. GG to IHM ratio and cross-linker (CaCl2) concentration were investigated as independent variables. Drug encapsulation efficiency (DEE, %) and cumulative drug release after 10h (R10h, %) were analyzed as dependent variables. The optimized mucoadhesive beads (F-O) showed DEE of 94.24 ± 4.18%, R10h of 59.13 ± 2.27%. These beads were also characterized by SEM and FTIR analyses. The in vitro drug release from these beads showed controlled-release (zero-order) pattern with super case-II transport mechanism over 10h. The optimized beads showed pH-dependent swelling and good mucoadhesivity with the goat intestinal mucosa. The optimized IHM-GG mucoadhesive beads containing metformin HCl exhibited significant antidiabetic effect in alloxan-induced diabetic rats over 10h.

The study of nutritional interventions in humans is difficult to assess because the induced metabolic changes are lower than the natural biological variability between subjects. Due to its holistic approach, 1H NMR is one of the preferred technologies for this type of studies, even though it has a very low sensitivity. This work shows how the use of several chemometric algorithms on the measured data compensates for these drawbacks and allows the study of the effects of the nutritional intervention isolating them from the natural variability inherent to human studies. Mild to moderate hypercholesterolemic patients received either placebo or soluble fiber in a low saturated fat diet. Plasma samples were collected at week 0 and week 8. Spectra obtained with NMR equipment were processed with ANOVA simultaneous component analysis (ASCA). The application of clustering techniques revealed different responses based on the patient's basal state, which allowed the identification of responders from non-responders. Results showed a triglyceride level reduction of up to 15% (p = 0.0032), with a higher reduction for those patients with a higher initial lipid profile. Moreover, line-shape fitting techniques applied to the NMR spectra allowed the conclusion that LDL (and VLDL) lipoprotein particles, and more noticeably triglycerides, moved to a profile configuration associated with lower cardiovascular risk. Results shed light on some of the metabolic modifications that husk fiber induces in humans which could not be seen with more conventional data analysis approaches. Our conclusion is that by using the right chemometric techniques it is possible to assess nutritional intervention effects in human NMR human studies despite the low sensitivity and selectivity that the technique offers today.

In this study, the physical, thermal and mechanical properties of a novel edible film based on psyllium hydrocolloid (PH) were investigated. PH films were prepared by incorporation of three levels of glycerol (15%, 25%, and 35% w/w). As glycerol concentration increased, water vapor permeability (WVP), percent of elongation (E%) and water solubility of PH films increased whilst, tensile strength (TS), surface hydrophobicity and glass transition point (Tg) decreased significantly. At the level of 15% (W/W) of glycerol, PH films showed the lowest WVP values (1.16 × 10−10 g H2O m−2 s−1 MPa−1), E% (24.57%) and water solubility (47.69%) and the highest values for TS (14.31 MPa), water contact angle (84.47°) and Tg (175.2 °C). By increasing glycerol concentration, PH films became slightly greenish and yellowish in color but still transparent in appearance. This study revealed that the psyllium hydrocolloid had a good potential to be used in producing edible films with interesting specifications.

Isolation and thermal analysis of hydrogels from Plantago ovata (PO), Salvia aegyptiaca (SA), Ocimum basilicum (OB) and Mimosa pudica (MP) are reported. The hydrogel obtained from PO was modified by cross-linking, carboxymethylation and ethylation as a model to see the effect of modification on thermal behavior. Activation energy, enthalpy, entropy, free energy change, pre-exponential factor, comprehensive index of intrinsic thermal stability (ITS) were determined from the thermograms. The ITS values indicated good thermal stabilities of the hydrogels. Hydrogels isolated from SA, OB and MP did not show significant differences in their thermal behavior, whereas significant differences in thermal profiles of PO gel and its modified forms were observed. The modified gels exhibited improved thermal stability. Formation of water, 2-hydroxybutanedial, 3-hydroxypropanal and 2-furfuryl alcohol as degradation products was detected in the GC–MS analysis of some of the materials. The possible implications of these results are discussed.

