CONTRIBUTION OF “ASTANGA SAMGRAHA” IN THE FIELD OF AGADATANTRA OR VISA VAIRODHIKAM (TOXICOLOGY)

The knowledge of ‘Ayurveda’ (The science of life) came from Lord ‘Brahma’ before the creation of the Universe. The original form of Ayurveda was incorporated in ‘Astanga Ayurveda’ or Eight branches of Ayurveda i.e Kaya (Internal medicine), Bala (Paediatrics), Graha (Demonology /Psychiatry), Urdhanga (Diseases of Eye’s, Ear’s, Nose, Throat and Head), Salya (Surgery), Damstra (Toxicology), Jara (Geriatrics), Vrisha (Virilification therapy), The ‘Astanga Samgraha’ was written by Vagbhata, which gives clear evidence regarding existence of ‘Astanga Ayurveda’.‘Damstra’/‘ Visa Vairodhikam’/ ‘Agadatantra’ (Toxicology) is also an important branch among them which deals with the diseases and treatment due to poison. Comparing to modern Toxicology, In Ayurveda, it has been mentioned vividly with the concept of various Antidotes and their use in the treatment of different types of poisoning. In ‘Astanga Samgraha’ the knowledge or concept regarding ‘Damstra’/’Agada Tantra’ is mentioned scattered and unsequentially throughout the text. So that, it will be hard for someone to find the matters according to his needs. If we look into the present era, it is an era of super specialization and advanced techniques. So, it is very necessary that ‘Ayurveda’ also be updated keeping similarity with the changing time and need of the people. In my present work, I have collected all the concepts of ‘Damstra’/‘Agadatantra’ (Toxicology) from all parts of ‘Astangasamgraha’ and arranged the matters in the form of Hetu (Causes), Linga (Symptoms), Ausadha (Treatments) of different types of poisoning mentioned in ‘Astanga Samgraha’ and also tried to calculate the percentage of ‘Agadatantra’ /‘Damstra’ mentioned in this text

CLINICAL STUDY OF AMRITA-SHILAJIT YOGA ON DIABETES MELLITUS: AN RASAYANA EFFECT

Diabetes mellitus is globally one of the threatening disease which is creating a havoc worldwide. The oral hypoglycaemic drugs in many patients do not produce desired effects and those who respond, gradually lead to the therapeutic failure in the later stages of the disease. So, in the present situation to overcome this problem it is highly needed to break through an alternative therapy. In view of the above fact the present study was undertaken, whereby the drug taken was Amrita-Shilajit yoga, as a combination drug having Rasayana properties and the subjective parameters taken for assessing was Agni and Ojas, along with objective, laboratory parameters like Fasting Blood sugar and Post prandial sugar for evaluating the benefits of the drug in Diabetes Mellitus. Three groups were taken (n=30, 10 for each group). Group A, receiving Amrita Shilajatu yoga, Group B receiving modern drug and Group C receiving both the drug. In case of group A mean reduction of all the clinical parameters are more than that of Group B. Statistically significant improvement was observed in objective and subjective parameters in all 3 groups after completion of the course of treatment. The present study not only corrects the metabolic error by maintaining the Agni in equilibrium but also overcomes its various complications by stabilizing the status of Ojas in NIDDM patients.

A BRIEF STUDY OF AGNI ASSESSMENT SCALE

The primary aim and objective of Ayurveda is to maintain the health of healthy person and to eradicate the diseases of a diseased person is the secondary one. One whose Dosa, Agni, Dhatu and Malas are in balanced state and whose senses, mind and soul are functioning properly is a healthy individual. Agni maintains the physiology of this Dehadesha. In other words Agni controls the state of biological equilibrium of Dosha, Dhatu and Mala. The derangement of  Agni produces various diseases and it is the root cause of all diseases. In Ayurveda the  term Agni is used in the sense of digestion of food and metabolic products. Agni converts food in the form of energy, which is responsible for all the vital functions of our body and it is necessary to develop a scale to measure the Agni level of human beings

