Ayurvedic drug induced liver injury

Drug induced liver injury is responsible for 50% of acute liver failure in developed countries. Ayurvedic and homeopathic medicine have been linked to liver injury. This case describes the first documented case of Punarnava mandur and Kanchnar guggulu causing drug induced liver injury. Drug induced liver injury may be difficult to diagnosis, but use of multi-modalities tools including the ACG algorithms, causative assessment scales, histological findings, and imaging, is recommended. Advanced imaging, such as magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, may possibly have a greater role than previously reported in literature.

Immunopotentiality of Ayurvedic polyherbal formulations “Saribadi” and “Anantamul Salsa” with augmentation of IgM production and lymphocytes proliferation:A preliminary study

Objective:To assess the immunopotentiality of Ayurvedic polyherbal preparations,"Saribadi" and "Anantamul Salsa".Methods: Freshly prepared BALB/c mice splenocytes were cultured with "Saribadi" or"Anantamul Salsa" treatment [doses of 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, 1.00%, 1.50%, 2.00%,3.00% and 4.00%(v/v)] at 37C for 5 days. The immunoglobulin M(IgM) production and lymphocytes proliferation were determined by ELISA and MTT methods, respectively.Endotoxin contamination was assessed by treating the preparations with polymyxin B.Results: The doses of "Saribadi" [0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75% and 1.00%(v/v)] significantly increased IgM productions(0.966, 0.728, 0.695 and 0.615 mg/m L vs. control 0.265 mg/m L)and lymphocytes proliferation [absorbance 0.311, 0.394, 0.372 and 0.334 optical density(OD) vs. control 0.162 OD]. Similarly, the doses of "Anantamul Salsa" [0.50%, 0.75%,1.00% and 1.50%(v/v)] promoted IgM productions(0.933, 0.919, 0.917 and 0.892 mg/m L vs. control 0.502 mg/m L) and the doses of "Anantamul Salsa" [0.50%, 0.75%, 1.00%,1.50%, 2.00%, and 3.00%(v/v)] stimulated lymphocytes proliferation(absorbance 0.395,0.326, 0.440, 0.398, 0.452 and 0.355 OD vs. control 0.199 OD). The activity of "Saribadi"and "Anantamul Salsa" was not retarded by the treatment of preparations with polymyxin B.Conclusions: Immunomodulatory activity of "Saribadi" and "Anantamul Salsa" was unveiled for the first time. "Saribadi" and "Anantamul Salsa" possess immunostimulating potential acting through the induction of lymphocyte proliferation and IgM production.These preparations may be useful in strengthening immune responses. However, further cellular and in vivo studies are required.

Exercise-induced anaphylaxis with an Ayurvedic drug as cofactor:A case report

BACKGROUND The practice of Indian Ayurvedic medicine is spreading in Western countries and Shilajit is one of the most used drugs, for its antioxidant activities and immunomodulatory effects. Albeit Shilajit has showed a high degree of safety, it can act as cofactor of anaphylaxis, especially in condition at high risk, such as mast cell activation syndrome(MCAS). We reported this case to sensitize practitioners to investigate to the use of complementary and alternative medicine,in case of exercise-induced anaphylaxis(EIAn).CASE SUMMARY A 43-year-old woman, working as a dance teacher, developed urticaria after ingestion of rice, tuna and Shilajit, which did not respond to intramuscular corticosteroids. Subsequently, she developed dyspnoea and hypotension with loss of consciousness that arose 1 h after sexual activity. The patient did not refer personal history of atopy. Specific IgE for main food allergens resulted negative,with total IgE levels of 14 IU/L. Oral provocation test with Shilajit was not perfomed because the patient refused, but we performed prick-by-prick and patch test that resulted negative. Serum tryptase at the time of anaphylaxis was 20.6 μg/L that fell down to of 10.6 μg/L after therapy, but has remained at the high value after two days and during the follow-up. We performed an analysis of the c-KIT gene in peripheral blood, which was negative. We felt the diagnosis consistent with EIAn in a patient with a possible MCAS.CONCLUSION In Western countries the use of drugs from Ayurvedic medicine is more common than in the past. These substances can be cofactors of anaphylaxis in patients with risk factors.

