Scientific opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to
Justicia adhatoda L. and protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from
oxidative damage (ID 2508) and function of the upper respiratory tract
(ID 3970) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006[sup]1[/sup]
EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA)2
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Parma, Italy
Słowa kluczowe:
Justicia adhatoda L
1. Charakterystyka żywności / składnika
The food constituent that is the subject of the health claim is Justicia adhatoda L.. The characterisation of Justicia adhatoda L. is performed by comparing data provided as conditions of use to information extracted from standard reference textbooks (see Table 2 below and Appendix C for list of standard reference textbooks used for the characterisation).
Table 2. Information on Justicia adhatoda L. from standard reference textbooks and the information provided as conditions of use.
ID Scientific name Part used Nature of the preparation Conditions of use
Text-
book
Justicia adhatoda L.
= Adhatoda vasica
Nees. = Adhatoda
zeylanica Medik.
Acanthaceae
Aerial part;
root;
Fresh juice; powder;
extracts; decoction; syrup
Dried leaf: 1-2g/day,
and equivalent
preparations.
Dried root: 0.5-
1.5g/day, and
equivalent
preparations.
2508 Adhatoda vasica Not specified. Not specified Quantity in average daily serving:
100mg/day. Two
beverages are to be
consumed daily.
Note: Not sufficiently
specified
3970 Adhatoda vasica
Leaf and whole plant
Leaf; whole
plant
Powder; aqueous extract Powder: 0.05-
0.5g/day;
Aqueous extract: 0.02-
0.25g/day.
ID 2508:
The part used and the nature of preparation are not specified and the conditions of use are not sufficiently specified. The Panel notes that the consolidated list contains insufficient information to allow a characterisation of Justicia adhatoda L..
The Panel considers that the food constituent, Justicia adhatoda L., which is the subject of the health claim, has not been sufficiently characterised.
ID 3970:
The Panel considers that the food constituent, Justicia adhatoda L., which is the subject of the health claim, has been sufficiently characterised with the following conditions of use: Powder (leaf and/or whole plant): 0.05-0.5 g/day, and aqueous extract (leaf and/or whole plant): 0.02-0.25 g/day.
2. Znaczenie oświadczenia dla zdrowia człowieka
2.1. Ochrona DNA, białek i lipidów przed uszkodzeniem oksydacyjnym (ID 2508)
The claimed effect is “Adhatoda vasica has antiinflammatory activity”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
The claimed effect “Adhatoda vasica has antiinflammatory activity” is not sufficiently defined. From the proposed wording the Panel assumes that the claimed effect relates to the protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage.
Reactive oxygen species including several kinds of radicals are generated in biochemical processes (e.g. respiratory chain) and as a consequence of exposure to exogenous noxes (e.g. radiation, pollutants). These reactive intermediates damage biologically relevant molecules such as DNA, proteins and lipids if they are not intercepted by the antioxidant network which includes free radical scavengers like antioxidant nutrients.
The Panel considers that protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage is beneficial to human health.
2.2. Funkcjonowanie górnych dróg oddechowych (ID 3970)
The claimed effect is “respiratory”. The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population.
The claimed effect “respiratory” is not sufficiently defined. From the proposed wording the Panel assumes that the claimed effect refers to the normal function of upper respiratory tract.
The Panel considers that normal function upper respiratory tract is beneficial to human health.
3. Naukowe uzasadnienia wpływu na zdrowie człowieka
3.1. Ochrona DNA, białek i lipidów przed uszkodzeniem oksydacyjnym (ID 2508)
Five references were cited to substantiate the claimed effect. Three were animal studies investigating the effect of Justicia adhatoda L. against radiation-induced haematological alterations, its antitussive properties or its hepatoprotective effects. The Panel notes that these references do not provide any scientific data that could be used to substantiate the claimed effect.
One reference was an in vitro study on the anti-inflammatory activity of Justicia adhatoda L. One animal study investigated the effect of Justicia adhatoda L. on cadmium chloride-induced renal oxidative stress, where Justicia adhatoda L. showed a significant recovery in antioxidative status (Jahangir et al., 2006).
The Panel considers that the evidence provided in the animal and in vitro studies does not predict an effect of Justicia adhatoda L. consumption on protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage in humans.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of Justicia adhatoda L. and protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage.
3.2. Funkcjonowanie górnych dróg oddechowych (ID 3970)
One reference was cited to substantiate the claimed effect. This reference is a monograph, in which the claimed effect is stated. The Panel notes that the reference cited did not provide any scientific data that could be used to substantiate the claimed effect.
The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of Justicia adhatoda L. and normal function of the upper respiratory tract.
Wnioski
On the basis of the data presented, the Panel concludes that:
Protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage (ID 2508)
The food constituent, Justicia adhatoda L., which is the subject of the health claim, has not been sufficiently characterised for protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage.
The claimed effect is “Adhatoda vasica has antiinflammatory activity”. The target population is assumed to be the general population. Protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage is beneficial to human health.
A cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of Justicia adhatoda L. and protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage.
Function of the upper respiratory tract (ID 3970)
The food constituent, Justicia adhatoda L., which is the subject of the health claim, has been sufficiently characterised for function of the upper respiratory tract with the following conditions of use: Powder (leaf and/or whole plant): 0.05-0.5g/day, and aqueous extract (leaf and/or whole plant): 0.02-0.25 g/day.
The claimed effect is “respiratory”. The target population is assumed to be the general population. Normal function of the upper respiratory tract is beneficial to human health.
A cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of Justicia adhatoda L. and normal function of the upper respiratory tract.
