Edible berry extracts rich in anthocyanins possess a broad spectrum of therapeutic, pharmacologic and anti-carcinogenic properties. Six berry extracts (wild blueberry, bilberry, cranberry, elderberry, raspberry seeds and strawberry), singly and in combination, were studied in our laboratories for antioxidant efficacy, cytotoxic potential, cellular uptake and anti-angiogenic properties. Combinations of edible berry extracts were evaluated to develop a synergistic formula, OptiBerry, which exhibited high oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) value, low cytotoxicity and superior anti-angiogenic properties compared to the other combinations tested. The current study sought to determine the broad spectrum safety and antioxidant potential of OptiBerry in vivo. Acute oral LD(50) of OptiBerry was greater than 5 g/kg in rats. Acute dermal LD(50) of OptiBerry was greater than 2 g/kg. No changes in the body weight or adverse effects were observed following necropsy. Primary skin and eye irritation studies were conducted in New Zealand albino rabbits. OptiBerry was classified as slightly irritating to the skin (primary skin irritation index 0.3) and minimally irritating to the eye (maximum mean total score 6.0). The antioxidant potential of OptiBerry was investigated in rats and mice by assessing GSH redox status in tissues as well as by a unique state-of-the-art electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) imaging of whole-body redox status. A clinically relevant hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) exposure system (2 atm, 2 h) was employed to study the antioxidant properties of OptiBerry. OptiBerry feeding (8 weeks) significantly prevented HBO-induced GSH oxidation in the lung and liver of vitamin E-deficient Sprague Dawley rats. Furthermore, OptiBerry-fed mice, when exposed to HBO, demonstrated significant protection in whole-body HBO-induced oxidation compared to the unfed controls by EPR imaging. Taken together, these results indicate that OptiBerry is reasonably safe and possess antioxidant properties.

This paper aims to explore into the aspect of establishment of a pattern of participation of corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities amongst the private sector companies as reflected in the respective company documents in the public domain, taking rate of growth of profit as the parameter. An empirical and analytical study was undertaken whereby the corporate official websites of the companies were analyzed. Data were then generated from such an analysis using qualitative document analysis. For this study, we used ‘number of sentences’ as the unit for measurement of CSR participation. Data were entered into SPSS to generate descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, multiple regression analysis and conjoint analysis. The most preferred CSR activities were observed to be education, health and environment. Drinking water and sanitation was least preferred activity. A high level of dispersion was observed with respect to drinking water and sanitation and a low level with respect to education, health, environment and ‘others’. The pattern across the deciles was observed to be random with respect to average sentences spent as well as coefficient of variance (CV). The activities that had an impact on the deciles at different levels as per the multiple regression analysis were: education, health, environment, disaster relief, employability, drinking water and sanitation, rural upliftment and others. Companies belonging to the manufacturing sector and the services sector have shown the highest responsiveness towards all the activities. Companies had attached the highest importance (Level 1) to the following CSR activities: education, environment and ‘others’.

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This article aims to explore the establishment of a pattern of participation of corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities amongst private sector companies as reflected in the respective company documents in the public domain, taking absolute profit as the parameter. An empirical and analytical study was undertaken whereby the corporate official websites of the companies were analyzed for the time period 2006-2007 to 2008-2009. Data were then generated from such an analysis using qualitative document analysis. For this study, we used 'number of sentences' as the unit for measurement of CSR participation. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, multiple regression analysis and conjoint analysis were used to analyze the data. The study showed that the most preferred CSR activities were education, health and environment. Drinking water and sanitation and urban upliftment were the least preferred activities. A high level of dispersion was observed with respect to the least preferred activities; and a low level of dispersion was observed with the most preferred activities. Significant correlation was observed with respect to various CSR activities that the companies were responsive to. The activities which had a significant impact on the companies divided into deciles, at different levels, as per the multiple regression analysis were: education, health, environment, employability, rural upliftment, others and empowerment. Companies belonging to the manufacturing sector and the diversified sector have shown the highest responsiveness towards such activities. Companies have attached the highest importance (Level 1) to the following CSR activities: education, environment, health, rural upliftment and others.

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