Krishnapura Srinivasan

• Ph.D.
• Principal Investigator at CSIR - Central Food Technological Research Institute

Patients with diabetes often have more invasive infections, which may lead to an increase in morbidity. The hyperglycaemic environment promotes immune dysfunction (such as the deterioration of neutrophil activity, antioxidant system suppression, and compromised innate immunity), micro- and microangiopathies, and neuropathy. A greater number of medi...

This review summarizes all the available evidence for the anti-inflammatory potential of culinary spices or their bioactives by considering in vitro, translational, and human intervention studies. An exhaustive search of the available literature was performed using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases. The review considers information from...

Zinc present in the islet cells of the pancreas is crucial for the synthesis, storage, and secretion of insulin. The excretion of large amounts of zinc from the body is reported in diabetic situations. Zinc depletion and increased oxidative stress have a major impact on the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. It would be most relevant to ascert...

Several medicinal herbs used in the indigenous system of medicine in India are understood to stimulate either specific or nonspecific immunity through their immunomodulatory potential. Spices and medicinal plants are rich sources of antioxidant phytochemicals. Phytochemicals with potent antioxidant activity include carotenoids,

Indian gooseberries (Emblica officinalis) traditionally have been used in Indian medicine (Ayurveda) for enhancing general vitality and cognition, to relieve anxiety, and promote longevity. Although there is very limited human evidence, it appears to be promising for the management of blood glucose and lowering of blood cholesterol in diabetics. Th...

Cluster beans (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) are an annual legume crop in tropical countries, and are a provider of rich amounts of soluble dietary fiber, present as guar gum. Guar gum is a galactomannan derived from the ground endosperm of cluster beans. Due to its hydrophilic gel-forming properties, guar gum finds many uses in the food industry. Guar...

Evidences from exhaustive research in experimental animal models as well as in human subjects indicate that high cholesterol concentration in circulation, especially of LDL-associated cholesterol, lowered HDL-associated cholesterol, high blood pressure, thrombotic tendency and oxidative stress in the myocardium are the major risk factors for the et...

ABSTRACT Volatile and non-volatile fractions of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) seeds were evaluated for anti-inflammatory influence in paw edema-induced Wistar rats. Groups of rats were orally administered with cardamom oil, cardamom resin, and standard compounds of the volatile cardamom oil fraction as a single dose. Paw inflammation was measured...

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of dietary fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds and onion on the hyperglycemia-stimulated glucose transporters and activation of renin-angiotensin system-mediated cascade of events leading to renal lesions in diabetic animals. Methods: The mechanistic aspects of nephroprotecti...

Zinc depletion during diabetes postulates a role for zinc nutrition in the management of associated complications. The present study evaluated zinc supplementation for countering the compromised intestinal integrity through moderation of oxidative stress and suppression of stress-stimulated inflammatory proliferation in streptozotocin-induced diabe...

Though needed in trace amounts, zinc is an important micronutrient for a strong immune system, healthy skin, insulin production and regulation, digestion and regulation of energy metabolism. Zinc also plays a strong role in the prevention of diseases such as secondary complications of diabetes and cancer, learning, memory, and healthy brain functio...

Non-enzymatic glycation of lens proteins and elevated polyol pathway in the eye lens have been the characteristic features of a diabetic condition. We have previously reported the benefits of zinc supplementation in reducing hyperglycemia and associated metabolic abnormalities and oxidative stress in diabetic rats. The current study explored whethe...

Hyperglycemia is an important risk factor for the development and progression of the macrovascular and microvascular complications that occur in diabetes. Spices such as fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds, onion (Allium cepa), garlic (Allium sativum) and black cumin (Nigella satuvum) are recognized to possess hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, a...

For the past two decades, epidemiological studies and associated meta-analyses strongly suggest that longterm consumption of diets rich in plant polyphenols, especially flavonoids, offer protection against development of degenerative diseases such as cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, osteoporosis and neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, poly...

