Aegle marmelos (L.) Corrêa, commonly known as “Bael,” is a traditionally valued medicinal plant with diverse therapeutic properties. This study evaluates the phytochemical composition and polarity-based bioactivities of A. marmelos whole plant extracts to explore their potential as natural therapeutic agents. Phytochemical screening revealed abundant flavonoids, phenols, tannins, and alkaloids, indicating a rich presence of bioactive compounds. The ethanolic extract exhibited antibacterial activity against selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, showing comparatively higher inhibition against Gram-positive strains such as Staphylococcus aureus (29 mm) and Bacillus cereus (19 mm), and relatively lower inhibition against Gram-negative strains including Pseudomonas aeruginosa (19 mm), Escherichia coli (18 mm), Vibrio parahaemolyticus (14 mm), and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (26 mm) at 50 mg/mL. Strong antioxidant activity was demonstrated through DPPH (71.54±0.21% inhibition), total iron reducing power (70.79 ±0.1%), superoxide radical scavenging (68.34 ± 0.25) and nitric oxide inhibition (69.00 ± 0.89%) assays. The extract also exhibited notable anti-inflammatory activity comparable to standard drugs. Antimycobacterial evaluation revealed dose-dependent inhibition against Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv, reducing relative light units (RLU) by up to 78.36% and 62.02%, respectively, at 250 and 500 μg/mL. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranged between 75 and 100 μg/mL, and time-kill analysis indicated gradual bacteriostatic activity with 51% viability reduction at 24 hours. The brine shrimp lethality assay (LC₅₀ = 96.57 ± 0.66 μg/mL) classified the extract as moderately toxic. Overall, the results highlight A. marmelos ethanolic extract as a promising source of antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimycobacterial agents.
A 59-year-old female patient visited the clinic with complaints of pain in both knee joints, along with mild swelling that had persisted for three months. Radiographic examination revealed Grade II knee osteoarthritis (OA). Her treatment plan included Siddha therapeutic purgation (Agathiyar kulambu ), Siddha internal medications ( Parangipattai maathirai, Sangu Parpam maathirai ), and Siddha external therapies ( Varmam and Thokkanam ). Vata Kesari tailam was specifically selected for Thokkanam therapy. Remarkably, the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome score significantly improved from 19 before treatment to 85 by day 60. The visual analogue scale score also revealed a substantial reduction in pain throughout the treatment period, dropping from eight to two points after the intervention. This notable improvement reflects not only a decrease in pain but also a significant increase in the patient's overall quality of life. Specific metrics indicate considerable progress in critical areas, including activities of daily living (ADL) and participation in sports and recreational activities. The findings of this case report elucidate a noteworthy therapeutic approach for managing osteoarthritis ( Azhal kilvayu ). The case illustrates a comprehensive approach that combines conventional diagnostic assessments with Siddha therapeutic interventions.
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, was first reported in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Its rapid spread, high mutation rate, and challenges in containment led the WHO to declare it a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. Traditional medicine played a supportive role during the COVID-19 pandemic by offering immune-boosting and symptom-relieving remedies, especially in regions with limited access to conventional healthcare. Several countries, including India, have integrated traditional therapies with modern treatment protocols to enhance patient outcomes and reduce disease burden. This review aims to critically synthesize the existing evidence on the efficacy and safety of Ayush interventions in the management of COVID-19 in India. It seeks to qualitatively analyze published literature and clinical trial data, and to develop an evidence map categorizing interventions by type and associated clinical outcomes. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across seven electronic databases, including the National Repository on R D Initiatives of the Ministry of Ayush, WHO COVID-19 dashboard for clinical trials, AYUSH Research Portal, PubMed, Cochrane Library, WHO ICTRP, and CTRI. Studies published between 2019 and June 2024 were considered. A total of 3626 records were identified (2572 from indexed databases and 1054 from trial registries). After removing 640 duplicates, 2986 studies were screened for title and abstract. Following exclusion of 802 records, full-text assessment was performed on the remaining studies. After screening, 304 studies were included in the final review (178 Ayurveda, 22 Siddha, 31 Homeopathy, 22 Unani, and 51 Yoga). Risk of bias was assessed using the ROB 2 and ROBINS-I tools. Data extraction and collation were performed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO. A total of 304 studies were included, comprising 58 (19.1
In Indian traditional medicine systems metals and minerals along with herbs or herbal juices are included in some formulations, viz., parpam, centuram, chunnam, kulampu, ilagam, curanam, tailam, etc., in Siddha and bhasma, racayana, etc., in Ayurveda. The quality control of these drugs involved chemical analysis techniques to determine their identity, purity, potency and safety. The main purpose of this study is to authenticate the mineral ingredients of Tayir cuntc curanam (TCC) viz., Induppu (Rock salt), Valaiyaluppu (Sandevere/Glass salt), Punir (Alkaline salt), Corruppu (Common salt) and Kalluppu (sochal salt/rock salt) through powder X-ray diffractometer (PXRD) and to assess the quality of TCC using the phytomarkers 6-gingerol and stigmasterol. Proximate analysis and mineral identification test were carried out using standard methods. Herbal drug was identified by high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) and the quantification of bioactive compounds 6-gingerol and stigmasterol was completed by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The mineral drugs were analysed by powder X-ray diffractometer analysis (PXRD). Results revealed the composition, purity, crystal phases of the minerals identified by PXRD method and physico-chemical parameters. High performance thin layer chromatography was run to check the presence of the chemical markers of the herbal ingredient (Zingiber officinale rhizome) in TCC and quantified them by HPLC. The PXRD identified the minerals as halite, sylvine, trona, etc. The results of this study positively can be used as base for the identification of above salts and physicochemical standards for the quality assessment of TCC.
A 59-year-old female patient visited the clinic with complaints of pain in both knee joints, along with mild swelling that had persisted for three months. Radiographic examination revealed Grade II knee osteoarthritis (OA). Her treatment plan included Siddha therapeutic purgation (Agathiyar kulambu), Siddha internal medications (Parangipattai maathirai, Sangu Parpam maathirai), and Siddha external therapies (Varmam and Thokkanam). Vata Kesari tailam was specifically selected for Thokkanam therapy. Remarkably, the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome score significantly improved from 19 before treatment to 85 by day 60. The visual analogue scale score also revealed a substantial reduction in pain throughout the treatment period, dropping from eight to two points after the intervention. This notable improvement reflects not only a decrease in pain but also a significant increase in the patient's overall quality of life. Specific metrics indicate considerable progress in critical areas, including activities of daily living (ADL) and participation in sports and recreational activities. The findings of this case report elucidate a noteworthy therapeutic approach for managing osteoarthritis (Azhal kilvayu). The case illustrates a comprehensive approach that combines conventional diagnostic assessments with Siddha therapeutic interventions.
