Abstract BACKGROUND: In this study, toxicity analysis of a mercury-based Ayurvedic herbo-metallic preparation, Chandramrit rasa (CR), has been done. CR is used in the treatment of fever, cough, cold, bronchitis, etc. METHODS: To evaluate the subchronic toxicity, three doses: 30, 300, and 600 mg/kg body weight/day of CR were administered daily to male and female albino Wistar rats for 90 days through the oral route. Changes in body weight and feed consumption were monitored weekly. Rats were sacrificed on the 91st day after the completion of the dosing period, and blood and the vital organs were sampled for biochemical, hematological, and histopathological investigation, genotoxicity, expression of oxidative stress-related genes, and metal biodistribution in blood. One-way analysis of variance and Fisher’s exact test were done using GraphPad Prism 3 software. RESULTS: No mortality or severe behavioral changes observed. The body weight and feed intake remained largely unaffected. At high doses, significant changes in biochemical markers were seen. The micronucleus test and comet assay have demonstrated significant DNA damage at the highest doses in male and female rats. Furthermore, mercury was not detected in blood, and hematological parameters were unaffected. Histopathological changes in the liver and kidney, and significant changes in the regulation of oxidative stress-related genes at high doses were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that CR can have toxic effects on long-term oral treatment at very high doses, which is 20 times the therapeutic equivalent dose.
Introduction: Bhunimba ( Andrographis paniculata [Burm. f.] Wall. ex Nees.) has potent therapeutic properties such as anti-inflammatory, hepato-protective, and immunomodulatory effects. Bhunimba kshara, the alkaline substance prepared from Bhunimba, is anticipated to have these properties along with other general properties of Kshara (~substance with alkaline property) , such as Kapha-Medohara, (~alleviation of Kapha and lipids) and Lekhana (~scraping). Being an important formulation, detailed information on its preparation method and physicochemical properties is lacking. This study aims to bridge this gap by outlining a method of preparation for Bhunimba kshara and providing data on its preliminary physicochemical properties. Aim: To prepare Bhunimba kshara using the cotton wick method and to analyze its preliminary physicochemical profile. Materials and Methods: Dried Panchanga (~whole plant) of Bhunimba was procured and authenticated. Three batches of Bhunimba kshara were prepared from its ashes followed by the guidelines of Kshara preparation as mentioned at Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India with some modification. Results: About 13.083% of Kshara was obtained during the first wash, while it was 6.2% in the second wash. The final product was a brown-colored, strong alkaline powder, with a pH of 11.25. The Loss on Drying was 5.96% w/w and Acid Insoluble Ash was 0.97% w/w. Conclusion: The method of repeated washing of ash and decantation using a cotton wick employed in this study may lead to a higher yield of Kshara . Preliminary physicochemical analysis of Kshara revealed its highly alkaline nature, containing iron, sodium, chloride, and potassium salts.
Pancreatitis is the life threatening metabolic pathology of the gastrointestinal system. It progressively damages the pancreas and result in the loss of its functions. The prevalence rate of pancreatitis in India is 7.9 per 10, 0000. For male and female respectively 8.6 and 8 in India. With overall 10 year and 20 year survival rates are estimated to be about 70% to 45% respectively. In the contemporary science the treatment protocol is limited to painkillers, intravenous fluids and pancreatic enzymes. Despite of advance techniques in the allopathic science the prognosis of the disease is unclear. Ayurvedic formulations of mineral complex including a diet and moderate rest have shown excellent result. In this case report a 40 year old male patient a known case of chronic pancreatitis with recurrent abdominal pain which radiates to back, nausea, vomiting, tenderness, anorexia, along with elevated serum amylase level was managed effectively with Ayurvedic medications by the Department of PG Study in Shalyatantra OPD Dr. BRKR Government Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital, Hyderabad. In Ayurveda this condition can be correlated Agnashayashoth which comes under Pittodara. And it was successfully treated with the medications like Shankha vati, Kravyadi ras, Arogyavardgani vati. Within 4 months of treatment patient become normal. There was no pain abdomen, nausea, vomiting, bloating of abdomen. And serum amylase came to its normal level. This shows that Ayurvedic herbo mineral formulations showing promising result in the management of pancreatitis.
Shalakya tantra has given more importance among the eight branches of Ayurveda, for dealing with the vital sense organs located above the Jatru (clavicle), also considered as Uttamanga in Ayurveda. Arshas is described as one of the Asta mahagada roga by Acharyas and also explained fourfold treatment such as Bheshaja, Shastra, Kshara and Agni karma. The Nasa arshas means Arshas located in the nasal cavity causing nasal obstruction. The predominant Dosha is Kapha and Dushya are Twak, Mamsa and Medho dhatus. Nasaarshas can be correlated with nasal polyps. Nasal polyps are non-neoplastic masses of oedematous, prolapsed, pendenculated nasal or sinus mucosa. It can be treated by medical and surgical methods. Prolonged usage of anti-histaminics, steroids, antibiotics, nasal decongestants cause drug resistance, decreases the immunity, rebound congestion and there is a lot of chance for reoccurrence, even after the surgery especially in ethmoidal polyp. In Ayurveda the treatment modalities given are Apatarpana chikitsa, Vata anulomaka, Bala and Agni vardhaka chikitsa. Here the present case study was planned to evaluate the efficacy of Yava kshara nasa pichu, Shikhari taila nasya and Shamana oushadhas. Over all there is a significant improvement in the condition. Through Ayurveda we can treat nasal polyps non invasive, cost effectively and improving the quality of life.
Shalakyatantra, one of the eight branches of Ayurveda deals with diseases above the level of the clavicle, i.e., Urdhwajatru. In that, there are twenty-eight Karnarogas as described by Acharya Sushruta, Yogratnakara, and Bhavprakasha. Karnaksweda is one of the Karnaroga that resembles Karnanada, but there is vitiation of Pittadi doshas with a predominance of Vata in the channels of Karna, leading to the generation of Venughoshavata, i.e., flute-like sound, because of different etiological factors like Dhatu Kshayaa, Ruksha Bhojana, etc. In modern science, tinnitus is described as an unwanted auditory perception of internal origin, usually localised, and rarely heard by others. It can be subjective, when experience is of the individual alone, or, less commonly, objective. It, moreover, acts as a symptom rather than a disease with multifactorial etiology. Karnakshweda can be specifically correlated with cochlear synaptic tinnitus, i.e., tinnitus due to inner ear causes. The majority of cases of tinnitus are subjective; objective tinnitus is far less common. Treatment for Karnaksweda is described as the same as for Karnanada, which includes Vatahar Chikitsa, Snehana, Dhoomapana, Karnapoorana, etc., but there is no specific treatment for Tinnitus in modern science because of idiopathic etiopathogenesis. Ayurveda is a more effective science for the management of diseases like tinnitus.
