SHELF-LIFE ASSESSMENT OF EUPHORBIA ANTIQUORUM LINN., EUPHORBIA CADUCIFOLIA HAINES, EUPHORBIA NIVULIA BUCH. HAM AND EUPHORBIA TIRUCALLI LINN. LATEX

Objective: In the present study, an attempt was made to assess the shelf life of the Snuhi latex which is frequently used in fresh condition for the preparation of Ksharasutra, a medicated thread, used in Ayurveda. Methods: The latex of E. antiquorum, E. caducifolia, E. nivulia and E. tirucalli were collected individually and stored in air tight glass vials during the month of May, 2018. Physical attributes like Colour, odour, appearances, pH and microbial load of all four samples were assessed as per standard protocol. Assessment was made every day, 9 AM, for 7 d in room temperature and for 10 d in refrigerated samples. Results: Result shows that, pH range (start-end day) was 4.25-5.18, 4.79-5.12, 4.48-4.76 and 4.40-5.42 in case of E. antiquorum, E. caducifolia, E. nivulia and E. tirucalli at room temperature. It was found that, Aspergillus niger was found in Euphorbia antiquorum, Euphorbia caducifolia whereas Candida albicans was found in Euphorbia tirucalli latex in fungal culture on the 7th day after collection, when the samples were stored at room temperature. All the samples were free from microbial growth up to 10thday when stored at 4-5 °C in a refrigerator. Conclusion: Temperature, and moisture affects the quality of fresh snuhi latex. The latex remains free from microbial growth up to six days in room temperature and up to 10 d under at refrigerated temperature (4-5 °C)

Evaluation of the haematinic activity of Opuntia elatior Mill. fruit

Opuntia elatior, known as Nagaphani or Hathalo-thore belongs to the family Cactaceae. It is one of the Opuntia species used as medicine for various ailments due to its beneficial health-promoting properties. Fruits of Opuntia elatior have been advocated in anaemia, asthma, cough, inflammation, and gonorrhoea in Gujarat. The present study was planned to evaluate the hematinic effect of Opuntia elatior Mill. fruit on mercuric chloride (HgCl2) induced anaemia in rats. Opuntia elatior fruit Swarasa was administered to Charle’s foster albino rats for 30 consecutive days at the doses of 1.8 mL/kg and 3.6 mL/kg. The effects of both drugs were assessed on ponderal changes, haematological, serum biochemical, and histopathology of various organs. The fruit Swarasa showed significant increase in the haemoglobin content, serum ferritin level and serum TIBC level. The test drug at both dose levels produced adverse changes of mild intensity in liver, kidney and heart and reverted the disturbance in the cytoarchitecture of the spleen, thymus and lymph node. Test drug Opuntia elatior fruit Swarasa reversed anaemia induced by HgCl2 in a dose-dependent manner. The results support the traditional use of fruits in the treatment of anaemia

Hepatoprotective activity of Ficus semicordata Buch.-Ham. ex Sm. leaves aqueous extract on D-galactosamine induced toxicity in HepG2 cell line

239-243The leaves of Ficus semicordata Buch-Ham.ex Sm., locally in North India is referred to as Bhumi udumbara have been reported for their traditional use to cure jaundice and various liver ailments. Despite its extensive usage in northeastern states of India, there is a lack of scientific substantiation on the safety and pharmacotherapeutic efficacy. The present study was carried out to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of F. semicordata (FS) leaves aqueous extract on HepG2 cell line to validate its ethnic claim in the management of liver disorders. D-galactosamine induced HepG2 cell toxicity model was used to evaluate its hepatoprotective activity. The cells were treated with different concentrations of aqueous extracts and dexamethasone as a standard. MTT assay was performed to determine the % inhibition of hepatotoxicity. The result indicates that the toxicity induced by D-galactosamine is reduced by FS aqueous extract group which is better when compared with the standard drug. This study revealed the hepatoprotective potential of F. semicordata on HepG2 cell line

