PUTRANJIVA- A HERB FOR PUMSAVANA (MALE PROGENY FACILITATOR)?

Indian Community is obsessed to have at least one male child since ancient time. Pumsavana karma is a procedure performed in ancient India for achieving a progeny of desired sex. In the Samhitas herbs like Lakshmana, Vatasunga, Gouradanda apamarga, Jeevaka, Rshabhaka, Sairyeyaka are mentioned in various modalities for performing Pumsavana karma. Recently it has become a topic of discussion about Putrnjivas role in begetting male child. This review discusses the various activities of Putranjiva mentioned in the Ayurvedic classics, the reported modern scientific validations and attempted to focus about the role of the drug in Pumsavana procedure. Putranjiva has been experimentally evaluated for anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antinociceptive, antioxidant, aphrodisiac, antimicrobial, hypoglycemic, and cytotoxic activites. Ayurvedic classics have not described male progeny promoting activity of Putranjiva, while ethno medicinal practices reported the usage of Putranjiva for begetting male child

ASSESSMENT OF FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING ACTIVITY OF TEN MADHURASKANDHA DRUGS THROUGH UV SPECTROSCOPIC AND CHROMATOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUE

Objective: Acharya Charaka had classified Asthapana bastidravya (corrective enema) based on Rasa (Taste), called as Rasaskandha (a group of drugs having similar taste). He ascertained some criteria to include drugs in the group such as drug having either similar Rasa (taste) or Vipaka (biotransformation) or Prabhava (principle responsible for a specific action). The study was planned to endorse the grouping of Madhuraskandha based upon Rasayana karma (rejuvenation) vis a vis antioxidant activity as well as to evaluate the natural source of antioxidants.Methods: The study was planned to assess the free radical scavenging activities often drugs by adopting DPPH [2, 2-di-(4-tert-octylphenol)-1-picrylhydrazyl], H2O2 (Hydrogen peroxide) and superoxide scavenging activity and FRAP (Ferric reducing antioxidant power) assay with UV spectroscopy. Further, methanolic extract often drugs was subjected to thin layer chromatography followed by DPPH technique.Results: The aqueous extracts of Abutilon indicum, Solanum xanthocarpum, Tribulus terrestris, Boerhavia diffusa, Group A and Group C had shown potent antioxidant activity in concentration-dependent manner by illustrated methods. DPPH-TLC (thin layer chromatography) assay showed that maximum active compounds were found in methanolic extracts of Asparagus racemosus and Tinospora cordifolia.Conclusion: The result revealed that the drugs included in the Madhuraskandha have similar attributes of Rasayana Karma or possess antioxidant activity. The combination of ten drugs can be a good source of natural antioxidants.Keywords: Madhuraskandha drugs, Free radical scavenging activity, Spectroscopy, Chromatograph

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF TEN MADHURSKANDHA DRUGS DELINEATED IN CHARAKASAMHITA W.S.R TO ADAPTOGENIC AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES

Objective: Acarya Caraka had classified Asthapana bastidravya (corrective enema) based on Rasa (Taste), called as Rasaskandha (a group of drugs having similar taste). He ascertained some criteria to include drugs in the group such as drug having either similar Rasa (taste) or Vipaka (biotransformation) or Prabhava (principle responsible for a specific action). The Rasayana Karma of Madhuraskandha dravyas which possess either Madhurarasa or Madhuravipaka and Madhuraprabhava requires scientific validation to determine the skandha classification. Keeping this in view, the study was planned to evaluate Rasayana karma of Madhuraskandha drugs for their adaptogenic and in vivo antioxidant activities.Methods: Ten selected drugs from Madhuraskandha were conveniently formulated into three Groups A, B, C and used in powder form to evaluate for pharmacological activities. Adaptogenic activity of powders of Madhuraskandha drugs against swimming induced hypothermia was evaluated. In vivo antioxidant activity was assessed by enzymatic assay. The data were analyzed by parametric test i.e. student paired and Unpaired‘t' test and ANOVA followed by Dunnett‘t' test.Results: Adaptogenic activity of drugs was assessed on the basis of reduction in hypothermia, body weight, physical activity in terms of cage rotations, sr. corticosterone, and total protein level. In vivo antioxidant activity carried out by measuring Catalase, Glutathione peroxidase, lipid peroxidation, and superoxide dismutase enzymes assay and tabulated in Mean±SEM format.Conclusions: The ten selected drugs of Madhuraskandha possess weak to moderate Rasayana (adaptogenic and in vivo antioxidant) activity either through Madhurarasa or vipaka or Madhuraprabhava. The result obtained in the present study may help to boost the Caraka's Rasaskandha classification. Madhuraskandha drug can be used as natural source of antioxidants as they are attributed with Rasayana Karma.Key-words: Madhuraskandha, Adaptogenic activity, Antioxidant activit

