Culture in Tholkappiyam Pedagogy

This study is based on messages about the culture of Tolkappiyam chastity. The manner in which the custom of marriage is handled is examined. The initiation of a faith-based phenomenon is discussed. The way of life of the individual is explained in relation to the need for social structure. The obligations of the individual are considered. The duty of the housewife is explained very minutely. The role of friends in the life of the leader/family head is explored. The characteristics of a husband in a household are to be recorded. The deeds of those who live with them forever and realise their duties are to be told so that the life of the husband and wife will be good. Civilization, Morality, Education, Career are to be explored

Folk Elements in Tholkappiyam

Tholkappiyam is an ancient Tamil grammar text written by Tholkappiyar. In this text he gives an explanation that folk literary elements are a kind of poetry. Using this text, he explains that proverbs are nothing but a very old language used by people. The text gives a clear note about the four lands (Kurinji, Mullai, Mautham and Neithal), the name of their gods, about their worship and festivals. When looking at the omens in Tholkappiyam, the boy and girl goes to the village for love making and the friend of the girl appeals to the goddess and regrets the good and bad things that will happen to the lovers. The text also tells about the people’s belief of bringing out a silver umbrella and sword when king goes to war. They did this with a hope that everything will turn out to be good. The people of Tholkappiyar’s period followed these types of customs. The girls of his period were not allowed to travel abroad in ocean and they should not climb the flap. They followed many rituals and one among them is they sacrifice a person’s head to win the war. During and after the war they played a musical instrument called “Dudi”. Marriage took place in the presence of many elderly people and the bride was given to the groom’s family. The text tells the readers that what you speak should not hurt others

Toxicological evaluation and oral glucose tolerance test of ethanolic leaf extract of Barleria cristata L. in wistar albino rats

Background: To evaluate the acute toxicity study and effective dose determination of ethanolic leaf extract of Barleria cristata L. Methods: Toxicological evaluation and effective dose determination of ethanolic leaf extract of Barleria cristata were performed in wistar albino rats. 250, 500, 1000 and 2,000 mg/kg of body weight of ethanolic leaf extract of Barleria cristata (EtBc) were administered orally as a single dose to rats. Rats were observed periodically for symptoms of toxicity and death within 24 hours and then daily for the next 14 days. So the rats were observed for another 14 days and then sacrificed to collect serum and organs for the analysis of biochemical parameters. After this study, rats were induced with diabetes by a single intra peritoneal injection of 45 mg/kg bodyweight of streptozotocin. Ethanolic leaf extract of Barleria cristata was orally administered to diabetic rats at 200, 400 and 600mg/kg doses for 7 days through oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Glycemic index was demonstrated the variable doses of ethanolic leaf extract in normal and diabetic rats during OGTT studies.Results: In acute toxicity study, the results were showed that the administration of the ethanolic leaf extract of Barleria cristata (EtBc) at all given doses (up to 2000 mg kg) did not produce any sign of acute toxicity or instant death in rats tested during the period of observation. From OGTT study, 400mg/kg dosage of EtBc exhibited notable blood glucose lowering effect at 90 min than the other doses and this was similar to that of standard drug glibenclamide treated rats. This dosage was showed the highest percentage of glycemic index in both normal and diabetic rats.Conclusion: EtBc was revealed the non-toxic nature used for acute toxicity studies and among various doses of this extract, 400 mg/kg brought an effective hypoglycemic activity in wistar albino rats

Re: Lipoprotein(a) and SYNTAX Score Association with Severity of Coronary Artery Atherosclerosis in North India

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Preclinical Evaluation of Siddha Poly-herbal Formulation Ashuwathi Chooranam for its Naturally Curing PCOS

