In Search of Wound Healing Drugs: A Journey Through Ayurveda

Description of wound healing is a recent concern of modern surgery and medical therapeutics, but first evidences are available in ancient Indian system of medicine, namely Ayurveda in the name of Vrana (wounds) and Vranaropaka (wound healing drugs). It has been reported that in different classical Ayurvedic texts, about 164 medicinal plants, 24 metals and minerals and 18 animal products are described for their wound healing activity. The mechanism of the healing process and the selection of drugs from natural resources are very specific in Ayurveda, and some of these have been scientifically screened. Besides a single component of drug, many classical formulations either in the form of polyherbal or herbo-minerals have been cited in Ayurveda from time to time since pre-vedic era to recent modern time. Many traditional folkloric preparations of India were also later on incorporated in Ayurveda utilizing sources of some pockets of Ayurveda in different parts of the country. Chronological development of these drugs on the basis of physical, molecular and clinical parameters is elaborated vividly with some examples of experimentation like Curcuma longa, Pterocarpus santalinus, Cynodon dactylon and a composed formulation named Kshantak Malam

Risk factors for under- and overweight in school children of a low income area in Kolkata, India

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Socio-economic and individual lifestyle features associated with the nutritional state were examined in 7-9-year-old children of lower and lower middle-class families living under the international poverty line. Mild and moderate undernutrition was frequent but overweight also occurred. METHODS: Three groups of sex- and age-matched randomly selected children from the Kolkata Child Nutrition Study (data collection between April and November 2001) attending public primary schools of North Kolkata participated (42 children of low body mass index (BMItextless12 kg/m(2),=LBMI), 100 children of intermediate BMI (14-16 kg/m(2); IBMI) and 51 children of high BMI (textgreater16 kg/m(2); HBMI). Individual and social characteristics of the three BMI categories were assessed using a structured interview of their families. RESULTS: Families of LBMI children owned more TV (83.3% versus 60%; p-value: 0.007) and spent less money for rice (80.4% versus 52.5% of the families spent less than 11 Indian rupees (INR) for rice/day, ptextless0.003) when compared to families of IBMI children while income of the families of the 2 groups was similar. The families of HBMI children had more income per head per day (62.5% versus 32% earned more than 19 INR/head/day, ptextless0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Lifestyle and socio-economic differences in families are associated with distinct variations in body weight of their children in a population living in a low income area in Kolkata. Various degrees of poverty may lead to a propensity to develop both, underweight and modest overweight

Clinical Study of 'Triphala' – A Well Known Phytomedicine from India

Triphala' is an age old commonly used Ayurvedic powdered preparation in Indian systems of medicine. This well known formulation is made by combining Terminalia chebula, Terminalia belarica and Emblica officinalis, in equal proportions based on the observation of Ayurvedic Formulary of India (AFI). The formulation is prescribed in the first line treatment of many aliments and is used as laxative, detoxifying agent and rejuvenator. To establish its clinical validity the present work was undertaken to evaluate its therapeutic potentials and adverse effects. The Triphala formulation was standardized by HPTLC (High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography), using Gallic acid as a marker and was subjected to clinical studies. After proper screening 160 patients of age between 16–52 years were selected for 45 days clinical study. The effectiveness of trial drugs were judged on the basis of the subjective and objective parameters. It was observed that the amount, frequency and consistency of stool were improved in Triphala treated group. The changes of odor, mucous, flatulence, belching and abdominal pain where also taken into account. The well being was assessed on the basis of the parameters like concentration, appetite, thirst, sleep, hyperacidity in arbitrary scoring system. Triphala was found to have good laxative property, help in management of hyperacidity and also improve appetite. No adverse effect was observed in the treated group when compared to normal patients. Triphala can be used effectively in the treatment of constipation and other gastric problems

Association Mapping for Quantitative Trait Loci Controlling Superoxide Dismutase, Flavonoids, Anthocyanins, Carotenoids, γ-Oryzanol and Antioxidant Activity in Rice

Antioxidant-rich rice is a cheaper way to solve stress-related disorders and other health benefits for the global rice-eating population. Five antioxidant traits, namely, superoxide dismutase, flavonoids, anthocyanins, γ-oryzanol and 2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) activity were mapped using a representative panel population through association mapping. Potential landraces carrying multiple antioxidant compounds were identified from the population. The population represented four genetic groups and correspondence for presence of antioxidants traits in each group was noticed. The population showed linkage disequilibrium for the studied traits based on the Fst values. A total of 14 significant marker–trait associations were detected for these antioxidant traits. The study validated the QTLs, qANC3 and qPAC12-2 for anthocyanin content and qAC12 for ABTS activity will be useful in marker-assisted breeding. Eleven QTLs such as qTAC1.1 and qTAC5.1 controlling anthocyanin content, qSOD1.1, qSOD5.1 and qSOD10.1 for superoxide dismutase (SOD), qTFC6.1, qTFC11.1 and qTFC12.1 for total flavonoids content (TFC), qOZ8.1 and qOZ11.1 for γ-oryzanol (OZ) and qAC11.1 for ABTS activity were detected as novel loci. Chromosomal locations on 11 at 45.3 cM regulating GO, TFC and TAC, and on the chromosome 12 at 101.8 cM controlling TAC and ABTS activity, respectively, were detected as antioxidant hotspots