Cosmological Perturbation Analysis in a Scale Invariant Model of Gravity

We consider a model for gravity that is invariant under global scale transformations. It includes one extra real scalar field coupled non-minimally to the gravity fields. In this model all the dimensionful parameters like the gravitational constant and the cosmological constant etc. are generated by a solution of the classical equations of motion which breaks scale invariance. In this paper we demonstrate the stability of such a solution against small perturbations in a flat FRW background by making a perturbative expansion around this solution and solving the resulting equations linear in the perturbations.Comment: 9 pages, 1 figur

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF EFFICACY OF JATYADI GHRITA PICHU AND YASTHIMADHU GHRITA PICHU IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PARIKARTIKA (FISSURE- IN-ANO)

The condition Parikartika has been mentioned in the Ayurvedic literature as one of the fifteen kinds of disorders which may result from an injudicious use of purgatives owing to the ignorance of the physician or of the patient. The acute fissure is a superficial splitting of the anoderm characterized by severe pain, sometimes associated with bleeding per rectum during/after defaecation.Application of local anesthetics, anal dilatation, sphincterotomy, and fissurectomy (chronic fissure) are usually in practice. But these procedures have sometimes associated with some complications like post operative anal stenosis, sphincter incontinence etc. To overcome such problems and to provide cheap, simple, ambulatory and effective treatment, a combined therapy has been kept on trial on the basis of the treatment mentioned in the ancient literature in the management. Aim and objectives: Evaluation of clinical efficacy of Pichu application of Jatyadi Grihta and Yasthimadhu Grihta in the management of Fissure- in-ano (Parikartika). Materials & Methods: Taking this view in to consideration, a modified regimen with Jatyadi ghtrita and Yasthimadhu ghrita in Pichu form in two different groups along with Panchasakara churna have been kept on trial on 100 patients in each group in the Ano-Rectal Clinic of the Institute. Results and Conclusion: The results were assessed and compared and it was found that both the medicines were equally effective without any complications in the management of Fissure-in-ano

QUALITY CHARACTERIZATION OF MADHUYASHTI GHRITA

Madhuyashti Ghrita, is an Ayurvedic medicated ghee preparation containing Yashtimadhu. It is used for treating external ulcers and wounds in vital points of the body. However, there is no quality monograph available for Madhuyashti Ghrita. Hence, the present work was carried out to characterize this Ghrita to confirm its identity, quality and purity. This work reported various pharmacognostic and physicochemical parameters of Madhuyashti Ghrita along with its TLC based rapid fingerprinting as per the present standards of Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Moreover, the presence of toxic contaminants like heavy metals, and microbial load were also evaluated. In organoleptic evaluation, the Ghrita was found to be semi–solid and dark yellow in colour, sweet and bitter in taste with a characteristic and pleasant odour. The values of the physicochemical parameters such as acid value, saponification value, peroxide value, refractive index, rancidity and pH value of the Ghrita were also assed. In the microscopical analysis of the rhizomes of Yashtimadhu, the presence of pitted vessels, fibres, prismatic crystals and starch grains were noted as a confirmation characteristic for the genuinely of this raw material in Madhuyashti Ghrita. The amount of heavy metals such arsenic, lead, mercury, cadmium, nickel, zinc, copper and chromium as well as total bacterial count and total fungal count were found to be much below their API limits. The TLC showed different characteristic spots indicating the presence of Yashtimadhu in this product. The parameters of Madhuyashti Ghrita presented in this paper may be utilized for preparing a quality monograph for this product