The Current Acceptance,Accessibility and Recognition of Chinese and Ayurvedic Medicine in the United States in the Public,Governmental,and Industrial Sectors

To assess the current level of acceptance in the United States of complementary and alternative medicine, recent research into the prevalence, acceptance, accessibility, and recognition of complementary and alternative therapies were reviewed. Several signs point to an increasing acceptance of complementary and alternative medicine in the United States; the use of complementary and alternative medicine is significantly increasing, many aspects of Chinese medicine and Ayurveda are becoming mainstream, practitioners in the United States are beginning to be licensed, and insurance companies are beginning to cover some complementary and alternative therapies. Remaining challenges to true acceptance include the restrictive Western mindset, the absence of published studies, a lack of consistent manufacturing processes and quality standards, and a fear of adulteration. Although the field still faces many challenges, alternative and complementarymedicine, including Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine, is becoming more accepted and accessible in the United States.

Ayurvedic concept of Shatkriyakala:a traditional knowledge of cancer pathogenesis and therapy

The term Kriyakala refers to the recognition of the stage of a disease＇s progress, which helps to determine appropriate measure to correct the imbalance in Doshas （biological factors）. It is a compound expression, comprised of Kriya and Kala, where Kriya means the choice to treatment （medicine, food and daily-routine） used to improve the disturbance in Doshas, and Kala refers to the stage of progress of a disease. Sushruta, an ancient Indian surgeon, has described the concept of Kriyakala in Vamaprashnadhyaya, an ancient Vedic Sanskrit text, which seeks to explain the incidence of Vamas in terms of Doshic disturbances. Vama, in modern parlance, may be described as an inflammatory process that may lead ulceration and chronic inflammation, promoting all stages of carcinogenesis. Abnormal interactions between Prakriti （genotype） and environmental factors vitiate the Doshas and impair immunity, which can lead to aberrant cell growth and cancer. Moreover, the interaction between vitiated Doshas and weak Dhatus （body tissues） manifests as cancers of a specific organ. Shatkriyakala （six stages of progress of a disease）, on the other hand, provides a framework to assess the cancer and its pathogenesis in different stages. According to Ayurvedic concepts, all cancer therapies treat the affected tissues indirectly by eliminating vitiated Doshas, rejuvenating Dhatus and restoring immunity in cancer patients. The present review describes the six stages of Shatkriyakala in detail, with an emphasis on research areas to validate the concept of Shatkriyakala. This traditional knowledge can be utilized with modern technologies to detect predisposition for cancer or diagnose cancer in its early stages.

Chyawanprash,a formulation of traditional Ayurvedic medicine,shows a protective effect on skin photoaging in hairless mice

OBJECTIVE： Chronic exposure to ultraviolet （UV） radiation induces skin photoaging （premature skin aging）. UV irradiation generates reactive oxygen species （ROS）, which are shown to play a pivotal role in skin photoaging. Ayurveda is a holistic traditional medical system, and Chyawanprash is one of the most popular formulations in Ayurveda. Since maintenance of the function and appearance of skin is important, we examined whether Chyawanprash has a protective effect on skin photoaging. METHODS： To examine the effect of Chyawanprash on skin photoaging, hairless mice were administered with Chyawanprash in drinking water for 3 weeks, and then repeatedly exposed to ultraviolet light B （UVB） irradiation （225 or 450 mJ/cm2） to induce skin photoaging. To further examine the function of Chyawanprash, its effects were examined in cells cultured in vitro. Chyawanprash was added in culture medium, and examined for the effect on the growth of human keratinocytes, and for the ability to eliminate ROS which generated by paraquat （50 μmol/L） in HeLa cells. RESULTS： UVB irradiation caused symptoms such as rough skin, erythema, and edema on the skin in hairless mice, but administration of Chyawanprash relieved these symptoms. Further, Chyawanprash significantly suppressed epidermal thickening, a typical marker of skin photoaging, in mice. We then analyzed the effect of Chyawanprash in human cells in culture, and found that Chyawanprash enhanced the growth of human keratinocytes, and efficiently eliminated ROS, which are causally involved in skin photoaging, in HeLa cells. CONCLUSION： These findings suggested that Chyawanprash may have beneficial effects on slowing skin photoaging.

