| Garcinia indica choisy is a slender evergreen tree. The | | | | as bioflavonoid, since all flavonoids are biological in |
| tree is also ornamental, with a dense canopy of | | | | origin. They would be of great importance to athletes |
| green leaves and red-tinged tender emerging leaves. | | | | as heavy exercises generate large amount of free |
| The tree is found in the tropical rain forests of | | | | radicals. |
| Western Ghats, from kokan to mysore. The kokum | | | | The levels of antioxidant action is studied by |
| fruit is cooling, antiseptic, purifies the blood and fights | | | | (i) Radical formation by Ferric Reducing / Antioxidant |
| cholesterol. Garcinia indica seed also contains oil, which | | | | Power (FRAP) |
| remains solid at room temperature and is used in | | | | (ii) Radical scavenging by Oxygen Radical |
| food pharmaceutical and in cosmetics. Kokum fruit | | | | Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) and 2,22- azobis -3- |
| has lots of medicinal properties. | | | | ethyl- |
| It does not require irrigation, spraying or fertilizers. | | | | Benzthiazoline -6- sulphonic acid (ABTS), and |
| The tree doesn't require rainfall, doesn't have any | | | | (iii)Prevention of membrane damage as measured by |
| pest or diseases apart from the monkey menace, | | | | lipid peroxidation. |
| and is almost a crop which requires negligible | | | | These are standard assays used for determining the |
| attention. A paper presented at the Goa seminar | | | | anti-oxidant abilities of food preparations. |
| (March 2005) suggests that the Garcinia indica has | | | | Among the kokum extracts, kokum syrup (final |
| medicinal uses both as a digestive tonic, and to fight | | | | concentration 2.5%) was the most effective giving |
| paralysis. It is shown to improve the paralysed status | | | | 78% protection against lipid peroxidation, followed by |
| of an individual. About half to one glass of curry is | | | | 0.1% aqueous and boiled aqueous extracts with 40 |
| prepared from the fruits, with a little salt and sugar, | | | | and 51% protection, respectively. Aqueous kokum |
| to be taken after meals. For paralysis, the | | | | extract and kokum syrup exhibit inhibition of peroxyl |
| clean-chopped stem bark is finely powdered and is | | | | radical - induced phycoerythrin oxidation in ORAC |
| added to boiling water. After 3-5 minutes, a lightly | | | | assay . Results show that the values of kokam |
| cooled decoction is used for washing the affected | | | | extract ranging from 20 to 29 are higher than those |
| parts, two to three times a day. | | | | observed for some fruits and vegetables , including |
| The HPLC [high pressure/performance liquid | | | | those for |
| chromatography] analysis of Garcinia indica fruit | | | | Garlic(19.4),aqueous Turmeric extracts (13.49), |
| shows major phytochemical hydroxy citric acid [HCA] | | | | Spinach (12.6), |
| which is claimed to have fat-reducing properties for | | | | Beets (8.4), |
| the human body.Hydroxy citric acid is mainly found in | | | | Onion (4.5), |
| the rind of the fruit. It is shown that HCA can inhibit | | | | Cauliflower (3.8), |
| the enzyme, citrate lyase which is needed for | | | | Cabbage (3.0), |
| conversion of carbohydrates into fats. The fruit also | | | | Carrot (2.10), |
| shows presence of anthocyanins which are | | | | Blueberry (15.9), |
| pigmented flavonoids. They are water soluble and | | | | Strawberry (15.36), |
| help in scavenging free radicals. Flavonoids are known | | | | Plum (9.49), |
| for their antioxidant activity, although it is research is | | | | Orange (7.5), |
| going on in this field. Flavonoids are also referred to | | | | Banana (2.21). |