A BRIEF CONCEPT OF CHATUSKA IN BRIHATRAYEE

Ayurveda, the science of life is the ancient Indian medicine which deals with longevity of life. The main purpose of Ayurveda is to maintain the health of the healthy individual and treatment of the diseased Individual. This entire concept is mainly described in Samhita. There are three fundamental authoritative texts in Ayurveda called Brihatrayee -Charak samhita, Susruta samhita, Astanga hridaya. Charak samhita contains 8 Sthanas, Susruta samhita contains 5 Sthanas and Astanga hridaya contains 5 sthanas. Among them Sutrasthana is the most important and it is collective form of whole Samhita. The Sutrasthan of Charak samhita mentioned “Triskanda” in which entire Samhita is based. Again Sutrasthana of Susruta samhita mentioned about “Bijachatustaya” which is similar to Triskanda and the whole Susruta samhita is based. In Charak samhita the Sutra sthana is divided in seven Chatuska. This is the solitary characteristics of Charak samhita. We do not find such type of classification in other Samhita. Hence a humble effort has been made to rearrange the Sutrasthan of Susruta samhita and Astanga hridaya in the form of Chatuska and to give probable explanation for their arrangement

ROLE OF VIRUDDHA AHARA AS A CAUSATIVE FACTOR OF KUSTHA ROGA W.S.R. TO VIRYA VIRUDDHA - A REVIEW AND ANALYTICAL STUDY

In Ayurveda the concept of Viuddha ahara has been condensed. It is one of the potent causative factors for several diseases. Consumption of Virddha ahara gives rise to various disturbances of mild to severe nature and disease of acute to chronic nature including the eight Maharogas, genetic disturbances and even sometimes causes death of the person. In Ayurveda skin disease is given importance and its given in different ancient classics of Ayurveda. The knowledge about skin and skin disorders are beautifully described in Ayurvedic literatures since Vedic period. In skin diseases, Viruddha ahara is considered as one of the prime factor for causing the disease and amongst all the Viruddha ahara, Virya viruddha is considered as the main cause. When substances having opposite Viryas are used in combination, that is known as Virya viruddha Kustha roga like Kotha, Utkotha, Shitapitta all these comes under allergic skin disorders. In this study, evaluation of the role of Viruddha ahara in Kustha Roga with emphasis on Virya Viruddha

FREE RADICAL MEDIATED DISEASES AND THEIR PREVENTION : AN AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE

Free radical production occurs continuously in all cells as part of normal cellular function. However, excess free radical production originating from endogenous or exogenous sources might play a role in many diseases. Antioxidants prevent free radical induced tissue damage by preventing the formation of radicals, scavenging them, or by promoting their decomposition. The disease preventive and health promotive approach of 'Ayurveda', which takes into consideration the whole body, mind and spirit while dealing with the maintenance of health, promotion of health and treating ailments is holistic and finds increasing acceptability in many regions of the world. Ancient Ayurvedic physicians had developed certain dietary and therapeutic measures to arrest/delay ageing and rejuvenating whole functional dynamics of the body system. This revitalization and rejuvenation is known as the 'Rasayan chikitsa' (rejuvenation therapy). Rasayana is intended in classical Ayurveda as an effective tool to synthesize the excellent quality of Dhatu that entails the prevention and alleviation of senility and diseases. Experimental studies done on various Rasayana drugs prove that they have immune stimulant, antioxidant, adaptogenic and anti-stress properties. Rasayana drugs consist of the substances which are rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Beta carotene, riboflavin. So these substances are capable of counteracting the damaging effect of oxidation by working as anti-oxidants & prevent aging process. Over about 100 disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, hemorrhagic shock, CVS disorders, cystic fibrosis, metabolic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, gastrointestinal ulcerogenesis and AIDS have been reported as reactive oxygen species mediated. In this review, the role of free radicals in these diseases has been briefly reviewed. 'Rasayana' plants with potent antioxidant activity have been reviewed for their traditional uses, and mechanism of antioxidant action

A REVIEW ON RASAYANA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO NUTRACEUTICALS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF DIABETES MELLITUS

Treatment of diabetes is challenging not because of available, safe and effective method; rather, unawareness and denial of this disease add to the treatment challenge. The good news is the incidence of people who were previously unaware or denying they have diabetes has decreased from 30 to 25% over a two-year period. This suggests that efforts to increase awareness are working and people are better prepared to manage the disease and its complications. DM is a chronic condition that results from an inadequate ability or failure to metabolize carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Because people are so much in diabetes that they are searching for the treatment or rather managing the disease, and for that the concept of nutraceuticals is coming out in the world and wide acceptance is gathered. Indian gooseberry, Jambal fruits, Bengal gram, black gram, mango leaves, string beans, cucumbers, celery, and onions are vegetables and fruits found useful in the treatment of diabetes [Diet Health Club 2008] This concept has been in the Ayurvedic classics since time immemorial and can be understood by the topic Rasayana. In this article how Rasayana can be helpful in Prameha is been studied with the help of recent research in the field of modern medicine