“The fibre-rich fenugreek seeds and sulphur compound-rich onion are now understood to possess significant sugar-lowering as well as lipid-lowering action. They also possess antioxidant potential, which is likely to have far reaching implications for alleviating secondary complications associated with diabetes”

In view of the deficiency of zinc concomitant with other minerals in diabetic condition, it is desirable to increase the absorption capability of the same by improving the intestinal health. In continuation of our previous report on the virtue of zinc supplementation on diabetic complications, and a significant favourable consequence in the restora...

Hyperglycemia is one of the metabolic and homeostatic abnormalities that increase the cardiovascular mortality in diabetic patients by increased oxidative stress. We have recently reported amelioration of oxidative stress in cardiac tissue by dietary fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds and onion (Allium cepa) in streptozotocin-induced diabe...

Purpose and Methods: Hyperglycemia induced osmotic and oxidative stress is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetes related secondary complications including cataract. In continuation of our previous observation of the ameliorative influence of these spices on hyperglycemia, attendant metabolic abnormalities, and oxidative stress in t...

Although the seeds of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) are widely used as a spice for their distinctive aroma, they are also commonly used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of diseases. The literature presents ample evidence for the biomedical activities of cumin, which have generally been ascribed to its bioactive constituents such as terpenes,...

We have recently reported the beneficial modulation of metabolic abnormalities and oxidative stress in diabetic rats by dietary fenugreek seeds and onion. This investigation evaluated the protective influence of dietary fenugreek seeds (100 g kg-1) and onion (30 g kg-1) on erythrocytes of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, through modulation of...

Zinc deficiency during diabetes projects a role for zinc nutrition in the management of diabetic nephropathy. The current study explored whether zinc supplementation protects against diabetic nephropathy through modulation of kidney oxidative stress and stress-induced expression related to the inflammatory process in streptozotocin-induced diabetic...

Oxidative stress plays a major role in the progression of diabetes and pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. In this study, the beneficial influence of dietary fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds and onion (Allium cepa) on oxidative stress-mediated renal injury was evaluated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in a...

Zinc depletion during diabetes projects a role for zinc nutrition in this condition. This study explored whether zinc supplementation annuls diabetes-induced zinc dyshomeostasis through modulation of zinc transporters and metallothionein. Groups of hyperglycemic rats were exposed for six weeks to supplemental zinc (5 or 10-times of normal level). I...

In continuation of our studies on the bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds from food grains as influenced by domestic processing, we examined the uptake of phenolics from native/sprouted finger millet (Eleucine coracana) and green gram (Vigna radiata) and native/heat-processed onion (Allium cepa) in human Caco-2 cells. Absorption of pure phenolic...

Chekurmanis (Sauropus androgynus) belonging to Euphorbiaceae, is a perennial shrub, growing wildly in Southeast Asia. The leaves of chekurmanis are highly nutritious, being a very rich source of micronutrients and protein. In this study, chekurmanis leaves were evaluated for protein and micronutrient content at different stages of maturity. Maturit...

Effect of co-administered piperine on the bioavailability of finger millet (FM) phenolic compounds was investigated in rats. FM phenolic extract was orally administered (100 mg.kg⁻¹) to rats along with or without piperine (20 mg.kg⁻¹). Blood, liver, intestine, kidney, and brain were analyzed for the absorbed phenolics at varying time intervals and...

Background: Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds and onion (Allium cepa) are independently known to have antidiabetic effects through different mechanisms. The beeneficial influence of a combination of dietary fenugreek seeds and onion on hyperglycemia and its associated metabolic abnormalities were evaluated in streptozotocin-induced diabe...

Soluble fibre-rich fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum- graecum) and garlic (Allium sativum) are understood to exert cholesterol-lowering and antioxidant effects. The cardioprotective influence of a combination of fenugreek seeds and garlic by their antioxidant influence was evaluated in hypercholesterolemic rats administered isoproterenol. Wistar r...