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy seen in women of reproductive age. Though it is a reproductive disorder, it is associated with characteristics of metabolic syndrome including insulin resistance. Current available mode of treatment is by use of insulin sensitizers like metformin and ovulating agents like clomiphene citrate But, these drugs have been reported for their side effects upon prolonged usage. Hence, researchers in current era are exploring alternative therapy to manage the metabolic syndrome. In this context, many scientists have demonstrated the role of medicinal plants in the management of hyperglycemic condition. It has gained its popularity as anti- hyperglycemic plant, wherein its phytosterols and polyphenols have been studied extensively for the above efficacy. Thereby, it would be of interest to biopropsect Ashuwathi chooranam for management of metabolic induced anovulatory disorder like PCOS. In this context, current work has elucidated the potentiality of Ashuwathi chooranam (AC). To study the efficacy of AC, Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) rat model was developed with use of letrozole (0.5 mg/kg/body weight/21 days/orally) - a non- steroidal aromatase inhibitor in estrus cycle. Thus, letrozole induced PCOS rat model demonstrated key features of PCOS phenotype. Further, PCOS rat model was treated with Ashuwathi Chooranam formulation in various dose doses (100 mg, 200mg) at different time points (30 day). After completion of experiment regime, various biochemical parameters were checked to evaluate the efficacy of Ashuwathi chooranam Apart from the phytochemical analysis, “Ex vivo” experiments were performed with partially purified fraction to evaluate direct effect of phyto- components on ovarian steroidogenic enzymes activities using PCOS model. Further, the detailed chromatographic analysis- TLC, HPTLC, and HPLC of demonstrated the presence of various phytosterols. In current study, treatment with both Ashuwathi chooranam (AC) formulation with higher dose (100mg, 200 mg) at longer period of time (30days) demonstrated more significant effect and it restored glucose sensitivity and normal insulin level. Along with the above changes, ovarian structure-function (in terms of hormone levels and presence of developing follicles) was seen upon the AC treatment. This could be attributed to the nutritionally rich phytosterols and phyto- phenols present in the plant, that helps to sensitize the insulin receptors for the glucose uptake. Ashuwathi chooranam phyto-components independently could cause a modulation in PCO phenotype. All the treatments did not affect toxicity parameters, thus suggesting AC treatment was safe and it contributes its maximum efficacy on reproductive organs. Current study demonstrated altered in utero environment like decrease in progesterone with increased testosterone levels may result in failure of implantation and prenatal defects, which is implicated in PCOS phenotype as justified by other studies. In context of above observed physiological modulations, it was of interest to elucidate detailed phytochemistry of AC and to isolate, identify the active component responsible for mentioned efficacies. In this regard, both qualitative and quantitative analysis confirmed the presence of phyto-components namely polysaccharides, alkaloids, polyphenols, sterols, flavonoids, etc., which is similar to data reported by. Several data has suggested that phytosterols and polyphenols can have a role in modulation of steroid status. Thus, this current analysis authenticates that Ashuwathi chooranam has impressive ovulogenic activity over PCOS (Soothaga vayu) in female, which exemplifies the intelligence of the Siddha literature to reach globally for the welfare of mankind. CONCLUSION: The present dissertation is to validate the safety and efficacy of the Siddha poly- herbal formulation Ashuwathi chooranam for its naturally curing polycystic ovarian syndrome (Soothaga vaayu) in female Wistar albino rat based on the classical Siddha literature “Agathiyar vathiyta kaaviyam 1500”. The ingredients of the test drug are Amukkura (Withania somnifera),Chukku (Zingiber officinale (dried ginger), Milagu Piper nigram, Thippili (Piper longum), Jaadhikaai (Myristica fragrans), Jaadhipathiri (Myristica fragrans), Adhimadhuram (Glycirriza glabra), Krambu (Syzygium aromaticum), Kadugurohini (Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora), Krosaniomam,(Hyoscymus niger). The drugs were identified and authenticated by the experts of Gunapadam (Pharmacology), Government Siddha Medical College. The drugs were purified and processed as per literature. The fine particles in it enhance the curative potential with shelf life of three months. The trial drug Ashuwathi chooranam is indicated for Soothaga vayu, which is related to the modern terminology PCOS. To validate the traditional usage, the drug was subjected to literary review, Physico-chemical and elemental analysis, Acute and Sub- acute toxicity study, Anti-microbial load and Pharmacological studies ovulogenic activity, estimation of hormones FSH, LH, Progesterone, Estrodial and antioxidant activity for its naturally curing property for Polycystic ovarian syndrome. The anti-microbial load shown effective control that at medium and high doses against Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherchia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. FTIR revealed the presence of functional groups aliphatic bromo compounds, nitro group, ketones, carbonyl group, phenols and alcohols. Phenolic group of compounds exert antioxidant activity, they are responsible for chemo-preventive properties like anti carcinogenic, antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory activity, apoptosis inducing and regulates carcinogen metabolism. SEM revealed the presence of particles of size in which 3µm, 10µm particles have valuable properties that can be used to improve drug delivery. Where larger particles would have been unfurnished from the body, cells take up these nanoparticles because of their size. In the pharmacological studies, Letrozole induced PCOS rats model treated with two different forms of Ashuwathi chooranam formulation in various doses (100 mg, 200 mg ) and time (30 days) dependent manner suggested maximum effect that reduced PCO like phenotype such as decreased in peripheral cysts with growing follicles, decreased glucose intolerance. Present study also elucidated that Ashuwathi chooranam formulation exhibiting effect in PCO phenotype that indicates natural preservatives. Ashuwathi chooranam has a good efficacy for management of PCOS phenotype. Ashuwathi chooranam is rich in various phyto-components that were analysed by several qualitative and quantitative analyses. Further, confirmation for the presence of Phytosterols like sterols, β- sitosterol etc along with steroid derivatives has been performed by TLC, HPTLC. The certain compounds in Ashuwathi chooranam suppresses the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone through inhibition of P450 cytochrome activity, thus reducing testosterone production. The modulation could be due to effect of phytosterols acting at all organ levels hyperinsulinemic condition leading to restoration of ovarian function in PCO rodent model. This proves phytosterols could be novel component which can be explored for management of PCOS. Through the elaborate study Ashuwathi chooranam had shown its sphere of action over the female reproductive system especially over the ovaries in the condition called PCOS