This work evaluates the potential of a hot water extracted arabinoxylan from ispaghula (Plantago ovata) seeds as a safe, effective and economical drug carrier. In thermal analysis integral procedural decomposition temperature and comprehensive index of thermal stability were found to be 308 °C and 0.47 respectively. Gel permeation chromatography showed the existence of two components in the fraction. Atomic force microscopy indicated a surface having nanostructure. The tablets incorporating caffeine and diclofenac sodium formulated by the use of arabinoxylan exhibited sustained release profiles in various media. A pH-independent release pattern was observed for caffeine, while for diclofenac sodium the profile was found to be pH-dependent. The arabinoxylan provided a better sustained release as compared with that of Voltral®, a standard diclofenac sodium preparation. The release data suggest Power Law an appropriate model for this system.

Structural aspects of the psyllium gum prepared from the seed husk of the plant of Plantago ovata Forsk was characterized by dynamic rheology and microscopy. Dynamic rheological properties of psyllium gel in the linear viscoelastic region, as a function of concentration (2, 2.5 and 3% w/w), temperature (5–95 °C) and pH (2.5–10) were investigated. Mechanical spectra of the psyllium gels were obtained by frequency sweep measurement classified into that of weak gels because G ′ was larger than G ″ throughout the tested frequency range and the separation of the two moduli (tan δ ) was greater than 0.1. The phase angle increased with temperature and a peak associated with gel melting appeared at about 40 °C. All gels at different pH presented a typical weak gel spectrum. Scanning electron microscopy showed porous structures with different pore-size distribution for psyllium gels under different conditions in terms of concentration, pH and temperature.

The objective was to evaluate whether the soluble fibre Plantago ovata (Po)-husk improves cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk biomarkers including low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C).In a multi-centred, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel, randomised trial conducted in primary care-clinics in Spain, France and Holland, mild-moderate hypercholesterolaemic patients (age range: 43-67 years) received 14 g/d of Po-husk (n=126) or placebo (microcrystalline-cellulose 14 g/d; n=128) in a low saturated fat diet for 8 weeks. Subsequently, if LDL-C remainedor = 3.35 mmol/L [130 mg/dL], participants proceeded with the fibre plus simvastatin (20mg/d) for further 8 weeks. Lipid profile, blood pressure (BP), insulin, oxidised LDL and some gene polymorphisms involved in CVD risk were measured.Relative to placebo, Po-husk reduced plasma LDL-C by -6% (P0.0002), total cholesterol (TC) by -6%, triglycerides (TG) by -21.6%, apolipoprotein (Apo) B-100 by -6.7%, oxidised LDL by a mean of -6.82 U/L (95%CI: 3.15-10.48), insulin by -4.68 pmol/L (95%CI: 0.68-8.67) and systolic BP by -4.0mm Hg (95%CI; 1.2-6.7) (P0.05). The TG-lowering effect in the Po-husk group was magnified by variants in plasminogen-activator-inhibitor (PAI-1; rs1799768) and fatty acid-binding protein (FABP-2; rs1799883) genes. At 16 weeks, the intra-group action of simvastatin (20mg/d) added to Po-husk or placebo was a similar LDL-C reduction.Po-husk, apart from lowering LDL-C, also reduced TG, TG related to certain gene variants, TC, Apo B-100, oxLDL, insulin-resistance and systolic BP in mild-moderate hypercholesterolaemic individuals. Thus, the target patients to receive Po-husk would be those who present a cluster of various CVD risk factors, such as metabolic syndrome.

summary Background & aims: Our aim was to compare the effects of intake of diets supplemented with different dietary fibers, namely cellulose, methylcellulose or Plantago ovata husks, (insoluble, soluble nonfermentable, and soluble fermentable fiber, respectively), on the abnormalities clustered in the metabolic syndrome. Methods: Adult obese Zucker rats were distributed in four groups which were fed respectively a standard, a cellulose-supplemented, a methylcellulose-supplemented or a P. ovata husks-supplemented diet, for ten weeks. Results: Increased body weight, hyperlipidemia, hyperinsulinemia and hyperleptinemia, increased TNF-a and reduced adiponectin secretion by adipose tissue found in obese Zucker rats were significantly improved in obese rats fed the P. ovata husks-supplemented diet, together with a lower hepatic lipid content which parallels activation of the signaling pathway of AMP-protein kinase in the liver. The methylcellulose-supplemented diet reduced body weight, hyperlipidemia, circulating free fatty acids concentration and ameliorated adipose tissue secretion of adiponectin and TNF-a. Feeding with the cellulose-supplemented diet only reduced free fatty acids circulating levels. Conclusions: The soluble dietary fibers essayed are more beneficial than insoluble fiber in the treatment of metabolic syndrome, being the soluble and fermentable the more efficient to improve metabolic alterations. Fermentation products of P. ovata husks must play an important role in such effects.