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) rhizomes are commonly used in foods and beverages for their characteristic pungency and piquant flavor. Ginger is widely employed in Chinese, Ayurvedic, Unani medicines and home remedies since antiquity for many ailments including pain, inflammation, and gastrointestinal disorders. The bioactive constituents of ginger h...

Oxidative stress has a crucial role in the progression of diabetes and its complications. Soluble fibre-rich fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) are understood to have a beneficial effect in the management of diabetes. Previously, we have shown that the amelioration of diabetic hyperglycemia and related metabolic abnormalities was potent...

Oxidative stress plays a major role in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus, which further exacerbates damage of cardiac, hepatic and other tissues. We have recently reported that Zn supplementation beneficially modulates hyperglycaemia and hypoinsulinaemia, with attendant reduction of associated metabolic abnormalities in diabetic rats. The prese...

Spices consumed as adjuncts to enhance sensory quality of foods are also used in traditional systems of medicine since they impart multiple health effects. By making foods palatable without salt and fat, spices assist in reduced daily intake of sodium and fat. Many health beneficial attributes of spices have been experimentally documented from anim...

Polyphenols are gaining importance in view of their health beneficial influences. Onion ( Allium cepa ) was analyzed for total polyphenol and flavonoid contents and their bioaccessibility as influenced by heat processing and food acidulants. Total polyphenols in raw onion (2.17 mg/g) were increased by 50% upon roasting. Total flavonoids in onion (0...

Background: Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) is an aromatic seed spice grown extensively in India and used as a flavoring in sweets. The anti-hypercholesterolemic effect of cardamom was evaluated in Wistar rats by inducing hypercholesterolemia with a high cholesterol diet for 8 weeks. Dietary interventions were made with (a) Cardamom powder (50 g.k...

The cause and effect relationship between diabetes and zinc is complex and unclear. This animal study has examined the potential of zinc supplementation in beneficial modulating hyperglycemia, insulin secretion, and metabolic abnormalities associated with diabetes. The study was conducted in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Groups of hyperglyc...

Background: Polyphenols in food are valued for their health beneficial influences. Food acidulants lime juice and amchur, used in Indian culinary were evaluated for their influence on polyphenol bioaccessibility from food grains. Results: Lime juice increased bioaccessible flavonoids by 25% in roasted finger millet, while there was no change in...

Red rice (Oryza sativa L.) consumed in most Asian countries is widely considered as nutritional and phytochemical enriched rice with health implications. In the present study, we prepared parboiled and parboiled cross-linked (phosphorylated) whole red rice and their beneficial effect was investigated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Groups...

Moringa oleifera is an affordable and rich source of dietary folate. Quantification of folate by HPLC showed that 5-formyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolic acid (502.1 μg/100 g DW) and 5,6,7,8-tetrahydrofolic acid (223.9 μg/100 g DW) as the most dominant forms of folate in M. oleifera leaves. The bioavailability of folate and the effects of folate depletion...

Overview of folate and B12 dependent homocysteine metabolism reactions involved in cellular one-carbon metabolism, with two major functions of DNA synthesis and DNA methylation (Zetterberg 2004).

Dietary fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum-graecum) and garlic (Allium sativum) have been previously observed to have cardioprotective influence in experimentally induced myocardial infarction in rats. Since low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation is a key factor in the arteriosclerotic process, we evaluated their potential in minimizing the LDL ox...

The cardio protective influence of dietary fibre-rich fenugreek seeds and the well-established hypolipidemic spice garlic was evaluated individually and in combination in isoproterenol induced myocardial infarcted rats. It was particularly examined if pretreatment with dietary fenugreek, garlic or fenugreek+garlic would be beneficial under hypercho...

