Sacred groves in conservation of plant biodiversity in Mahendergarh district of Haryana

693-700The study deals with the role of sacred groves in conservation of plant biodiversity in Mahendergarh district of Haryana. Sacred groves are oasis of plant biodiversity protecting areas. These groves in general act as repositories and nurseries for many of the medicinally and economically important plants. Among the 20 sacred groves surveyed, over 50 different plant species are reported. In the sacred groves surveyed, only a few are well protected while most are partially threatened due to anthropogenic pressure. Degradation of sacred groves not only signifies loss of species rich vegetation, but also the rich cultural heritage of the region. Considering all the dimensions of sacred groves, it is clear that these need proper conservation and protection strategies in order to save them from the verge of further degradation

Vanshlochan Substitution and Adulteration: Discussions on the Controversy over its Original Source

In India, about 80% of the rural population relies on herbal remedies for their basic medical needs. The increasing demand and trading of raw materials for herbal medicines often involve adulterants and substitutes. The reasons behind intentional adulteration are typically commercial and include degradation, admixture, sophistication, inferiority, spoiling, and other unidentified causes. Substitution is the use of comparable medications instead of the original ones. Similar Rasa, Guna, Virya, Vipaka, and most importantly Karma are the guiding principles for choosing alternative medicaments. The adulteration and substitution of herbal medications are currently a major issue in both the herbal business and Ayurvedic therapies. Vanshlochan or Tabasheer is one of the example, which has long been used as an anti-tussive in traditional medicine to cure a variety of illnesses. When this compound was first derived, the major constituent was silica with traces of other elements. Vanshlochan is prescribed as a bioavailability booster and offers a synergistic component to some well-known medications, including Sitopaladi, Talisadi, and Dadimashtaka in Ayurveda and other Unani formulations. To be utilized as a medication in conventional medicine, Vanshlochan needs stringent pharmaco-analytical approaches with evidence-based studies regarding its drug safety for human consumption. Therefore, it is essential to provide trustworthy procedures for the accurate identification, standardization, and quality control of Vanshlochan, Tabasheer, or Tugaksheeri

Complete remission of Varicose veins through Integrated therapy w.s.r. to Jalauka avacharana: A Unique Case Report

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the clinical outcomes and safety profile of leech therapy as a potential alternative or adjunctive treatment for varicose veins. Specifically, it examines the efficacy of leech therapy in managing varicose vein symptoms. Methods: A prospective case study was conducted with a single patient receiving treatment at the Ayurvedic Panchakarma department. The effects of leech therapy were assessed based on the patient's self-reported evaluation of varicose vein treatment over a 5-week period. Six sessions of Jalauka avacharana (Medicinal leech therapy) were administered to the patient. Results: Following the six sessions of leech therapy, the patient experienced gradual alleviation of symptoms, including reduced pain and burning sensations. Moreover, significant improvements were noted in reducing swelling, lumping, skin discoloration, tortuosity, and itching associated with varicose veins. These findings suggest the potential effectiveness of leech therapy in managing varicose vein symptoms. Conclusions: Leech therapy shows promise as a viable option for managing varicose veins, offering noticeable improvements in symptom relief and overall vascular health. Integrated therapy incorporating Ayurveda Panchakarma, naturopathy, and yogasanas may provide comprehensive support for individuals with varicose veins. Larger-scale studies are warranted to validate these preliminary outcomes and explore the long-term efficacy of integrated therapeutic approaches in varicose vein management

An Analysis of Policy Interventions in Agriculture and ICT Based Mechanistic Approach Towards Sustainability: An Indian Perspective

The present work stressed the negative prospects of the green revolution in India because of which despite having surplus productivity, there is a shortage of approximately 39% of food in comparison to demand. The present study investigated both qualitative and quantitative data regarding the input and output of agriculture to determine the currently existing gaps. Data from Government Organizations, Surveys, Audit reports were collected and evaluated. The analysis revealed that past policy interventions have collapsed in uplifting the farmer’s income which has caught farmers into financial crisis. Under these circumstances, the farmer’s growth is a matter of concern for policymakers. To overcome the present gap, the current Government has taken several new initiatives regarding organic agriculture and exemption of farmers from mandis to benefit the farmer which is expected to be proved as a milestone in uplifting the growth of Indian agriculture system. Present study aimed to propose a digitalized mechanistic approach to bring synchronization among Government, producer and consumer. Objective of the present study is to develop a mirrored view between Government initiatives and farmers for sustainable development of agriculture and people associated with them

An Analysis of Policy Interventions in Agriculture and ICT Based Mechanistic Approach Towards Sustainability: An Indian Perspective