Therapeutic efficacy of Patha (Cissampelos pareira Linn.) - A Review through classical texts of Ayurveda

Patha, botanically known as Cissampelos pareira Linn. (Family: Menispermaceae) is a perennial climbing herb/shrub profoundly used for treating different disease conditions since Vedic periods. The plant is highlighted for its use as a single drug in the treatment of disease conditions like Jwara (Fever), Kasa (Cough), Shwasa (Bronchitis), etc. The plant is also used as an ingredient of many compound formulations in classical texts of Ayurveda. In the present review, compound formulations of Patha are compiled from 9 different compendia and presented in a systematic manner. 342 compound formulations found in which Patha is one of the ingredients. Maximum number of formulations are found in Ashtang Samgraha (87) followed by Charaka Samhita (80) and the plant is being used in 18 different dosage forms and among these, Kwatha (113), Churna (88), Ghrita (45) are found in maximum numbers. Majority of the formulations are used internally (298) for the treatment of disease conditions like Atisara (Diarrhoea), Arsha (Haemorrhoids), Prameha (Urinary disorders), Jwara (Fever), Grahani (Malabsorption syndrome)etc

Evaluation of anti-arthritic potential of Leonotis nepetifolia (L.)R.Br. against Freund’s adjuvant induced arthritis

Background: Leonotis nepetifolia (L.)R.Br. (LN) belonging to Lamiaceae family is a tall erect annual weed native to Southern India and tropical Africa used by tribals and folklore traditions in India for cough, fever, stomach ache, skin ailments, kidney diseases, rheumatism and dysmenorrhoea. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the anti-arthritic activity of the traditional dosage form( decoction) as used by the tribals in comparison to a modified dosage form(dry aqueous extract ) of whole plant of LN in experimental animal models. Materials and Methods: Thirty wistar strain albino rats were selected and randomly divided into five groups. Arthritis was induced by Freund’s complete adjuvant (FCA) and then treated with either the decoction of whole plant of LN or the dry aqueous extract for 30 days.The various parameters like paw volume, ponderal changes, serum biochemical parameters and histopathological changes were assessed. The data was analyzed by employing oneway ANOVA followed by Dunnet’s multiple‘t’ test for unpaired data to determine significant difference between groups at P<0.05. Results: In the present study it was observed that dry aqueous extract form of the test drug is having weak activity against primary oedema whereas decoction form did not show any effect on primary oedema. Both forms of test drug have comparable values as standard drug on 25th day in secondary oedema. Conclusion: The findings suggest the beneficial effect of the drug against chronic inflammation and inhibition of periarthritis and osteogenic activity

Sedative and hypnotic activity of the leaves of Bijapura (Citrus medica L.)

605-609Bijapura (Citrus medica L., family: Rutaceae) leaves powder when used along with honey is documented in ancient text to induce sleep and is useful in patients with insomnia. The purpose of the present research work was to investigate the sedative and hypnotic effects of C. medica leaves powder along with honey as anupana (adjuvant) in experimental animals. The effects of leaves powder on the locomotor activity of albino rats were evaluated using an open field test. The hypnotic effect was evaluated by potentiation of pentobarbital-induced sleep test and muscle relaxant activity by Rotarod test using swiss albino mice. Results were analyzed with one-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey’s t-test with P <0.05 as significant. The leaves powder along with honey significantly (P <0.01 and P <0.05) reduced numbers of square crossed and locomotor activity in the Open field test when compared to control and vehicle control groups. It significantly (P <0.05) potentiated the pentobarbitone-induced sleep duration when compared to the control group. However, the leaves powder did not reduce or affect the latency of the fall-off time of mice in the Rotarod test. Vehicle as honey failed to produce significant effects when compared to the control group, whereas standard drugs as diazepam produced significant sedative, hypnotic, and muscle relaxant activity in albino mice. The result suggests that C. medica leaves powder has sedative and hypnotic activity without affecting the muscle tone/coordination in animals and thus, prove its traditional claim in insomnia

