THERAPEUTIC APPLICATION OF A SIDDHA FORMULATION PATAIC CANKARAN - A REVIEW

Padarthamarai is the fungal skin infections and are categorised under Kutta Rogam (Padarthamarai -Pundareega Kutam). Many siddha drugs are prescribed for these diseases among them, Pataic Cankãran is exclusively mentioned for these disease as an internal and external medicine in Siddha literature - Siddha Vaidya Thirattu. Two different preparations are mentioned under Pataic Cankãran and differences observed in the ingredients as in Pataic Cankãran I Ankol (Alangium salvifolium (L.f.) Wang.), Marukkarai (Catunaregam spinosa (Thunb.) Tirvengadumia) and Elumitchai (Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swingle), where as in Pataic Cankãran II, Thagarai (Senna tora (L.) Roxb.), Erruku (Calotropis procera (Ait.) R.Br.) are used. Even though Pataic Cankãran is mentioned in literature exclusively for dermatophytosis which is no longer in uses; Clinical study and standardisation of this drug have not been done so far, but In-vitro anti-dermatophytotic activities of the individual ingredient of these formulations have already been proved. The present review article aimed to document the biological, pharmacological and therapeutic applications such as anti-microbial, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory activities of individual ingredients used in Pataic Cankãran I with reference to skin diseases. This study will help to understand the need of research study on this ancient Siddha formulation

Mythical Reverence and Rational Reasoning Towards Nature: A discussion

The ancient art of storytelling is flavoured with numerous myths. Literature reflects this in various forms of writing. One can find numerous myths in association with religion and culture. Primitive men worshipped nature, as it seemed to be superior to human power. They looked at the environment in awe. And myths prevailed on nature in the ancient era. Later on, men raised questions against these myths based on scientific arguments. They found that these myths were laid to preserve nature. Humans need a healthy environment to live a healthy life. Thus it is mandatory for them to safeguard it. With time humans started disregarding these myths saying that science is more important. Thus the reverence towards nature is also neglected which leads to disrespect and carelessness towards the environment. The present paper focuses on the myths prevalent in Southern India with particular reference to Tamil literature and also points out the mythical reason behind preserving nature. It explores how the human race failed to safeguard nature by neglecting the ancient myths. It attempts to prove that science is there to restore the environment and not to degrade

Biology of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) infesting sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris)

The potential for damage caused by the maize fall armyworm (FAW) varies considerably, ranging from 9.0–62.5% across different seasons and regions in India. This poses a significant threat to the food and nutritional security of numerous farmers in the country. Notably, the FAW has been identified as a new host for sugarbeet, marking the first instance of such an occurrence. A comprehensive examination of the fall armyworm's behaviour in this new host was conducted. The infestation of the FAW in sugarbeet commenced during the seedling stage and persisted until the harvesting phase. During the initial seedling stage, larvae within the rhizosphere region induced defoliation of leaves and inflicted damage to the collar region. This led to the drying of the central shoot, mirroring the symptoms of dead heart, although no scraping symptoms were observed. As the plants entered the vegetative stage, they experienced further defoliation and wilting. In terms of its life cycle, the FAW exhibited distinct stages. The egg stage lasted around 3.2 ± 0.17 days. Larvae generally underwent 6 instars, with durations of 3.8 ± 0.65 days, 3.2 ± 0.90 days, 2.9 ± 0.14 days, 3.1 ± 0.36 days, 3.6 ± 0.24 days, and 6.8 ± 0.74 days for the first to sixth instars, respectively. The overall larval period ranged from 19 to 25 days, with an average of 23.4 ± 3.20 days. The pupal and adult stages lasted approximately 9.3 ± 1.80 days and 11.1 ± 1.94 days, respectively. Consequently, the complete life cycle of the fall armyworm in the sugarbeet, as observed under laboratory conditions, spanned approximately 43.8 ± 6.94 days

Combination Versus Monotherapy for Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter Species Serious Infections: A Prospective IPTW Adjusted Cohort Study