The present work stressed the negative prospects of the green revolution in India because of which despite having surplus productivity, there is a shortage of approximately 39% of food in comparison to demand. The present study investigated both qualitative and quantitative data regarding the input and output of agriculture to determine the currently existing gaps. Data from Government Organizations, Surveys, Audit reports were collected and evaluated. The analysis revealed that past policy interventions have collapsed in uplifting the farmer’s income which has caught farmers into financial crisis. Under these circumstances, the farmer’s growth is a matter of concern for policymakers. To overcome the present gap, the current Government has taken several new initiatives regarding organic agriculture and exemption of farmers from mandis to benefit the farmer which is expected to be proved as a milestone in uplifting the growth of Indian agriculture system. Present study aimed to propose a digitalized mechanistic approach to bring synchronization among Government, producer and consumer. Objective of the present study is to develop a mirrored view between Government initiatives and farmers for sustainable development of agriculture and people associated with them

A comprehensive analysis of the advances in Indian Digital Agricultural architecture

ICT-based interventions such as smart farming and precision agriculture are helping to improve the output of traditional agricultural systems and drive them toward sustainability. Data-driven technologies like remote sensing, smart sensors, and IoT-based devices constructed over AI/ML algorithms have become a fundamental aspect of agriculture that assists farmers with critical decision-making. This revolution is strengthening the farmers in terms of farm management by improving crop yield, pest control, soil health, etc. in real-time. We have thoroughly reviewed the digital adoption in terms of insights into the Indian agriculture sector and presented a comprehensive account of major ICT initiatives undertaken followed by a redundancy analysis as well as its influence on the sector. Unfortunately, while being a significant agrarian country, India's adoption of digital solutions is still in its infancy, as apparent from a close look at important FMIS and key components of recognized solutions used internationally. We found 28 FMIS solutions that are active globally, and have produced a list of 29 local (Indian) applications spread across 23 different agricultural sub-domains. Sadly, a majority among these were not unique and replicated similar features, besides just a few were found to be crop-specific applications. The article is unique in its approach to presenting the tale of digital penetration in the Indian agriculture sector and will be helpful to further Agri-stack vision of India

Sepsis-mediated renal dysfunction: Pathophysiology, biomarkers and role of phytoconstituents in its management

Sepsis has evolved as an enormous health issue amongst critically ill patients. It is a major risk factor that results in multiple organ failure and shock. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the most frequent complications underlying sepsis, which portends a heavy burden of mortality and morbidity. Thus, the present review is aimed to provide an insight into the recent progression in the molecular mechanisms targeting dysregulated immune response and cellular dysfunction involved in the development of sepsis-associated AKI, accentuating the phytoconstituents as eligible candidates for attenuating the onset and progression of sepsis-associated AKI. The pathogenesis of sepsis-mediated AKI entails a complicated mechanism and is likely to involve a distinct constellation of hemodynamic, inflammatory, and immune mechanisms. Novel biomarkers like neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1, procalcitonin, alpha-1-microglobulin, and presepsin can help in a more sensitive diagnosis of sepsis-associated AKI. Many bioactive compounds like curcumin, resveratrol, baicalin, quercetin, and polydatin are reported to play an important role in the prevention and management of sepsis-associated AKI by decreasing serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, cystatin C, lipid peroxidation, oxidative stress, IL-1β, TNF-α, NF-κB, and increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes and level of PPARγ. The plant bioactive compounds could be developed into a drug-developing candidate in managing sepsis-mediated acute kidney injury after detailed follow-up studies. Lastly, the gut-kidney axis may be a more promising therapeutic target against the onset of septic AKI, but a deeper understanding of the molecular pathways is still required

A critical review on the recent trends of photocatalytic, antibacterial, antioxidant and nanohybrid applications of anatase and rutile TiO2 nanoparticles

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) have become a focal point of research due to their widespread daily use and diverse synthesis methods, including physical, chemical, and environmentally sustainable approaches. These nanoparticles possess unique attributes such as size, shape, and surface functionality, making them particularly intriguing for applications in the biomedical field. The continuous exploration of TiO2 NPs is driven by the quest to enhance their multifunctionality, aiming to create next-generation products with superior performance. Recent research efforts have specifically focused on understanding the anatase and rutile phases of TiO2 NPs and evaluating their potential in various domains, including photocatalytic processes, antibacterial properties, antioxidant effects, and nanohybrid applications. The hypothesis guiding this research is that by exploring different synthesis methods, particularly chemical and environmentally friendly approaches, and incorporating doping and co-doping techniques, the properties of TiO2 NPs can be significantly improved for diverse applications. The study employs a comprehensive approach, investigating the effects of nanoparticle size, shape, dose, and exposure time on performance. The synthesis methods considered encompass both conventional chemical processes and environmentally friendly alternatives, with a focus on how doping and co-doping can enhance the properties of TiO2 NPs. The research unveils valuable insights into the distinct phases of TiO2 NPs and their potential across various applications. It sheds light on the improved properties achieved through doping and co-doping, showcasing advancements in photocatalytic processes, antibacterial efficacy, antioxidant capabilities, and nanohybrid applications. The study concludes by emphasizing regulatory aspects and offering suggestions for product enhancement. It provides recommendations for the reliable application of TiO2 NPs, addressing a comprehensive spectrum of critical aspects in TiO2 NP research and application. Overall, this research contributes to the evolving landscape of TiO2 NP utilization, offering valuable insights for the development of innovative and high-performance products.</p