To assess the potential of arabinoxylan (AX)-rich psyllium (Plantago ovata Forsk) seed husk (PSH) as a source for production of arabinoxylo-oligosaccharides (AXOS), the parameters determining PSH AX extraction yield and the chemical and enzymic hydrolysis of PSH AX were investigated. The seed husk material had a high content of AX (62.5%) with an arabinose to xylose ratio of 0.41. The water extractability of PSH AX was affected by suspension concentration rather than by temperature. Maximally, 27% of all AX could be extracted, even when using very dilute suspensions (0.1% w/v). When subjected to alkaline conditions, a pH of at least 12 was needed to significantly increase extractability (up to 77% of all AX). The extractability-increasing effect of alkali was, however, reversible, as extractability decreased again when lowering the pH. Acid hydrolysis at high temperature drastically increased AX extraction yields (up to 97% of all AX), released monomeric arabinose (up to 38%), and lowered the average degree of polymerisation (DPavg) of the AX (down to 31). The presence of substituents (arabinose, xylose, rhamnose and galacturonic acid) on the xylan backbone was an important factor limiting degradation by xylanases. Enzyme preparations containing substituent-removing enzymes were far better for enhancing the extractability of a large portion of the AX population (up to 82%) and for degrading the extracted fragments (down to DPavg 14) than preparations lacking such activities. The above results show that PSH is a good source for the production of AXOS, since both chemical and enzymic treatments significantly increase the extractability of PSH AX and convert PSH AX molecules into small fragments.

As revealed by NMR spectroscopy (after ultrasonic degradation) and HPLC (after total hydrolysis) an arabinoxylan (AX) containing 74.8% Xyl p and 23.2% Ara f was isolated from Ispaghula ( Plantago ovata ) by soaking the seed husk with water, extraction with aqueous sodium hydroxide and coagulation with acetic acid. The AX with a molar mass of 364,470 g/mol shows high swelling ability in water. The carboxymethylation of AX was carried out heterogeneously with sodium monochloroacetate in the presence of aqueous sodium hydroxide. The reaction parameters were varied in terms of slurry medium, molar ratio, temperature, time, and sodium hydroxide concentration. For comparative studies, carboxymethylation of arabinan was carried out. In order to determine the total degree of substitution (DS) and mole fractions of the repeating units of carboxymethyl arabinoxylan (CMAX) and of carboxymethyl arabinan, HPLC and 1 H NMR spectroscopic investigations after total hydrolysis were carried out. DS values for CMAX as high as 1.81 were achieved. CMAX is water soluble starting at DS of 0.33.

P. 15-20 The influence of treatment duration (7 or 14 days) with Plantago ovata husk/levodopa/carbidopa in the bioavailability and other pharmacokinetic parameters of levodopa were evaluated in rabbits. Fiber was administered at two different doses, 100 and 400 mg/kg, and the dosage of levodopa/carbidopa was 20:5 mg/kg. These doses were administered once a day. When 100 mg/kg of fiber was administered, the mean AUC value obtained for levodopa increased 20.2% from day 1 to day 7, and 27.2% from day 1 to day 14; Cmax was 8.6% higher on day 7 and 11.7% higher on day 14. When administering 400 mg/kg of fiber, the increase in AUC values was 17.6% on day 7 and 24.9% on day 14, and that of Cmax 11.1% on day 7 and 11.3% on day 14. The concentration determined immediately before drug administration (Cmin) increased progressively with the duration of treatment, and the highest increase (53.2%) was observed on day 14 with 100 mg/kg of fiber. There was also a delay in levodopa elimination (higher MRT and lower Cl) in a fiber-dose dependent manner. In summary, we found that there was an improvement in the extent of levodopa absorbed with higher final concentrations and that levodopa elimination was slower with the administration of P. ovata husk. SI