Introduction: International guidelines recommend definitive combination antibiotic therapy for the management of serious infections involving carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter (CRAB) species. The commonly available combination options include high-dose sulbactam, polymyxins, tetracyclines, and cefiderocol. Scanty prospective data exist to support this approach. Methods: Patients with CRAB bacteraemia, ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), or both were categorized based on whether they received combination therapy or monotherapy. The 30-day mortality was compared between the two groups. Inverse probability treatment weighting (IPTW) was done using propensity score (PS) for a balanced comparison between groups. Results: Between January 2021 and May 2023, of the 161 patients with CRAB bacteraemia (n = 55, 34.2%), VAP (n = 46, 28.6%), or both (n = 60, 37.3%) who received appropriate intravenous antibiotic therapy, 70% (112/161) received monotherapy, and the rest received combination therapy. The overall 30-day mortality was 62% (99/161) and not different (p = 0.76) between the combination therapy (31/49, 63.3%) and monotherapy (68/112, 60.7%) groups. The propensity score matching using IPTW did not show a statistical difference (p = 0.47) in 30-day mortality for receiving combination therapy with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) P of 1.29 (0.64, 2.58). Conclusion: Combination therapy for CRAB infections needs further study in a randomised controlled trial, as this observational study showed no difference in 30-day mortality between monotherapy and combination therapy

Phase II Non Randomized Open Comparative Clinical Evaluation of Varmam and Siddha Trial Drugs Nilavaagai Kiyazham and Kaal Varma Thailam on Azhal Keel Vaayu (Osteoarthritis) in the Patient Attending OPD at Varmam Department of Aringner Anna Hospital (Branch VIII - Varmam Maruthuvam)

The focus of the study was to evaluate the Efficacy of the SIDDHA VARMAM and siddha varmam trial drug NILAVAAGAI KIYAZHAM (internal) and KAAL VARMA THYLAM (external) experimentally and clinically in the management of AZHAL KEEL VAAYU (OSTEOARTHRITIS). This clinical study was carried out in Post Graduate OPD of Department of Varmam Maruthuvam, GSMC, Arignar Anna Hospital for Indian Medicine, Chennai-106 during the period 2018-2020. The Study population 60 and 20 patients were treated with Varmam, another 20 patients were treated with Nilavaagai kiyzham and Kaal varma thylam and remaining 20 patients were treated with Varmam along with Nilavaagai kiyzham and Kaal varma thylam. The duration of the treatment were 30 days. ❖ Females were mostly affected (63%). ❖ Most of the subjects were belongs to the age group of >50 yrs. ❖ Most of the subjects belongs to middle income group. ❖ This disease is more common in field work with physical labor (20%) ❖ Most of the subjects were vadha thegi (42%). ❖ In Vatham, Abanan (47%), Pranan (12%), Vyanan (100%), Samanan (100%), Koorman (32%), Kirugaran (15%), were affected. ❖ In Pitham, Analagam (27%), Ranjagam (32%), Sathagam (100%) and Alosagam (32%) were affected. ❖ In Kabham, Sandhigam (100%) were affected. ❖ In Ezhu udal thathukkal, Saaram (100%), Senneer (32%), Oon (100%), Koluppu (100%) and Enbu (100%) were affected. ❖ Among En Vagai thervugal, in Naadi vadham (25%) and pithavadham (25%) were seen predominantly. In Nei kuri vadha neer was predominantly seen. ❖ Sirattai varmam, Mootu varmam, Veeradangal, Mael mannai varmam, Viruthi kalam and Idamoorthi kalam were chosen for this study to measure its efficacy in managing osteoarthritis and to standardize the location and manipulation techniques of the varmam points were analysed as per siddha varmam book. ❖ Along with Varmam, Siddha varmam trial drug Nilavaagai kiyazham (internal) and Kaal varma thylam (external) were also chosen to find out the efficacy in combined treatment. Physicochemical analysis, heavy metal analysis and toxicity study were conducted for standardisation of internal trial drug. ❖ The acute & Sub acute toxicity study reveals that the trial drugs Nilavaagai kiyazham is safe, Sub acute toxicity study two doses were administrated orally for 28 days. Animals were observed for physiological and behavioural changes food and water, intake body, weight, mortality. No mortality was observed, and no treatment related changes seen. Hence the siddha varmam trial drugs Nilavaagai kiyazham is safe in animal models. ❖ Heavy metal analysis of Nilavaagai kiyazham reveals that within permitted limit as per AYUSH guideline. ❖ Pharmacological study shows that the siddha varma trial drug Nilavaagai kiyazham possess anti-inflammatory activity. ❖ In blood parameter, reduction in CRP were noted after the intervention of siddha varmam trial drug NILAVAAGAI KIYAZHAM. ❖ Inferential analysis of Clinical features reveals that there was great improvement in symptoms like pain, swelling and stiffness. ❖ Statistical analysis of the clinical study reveals that the P value is <0.001and concluded that the treatment is effective and significant. ❖ No major adverse effect was reported during this clinical trial. In group I, 50% of the patients had Good improvement, 45% of them had moderate and only 5% of mild improvement and none of them had reported as no improvement. In group II, 25% of the patients had Good improvement, 55% of them had moderate and 20% had mild improvement and none of them had reported as no improvement. In group I, 90% of the patients had Good improvement, 10% of them had moderate and none of them had reported as mild or no improvement. Among three groups the group treated combinedly with varmam along with Nilavaagai kiyazham and Kaal varma thylam shows a significant improvement with symptomatic management in Osteoarthritis. From the findings I conclude that siddha varmam is a cost effective, safe and non - invasive therapy which gives better result when combined with siddha varmam trial drug Nilavaagai kiyzham and Kaal varma thylam in the effective treatment of Azhal keel vaayu (Osteoarthritis). Further studies should be carried out in a larger population to standardize this treatment protocol for osteoarthritis. Likewise, more clinical trial needs to happen with other siddha varmam points and siddha varmam drugs