Hepatoprotective activity of Ficus semicordata Buch.-Ham. ex Sm. leaves aqueous extract on D-galactosamine induced toxicity in HepG2 cell line

The leaves of Ficus semicordata Buch-Ham.ex Sm., locally in North India is referred to as Bhumi udumbara have been reported for their traditional use to cure jaundice and various liver ailments. Despite its extensive usage in northeastern states of India, there is a lack of scientific substantiation on the safety and pharmacotherapeutic efficacy. The present study was carried out to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of F. semicordata (FS) leaves aqueous extract on HepG2 cell line to validate its ethnic claim in the management of liver disorders. D-galactosamine induced HepG2 cell toxicity model was used to evaluate its hepatoprotective activity. The cells were treated with different concentrations of aqueous extracts and dexamethasone as a standard. MTT assay was performed to determine the % inhibition of hepatotoxicity. The result indicates that the toxicity induced by D-galactosamine is reduced by FS aqueous extract group which is better when compared with the standard drug. This study revealed the hepatoprotective potential of F. semicordata on HepG2 cell line

Concept of oja vis -a -vis endoplasmic reticular function: An approach to decode the holistic view

Background: In Ayurveda, Oja, being one of the most distinctive concepts is a factor of prime importance related to vitality. Ayurveda depicts the definition, types (Para, Apara); site (Hridaya- Heart, sarvashariravyapi - presence in cellular level), quantity (vindu-in drops), function (bala-vitality) and its derangement etiology etc. of Oja. Various researchers based on their own ideas have given its modern parlance with immunity and stem cell etc. Objective: To decipher the fundamental concept of Oja vis-ΰ-vis endoplasmic reticular function. Material and Methods: A critical analysis of information on Oja from available Ayurvedic literatureand endoplasmic reticular function form modern Physiology texts. Result: ′Endoplasmic reticulum(ER)′ is a multifunctional membranous organelle forming a network in the whole body and is responsible for lipid biosynthesis, calcium storage and protein folding and processing. Etiological factors of Ojadushti (dysfunction) are (Abhighata-may be environmental stress), (shoka-mental stress), (shrama-physical stress, etc) which share similarity with stressors that disrupt function of ER ultimately leading to ER stress causing lifestyle disorders. Achieving cellular homeostasis is now being emphasized in the management of various diseases, in conventional medicine. The cellular homeostasis is dependent largely onproper folding of proteins where as in proper folding results into accumulation of misfolded proteins ultimately enhancing cellular death. Scientific reports on vayathapanaherbs like Amalaki, Punarnava, Guduchi etc. to alleviate ER stress can be give an evidence to correlate the ER with Oja. Conclusion: The present hypothesis gives an insight to decipher a novel concept of Oja and its relation with Endoplasmic reticulum

Arka and its pharmaceutical attributes in Indian alchemy (Rasashastra): A comprehensive review

Rasashastra, a branch of Ayurvedic system of medicine, deals with the pharmaceutical procedures of drugs of metallic, mineral and poisonous origin. These drugs are processed by some unique prescribed pharmaceutical techniques including Shodhana (purification process), Jarana (incineration) and Marana (calcination) that renders them fit for internal administration. Some specific groups of drugs of herbal origin viz. Marak gana (group of calcifying herbs), Dugdha varga (group of latex bearing plants), etc. are used for these procedures which primly include medicinal plants.Arka, (Calotropis procera Ait. and Calotropis gigantea L.R.Br.) one of such plant from the semi-poisonous group finds manifold usage in these purification procedures and incineration techniques for many Rasaushadhis. Still, single hand information on the collective information regarding the use of Arka in various processing techniques in Rasashastra is deficient. Hence, a thorough review from available 37 texts related to Rasashastra was made and the necessary supplementary references of nano particles was found out through available resources from internet. After a critical analysis, a total of 133 references were found wherein the usage of Arka has been highlighted in different pharmaceutical processes in texts of Rasashastra. Among them, thirty eight are related to procedures of shodhana and marana of Parada (mercury), nineteen deal with procedures concerned with Maharasa, six and three respectively in case of Uparasa and Sadharana (mineral origin) rasa along with fifty five processing techniques of  varied  dhatus (metals).Â

Impact of seasonal variation on lupeol content in latex of Calotropis gigantea R.Br. and Calotropis procera Ait.