The study showed that application of different doses of inorganic nutrients had considerable influence on growth, yield and downy mildew interaction in isabgol ( Plantago ovata ). It included three levels of nitrogen (0, 30, 60 kg N ha −1 ), two levels of phosphorous (0, 30 kg P ha −1 ) and two levels of potash (0, 40 kg K ha −1 ) for 2 consecutive years. The highest N supply (60 kg ha −1 ) caused more than 65% increase in disease severity compared with the control. However, application of 40 kg K ha −1 reduced percent disease index (PDI) by more than 10% compared with 0 kg K ha −1 treatment. Seed yield was influenced by N but not by P or K. In both years, the highest seed yield was obtained from 60 kg N ha −1 . Total sugar concentration in leaf tissue increased with the application of N, but the concentration of phenol and OD phenol decreased. On the other hand, growth of the plant was positively influenced by N. As a result, leaf area index (LAI) increased by 40.91% and 51.01% compared with the control when 30 and 60 kg N ha −1 , respectively, were applied. Leaf chlorophyll content and net photosynthesis also increased in the N-treated plants. Seed yield and disease reaction to different fertiliser treatments are discussed in relation to the different physiological and biochemical parameters studied.

Employing locally adapted plants together with irrigation scheduling based on developmental stage in semi-arid and arid regions may provide an opportunity to optimize irrigation efficiency, and water savings in regions where water resources are limited. To investigate this water saving potential, the final seed yield and quality of two local plant species were investigated under water deficit conditions over two growing seasons (2003, 2004) in the northeast of Iran. In this study, black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) which is used locally as an anti-microbial and isabgol (Plantago ovata Forsk.) which is used as an anti-diabetic plant were exposed to four different irrigation regimes. Weekly irrigation was the control, and the three treatments based on developmental stage for both species were termination of irrigation at blooming (folded flowers), flowering, and seed formation. Isabgol seed yield was lower for all of the water deficit treatments compared to control, but black cumin showed tolerance to water deficit except when irrigation was terminated at seed formation. The lowest seed yield was obtained when irrigation was stopped at the blooming stage, and the number of seeds per plant was the main yield component affected. One thousand seed weight for both species was relatively stable across all irrigation treatments, and higher seed yield was consistent with higher straw yield and plant height. Our results did not show any reduction in oil concentration for black cumin or mucilage percentage for isabgol across all water deficit treatments.

The aim of the present study was to analyze whether consumption of a fiber-supplemented diet containing 3.5% Plantago ovata husks prevented many of the abnormalities clustered in the metabolic syndrome, including obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension and endothelial dysfunction. For this purpose, obese Zucker rats, a model of type 2 diabetes, and their lean littermates were studied. Rats consumed a standard control diet or that diet supplemented with 3.5% P. ovata husks for 25 wk. Body weights were measured weekly. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured monthly. At the end of the treatment, plasma concentrations of triglycerides, total cholesterol, FFAs, glucose, insulin, adiponectin, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) were determined, and studies on vascular function were performed using aortic rings. Rats fed the P. ovata husk-supplemented diet had a significantly reduced body weight gain compared with those fed the standard diet. Decreased endothelium-dependent relaxation in response to acetylcholine (ACh) by aortic rings from obese Zucker rats was improved in those fed the fiber-supplemented diet. The greater SBP, higher plasma concentrations of triglycerides, total cholesterol, FFA, glucose, insulin, and TNF-alpha, and the hypoadinectinemia that occurred in obese Zucker rats that consumed the control diet were significantly improved in those fed the fiber-supplemented diet. We conclude that intake of a P. ovata husk-supplemented diet prevents endothelial dysfunction, hypertension, and obesity development, and ameliorates dyslipidemia and abnormal plasma concentrations of adiponectin and TNF-alpha in obese Zucker rats.