Status of Indian medicinal plants in the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the future of Ayurvedic drugs: Shouldn’t think about Ayurvedic fundamentals?

The present market for herbal drugs is estimated about ?40 billion, which is expected to increase by 16% in next 3-4 years. The current production of many Ayurvedic herbs is less than their market demand, which incentivizes adulteration in the Ayurvedic drug supply chain. The present work aims to highlight the most used Ayurvedic plants that have been listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature's "red list" of endangered or vulnerable plants. The future of Ayurvedic medicines from these listed plants is uncertain, as the collection of herbs from their natural habitat is prohibited and their cultivation does not meet market demands. Many of these plants, such as Taxus baccata and T. wallichiana, are endangered and are only grown in their natural habitats;their cultivation in other areas is impractical. This is the present state, and will worsen as demand continues to grow, with increasing populations and increasing adoption of this system of medicine. It is possible that in coming years most of the Ayurvedic drugs will be adulterated, and will cause only side effects rather than the therapeutic effects. The Ayurvedic fundamentals are under-explored areas where the Ayurvedic practitioners and research scientists can work together. The scientific work on the basic principles will unravel many unknown or little-known facts of this ancient science. Hence, the present review emphasizes the conservation of Ayurvedic herbs, minimization of the use of medicinal plants and the promotion of the research based on Ayurvedic fundamentals.

Studies on metals and pesticide content in some Ayurvedic formulations containing Bacopa monnieri L.

OBJECTIVE： Ayurvedic formulations are preferred over other formulations as well as commercialized on broad level to treat various ailments. The World Health Organization has established certain guidelines for quality control of heavy metals and pesticide residues. Bacopa monnieri, a popular herb with immunomodulator and memory-enhancing properties is the chief constituent of several Ayurvedic formulations, which include Brahmi Vati （BV）, Brahmi Ghrita （BG） and Saraswat Churna （SC）, etc. In view of the World Health Organization guidelines, two products of each formulation from six different manufacturers were purchased from Ayurvedic Pharmacy, Bulanala-Varanasi, India for testing heavy metal and pesticide residue. METHODS： In the present study, all the formulations--BY, BG and SC--were selected for estimation of four heavy metals namely lead （Pb）, cadmium （Cd）, chromium （Cr） and nickel （Ni） by a plasma emission spectrophotometer. Organochlorine pesticidal residues were estimated for dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane, isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane （HCH） and a-endosulfan, etc. in total 12 samples of test formulations containing Bacopa monnieri L. using gas chromatography technique. RESULTS： Out of 12 samples, Pb, Cd, Cr and Ni were present in all samples but below the permissible limit. Although atrazine, aldrin, dialdrin were in below detection limit, but other pesticides were detected in some samples as oxamyl, hexachlorocyclohexanes （α-HCH, β-HCH and y-HCH）, dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane and dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethylene. CONCLUSION： The presence of heavy metals in evaluation of heavy metals and pesticide residue the formulations was low to cause toxicity. However n every batch is necessary.

Formulation of Ayurvedic Medicines and Extracts of Medicinal Plants as an Alternative Therapeutic Treatment Option for Nephrolithiasis

The incidence of nephrolithiasis,commonly known as kidney stone,is increasing worldwide with significant health and economic burden.Approximately 2 million people every year in India are affected by kidney stones.It affects all ages,genders,and races,but between the ages of 20 and 49 years,it affects most frequently in men than women.Different types of stones include calcium stones,cysteine stones,struvite or magnesium ammonium phosphate stones,uric acid stones,and drug-induced stones.This review article provides information about general pathophysiology,epidemiology,clinical presentation,and pharmacological treatment,which includes ayurvedic and herbal medicines for nephrolithiasis.Further understanding of the pathophysiological link between nephrolithiasis and systemic disorders is necessary for the development of new therapeutic options.