Dietary hypocholesterolemic spices - curcumin (active compound of turmeric (Curcuma longa) and capsaicin (active compound of red pepper (Capsicum annuum), the active principles of spices - turmeric (Curcuma longa) and red pepper (Capsicum annuum), fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds, garlic (Allium sativum), and onion (Allium cepa) are docu...

Deficiencies of iron, zinc, iodine and vitamin A are widespread in the developing countries, poor bioavailability of these micronutrients from plant-based foods being the major reason for their wide prevalence. Diets predominantly vegetarian are composed of components that enhance as well as inhibit mineral bioavailability, the latter being predomi...

Capsaicin, the pungent alkaloid of red pepper (Capsicum annuum) has been extensively studied for its biological effects which are of pharmacological relevance. These include: cardio protective influence, anti-lithogenic effect, anti-inflammatory and analgesia, thermogenic influence, and beneficial effects on gastrointestinal system. Therefore, caps...

Polyphenols play a significant role in vision physiology and antioxidant protection of the eye, as suggested by in vitro studies. Flavonoids act on various etiologic factors responsible for the development of ocular diseases. In vitro studies demonstrate that flavonoids interact directly with rhodopsin and modulate visual pigment function and that...

Health beneficial hypocholesterolemic and antioxidant influences of dietary fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum-graecum), garlic (Allium sativum), and their combination included along with a high cholesterol diet (HCD) were evaluated in Wistar rats. Dietary interventions were made by inclusion of 10 % fenugreek seed powder or 2 % garlic powder or th...

Elevated polyol pathway enzyme activities and oxidative stress play an important role in the development and progression of diabetic nephropathy. Here, we investigated the beneficial influence of nigerloxin, a fungal metabolite and a potent aldose reductase inhibitor and free radical scavenger in the kidney of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats....

Providing a lithogenic diet that contains 0.5% cholesterol to experimental mice for 10 weeks resulted in cholesterol supersaturation in gallbladder bile, which induced the formation of cholesterol gallstones. In this study, to evaluate the anti-cholelithogenic potential of dietary tender cluster bean, a freeze-dried powder of the test legume was in...

Excessive free radical generation overbalancing the rate of their removal leads to oxidative stress. Oxidative stress has been implicated in the etiology of cardiovascular disease, inflammatory diseases, cancer, and other chronic diseases. Antioxidants are compounds that hinder the oxidative processes and thereby delay or suppress oxidative stress....

Soluble dietary fibre-rich tender cluster beans (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) were explored for its potential in weight management in rats maintained on high-fat diet (HFD). The impact of three dietary levels of cluster beans was examined in terms of body weight gain, absorption and elimination of dietary fat, accumulation of fat in adipose and influen...

Since spice diets are known to cause significant reduction in food transit time, an animal study was carried out to verify if there is any undesirable compromise with nutrient bioavailability, especially fat and protein digestion and absorption. Young rats were maintained for 6 weeks on diets containing (in gram percent): ginger (0.05), ajowan (0.2...

We have recently reported the beneficial influence of the fungal metabolite nigerloxin, a new aldose reductase inhibitor and a lipoxygenase inhibitor on oxidative stress in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. In the present study we have investigated the antioxidant potential of nigerloxin in vitro as compared to one of the well known natural ant...

The antioxidant role of tender cluster beans (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, CB), a rich source of soluble fibre, was investigated in a hypercholesterolemia-induced oxidative stress situation in rats. In the context of dietary garlic (Allium sativa) potentiating the hypocholesterolemic influence of CB, we also examined if dietary garlic enhances the anti...

Background: The role of osmotic and oxidative stress has been strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of cataract. Nigerloxin, a fungal metabolite, has been shown to possess aldose reductase inhibition and improved antioxidant defense system in lens of diabetic rats. In the present study, the beneficial influence of nigerloxin was investigated in...

The distinct biting quality of black pepper (Piper nigrum) widely used in human dietary is attributed to the alkaloid piperine. Black pepper is also used as a food preservative and as a vital component in traditional medicines in India and China. Several physiological effects of black pepper and its bioactive alkaloid piperine have been reported in...