Summary The application of molecular biological techniques to dietary fibre research has revealed potential mechanisms by which colonic inflammation may be ameliorated and the process of carcinogenesis prevented or delayed. However, these new data have to be translated into well-designed clinical intervention studies. Remission in ulcerative colitis (UC) has been maintained with Plantago ovata seeds as effectively as with mesalamine in a single trial. There is no sufficient evidence that active UC can be treated with fibre preparations; preliminary Japanese studies need further confirmation. Crohn's disease, active or quiescent, is not significantly affected by fibre. Concerning the epidemiology of colorectal cancer, the prospective European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition investigation has provided evidence for a protective effect of high fibre consumption which is in contrast to negative data from the US. According to large polyp prevention trials, neither dietary counselling nor fibre supplementation (wheat bran, ispaghula) can effectively reduce polyp recurrence within a 3–4-year period. However, negative data from secondary prevention do not preclude possible effects of fibre in the field of primary cancer prevention.

Psyllium seed husk (PSH) increases stool output and lowers blood cholesterol levels in humans. PSH and three fractions isolated from it were meal-fed to colectomized rats and fermented in vitro to test the hypothesis that viscous, gel-forming fraction B was responsible for these physiological actions. Control rats were fed 50 g/kg cellulose. The concentration of each PSH fraction in the test meals was equivalent to its concentration in PSH. Yields of the fractions were: A, 171; B, 575; and C, 129 g/kg of PSH. The wet weight and moisture content of ileal excreta (IE) from rats fed test meals containing PSH or fraction B were greater than those measured in excreta from rats fed meals containing cellulose or the other two PSH fractions. Total bile acids in IE did not differ between rats fed PSH or fraction B and were greater in these groups than in the other groups. Fraction A was not fermented during 3 d of incubation; fraction B was poorly fermented, with approximately 30% of the constituent sugars disappearing; and fraction C was rapidly and nearly completely fermented. These results indicate that the gel-forming fraction we isolated from PSH is the physiologically active component of the husks.

Psyllium, the husks from Plantago ovata (PO), is recognized as a potent agent in lowering plasma cholesterol. In this study, we tested the potential hypolipidemic effects of the seeds from PO and the mechanisms associated with the lowering of plasma lipids. Male Hartley guinea pigs (n = 30; 10 per group) were fed either a control diet or diets containing 7.5 or 10 g/100 g PO for 4 wk. Diets were identical in composition except for the fiber source. The control diet contained 10 g/100 g cellulose and 2.5 g/100 g guar gum, whereas the PO diets were adjusted to a total of 12.5 g/100 g fiber with cellulose. Although a dose response was not observed, plasma triglycerides and LDL cholesterol were 34 and 23% lower in the PO groups compared with the control (P < 0.01). Lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) and cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) activities were significantly affected by the PO diets. The control group had 100 and 36% higher LCAT and CETP (P < 0.01) activities, respectively, compared with the PO groups. Hepatic total and free cholesterol concentrations were not affected by PO, but cholesteryl ester concentrations were 50% (P < 0.01) lower in the PO groups compared with the control. The activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme of cholesterol synthesis was up-regulated in the PO groups by 37%. Similarly, the activity of cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase, the regulatory enzyme of cholesterol catabolism to bile acids was 33% higher in the PO groups (P < 0.02). Fecal bile acids were 3 times higher in the PO groups than in the control group. These results suggest that PO exerts its hypolipidemic effect by affecting bile acid absorption and altering hepatic cholesterol metabolism.