一带一路视野下传统医药的互联共存——以印度阿育吠陀医药、中医药和藏医药为例

传统医药是指在欧洲文艺复兴之前形成且传承至今,在当代医疗实践中仍有应用的医药体系。作为世界传统医药中最具融合特色的三种医药体系,印度阿育吠陀医药、中医药及藏医药以古丝绸之路与佛教为纽带和载体,从理论到实践皆存在诸多相通之处。文章从三者形成与发展的历史文化渊源出发,比较其医学理论、诊治方法、三果汤的应用,提出了在"一带一路"重大历史机遇下,三大传统医药体系相互合作与交流,进一步提高和完善各自的理论体系及诊疗技术,促进传统医药的传承与发展,为人类健康事业贡献力量之期望。

藏医药与印度传统医药对三果汤传统应用及现代研究概述

来源于印度的三果汤由余甘子、诃子和毛诃子组成,它不仅是使用频率最高的著名印度传统药配方,而且还是二十五味余甘子丸等众多常用藏药复方的基础方,被收载于《中华人民共和国卫生部药品标准.藏药(第一册)》(1995年版)中。近年来,我国和印度学者对三果汤化学、药理研究和临床应用均取得了成果,尤其在抗疲劳、抗氧化、防治高原红细胞增多症等方面,三果汤均具有一定的治疗和预防保健作用。对此,本文介绍了三果汤在印度传统医药和藏医药应用中的异同,并对三果汤的化学成分、质量控制、药理作用、临床应用和现代制剂开发利用情况进行了总结,提出要在学习借鉴印度传统医学经验基础上,应结合藏医药、印度传统医药理论和临床特点,开展体现传统医药整体性的三果汤药效物质基础和配伍规律的现代研究。

《印度阿育吠陀药典》所载169味单味药的介绍

目的:分析《印度阿育吠陀药典》中169味单味药的特点,为我国拓展新药源和增添新主治提供参考。方法:全面介绍《印度阿育吠陀药典》中169味单味药的梵语药名、植物学名(科名)、中文药名、药用部位、在阿育吠陀中的治疗用途、在印度的分布情况、在其他国家和地区的分布或栽培(引种)情况以及在其他国家和地区的主要治疗病种,从而分析169味单味药的分布情况、科名特点、药用部位和主治特点。结果:169味单味药中的药味大都分布于热带和亚热带地区,其中有116味单味药在印度各地都有分布(含引种或栽培)和药用,51味单味药仅在印度有分布,21味单味药在我国有分布且有药用,10味单味药在我国有分布但没有药用,1味单味药在我国有药用但没有分布。在我国,云南、广东、广西、福建等地是分布和使用阿育吠陀单味药较多的几个省(区);斯里兰卡、越南、马来西亚等是种植和使用阿育吠陀单味药较多的几个国家。169味单味药的原植物来源于大戟科、豆科、伞形科和桑科等。药用部位多为根及根茎。常用于治疗的疾病类别有消化系统疾病、呼吸系统疾病、"症状、体征和临床与实验室异常所见,不可归类在他处者"、皮肤和皮下组织疾病、泌尿生殖系统疾病、血液疾病等;特色诊治的疾病有体风素失衡引起的疾病、间歇热、黏液素失衡引起的疾病、三病素失衡引起的疾病等。结论:本文所涉及的169味单味药多分布于热带和亚热带地区,多用于治疗消化系统疾病;该研究可为我国引种和栽培阿育吠陀单味药以及为我国拓展新药源和新用途提供参考。

《印度阿育吠陀药典》所载药物与中国相应传统药物的比较(上)

