A standardized extract from Sesbania agati leaves (SESAL) was developed by Zenherb labs Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, and is one of its kind plant-based biotin supplements.  The current work aimed at characterization of SESAL using chromatographic techniques (like HPLC & HPTLC) and DNA authentication. Additionally, an in-silico approach (docking) was also adopted to predict the molecular interactions and probable mechanisms involved in potential role of SESAL in hair care products range.  Drug likeliness was assessed on the basis of ADMET properties and Lipinski’s Rule of 5. DNA fingerprinting followed by HPTLC confirmed the identification and authentication. The biotin content in SesZenBio was estimated to be 0.5% by validated HPLC method. Mechanistically, biotin along with 2 other cofactors in SesZenBioTM is predicted to stimulate the hair follicle growth and differentiation, thus improving hair health. SesZenBioTM might hold 2x potential as against synthetic biotin in hair care applications.

Background: According to CDC, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is responsible for infertility in women with 6-12% incidences all over the world. The current treatment options available have several side effects such as amenorrhea and obesity amongst others. Dietary interventions such as non-estrogenic and androgen-suppressing foods along with nutraceutical products is considered for treating PCOS with minimum side effects. One such product of Zenherbs lab called FertiZen-R™ is a combination of three phytochemicals from three plants viz., Foeniculum vulgare, Linum Usitatissimum, Glycyrrhiza glabra, hibiscus extract and is developed as a product to treat and control PCOS. Methods: The FertiZen-R™ was quantified for the presence of phytochemicals such as glycyrrhizic acid, polyphenols, and saponins. It was further tested for estrogenic/anti-estrogenic potential on estrogen-positive breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) using an E-Screen assay. Results: The FertiZen-R™ showed presence of 5% glycyrrhizinic acid, 5% saponins, and 2-3% polyphenols. It exhibited a strong anti-estrogenic potential with 40-50% inhibition from concentrations as low as 0.156 mg/ml like tamoxifen (IC50 at 0.156 mg/ml), while inositol, a natural growth promoter, showed no effect on the cell viability. Conclusions: FertiZen-R™ showed anti-estrogenic potential when tested in-vitro and can be used to treat PCOS in women even with ER-positive breast cancer cells. However, clinical studies to determine the dosage are required to warrant the potential of FertiZen-R™.

Zenherb labs Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, developed a proprietary Arctostaphylous uva-ursi standardized extract (AUSE), (branded as UvaZen-VArb™). The current study is an attempt to get insights of the interaction of bioactives against target proteins involved in skin health pathways like melanogenesis.  A molecular docking approach was adopted to understand the protein-ligand interactions and predict the most probable mechanism(s) of beneficial skin health effects imparted by this cosmeceutical ingredient. Four phytoconstituents were docked against 15 shortlisted target proteins using Autodock Vina tool. Drug likeliness was assessed on the basis of ADMET properties and Lipinski’s Rule of 5. Arbutin, gallic acid, quercetin and rutin in AUSE demonstrated good docking scores and bioactivities for melanin regulation, cell growth, proliferation and differentiation-hair, skin and nail.