Background: The primary mechanisms by which soluble fiber lowers plasma cholesterol are well known. However, specific effects of fiber on lipoprotein metabolism and how sex and hormonal status influence these effects are not well defined. Objective: The effects of a psyllium supplement in men, premenopausal women, and postmenopausal women were examined to determine the mechanisms by which psyllium lowers plasma LDL-cholesterol concentrations and affects lipoprotein remodeling in the intravascular compartment. Design: We designed a crossover trial in which 24 men, 23 premenopausal women, and 21 postmenopausal women were randomly assigned for 30 d to a fiber supplement (15 g psyllium/d) or a control. Plasma lipids and cholesteryl ester transfer protein and lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (phosphatidylcholine-sterol O-acyltransferase) activities were measured after each treatment. Results: When compared with the control, psyllium intake lowered plasma LDL-cholesterol concentrations by 7-9% (P < 0.0001) without affecting plasma HDL-cholesterol concentrations. An interactive effect between fiber and sex and hormonal status was observed for plasma triacylglycerol. Psyllium supplementation significantly lowered plasma triacylglycerol concentrations in men by 17% and raised triacylglycerol concentrations in postmenopausal women by 16% (P < 0.01). The dietary treatment did not significantly affect plasma triacylglycerol in premenopausal women. Lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase was unaffected by psyllium intake whereas cholesteryl ester transfer protein activity was 18% lower after psyllium supplementation than after the control treatment (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: This trial showed that the psyllium-induced responses to plasma lipids were associated with sex and hormonal status and that psyllium, through its action in the intestinal lumen, indirectly affected the intravascular processing of lipoproteins.

The objective of the study was to examine the effect of dietary psyllium fiber and trans fatty acid (TFA) on serum cholesterol. Fifty-five male, weaning, Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to four groups for a four-week feeding period. Each group was fed modified standard rodent diet with one of four treatments: corn and olive oil mix (OIL), corn and olive oil mixture plus psyllium (OILP), corn-oil margarine (MAR), and corn-oil margarine plus psyllium fiber (MARP). Experimental lipids and fiber composed 15% and 5% of the diet by weight. Among the fatty acids in the margarine 16% were TFA while the mixture of oils was free of TFA. At the end of the feeding period, animal blood was collected for serum lipid measurements. Total cholesterol level of MAR fed rats was significantly higher than that of OIL fed rats, while HDL cholesterol levels were the opposite. The addition of psyllium significantly reduced total cholesterol of MAR fed rats but such effect was not observed in OIL fed animals. Fiber also significantly raised the level of HDL cholesterol of MAR fed animals. When the total fecal lipids were measured, it was found that dietary psyllium significantly reduced the fat absorption especially of those MARP fed animals. These findings not only confirmed the hypercholesterolemic effect of TFA, but also indicated that psyllium fiber has the ability to improve the serum lipid profile of those consuming a TFA rich diet. The hypothesized effect is that fiber interferes with the usage of TFA found in margarine. TFA may be bound by natural dietary fiber and then lost in the feces. Funded by University of Delaware Research Foundation .

Faecal bile acids are associated with both colorectal cancer and serum cholesterol levels. We investigate whether dosing with ispaghula husk affects the faecal bile acid weights and concentrations in healthy adults. Sixteen healthy volunteers consumed 7.0 g/day ispaghula husk, containing 5.88 g/day Englyst-determinable dietary fibre, for the middle 8 weeks of a 12-week period. Stool samples were collected, analysed for faecal bile acids and their form and dry weight determined. Correlations between the faecal bile acids, the stool parameters and the dietary intake were tested. Ispaghula husk treatment significantly lowers faecal lithocholic and isolithocholic acids and the weighted ratio of lithocholic acids to deoxycholic acid. These effects revert towards their initial states at the end of the treatment period. These changes in the faecal bile acid profiles indicate a reduction in the hydrophobicity of the bile acids in the enterohepatic circulation.

Proton induced X-ray emission was used to study the trace elemental profiles of embryogenic and non-embryogenic callus of an important cash crop of India – Plantago ovata. Somatic embryogenesis, a well-known process for plant regeneration and crop improvement is modulated by various factors such as ionizing radiation and micro nutrients in the growth media. The present work reports the trace element variation in normal and irradiated callus tissue of P. ovata. Embryogenic and non-embryogenic callus tissues were exposed to gamma rays from a 60Co gamma source. The absorbed dose ranged from 10 to 100 Gy. Subsequent experiments showed significant dose dependent alterations in K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br, Sr in both the embryogenic and non-embryogenic callus. The precise involvement of these elements has been discussed in light of somatic embryogenesis of the selected medicinal plant.

