A CLINICAL STUDY TO EVALUATE THE EFFICACY OF VAMANA KARMA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF DYSLIPIDEMIA

Objective: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy of Vamana karma in the management of dyslipidemia.Methods: Patients were selected from the OPD and IPD at the Department of Panchakarma, Hospital of Rishikul Campus, Uttarakhand Ayurved University, Haridwar. Patients in Group A will be administered with two sittings of Vamana procedure. In Group B, 20 patients will be treated with atorvastatin for 60 days in dose of 10 mg once daily after meals with water.Results: The overall assessment of the therapy was decided on the basis of improvement in biochemical parameter (serum lipid profile) by applying statistics. Vamana karma had statistically highly significant result in all the objective parameters except high-density lipoprotein [HDL].Conclusion: Thus, it can be concluded that dyslipidemia is a form of Kaphavikara specifically may be Medodushti in the form of Abaddha meda. Vamana karma is highly effective in correcting serum lipid profile except HDL and very low-density lipoprotein but have better effect than the standard drug in both of them. Vamana karma can be used for the effective and safe management of dyslipidemia

AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF PSORIASIS (EKAKUSHTA) WITH PANCHAKARMA CHIKITSA

Psoriasis is a non-infectious chronic relapsing inflammatory skin disease having unknown etiology, characterized by well-defined dry scaly erythematous patches and covered with adherent silvery white scales. The eruption is usually symmetrical and most commonly affects extensor surfaces of elbows, knees, scalp, nails and the sacral regions. Its incidence is 1-2% of world population. Psychological stress is emphasized as one of the major triggering factor in the exacerbation of the disease. Modern medical science treats psoriasis with PUVA and corticosteroids. But these therapies give serious side effects like hepato & nephrotoxicity, bone marrow depletion etc. Hence it is the need of time to find out safe and effective treatment for Psoriasis and here Ayurveda plays an important role. In Ayurveda, Psoriasis can be correlated with Ekakustha due to very much similarity in their symptoms. The unique treatment modality of Ayurveda provides long lasting results and a better life to patients through its three basic principles of treatment i.e. Shodhana, Shamana and Nidana Parivarjana. Panchakarma (Shodhana) therapy is a unique type of treatment for various chronic, auto-immune, hormonal, degenerative disorders etc, where other sorts of treatments have no satisfactory answer as well equally beneficial for the promotion and preservation of health. In addition of the Shamana Yoga & External Application (Lepan Chikitsa) of drugs is administered after taking the proper course of Shodhana then it provides additional relief and thus helps in eradication of the diseases (psoriasis) completely. The present article reviews the concept of psoriasis in Ayurveda and role of Panchakarma & Shaman Chikitsa in the management of psoriasis

Anticancer Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Wattakaka Volubilis Leaves on DAL Induced Lymphoma in Mice with it’s Antioxidant Effect.

Cancer is a term used for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and are able to invade other tissues. Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. Cancer is not just one disease but many diseases. There are more than 100 different types of cancer. Most cancers are named for the organ or type of cell in which they start - for example, cancer that begins in the colon is called colon cancer; cancer that begins in basal cells of the skin is called basal cell carcinoma. The present pre-clinical investigation was carried out to evaluate the anticancer activity of ethanolic extract of Wattakaka volubilis leaves in DAL induced lymphoma in mice with it’s antioxidant effect. It was found that there was significant increase in the life span with decreased tumour volume in all the extract treated mice. The haematological and antioxidant status got improved in DAL with extract treated groups.. The effect was also found to be dose dependent. The biochemical and histopathological studies supported the anticancer and antioxidant properties of the extract. The antioxidant nature of Wattakaka volubilis leaf extract was confirmed by in-vitro antioxidant studies which showed significant results at various concentrarions. The results of present investigation proved that ethanolic extract of Wattakaka volubilis leaf was found to be effective in inhibiting cancer growth by invivo screening and also provide some insights in to the possible mechanism by which Wattakaka volubilis leaf extract brings about inhibition in growth of DAL cells in mice. Thus these observations indicate that the plant leaf was having antioxidant property and also a protective effect against Dalton’s ascites lymphoma