ALCOHOLISM: AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE NEUROSYSTEMIC APPROACH INVOLVEMENT WITH AYURVEDA

Alcohol consumption is an integral part of daily life in many societies. In general it is related to lower health status, more health problems and a shorter life expectancy. being a social stigma,  it ranks among the top 5 risk factor of diseases. Ayurveda considers addiction under the topic of Madatya,  which means intoxication. Madatya is the state or symptoms that arise due to continuous use or a high dose of substances that are intoxicating. According to Ayurveda, Madya (alcohol/drug) is the complete opposite of ojas (source of energy) which is a prerequisite for good health and wellness. Madya finishes Oja in the body and when a person reaches that stage,  he experiences the symptoms of Madya. According to modern medicine there are four stages of addiction – Acute intoxication, withdrawal symptoms,  drug dependence and finally drug abuse. The stage of Madatya can be compared to the 3rd and 4th stage. In Charak Siddhisthana it says that the Hridaya present in Shira effects the Gyanendriya and Karmendriya. and this Shira is effected by the Madya which disrupts the Ojha. Going through various research study it has been proved that alcohol leads to Neurodegeneration, which changes in the neuronal function viz reward circuits and neurotransmitter system particularly dopamine system,  opiod system,  gamma- aminobutyric acid system acid system,  glutamate system etc. Thus an humble attempt has been made to understand the neurosystem involvement and degeneration caused by alcohol (Madya) by both Ayurveda and modern science

PHARMACOLOGICAL & PHYTOCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF YOGRAJ CHURNA: AN COMPOUND AYURVEDIC FORMULATION

Yograj churna is an important Ayurvedic formulation containing Triphala (Amlakhi – Embelica officinalis, Bibhitaki – Terminalia bellerica, Haritaki – Terminalia chebula), Triakatu (Sunthi-Zingiber officinele, Maricha- Piper nigrum, Pippali – Piper longum), Vidanga (Embelia ribes Burm. f), Chitrakmula (Plumbago zeylanica Linn), Suddhashilajit (Asphaltum punjabianum), Swarnamakshika (Copper pyrite (CuFeS2), Raupyamakshika (Iron pyrite (Fe2S3), Lohabhasma (Iron Powder) and Mirsi (sugar) as main ingredient. of all the constituent were available and prepared accordingly as mentioned in Charak samhita, Chitsasthana, Panduroga adhyaya in Ayurvedic pharmacy, BHU. Though Yograj churna is very effective in anemia, it is useful in different disorder and as an excellent rejuvenator. But till date no work has been carried out to standardize the formulation. Hence the present study was undertaken to standardize the compound Ayurvedic formulation through Pharmacognostical and pharmaceutical evaluation. The sample was subjected for various Phytochemical parameters like water soluble extractive (11.39%w/w), alcohol soluble extractive (23.63% w/w), ash value (39.19% w/w), acid insoluble ash (36.38% w/w), loss on drying (8.86% w/w), the pH (5.03), TLC. The TLC, solvent system was methanol:ethyl acetate (by trial and error method), showed the presence of 4 spots Rf (0.1, 0.46. 0.76, 0.9). The phytochemical analysis showed the presence of Alkaloids, Glycosides, Saponins and Tanins. Thus the physiochemical and microscopic characters achieved may provide guidelines for standardization of formulation, Yograj churna

RASAYANA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO NUTRACEUTICALS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Concept of promoting health and preventing diseases through nutrition and special nutritional preparations has been used for millennia in Ayurveda. The concept of promotion of health through Rasayanas is based on Ayurveda pathophysiology and its understanding of health and physiological system imbalances that lead to disease development. The word Rasayana is composed of 2 words ‘Ras’ + ‘Ayan’. The means by which one gets the excellence of Rasa (The nourishing fluid which is produced immediately after digestion) is Rasayana. These Rasa nourishes our body & stimulates the immunity of the body & keeps us healthy. The term Rasayana connotes a specific meaning ‘Drugs, diet + regimens’ which promote longevity by delaying aging & preventing diseases are called Rasayana. Impairment of circulation of this body fluids results in disease and decay. This ancient understanding is being re-introduced as “Nutraceuticals”. The word is a portmanteau of nutrition and pharmaceutical and refers to the extracts of foods claimed to have a medicinal effects on human health (Defelice 2002). In order to bring a parlance among the two concepts and better understanding of the Ayurvedic concept, an comparative analysis of both the concepts has been done