Background More than 400 agents are recognized as causes of occupational asthma, a work-related disease that can be induced by an immunologic or a nonimmunologic mechanism. Objective To describe a 57-year-old man employed in the pharmaceutical industry who developed bronchial asthma while working with products such as Plantago ovata and aescin, an active ingredient with anti-inflammatory and venotonic properties. Methods Various tests were performed, including radiography, total serum IgE titer measurements, skin tests against common pneumoallergens and Plantago species, pulmonary function studies, a methacholine test, and specific inhalation challenge with P ovata and aescin. Results The results of these tests, including specific inhalation challenge, confirmed the diagnosis of occupational asthma due to aescin exposure, whereas the results of specific challenge with P ovata , a known cause of occupational asthma, were negative. Conclusions Aescin may represent a new causative agent of occupational asthma in personnel working in the pharmaceutical industry. The mechanism by which aescin can produce asthma is unknown, but analysis of the characteristics of our patient suggests a non-IgE immunologic mechanism, although an irritative mechanism secondary to long-term low-level exposure to aescin, a possible irritant, cannot be ruled out.

The formulation and in vitro evaluation of a raft-forming antacid suspension using a natural dietary fibre, isapgol (Plantago ovata) husk, along with sodium bicarbonate and aluminium hydroxide, is described. The effect of various formulation variables on the neutralisation profile was determined by a static neutralisation test and simulated in vivo neutralisation was determined using the modified Rossett-Rice test. Raft strength was measured using the Steven's LFRA texture analyser. Rheological determinations were also carried out. A comparative in vitro evaluation with a marketed alginate/antacid formulation ‘Acigon’ indicated that isapgol can be successfully used in the formulation of a 'raft-forming antacid suspension.

The effect of selected dietary fibres (from guava pulp and isabgol powder) on serum lipid and protein was investigated in rats fed either fibre-free or fibre-rich (8% by weight) diest for 6 weeks. A proven model of atherosclerosis promoted by an atherogenic (15% butter fat and 1% cholesterol) diet was used to test the effects of hypolipidemic agents present in fibrous foods in the backdrop of stock ration (SR) control animals maintained in parallel. Supplementatation of guava pulp in atherosclerotic subjects reduced total serum lipid, cholesterol and phospholipid levels, although glyceride level was not much affected. Moreover, lowering of total cholesterol or phospholipid level was not equally reflected in animals fed both types of diet and serum triglyceride concentration weer lowest in isabgol-supplemented rats. Comparison of serum lipids in terms of percentage composition also revealed that glyceride level was significantly increased with a concomitant decrease in total cholesterol in animals receiving guava pulp-rich diet. Isabgol powder was, however, ineffective in producing such changes. Inclusion of guava pulp or isabgol powder did not bring about any remarkable improvement at cellular level, but guava pulp alone lessened the severity of cardiac lesions to some extent. Since the C/P ratio in serum is one of the reliable predictors of subjects' risk to hyperlipidemia, ischemic heart disease and arterial/myocardial damage, a decrease in the C/P ratio as evidenced during guava pulp treatment will indicate that dietary fibres of guava pulp are good hypocholesterolemic and/or phospholipid-lowering agents, whereas isabgol husk-fibres were very effective in lowering serum triglyceride level.

Breads with a specific volume up to, and beyond, that of conventional wheat bread can be made with rice flour (which does not contain gluten) by incorporation of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) and ispaghula husk (isabgol) from Plantago ovata Forsk. Isabgol disperses to a fibrillar ‘weak gel’ network stable over the temperature range of proving (fermentation with yeast) and initial heating in the baking oven. Weakening of the isabgol network at higher temperature is accompanied by thermal gelation of HPMC, so that the overall network strength (storage modulus, G ′) remains virtually constant, and the gascell structure developed during proving is retained. Gelation of HPMC (and of methylcellulose) involves two distinct processes which we suggest correspond to partial dissociation and subsequent aggregation of cellulosic ‘bundles’ present in the solution state at low temperature, a mechanism directly analogous to the thermal gelation of globular proteins.