REPEATED ACUTE STRESS INDUCED ALTERATIONS IN CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM IN RAT

Acute stress induced alterations in the activity levels of rate limiting enzymes and concentration of intermediates of different pathways of carbohydrate metabolism have been studied. Adult male Wistar rats were restrained (RS) for 1 h and after an interval of 4 h they were subjected to forced swimming (FS) exercise and appropriate controls were maintained. Five rats were killed before the commencement of the experiment (initial controls), 5 control and equal number of stressed rats were killed 2 h after RS and remaining 5 rats in each group were killed 4 h after FS. There was a significant increase in the adrenal 3β- hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase activity following RS, which showed further increase after FS compared to controls and thereby indicated stress response of rats. There was a significant increase in the blood glucose levels following RS which showed further increase and reached hyperglycemic condition after FS. The hyperglycemic condition due to stress was accompanied by significant increases in the activities of glutamate- pyruvate transaminase, glutamate- oxaloacetate transaminase, glucose -6- phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase and significant decrease in the glucose -6- phosphate dehydrogenase and pyruvate dehydrogenase activities, whereas pyruvate kinase activity did not show any alteration compared to controls. Further, the glycogen and total protein contents of the liver were decreased whereas those of pyruvate and lactate showed significant increase compared to controls after RS as well as FS.The results put together indicate that acute stress induced hyperglycemia results due to increased gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis without alteration in glycolysis. The study first time reveals that after first acute stress exposure, the subsequent stressful experience augments metabolic stress response leading to hyperglycemia. The results have relevance to human health as human beings are exposed to several stressors in a day and such an experience might lead to insulin resistance because prolonged hyperglycemic condition is known to cause insulin resistance

Effect of storage for three months at different temperatures on the sensitivity to streptomycin and isoniazid of cultures of tubercle bacilli