In this study, the gastrointestinal protective effect of soluble, dietary fiber-rich tender cluster beans, with respect to the activities of antioxidant enzymes and the concentration of antioxidant molecules, was examined in Wistar rats. Dietary intervention with tender cluster beans (15% freeze-dried powder in the diet for 8 weeks) significantly e...

Oxidative stress plays a key role in the progression of diabetes and its complications. In this study, the beneficial influence of the fungal metabolite nigerloxin, a new aldose reductase inhibitor and a free-radical scavenger, was investigated on oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Groups of diabetic rats were orally administ...

Spices are valued for their medicinal properties besides their use as food adjuncts to enhance the sensory quality of food. Dietary garlic, onion, fenugreek, red pepper, turmeric, and ginger have been proven to be effective hypocholesterolemics in experimentally induced hypercholesterolemia. The hypolipidemic potential of fenugreek in diabetic subj...

In view of the wide-spread deficiency of iron and zinc in populations dependent on plant foods, it is desirable to improve the bioavailability of the same. Specific dietary spices may alter the ultrastructure and permeability characteristics of intestines. Groups of Wistar rats were fed piperine, capsaicin and ginger containing diets for 8 weeks in...

Tender cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) (CB), a rich source of soluble fibre was evaluated for hypolipidemic influence in atherogenic situation along with a known hypocholesterolemic spice garlic in rats. Wistar rats were rendered hypercholesterolemic by feeding 0.5% cholesterol diet for 8 weeks. Inclusion of CB (15%), garlic (1%) and their c...

Soluble fiber-rich tender cluster bean pod (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) (CB) and a combination of CB and capsaicin, a thermogenic spice compound, were evaluated for weight-reducing effect in high-fat-fed Wistar rats. Freeze-dried CB and capsaicin were included at 15 and 0.015%, respectively, in the high-fat (30%) diet for 8 weeks. Excretion of dietary...

Osmotic and oxidative stress have been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic cataract. Nigerloxin, a fungal metabolite, has been shown to possess aldose reductase inhibitory and free radical scavenging potential, in vitro. In the present study, the beneficial influence of nigerloxin was investigated on diabetes-induced alteration in the eye le...

Cluster beans (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) are rich source of soluble fibre content and are known for their cholesterol lowering effect. The beneficial anti-hypercholesterolaemic effect of whole dietary cluster beans as a source of dietary fibre was evaluated in high cholesterol diet induced hypercholesterolaemia in experimental rats. Male Wistar rats...

Finger millet and sorghum flours were used as vehicles for double fortification with ferrous fumarate, zinc stearate and EDTA. The iron and zinc salts were added at levels that provided 60 mg iron and 50 mg zinc per kg of flour. EDTA was added at levels equimolar to the added iron. The double-fortified finger millet and sorghum flours contained bio...

BACKGROUND: A few common spices are known to stimulate secretion of bile with higher amount of bile acids which play a major role in digestion and absorption of dietary lipids. It would be appropriate to verify if these spices enable efficient digestion and absorption during high-fat intake. In this context, dietary ginger (0.05%), piperine (0.02%)...

Food acidulants, β-carotene-rich vegetables and sulfur compound-rich Allium spices are known to improve zinc bioaccessibility from food grains. This animal study evaluated the positive influence of these promoters of zinc bioaccessibility on zinc status during zinc repletion in Wistar rats previously rendered zinc-deficient by feeding a zinc-defici...

We recently reported that dietary fenugreek seeds lower the incidence of cholesterol gallstones (CGS) in high-cholesterol fed mice and also regress pre-established CGS. In this study, fenugreek was evaluated for hepatoprotective and antioxidant influence in mice fed high-cholesterol diet (HCD). After feeding HCD for 10 weeks, groups of animals were...