Bread with a degree of aeration in the range typical of commercial wheat bread (∼4·5 ml/g) has been produced from rice flour (which is devoid of gluten) by the combined use of two polysaccharide structuring-agents: hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose (HPMC) and isabgol (the milled seed husk of Plantago ovata Forsk, alternatively known as ispaghula or blond psyllium). Isabgol gives a ‘weak gel’ network which traps carbon dioxide generated during proofing, and HPMC maintains the stability of gas cells at oven temperature. Optimum results were obtained using 10 g isabgol, 20 g HPMC (K4M from Dow), 60 g fat, 50 g sugar, 15 g salt, 10 g dried yeast and 812 ml water per kg of rice flour, with 50 min proofing in an oven set at 65–70°C (giving a final temperature of 40°C in the centre of the dough), and a baking period of 30 min at 230°C. The water content proved critical, with higher levels giving large cavities in the bread. Taste-panel evaluation gave a hedonic rating of ∼7 on a 9-point scale. When used with soft-wheat flour, the isabgol-K4M system gave loaf volumes close to that of a hard-wheat control.

Dose response in serum and liver lipids to graded levels of soluble fiber primarily from psyllium was studied in five groups of hamsters fed diets supplemented with 0.125% cholesterol and 1.1%, 2.1%, 3.3%, and 4.3% psyllium soluble fiber for three weeks. Compared to the control group fed AACC soft white wheat bran only, all psyllium-fed groups had significant reduction in serum total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol (p

Dispersions of isabgol, the milled seed husk from Plantago ovata Forsk (alternatively known as ispaghula), show ‘weak-gel’ properties broadly similar to those of xanthan and related polysaccharides with rigid, ordered structures in solution. The origin of this behaviour is attributed to tenuous association of fibrillar assemblies visualised by light microscopy. The network structure is retained to ∼80°C, but decreases steeply at higher temperatures. The melting process is accompanied by a sharp change in optical rotation of the extracted polysaccharide component of isabgol. An earlier change in optical rotation at lower temperature is tentatively attributed to conformational rearrangement of xylan chains within an ordered, intermolecular structure. Aqueous solutions of the extracted polysaccharide form gels which gradually contract on prolonged storage, consistent with progressive re-formation of the fibrillar structure seen for intact isabgol. Loss of gel-like character in isabgol dispersions occurs over the same temperature range as thermogelation of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, suggesting opportunities for combined use of the two materials as a substitute (or supplement) for gluten in baked products.

Fundamentos El psyllium , obtenido de semillas de Plantago ovata, se utiliza como laxante de volumen. Se ha descrito que puede actuar como un alergeno por via inhalatoria, fundamentalmente en el medio laboral. Presentamos un caso clinico de asma por semillas de P. ovata, destacando el potencial alergenico de esta sustancia de uso frecuente como laxante. Se trata de una paciente de 31 anos de edad, fumadora y atopica, que desde hacia unos 3 anos preparaba y administraba en su domicilio, a su madre incapacitada, dos sobres diarios de un laxante con semillas de P. ovata (Plantaben®). Metodos Y Resultados Se realizaron pruebas cutaneas de hipersensibilidad inmediata ( prick ) con un extracto de psyllium , resultando positivas. Se detecto IgE especifica a P. ovata mediante tecnica ELISA. El test de inhalacion bronquial con metacolina revelo una hiperreactividad bronquial leve (PC20 = 1,5 mg/ml). En el test de provocacion bronquial especifico con psyllium se obtuvo una respuesta inmediata. Los alergenos responsables se identificaron mediante SDSPAGE e inmunoblot, observandose varios componentes alergenicos con pesos moleculares aparentes de 66 kDa, 60 kDa, entre 36-20 kDa y de 14 kDa. Se investigo si existia reactividad cruzada con el polen de Plantago lanceolata , lo que se descarto mediante ensayo de ELISA-inhibicion. Conclusiones El psyllium puede actuar como un potente alergeno capaz de causar asma, no solo en el medio laboral, sino tambien en ambiente domestico a los propios consumidores del laxante o a los familiares que los dispensan.

Isabgol husk, a mucilaginous fibre, is an effective hypocholesterolemic agent. Fifteen g of Isabgol husk ( Plantago ovata F.) were incorporated into normal diets of overweights for six weeks. Consumption of Isabgol husk produced significant reductions in plasma fasting total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and ratio of total cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol. However, level of HDL-cholesterol remained unchanged.