MAINTENANCE of bacterial strains by repeated subcultivation is both expensive, laborious and time-consuming ; moreover, there is always the possibility of contamination or of differential selection of sub-strains with specific properties. In consequence, several methods, such as freeze-drying or storage at low temperatures, have been introduced by which bacterial cultures can be kept alive for long periods with their reproductive and metabolic activity at an extremely low level. However, information is rather sparse on such methods for the storage of tubercle bacilli. For instance, Corper and Gauss (1923) found that tubercle bacilli remained viable in Petroff's egg medium or glycerol agar after storage in the incubator or refrigerator for 4 to 8 months. Later workers (Heckly, 1950 ; Stern and Tompsett, 1951 ; Jones, 1957 ; Tsukamura, 1965) suggested preservation of cultures by freezing them in various diluents. More recently, Tarshis (1961) compared storage of cultures in various diluents at –20°C. and concluded that, with minor exceptions, most types of mycobacteria (including tubercle bacilli) can be stored for at least 3 years without any major change in their viability or drug resistance. However, these procedures are time-consuming, expensive and require special equipment and are? therefore, not very practicable in developing countries with limited resources

Direct senstivity test for isoniazid.

IT is well known that the results of isoniazid sensitivity tests by the indirect method have prognostic significance in the treatment of tuberculosis with regimens containing isoniazid (Tuberculosis Chemotherapy Centre, Madras, 1960 ; Devadatta et al., 1961) ; the indirect method is, however, complex and time-consuming, and therefore not feasible in institutions with limited facilities. Direct sensitivity tests are attractive because they involve only one stage of handling (i.e. cultures need not be set up), are simpler and less expensive, and consume less time. Although the direct sensitivity test introduced by Middlebrook and co-workers (Middlebrook and Cohn, 1958 ; Russell and Middlebrook, 1961) using 7H10 agar medium yielded satisfactory results, it has certain disadvantages. Thus, the medium employed is expensive, the in are not readily available in this country and, in our experience at Madras, losses due to contamination can be considerable. This paper describes a direct sensitivity test for isoniaid using Lowenstein- Jensen medium, and compares the findings obtained by this method with those obtained by the indirect method

Effect of silymarin on N-nitrosodiethylamine induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats

Aim: To study the effect of silymarin on the levels of tumor markers and MDA (malondialdehyde) – DNA adduct formation during N-nitrosodiethylamine induced hepatocellular carcinoma in male Wistar albino rats. Methods: The levels of AFP, CEA and activities of liver marker enzymes in serum, MDA-DNA immunohistochemistry were done according to standard procedures in the control and experimental groups of rats. Results: Hepatocellular carcinoma was evidenced from significant (p < 0.05) increases of alpha-fetoprotein, carcinoembryonic antigen, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, gamma-glutamyltransferase and 5?-nucleotidase in serum and increased MDA-DNA adducts were also observed in the tissue sections of hepatocellular carcinoma. Silymarin treatment significantly attenuated the alteration of these markers and decreased the levels of MDA-DNA adduct formation. Conclusion: Silymarin could be developed as a promising chemotherapeutic adjuvant for the treatment of liver cancer.Цель: изучить влияние силимарина на уровень экспрессии опухолевых и биохимических маркеров и формирование аддуктов малонового диальдегида с ДНК (MDA-DNA) при развитии гепатокариномы у крыс линии истар. Методы: стандартными биохимическими методами определяли активность ферментов в сыворотке крови и проводили иммуногистохимическое определение MDA-DNA в ткани печени крыс. Результаты: показано, что при развитии злокачественной гепатокарциномы в сыворотке крови животных значительно увеличивается количество альфа-фетопротеина, раковоэмбрионального антигена, активность аспартат- и аланинаминотрансферазы, щелочной и кислой фосфатазы, лактатдегидрогеназы, гаммаглутамилтрансферазы и 5-нуклеотидазы. При проведении иммуногистохимического исследования отмечали повышенное образование аддуктов MDA-DNA в ткани печени крыс со злокачественной гепатокариномой. При введении силимарина значительно снижался уровень указанных ферментов в сыворотке крови и формирование аддуктов MDA-DNA в ткани печени. Заключение: применение силимарина может быть эффективно для предупреждения развития злокачественной гепатокарциномы, индуцированной N-нитрозодиэтиламином у крыс, и этот препарат может быть многообещающим химиотерапевтическим адъювантом для лечения рака печени