Experimental study on dissection of gut of the leech for isolation of microorganism present in western ghaat leech

Leech application in various diseases shows remarkable results. Now in this scientific era the area of use of leeches is wide, sometimes the application of leech produces local as well as systemic infection. To rule out such complication and myths this study was conducted. The purpose of study is isolation of microorganism which cause such complicatio

Evaluation of organisms present in the gut of Hirudinaria granulosa or Indian cattle leech used for the purpose of Hirudotherapy (Jalukavacharana) in Ayurveda - A Metagenomic study

In Ayurveda, Shalyatantra envisages surgical (Shastra Karma) and minimally invasive surgical methods (Anushastra Karma) for the management of various diseases. Among minimally invasive surgery, blood letting (Raktamokshana) plays an important role. Hirudotherapy or therapeutic use of leeches (Jalukavacharana) has been lauded for its role in the management of abscess, inflammation, cellulitis, non-healing ulcers, skin diseases etc. Leeches are applied to the venous-congested sites to withdraw obstructive blood and also the presence of anticoagulating and vasodilating agents further reduce circulatory obstruction and facilitate blood flow through the area. However, the advantages of leech therapy are confounded by more recent and widely reported occurrences of leech-borne infections at the bite wound, which may cause septicaemia in the patient when left untreated. It has been observed that the infection of the surgical site with bacterial species, necessitates prophylactic antibiotic cover. The study was undertaken to check for the presence and dominance of the various classes of bacteria in the gut of Indian Cattle leech which is used for the purpose of Jalukavacharana by Ayurvedic surgeons. Microbes belonging to the Phylum Proteobacteria were the most dominant followed by Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. In the phylum Proteobacteria, the abundance of bacteria belonging to the family Enterobacteriacea was observed. Presence of genera classified under Alcaligenaceae, Aeromonadaceae and Rhodospirillaceae were recorded to a significant extent. This study on the presence of microbes can probably shed light on the scientific value of Poorvakarma told by Sushrutha, where he advises to keep leeches in Haridra before being used for therapy to avoid transmission of infections

A Clinical Study on Vrana Shodhana Action of Gomutra Arka in Dushtavrana w.s.r. to Diabetic Foot Ulcer

Context: The diabetic foot ulcer, being chronic in nature involves various tissues, it can be considered as Dushtavrana in Ayurveda. Proper Care for diabetic foot with medication and procedures that has hastened the healing process with less complication is the need of the hour. Aim: To evaluate the Vrana Shodhana action of Gomutra Arka in Dushtavrana w.s.r. to diabetic foot ulcers. Settings and Design: It is a clinical study with pre-test and post-test design. Total number of patient’s taken for the study was 40 excluding dropouts. The patients selected for the study were divided in to 2 groups, Group-A and Group-B, consisting of 20 patients each. Materials and Methods: The wound is examined, exudates, debris, slough were removed, the surrounding area was cleaned and pad soaked in Gomutra Arka was placed and wound dressing was done once in a day. Duration of study was 45 days or till the formation of granulation tissue whichever is earlier, assessment was done every 7 days. For healing Jatyadi Taila was applied after the Shodhana Kriya with Gomutra Arka. Conclusion: Gomutra Arka was having good results in reducing burning sensation, itching, smell, size, depth, discharge, edge, floor and presence of granulation tissues compared to Betadine. Both drugs have equal effect in reducing pain. Both drugs have Shodhana, Lekhana properties, hastens the wound healing process which helps in reduction of wound size. It can be concluded that Gomutra Arka application is effective in all types of Diabetic foot ulcer by their faster, effective Shodhana, Lekhana, Vedana Shamaka, Kandu Shamaka, Daha Shamaka properties compared to Betadine