Antioxidant, Anti-Aging Action

As part of their normal function, body cells make toxic molecules called free radicals – each molecule is missing an electron. Because the free radical molecule “wants” its full electron complement, it reacts with any molecule from which it can take an electron. When the free radical takes an electron from certain key components in the cell, such as fat, protein or DNA molecules, it damages the cell in a process known as oxidation. In addition to free radicals that occur naturally in the body, they also occur as the result of environmental influences. These influences may include ultraviolet radiation or air-borne pollutants such as cigarette smoke – both of which contribute to cell oxidation and may accelerate the aging process.

Antioxidants, or oxidation inhibitors, that occur naturally in the human body and in certain foods may block some of this damage by donating electrons to stabilize and neutralize the harmful effects of the free radicals. Adaptogens also possess an antioxidant action. Based on biochemical analyses, adaptogens cause a reliable decrease in total cholesterol and b-lipoproteids, and increase the level of hydrophilic and liquid antioxidants in the blood. In studies by Japanese scientists, it was found the Gomisin N (a component isolated from Schizandra fruit) is a more active antioxidant than dl-a tocopherol (vitamin E).

Researchers                         Institutes
S. Toda                              Laboratory of Chemistry

M. Kimura                          Kansai College of Acupuncture Medicine

M. Ohnishi                        Japan

Y. Ikeya                              Tsumura Laboratory

H. Taguchi                        Ibaragi, Japan
I. MitsuhashiS.

I. Chernysh                       Institute of Biology of the Leningrad University
                                            Leningrad, Russia

O. N. Voskresensky         Poltava Medical Institute
T. A. Devyatkina                 Poltava, Ukraine