A model for sample stacking in microcapillary DNA electrophoresis

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2002.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 129-135).Sanger's method of chain termination is the method of choice in DNA sequencing, where electrophoresis is used to separate the different sized DNA. In the past decade, microfabricated capillary devices have been developed and are increasingly used to perform DNA electrophoresis. While tremendous progress has been made in the process, sample injection has not been well understood. In an earlier study, images of sample injection obtained using video microscopy showed sharp sample stacking peak at the trailing edge of the sample plug. This thesis examines the underlying physics that explain the behavior of DNA in microcapillary electrophoresis. A developed model captures the dynamics of the major electrolytes in the system. The applied voltage and the conductivity profile determine the local electric field. The electric field drives the analyte transport. The analyte consists of DNA molecules of various fragment sizes. Since the DNA concentration is smaller than the electrolyte concentration by a few orders of magnitude, its concentration does not affect the conductivity. The major components of the sample are identified, and role during injection is investigated. Analytical studies of the electrolyte boundary dynamics and evolution and the transport of DNA are presented. The effect of the buffer, applied voltage during injection, and sample mobility on stacking are shown.(cont.) A numerical model is implemented to quantitatively predict the stacking of DNA in microcapillary electrophoresis. The numerical model has been developed for the 1-dimensional case. The model is verified using analytical results. Results of numerical models that predict the behavior of DNA under experimental conditions are presented. The numerical model is compared with real experimental data to evaluate its predictive power. Preliminary numerical simulations have also been done for 2-dimensional geometries. A procedure has been developed for design of injector lengths to obtain a given resolution of separation in a microcapillary channel of specified length. Strategies for optimization are presented for improving the performance of the devices.by Alok Srivastava.Ph.D

EFFICACY OF DHANYAMLA SARVANGA DHARA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF OBESITY: AN ANALYTICAL REVIEW

Obesity consist a major nutritional health problem in developed and developing countries, which has reached epidemic proportions. It is a medical condition of excessive fat accumulation to the extent that it may have negative effect on health. Obesity are major causes of co-morbidities, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, various cancer and other health problem like obstructive sleep apnea, osteoarthritis and depression. Obesity is most commonly caused by a combination of excessive food intake, lack of physical activity. Leptin enzyme is responsible for controlling appetite through its action on CNS, TNF alpha is also link factor between fat accumulation and metabolic disorders. The body mass index (BMI) is an internationally accepted index to estimate body weight. Taking medication like Sibutramine, Orlistat as an option for treatment of obesity can be given, because it is associated with many side effects. Bariatric surgery may be performed to reduce weight, but it is not very useful treatment. Diet, life style modification, physical activity can achieve the desired loss of body fat. In Ayurveda best treatment for Sthaulya defined by Acharyacharak and Sushruta and Vagbhatt. Dhanyamalasarvangadhara is highly effective in Vata associated with Ama and Kapha. Dhanyamla sarvanga dhara eliminates the body toxins, establishes health and tones up the joints and soft tissues. The drug will act soon as the medicine touches the skin surface. Due to Vasodilation property blood flow will increase through the area, increasing metabolism further eliminating the toxins, which will help in reducing the obesity. Dhanyamala sarvanga dhara controls the disease process and may cause long lasting relief

An exploratory study using the OMI scale to assess the opinion toward mental illness among young adults

Background: Public perception of mental illness is critical for successful treatment seeking behaviour as well as for early diagnosis and surveillance of disease. Two hundred eleven young patients were interviewed at Department of psychiatry, Sir Sunderlal Hospital, Varanasi with the help of consecutive sampling method. Objective: To assess the opinion towards mental illness among young adults by using the opinion on mental illness scale (OMI). Methods: Data was collected using the opinion about mental illness scale (OMI) which consists of 51 questions out of which, 15 questions directly related to the cause, care, and management of mental illness were randomly selected and analyzed. Analysis was done showing Percentage and chi-square tests to see the significance of scores between the respondents. Results: The finding shows that more than 70% of respondents believe that mental illness is a consequence of bad behavior, lack of willpower, or negative beliefs and gap in the treatment seeking behavior and understanding the cause of disease was found. Conclusions: Opinions on Mental health have received increasing attention as a useful strategy to promote early identification of mental illness, reduce stigma and enhance help-seeking behaviors. As part of the National Mental Health Programme, there is a need to raise awareness in order to enhance understanding of mental illness in facilitating early diagnosis and treatment of disease