CLINICAL EVALUATION OF ROLE OF PACHANA CHIKITSA W.S.R. TO ASRIGDARA

Various reports suggest that 30 to 50% of women in the reproductive age group suffer from excessive and irregular uterine bleeding by various causative factors. Various treatments prescribed in modern medicine like hormone therapy, antiprostaglandins and antifibrinolytic agents etc have not proved their definite efficacy inspite of high price and side effect, and lastly hysterectomy may lead to hormonal imbalance and psychological upset in young fertile women. Ayurveda considered the same as Asrigdara and Stambhana Chikitsa is the commonly prescribed management for this. But prior to Stambhana Chikitsa, Pachana Chikitsa is to be performed as without Amapachana, Stambhana Chikitsamay not show better efficacy. So a clinical trial was conducted on 30 Patients, who were divided in 2 groups, 15 patients in each. In Group A (Control group) Stambhana Chikitsa alone with Panchavalkala Kashaya was given and in Group B (Trial group) Stambhana Chikitsawith Panchavalkala Kashaya proceeded by Pachana Chikitsa with Guduchyadi Kashaya was given to patients for treatment. The present Study reveals, significant benefit in trial group to reduce symptoms of Asrigdara with a p-value of <0.001 in comparison with alone Stambhana Chikitsa

A PHARMACOGNOSTIC AND PHYTOCHEMICAL STUDY ON THE MARKET SAMPLES OF NAGAKESARA

This work was conducted to evaluate the pharmacognostic and phytochemical study of varieties of Nagakesara. When it is further studied, it is observed that Nagakesara available in the markets of different areas is from different source plants. There are nearly 5 drugs sold in the market with the same name, the common floral parts available in the markets are commonly from Nagakesara (Mesua ferrea Linn.), Surapunnaga (Ochrocarpus longifolius Benth and Hook f.), Tamalpatra (Cinnamomum tamala Nees and Ebern.), Punnaga (Calophyllum inophyllum Linn.), Dillenia pentagyna Roxb. Hence a comparative study of these two samples 1) Nagakesara (Mesua ferrea), and 2) Tamalpatra (Cinnamomum tamala) has been carried out. The phytochemical study shows the presence of tannins, steroids and carbohydrates in almost all varieties of Nagakesara. Flower buds of Nagakesara plant of different species available in the market was taken up for the study. CONCLUSION: A detailed Pharamcognostic and Phytochemical review was done through which it was concluded that Mesua ferrea Linn. belonging to family Guttiferae may be the exact source of Nagakesara. The flower buds of Cinnamomum tamala Nees and Ebern. which is known as black variety in the markets according to our study,

Identification of priority health conditions for field-based screening in urban slums in Bangalore, India

BACKGROUND: Urban slums are characterised by unique challenging living conditions, which increase their inhabitants' vulnerability to specific health conditions. The identification and prioritization of the key health issues occurring in these settings is essential for the development of programmes that aim to enhance the health of local slum communities effectively. As such, the present study sought to identify and prioritise the key health issues occurring in urban slums, with a focus on the perceptions of health professionals and community workers, in the rapidly growing city of Bangalore, India. METHODS: The study followed a two-phased mixed methods design. During Phase I of the study, a total of 60 health conditions belonging to four major categories: - 1) non-communicable diseases; 2) infectious diseases; 3) maternal and women's reproductive health; and 4) child health - were identified through a systematic literature review and semi-structured interviews conducted with health professionals and other relevant stakeholders with experience working with urban slum communities in Bangalore. In Phase II, the health issues were prioritised based on four criteria through a consensus workshop conducted in Bangalore. RESULTS: The top health issues prioritized during the workshop were: diabetes and hypertension (non-communicable diseases category), dengue fever (infectious diseases category), malnutrition and anaemia (child health, and maternal and women's reproductive health categories). Diarrhoea was also selected as a top priority in children. These health issues were in line with national and international reports that listed them as top causes of mortality and major contributors to the burden of diseases in India. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study will be used to inform the development of technologies and the design of interventions to improve the health outcomes of local communities. Identification of priority health issues in the slums of other regions of India, and in other low and lower middle-income countries, is recommended