USED PATTERN OF METALS AND MINERALS IN ASHTANG HRIDAYA: THE BIRDS EYE VIEW

Human evolution and progress has count mainly on the discovery of metals. Primitive man used metals first time for making apparatuses and weaponries; as the information advances metals played a significant role in development of agriculture, transport arts, crafts and health care. Ayurveda have faith in the principle of YatPinde Tat Bramhande and therefore all these naturally occurring metals and minerals have major role in restoration of human health and treatment of any kind of illness. Classical treatise Ashtanga Hridaya is a very popular book among the physicians among south India. In this classic, eight types of Dhatu (metals), varieties of Ratna-Uparatna (precious stones and minerals) are mentioned for different purposes. Here an attempt is made to collect all these information of metals and minerals in a collective form to analyse their used pattern in therapeutic, Diagnostic (Nidana Panchaka), Pharmaceutical Benefits, Dincharya/ Pathya- Apathya, Panchakarma and Surgical/Para Surgical Procedure. All these metals and minerals are used in different formulations like Sneha (Oil &Ghee), Sandhana (Fermentation), Churna (powder), Vati (tablet), Lepa (Caoting powder) & Anjana (Collyrium). Human body is composed of almost every natural element found in nature and our civilization is completely reliant on metals and the science of metallurgy is now one of the most widely documented and researched material science

ESTABLISHMENT OF QUALITY CONTROL PARAMETERS OF PANCHASAKARA CHURNA - A CLASSICAL AYURVEDIC FORMULATION

Objective: Standardization of any herbal formulation is essential in order to assess the quality, purity, safety, and efficacy of drugs based on the analysis of their active properties. Testing of Ayurvedic preparations using scientific methodologies adds to quality and authenticity of the product.Methods: This article reports standardization parameters for a classical Ayurvedic formulation Panchasakara Churna. In this paper, the formulation was prepared as per Ayurvedic Formulary of India and was characterized by pharmacognostic, physical, physicochemical, phytochemical, toxicological parameters as well as thin layer chromatography (TLC) profiling using standard methodologies.Results: This experimental work provided diagnostic characteristics to identify and standardize the formulation Panchasakara Churna prepared using its official ingredients.Conclusion: Based on the present investigation results, a monograph on quality standards for Panchasakara Churna can be proposed for its batch-to-batch consistency. This document can also be utilised for rapid authentication fingerprints of this formulation using its TLC profiling.Keywords: Panchasakara Churna, Toxicological, Chromatography, Microscopi

Testing Unimodular Gravity

We consider models of gravitation that are based on unimodular general coordinate transformations (GCT). These transformations include only those which do not change the determinant of the metric. We treat the determinant as a separate field which transforms as a scalar under unimodular GCT. We consider a class of such theories. In general, these theories do not transform covariantly under the full GCT. We characterize the violation of general coordinate invariance by introducing a new parameter. We show that the theory is consistent with observations for a wide range of this parameter. This parameter may serve as a test for possible violations of general coordinate invariance. We also consider the cosmic evolution within the framework of these models. We show that in general we do not obtain consistent cosmological solutions if we assume the standard cosmological constant or the standard form of non-relativistic matter. We propose a suitable generalization which is consistent with cosmology. We fit the resulting model to the high redshift supernova data. We find that we can obtain a good fit to this data even if include only a single component, either cosmological constant or non-relativistic matter.Comment: 14 pages one figure, significantly revised with several new results adde

Pharmacognostic, physicochemical and chromatographic characterization of Samasharkara Churna

Background: Samasharkara Churna, a polyherbal Ayurvedic formulation, is prescribed for treating various conditions such as asthma and cough. Literature review suggested that characterization parameters of Samasharkara Churna are not reported. Objective: To report characteristic parameters of Samasharkara Churna to conform its identity, quality and purity. Materials and Methods: Samasharkara Churna was evaluated for pharmacognostic, physicochemical, microbiological, and chromatographic parameters. Results: The chromatographic analysis was able to showed presence of all ingredients in Samasharkara Churna. Conclusion: The characterization parameters presented in this paper may serve as standard reference for the quality control analysis of Samasharkara Churna

Solid-State Stability Issues of Drugs in Transdermal Patch Formulations

The transdermal patch formulation has many advantages, including noninvasiveness, an ability to bypass the first-pass metabolism, low dosage requirements, and prolonged drug delivery. However, the instability of solid-state drugs is one of the most critical problems observed in transdermal patch products. Therefore, a well-characterized approach for counteracting stability problems in solid-state drugs is crucial for improving the performance of transdermal patch products. This review provides insight into the solid-state stability of drugs associated with transdermal patch products and offers a comprehensive update on the various approaches being used for improving the stability of the active pharmaceutical ingredients currently being used