Deficiencies of iron and zinc among the population dependent on plant foods necessitate strategies to maximize their bioavailability. In this context, specific combinations of promoters of iron and zinc bioaccessibility-namely, amchur (0.75 g/10 g), β-carotene-rich vegetables (2.5 g/10 g) and Allium spices (1.5 g/10 g)-were evaluated for a possible...

An animal study was conducted to evaluate the antilithogenic effect of a combination of dietary fenugreek seeds and onion. Lithogenic conditions were induced in mice by feeding them a high (0.5%) cholesterol diet (HCD) for 10 weeks. Fenugreek (12%) and onion (2%) were included individually and in combination in this HCD. Fenugreek, onion and their...

Animal studies were conducted to evaluate the influence of dietary spice compounds, piperine, capsaicin and ginger, on the absorption of orally administered β-carotene and its conversion to vitamin A. In rats maintained on these spice-containing diets for 8 weeks, concentrations of β-carotene and retinol were determined in the serum, liver and inte...

Inherent phytic acid and tannins interfere with bioavailability of iron and zinc from plant-based foods. Food acidulants, β-carotene-rich vegetables and Allium spices are understood to promote mineral bioaccessibility (an estimate of bioavailability using in vitro method) from food grains. In this study, we have verified whether these promoters wou...

Formation of cholesterol gallstones in gallbladder is controlled by procrystallising and anticrystallising factors present in bile. Dietary fenugreek seed has been recently observed to possess anti-lithogenic potential in experimental mice. In the current animal study, we evaluated the effect of dietary fenugreek on the compositional changes in the...

Spice bioactive compounds, capsaicin and curcumin, were both individually and in combination examined for antilithogenic potential during experimental induction of cholesterol gallstones in mice. Cholesterol gallstones were induced by feeding mice a high-cholesterol (0.5%) diet for 10 weeks. Groups of mice were maintained on a lithogenic diet that...

The curative effect of food has been a traditionally established belief for many generations in India. The current view that food can have an expanded role that goes well beyond providing a source of nutrients truly applies to many traditional Indian foods. In fact, the traditional Indian diet is “functional” as it contains high amounts of dietary...

Widespread deficiencies of iron and zinc, commonly found in populations dependent on plant foods, necessitate food-based strategies to maximise their bioavailability from plant foods. In this study, β-carotene-rich vegetables were evaluated for their effects on the bioaccessibility of iron and zinc from cereals and pulses by employing a simulated g...

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana) is extensively cultivated and consumed in India and Africa. The millet seed coat is a rich source of dietary fibre and phenolic compounds. The effect of feeding a diet containing 20% finger millet seed coat matter (SCM) was examined in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Diabetic rats maintained on the millet SCM...

Effect of heat treatment involved in domestic cooking on the bioaccessibility of β-carotene from yellow-orange as well as green leafy vegetables was evaluated. Heat treatment of these vegetables by pressure-cooking, stir-frying and open-pan boiling had a beneficial influence on the bioaccessibility of β-carotene. The extent of increase in the per c...

Bioavailability of micronutrients iron and zinc is particularly low from plant foods. Hence there is a need to evolve a food-based strategy to improve the same to combat widespread deficiencies of these minerals in a population dependent on plant foods. Dietary sulfur-containing amino acids have been reported to improve the mineral status of experi...

Malted grains are extensively used in weaning and geriatric foods. Malting generally improves the nutrient content and digestibility of foods. The present investigation examined the influence of malting of finger millet, wheat, and barley on the bioaccessibility of iron, zinc, calcium, copper, and manganese. Malting increased the bioaccessibility o...

Curcumin, capsaicin and piperine--the bioactive compounds present in spices--turmeric (Curcuma longa), red pepper (Capsicum annuum) and black pepper (Piper nigrum) respectively, have a considerable portion of structural homology. Tissue distribution and elimination of these three structurally similar bioactive compounds was examined following their...