印度政府(1990～2008年)出版的《印度阿育吠陀药典》(The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India,API),共分两部,第一部7卷,收载单味药540味;第二部2卷,收载成方制剂101个。本文重点简介两部分内容,一是该药典编写内容的体例和特点,整个药典(API)7卷在内的全部单味药的要求和分析;二是对前5卷418味单味药(因我们只有第6和7卷药物品种的名录,未得到全书,故暂不分析)与我国有分布和药用的相应传统药物进行主治(疗效)项的比较,同时指出这些药物在我国的分布地域。结果表明,第1～5卷所载的418味单味药中有299味在我国有分布(含引种或栽培)和药用,包括国际著名的传统药,如番泻叶、檀香、降香、沉香、苏木、诃子和蛇根木等,约占该药典单味药总数(前5卷)的71.5%,其中在《中国药典》一部2010年版正文收载的单味药有56味,另有11味收载于附录;归纳了API所载单味药6个方面值得学习借鉴的特点,这对我国传统药的发掘、研究、开发和进出口贸易均具有深远意义。

Medicinal values of aquatic plant genus Nymphoides grown in Asia: A review

Nymphoides is an aquatic genus consisting about 50 species, of which few were accepted as traditional medicinal plants in Asia. The literature review revealed that Nymphoides species are widely used in Ayurvedic medicine as a popular drug, i.e. Tagara. They are also utilized by the traditional local healers of different Asian countries to treat various diseases, like convulsion, jaundice, fever, headache, etc. According to the in vivo and in vitro pharmacological studies, Nymphoides species have been claimed to possess major biological activities like anticonvulsant, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, cytotoxic, antitumor, etc. Biochemical profiling of different aquatic plants of this genus revealed the presence of some important phytochemicals as polyphenolic component, flavonoids, triterpenes, carbohydrates, glycosides, etc. Several valuable bioactive compounds including ephedrine, coumarin, secoiridoid glucosides, methyl quercetin, ferulic acid, foliamenthoic acid, etc. were also known to be isolated and identified from different Nymphoides species. The aim of this review is to analyze the published report based on the medicinal values of different Asian Nymphoides species, to provide the updated information about the ethnomedicinal, pharmacological as well as the phytochemical properties for the first time.

Pharmacodynamic evaluation for antiplasmodial activity of Holarrhena antidysentrica(Kutaja) and Azadirachta indica(Neemb) in Plasmodium berghei infected mice model

Objective:To investigate in-vivo anti-plasmodial activity of aqueous extracts of plants selected based on the symptomology mentioned in Ayurveda.Methods:The aqueous extracts of Holarrhena antidysentrica(H.antidysentrica)(Kutaja) and Azadirachta indica(A.indica)(Neemb) for their antiplasmodial potential in Plasmodium berghei(P.berghei) infected mice was assessed using Peters four day suppressive test.Both the extracts were administered at 2 dose levels,full dose(1 000 mg/d) and minimized dose(200 mg/d).10~6 P.berghei infected RBCs were injected on day ’0’ and treated from day ’0’ till day ’3’ post-infection,Tail blood smears were collected, giemsa stained and analyzed.The mice were observed for survival and parasitemia was assessed till 50%of mice in control survived.Results:It was observed that the percentage of parasitemia increased gradually in all the groups,with maximum in control group(Day 3-35,Day 9-46.98) and minimum in Chloroquine arm(Day 3-14.06.Day 9-19.92).The percentage of parasitemia was compared using Mann-Whitney U test depicting that all test groups exhibited reduction in parasitemia as compared to control(P-value【0.002 for all groups).These groups showed similar percentage of survival as Chloroquine.Conclusions:The present investigation demonstrated the anti-plasmodial effects of H.antidysentrica and A.indica.which are two most commonly used medicinal plants in Ayurved for treatment of fever.

Nootropic Activity of <i>Caralluma fimbriata</i>Extract in Mice

We investigated the effects of a standardized extract of Caralluma fimbriata Wall (CFE) on learning and memory in mice using various behavioural models. Unusually, CFE exerts both nootropic and anxiolytic effects.

