Standardization of marketed anti‐obesity nutraceuticals containing amla and ginseng

The present study envisages the generation of scientific evidence to validate the claims of some marketed anti-obesity nutraceutical products. Seven products [three containing amla—Sri Sri Tattva, Jiva, Onelife amla; three containing ginseng- Lords, Dr. Bhargava, MediLexicon, and a polyherbal tablet—Onelife MultiMan] were standardized as per reported protocols. The test products complied with the dissolution profile (Q60 ≥ 75%). The test products evaluated for total phenolic content were found to be the highest in amla tablets (135–175 mg GAE/g) versus the ginseng tablets and the polyherbal tablet; the total flavonoid content was found to be highest in the polyherbal tablet (36.93 mg QE/g). The results of in vivo studies indicated that the test products produced a decrease in body weight, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein, and triglyceride in obese rats. This study established the scientific evidence about the quality and efficacy of the selected marketed anti-obesity nutraceutical products. Practical applications Nutraceuticals comprising of herbal actives are used as functional foods and are a rapidly growing market across the globe. The market is flooded with small, medium, and large-scale industries involved in manufacturing nutraceuticals and cater to the highly segmented and evolving global market. This reiterates the role of standardization in ensuring the efficacy, stability, and overall quality of products. Amla and ginseng are used traditionally as functional foods in several countries for diverse uses. Amla and ginseng are rich sources of saponins, phenolics, and flavonoids. The outcome of the study verified the efficacy of the products in preventing metabolic syndrome. Eventually, we have even plan to conduct anti-hypertensive and anti-arthritic evaluation of the products with the expectation of retardation of serum calcium, renal sodium, angiotensin; cyclooxygenase, and providing other functionality.