MEDICO ETHNOBOTANICAL PERSPECTIVES OF JYOTISMATI(CELASTRUS PANICULATUS. WILLD )- A HERBAL TRANQUILIZER

Jyotismati (Celastrus paniculatus)is a woody climber of vedic lore. In several studies seed oil was screened for its sedative and tranquillizing properties. But the tribal claims of other parts of jyotismati are yet to be studied. The plant jyotismati is used throughout the tribal population of India ofr wound healing, cough, insomnia, opium poisoning.The details of medico ethnobotanical aspect of the plant jyotismati and the recent researches carrying out on the plant clearly indicate that jyotismati place a key role in the healthcare system of India

Evaluation of the effectiveness of Eladi Keram for the treatment of acne vulgaris: a randomised controlled pilot study

Introduction: Acne is a multifactorial and common skin disease which can significantly affect the quality of life of sufferers. In this study, a topical herbal preparation traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine was evaluated as a treatment for individuals with acne on their shoulders and backs. Methods: Study participants were randomly assigned either to treatment (Eladi Keram) or vehicle control (coconut oil) groups under double blind conditions and instructed on its daily home application. Standardised lesion counting and acne grading were conducted in accordance with US Food and Drug Administration guidelines and with reference to the Leeds Acne Grading Technique. Participants were assessed for severity of the condition at commencement and on day 28 of treatment. Results: The treatment group showed improvements of 42% (p < 0.005) on the Investigators Global Assessment scale, a 60% (p < 0.05) reduction in inflammatory lesions, a 59% (p < 0.05) reduction in non-inflammatory lesions, and a 59% (p < 0.005) reduction in combined lesion count. The control group showed no statistically significant changes for these criteria. Conclusion: This study is the first reported clinical evaluation of Eladi Keram as a treatment for acne and findings suggest that it could be effective in reducing inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions, warranting further investigation by means of a larger scale clinical trial

Basavarajeeyam: A historical perspective

Basavarajeeyam is an important handbook for an Ayurvedic physician of Andhra region. It is a bilingual work and the content was presented in Sanskrit and Telugu languages. With regard to the place and date of Basavarajeeyam there is no common opinion among the present day scholars. Pt Govardhana Sharma Changani in his introduction to the Sanskrit version of Basavarajeeyam exposed a historical profile of Basavrajeeyam picturising him as Basava who was a staunch follower of Veerashaivism and a contemporary of king Bijjala (end of 12th cent. AD). The same statement is carried out in the works of Ayurvedic Itihasa written by Atredeva Vidyawalkan and Acharya Priyavrata Sharma. It appears that the historical evidence shown by these scholars is one sided and cannot stand any reason. Basavraju stated that he had started writing this work after a thorough study of many works such as Charaka, Nithyanatheeyam (1360 AD), Revenakalpam, Pujyapadiyam, Bahatam, Kashikhandam (1435 AD) etc. Basavraju has faithfully reproduced certain chapter of Vaidyachintamani, which is considered to be a work of 15th century. Basavraju not only mentioned Phirangiroga in the index of diseases described by him at the end of the book, but also indicated Phirangichekka (Madhusnuhi) in the management of Meharoga and Granthi. By this evidence Basavarajiyam should be considered as the work of post Bhavaprakasha period. Basavraju indicates in the Gulmaroga Chikitsa that Sankhadravaka should be administered in the dose of ‘Ekanni′. The name Ekanni was given for a copper coin which came in to circulation of money during British India produced from Madras mint (1794 AD). Based on these internal evidences, it can be safely concluded that Basavraju belong to 18thcentury