A Strategy to Employ Clitoria ternatea as a Prospective Brain Drug Confronting Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) Against Neurodegenerative Diseases and Depression

Ayurveda is a renowned traditional medicine practiced in India from ancient times and Clitoria ternatea is one such prospective medicinal herb incorporated as an essential constituent in a brain tonic called as medhya rasayan for treating neurological disorders.This work emphasises the significance of the plant as a brain drug there by upholding Indian medicine.The phytochemicals from the root extract were extricated using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry assay and molecular docking against the protein Monoamine oxidase was performed with four potential compounds along with four reference compounds of the plant.This persuades the prospect of C.ternatea as a remedy for neurodegenerative diseases and depression.The in silico assay enumerates that a major compound(Z)-9,17-octadecadienal obtained from the chromatogram with a elevated retention time of 32.99 furnished a minimum binding affinity energy value of-6.5 kcal/mol against monoamine oxidase(MAO-A).The interactions with the amino acid residues ALA 68,TYR 60 and TYR 69 were analogous to the reference compound kaempferol-3-monoglucoside with a least score of-13.90/-12.95 kcal/mol against the isoforms(MAO)A and B.This study fortifies the phytocompounds of C.ternatea as MAO-inhibitors and to acquire a pharmaceutical approach in rejuvenating Ayurvedic medicine.

Development of Commonsense Knowledge Modeling System for Psychological Assessment in Clinical Psycho

According to the Buddhist philosophy, hatred （dosa） is considered as one of the three unwholesome roots which determine the actual immoral quality of volitional states and a conscious thought with its mental factors. Hatred, then, comprises all degrees of repulsion from the faintest trace of ill-humour up to the highest pitch of hate and wrath. Thus, ill-will, evil intention, wickedness, corruption and malice are various expressions and degrees ofdosa. A hateful temperament is said to be due to a predominance of the type of dosa, apo, vayu and semha. Vedic psychology forms the clinical core of mental health counseling in the Ayurvedic medical tradition. According to Ayurvedic medical practises, a person is dominated on one of constitutes type （type ofdosa） namely vata （vayu）, pita （apo） or kapha （semha）. This is known as prakurthi pariksha. Important aspect of identification of constitute type is for diagnosis of mental diseases, because each of constituent type has a list of probable mental diseases. An important area of expertise for many clinical psychologists is psychological assessment. Constructions of information systems using psychological assessment in clinical psychology have a problem of effective communication because of implicit knowledge. This complicates the effective communication of clinical data to the psychologist. In this paper, it presents an approach to modeling commonsense knowledge in clinical psychology in Ayurvedic medicine. It gives three-phase an approach for modeling commonsense knowledge in psychological assessment which enables holistic approach for clinical psychology. Evaluation of the system has shown 77% accuracy.

基于脑神经系统功能的蒙医学三体素理论现代研究

目的:探索蒙医学三体素理论心理学经典功能(心/脑意识功能——感觉、知觉、表象、思维)在脑神经科学意义上的本质属性。方法:通过文献研究法,比较研究三体素理论心理学经典功能内涵与体液体质个体脑神经生理生化功能模式(脑型神经模式、大脑半球化学优势模式、赫依概念与脑神经系统对应关系)假说内涵之间的关联。结果:赫依功能与双侧半球功能相关联,希拉功能主要与左侧半球功能关联,巴达干功能主要与右侧半球功能关联;三体素理论二级功能概念中,五个次级赫依、三个次级希拉、三个次级巴达干之功能与大脑前额叶执行回路、网状激活系统、边缘系统、下丘脑控制、自律神经系统、肠神经系统存在关联;三级功能概念中,发现两组三胞次级体素,即司命赫依-能视希拉-能足巴达干、普行赫依-能成希拉-主靠巴达干,分别支配脑神经系统和心血管系统功能;全部五个次级赫依功能与大脑相关功能区域和神经系统相关解剖结构存在"靶向"联系。结论:三体素理论是一个不仅蕴含脑-神经科学基本原理,而且以自然哲学思辨方法高度概括脑神经系统功能的经典理论假说,其具有耦联心脑功能、整合心身关系、概念定义清晰、理论内涵丰富、层级体系完整、哲理思辨深邃等科学理论品质特征,因此该理论能够科学地阐释人类个体心身关系相关原理及心身疾病发病机制。