Surface enhanced Raman scattering investigation of tecovirimat on silver, gold and platinum loaded silica nanocomposites: Theoretical analysis (DFT) and molecular modeling

As of today, there have been 612 million confirmed cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) around the world, with over 6 million fatalities. Tecovirimat (TPOXX) is an anti-viral drug, and it was the first drug approved for the treatment of anti-pox virus in the US. However, the effectiveness of this drug against COVID-19 has not yet been explored. Since TPOXX is an anti-viral drug, an attempt has been made to determine its ability to act as a COVID inhibitor. Recent medical advances have resulted in the development of nano cage-based drug delivery. Drug delivery clusters based on nano cages have recently been used in the medical industry. As such, we used DFT coupled to the B3LYP/LANL2DZ basis set to study the adsorption behavior of the anti-viral drug TPOXX on Au/Ag/Pt⋯SiO2loaded silica nanocomposites. In order to identify the active site of the molecule, we have used the frontier molecular orbital (FMO) theory of molecular electrostatic potential (MEP). The compound and its complexes obey Lipinski's rule of five and have good drug-likeness properties based on the bioactivity evaluation. The biological properties of organic molecules and nano metal clusters were compared. The TPOXX with its nanocomposites was also studied in terms of Electron Localization Function (ELF) and Localized Orbital Locator (LOL). Molecular docking was performed for both pure molecule and its silica nanocomposites-doped derivatives with the chosen proteins to discuss the protein-ligand binding properties. These results could be more helpful in designing the drug and exploring its application for the inhibition of SARS-CoV-2

Phytochemical and Physicochemical analysis of Siddha polyherbal formulation KaranthaiChooranam

Aim: Standardization of a Siddha Poly herbal compound formulation is essential for establishing its authentication quantity and efficacy. In this present study, an attempt has been made to standardize the KaranthaiChooranam (a polyherbal formulation that contains 14 plant materials). Hence standardization of traditional drugs becomes highly essential to explore their potency and efficacy in the global market. It has been increasing public interest and acceptance of traditional medicine. Methods: Physico-Chemical analysis, Phyto-Chemical Screening, Particle Size, Pesticide Residue, and Sterility test were performed as per PLIM (Pharmacopeia Laboratory of Indian Medicine) guidelines. Results: The loss of drying of the tested drug was 105°c .KC contains 0.59% acid-insoluble ash and solubility in the water was 9.63 %. Phytochemical screening KC has shown the presence of Alkaloids, Glycosides, Saponins, Phytosterols, Fixed Oil, Resins, Phenols, Flavonoids and Tannins. Microscopic observation of the particle size analysis reveals that the average particle size of the sample was found to be 115.5 ± 42.83 μm. Conculsion: From this set of parameters, it can be concluded that it is sufficient to evaluate the authenticity of KaranthaiChooranam can be used as a reference standard for the preparation of the standardized pharmaceutical product and further quality content research. This study suggests that quality specifications of KC can be developed using parameters described in Siddha along with analytical tools available today