THE MANAGEMENT OF PRIMARY DYSMENORRHOEA (KASHTARTAVA) - A PROSPECTIVE MULTICENTRIC OPEN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Objective: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of Rajahpravartini vati in the management of primary dysmenorrhoea (Kashtartava) and changes in the quality of life of the subjects. Study design: A multi-centric prospective single arm observational study. Setting and participants: 359 subjects aged between 16 - 35 years suffering from painful menstruation at least for three consecutive regular menstrual cycles were included in the study. Intervention: Rajahpravartini Vati a classical Ayurvedic formulation was administered 250 mg b.d. with lukewarm water for 90 days followed by subsequent 90 days without intervention. Outcome measures: The management of menstrual pain assessing by 10 points Visual Analogue Scale and improvement in the quality of life using SF-36 (RAND) questionnaire. Results: The mean VAS score of pain at baseline was 6.94±1.98, decreasing to 1.7±2.22 at 90th day which further decreased and maintained to 1.24±1.9 up to 180th day. Associated symptoms like nausea, vomiting, constipation, giddiness, breast tenderness, diarrhea, headache and fainting were completely relieved. The improvements of quality of life in 8 domains viz. pain, general health, physical functioning, social functioning, emotional wellbeing, energy/fatigue, limitation due to physical health and emotional problems at the end of 90th day of intervention was also significant (p<0.001) in comparison to baseline. No adverse event occurred during the treatment period. Conclusion: Rajahpravartini Vati has shown a positive role for the treatment of dysmenorrhoea and to improve the quality of life of the subjects

Ethanol production by Kluyveromyces marxianus HM36338: Optimization of fermentation conditions using response surface methodology

630-635Bioethanol interests researchers as the greener alternative to fossil fuels. Fungal strains play a major role in this process. On the other hand, whey disposal in dairy industry is an issue of environmental concern. The cheese whey is a source of ethanol production. Kluyveromyces marxianus HM363381 is one such fungal strain used in ethanol production from crude whey. Here, we studied the process of ethanol production by the above strain and attempted to optimize the fermentation conditions adopting response surface methodology (RSM). A total of 20 fermentation trials were carried out which were produced from RSM with the central composite design using the three parameters, lactose concentration (5-20%), yeast extract (10-60%) and the inoculum size (5-14%). The experimental results were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and lack of fit tests. The best operating conditions were found to be 14.14% (w/v) lactose concentration, 9.44 % inoculum size and 59.67 g/L yeast extract by keeping the other variables at their zero level, under which the strain Kluyveromyces marxianus HM363381 produced 59 g/L of ethanol. The results demonstrated a correlation of the experimental data to the dynamic models with high significant values of R2 and, thus, could be useful for scaling up the ethanol production by fermentation of crude whey

Evidence based clinical practices in Vicharchika (Eczema) and Ayurvedic treatment modalities – Review

Vicharchika in Ayurveda can be compared to Eczema. Prevalence of eczema has increased three-fold since 1960s, 10-20% of children in industrialized countries and 1-3% of adults, lower prevalence observed in agricultural economies. The main symptom of this disease is pruritus, which impacts health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The evidence based clinical practices and Research trends in Vicharchika have been studied elaborately through evidence based published articles. Clinical and drug research carried out in the field of Ayurveda showed encouraging results and safe and effective eczematous therapy. The etiopathological study of eczema reveals the factors of psychosomatic nature of the disease with associated epidermal barrier dysfunction; genetic determination, allergy, and impaired innate immunity play an important role in pathogenesis of eczema. Various classes of agents for additional treatment are being investigated for atopic dermatitis (AD) of eczema. The therapies include targeted topical, oral, systemic, and biologic agents. Symptomatic treatment with steroids produces serious side effects like osteoporosis, nephropathy, hyperlipidemia and fluid retention, acne, skin lesions etc. Vicharchika treatment in Ayurveda provides better management of eczematous with least side effects. Study of evidence based clinical practices of Vicharchika (eczema) will leads for better management and identification of newer strategies and line of treatment. Clinical and drug research on Vicharchika will provide the answer for the anti eczematous therapy.&nbsp