Development and validation of a HPTLC method for Estimation of Duloxetine Hydrochloride in Bulk Drug and in Tablet Dosage Form

Duloxetine hydrochloride is a potent dual reuptake inhibitor of serotonin and norepinephrine used to treat major depressive disorders. The present work describes a simple, precise and accurate HPTLC method for its estimation as bulk and in tablet dosage form. The chromatographic separation was carried out on precoated silica gel 60 F254 aluminium plates using mixture of chloroform:methanol (8:1 v/v) as mobile phase and densitometric evaluation of spots was carried out at 235 nm using Camag TLC Scanner-3 with win CAT 1.3.4 version software. The experimental parameters like band size of the spot applied, chamber saturation time, solvent front migration, slit width etc. were critically studied and optimum conditions were evolved. The drug was satisfactorily resolved with Rf value 0.11±0.01. The accuracy and reliability of the proposed method was ascertained by evaluating various validation parameters like linearity (40-200 ng/spot), precision (intra-day RSD 0.46-0.75%, inter-day RSD 0.46-1.59%), accuracy (98.72±0.20) and specificity according to ICH guidelines. The proposed method can analyse ten or more formulation units simultaneously on a single plate and provides a faster and cost-effective quality control tool for routine analysis of duloxetine hydrochloride as bulk drug and in tablet formulation

Conceptual study on nidana and samprapti of Svetapradara with special reference to Leucorrhoea

The reputation of a physician depends upon his skill in diagnosing and treating the patients. Ayurveda has given much importance to nidana (etiology) and samprapti (pathogenesis) as these two are important components of nidana panchaka. Nidana is defined as the fundamental or root cause of a disease and samprapiti is defined as the evolution of an illness. Svetapradara is a condition characterized by white vaginal discharge which is not associated with foul smell, pain, itching, burning sensation etc. thus it can be correlated with Leucorrhoea. It is an annoying complaint of more than 60% of women seen in gynaecological OPD. The symptoms and treatment of Svetapradara is given in Ayurvedic texts but no where its nidana and samprapti is discussed. This study mainly deals with detailed discussion on nidana and samprapti of Svetapradara. Method - Classical Ayurvedic texts along with the commentaries were carefully studied to compile information about Svetapradara and to evaluate the nidana and samprapti of the disease. Observation - Ayurveda has given more emphasis to nidana and samprapti. It was observed that different ahara, vihara, agantuja, mansika etc karana influences the samprapti of the disease. Result -Vata prakopaka and kapha prakopaka karana are important nidana of Svetapradara and various nidana factors affects the samprapti in different process and accordingly treatment schedule must be adopted

Clinical evaluation of shankhapani rasa in the management of kashtartava (dysmenorrhoea)

Menstrual pain which is severe enough to limit normal activities is termed as Kashtartava (dysmenorrhoea). Dysmenorrhoea is the most common gynecological problem faced by women due to abnormal anatomical and functional aspect of uterus, pschycosomatic factors, release of prostaglandins, pelvic congestion etc. Shankhapani Rasa which is a Herbo-Mineral formulation posses all the contents having vatahara and gulmahara properties.The clinal Study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of Shankhapani Rasa in patients suffering from Kashtartava by selecting 30 patients who attended the O.P.D. and I.P.D. of S.V.Ayurvedic Hospital Tirupathi during the period 2011-2012. Patients were given Shankhapani Rasa in a dose of 125mg capsules twice in a day for 1 month randomly and effect was evaluated on pre-test and post-test design.Statistically significant (p<0.01) results were seen in Subjective symptoms like pain during menstruation and duration of pain giving a conclusion that Shankhapani Rasa is effective in the management of Kashtartava