Background: Ayurveda recommends collection of latex from some plants belonging to Upavisha (semi-poisonous) category in Sharada rutu. The latex from Calotropis gigantea and Calotropis procera (Arka species) finds a significant place, in different therapeutic formulations, with unique mention in management of mukhakaarshnya (hyper pigmentation of face). Aim: To study the impact of seasonal variation on lupeol content of two species of Arka. Material and methods: The latex was collected aseptically during six seasons from two species. After suitable sample preparation, it was used for HPTLC wherein lupeol was used as standard biomarker. Lupeol is a well known bioactive reported for its anti-inflammatory and anti-melanogenic effect on skin. Observations and Results: The lupeol content of Calotropis gigantea was found to be highest in latex sample collected in August-September (Varsha rutu) whereas it was highest in December-January (Hemanta rutu) in Calotropis procera. Conclusion: The findings of highest percentage of lupeol in Saumya rutu i.e Hemanta & Varsha rutu thus coincides with the concept of Kala. It thus proves that seasonal variation has an impact on lupeol content of latex

Impact of seasonal variation on lupeol content in latex of Calotropis gigantea R.Br. and Calotropis procera Ait.

Background: Ayurveda recommends collection of latex from some plants belonging to Upavisha (semi-poisonous) category in Sharada rutu. The latex from Calotropis gigantea and Calotropis procera (Arka species) finds a significant place, in different therapeutic formulations, with unique mention in management of mukhakaarshnya (hyper pigmentation of face). Aim: To study the impact of seasonal variation on lupeol content of two species of Arka. Material and methods: The latex was collected aseptically during six seasons from two species. After suitable sample preparation, it was used for HPTLC wherein lupeol was used as standard biomarker. Lupeol is a well known bioactive reported for its anti-inflammatory and anti-melanogenic effect on skin. Observations and Results: The lupeol content of Calotropis gigantea was found to be highest in latex sample collected in August-September (Varsha rutu) whereas it was highest in December-January (Hemanta rutu) in Calotropis procera. Conclusion: The findings of highest percentage of lupeol in Saumya rutu i.e Hemanta & Varsha rutu thus coincides with the concept of Kala. It thus proves that seasonal variation has an impact on lupeol content of latex

Exposition of Role of Diurnal and Seasonal Variation on Latex of Calotropis procera Ait. and Calotropis gigantea L.R.BR.

Background: Time (Kala) of collection is an important criterion responsible for the quality of crude drugs of herbal origin. According to their parts used, the guidelines for rutuwise (seasonal) collection of crude plant drugs has been well documented in various treatise of Ayurveda. Among various parts used of medicinal plants, Kshira (latex) of Arka and Shwetarka finds a wide usage in various pharmaceutical processes and formulations in classical literature. The latex has been quoted to be procured in Sharada rutu (September- October) but the scientific reason behind this still remains unexplored. Materials and Methods: The fresh crude latex of both C. gigantean (CG) and C. procera (CP) were collected in clean glass vials regularly in all the six rutu i.e Vasanta (March-April), Grishma (May-June), Varsha (July- August), Sharada (September- October), Hemanta (November- December) and Shishira (January- February). The collection was done for 4 days in each rutu and 3 times in a day i.e. before sunrise (BS), 3 hrs. after sunrise (3AS) and 6 hrs. after sunrise (6AS) from three different tender and fresh parts of the plant i.e. twig, petiole and peduncle. The observations regarding volume, girth of plant parts, pH, viscosity, specific gravity along with preliminary phytochemical analysis of latex was carried out in samples of crude latex collected in six seasons. Results: Grishma rutu was very well differentiated from other rutus in terms of volume and girth. Also, a peculiar presence of alkaloids and proteins was observed in Sharada rutu in both the species supports the classical collection protocol in Agneya period