From the clinical researcher’s desk

There is a high prevalence of stress and stress-related disorders around the globe. The robust neurotropic basis of the stress-related disorder has been described in many studies, yet no specific classification of medicines for combatting stress exists. 

Mulmina® Mango is a nutritional supplement containing mango, Centella asiatica, and turmeric along with Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5 and B6. The antioxidant and vitamin B complex are known to produce an anti-stress effect. Thus a study evaluated the anti-stress effects of Mulmina® Mango.

Methodology-

The study utilized mice, randomized into five groups of 10 mice each based on the stratified body weight.

Group II, III, IV and V mice were exposed to different types of stressors for 21 days.

The anti-stress effect of Mulmina® Mango was evaluated against chronic unpredictable mild stress, which was conducted in the experimental mice model by using a standard drug, diazepam which is a non-specific anti-stress agent. Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) is considered a classic method for building an animal model with both psychological and physical stress induction.

Following assessments were done-

» Open field test- to assess locomotory, exploratory, and anxiety behaviour

» Elevated plus (EP) maze- to test anxiety and memory

» sucrose splash test- To evaluate the behavioural motivation of mice through self-care grooming

» Novel object recognition test- to evaluate the memory associated with the recognition

» Determination of biochemical parameters like- SOD, reduced GSH, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and catalase estimation

» Plasma levels of biochemical markers- plasma glucose, plasma cholesterol, plasma triglycerides were measured.

» ELISA assay technique to measure- Plasma cortisol levels and plasma TNF-α

The observations of the study were as follows-

• Mulmina® in both low-dose and high-dose produced a significant increase in several lines crossed in the open field test when compared to the control group.
• Comparing to the control group, Mulmina® low-dose and high-dose showed a significant increase in:

» The number of rearing

» Duration of grooming

» Time spent at the novel object

» SOD activity in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus

» GSH activity in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus

» The lipid peroxidation activity in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus 

• Comparing with the control group, Mulmina® low-dose and high-dose showed a significant decrease in:

» Immobility time 

» Time spent at closed-arm 

» CAT activity in the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus 

» Glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides and the cortisol levels

» TNF-α expression

Thus it was concluded that treatment with Mulmina® restores the normal behavior disrupted by stress, which was evident from the significant increase in ambulation, rearing and decrease in immobility period of the stressed mice in an open field test. Mulmina® also restores the cognitive function impaired by stress which was evident from the decrease in the time spent in the closed arm by the treated mice and major increase in time spent at the novel object.

Mulmina® treatment further reduces the elevated level of cortisol in stressed mice because of stress-related dysregulation of the HPA axis. It also produces a significant decrease in triglycerides, cholesterol & glucose level via restoration of adrenal, noradrenaline and corticosteroid; and also a significant decrease in the TNF-α which is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays a role in the pathogenesis of stress-related disorders like anxiety and depression.

The study also highlighted the antioxidant effect of Mulmina® evident from its ability to significantly increase SOD, GSH and catalase and decrease MDA level.

Thus, Mulmina® can be regarded as an important nutritional supplement possessing anti-stress and antioxidant activities.