Uttarakhand Ayurved University is a public state university located at Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India. It was established in 2009 by the Government of Uttarakhand through the Uttarakhand Ayurved University Act, 2009. It focuses on teaching and research of Ayurveda, as well as other areas of AYUSH (Ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy, Unani, Siddha medicine and homoeopathy). Sunil Kumar Joshi was appointed vice chancellor in 2020.
Skin plays a crucial role in protection from the environmental hazards and infections such as bacterial, viral, fungal and harmful UV rays. Conditions like psoriasis, eczema and fungal infections such as Dadru (ringworm) can cause psychological distress and social withdrawal. Following the classical knowledge, Siddharthakadi Agad from the Charaka Samhita was selected as the intervention drug. AIM & OBJECTIVES: - To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Siddharthakadi Agad in Dadru Kushtha and to provide reliable, safe and cost-effective treatment. Materials and Methods: Total 40 patients were registered irrespective of age, gender, religion, occupation etc, from the OPD of PG Department of Agadtantra Rishikul Campus Hospital, Haridwar. Type of study was Single Arm Clinical Study. Total duration of study was 60 days. The dose of Siddharthakadi Agad Vati was 2 tablets after meal and Siddharthakadi Agad Lepa was applied externally. Statistical analysis: For comparison of subjective and objective criteria within same group Wilcoxon sign rank test and Paired t-test respectively were applied before and after the treatment. Result: Siddharthakadi Agad preparation was found to be effective against all the clinical symptoms of Dadru Kushtha. After analysing the data, 36 patients statistically showed highly significant improvement in all the symptoms. Conclusion: Siddharthakadi Agad Gutika and Lepa exhibit antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-allergic, anti-pruritic and immunomodulating properties which collectively reduced inflammation, resolved raised patches and enhanced immunity. The results indicates that treatment based on Ayurvedic principles when administered with appropriate dosage, duration and strict adherence to Pathya and Apathya Ahara leads to successful outcomes in cases of Dadru kustha.
Background: Bilwadi Agad is a classical Ayurvedic formulation indicated for the management of various toxic conditions. Scientific evaluation of its safety is essential before exploring its pharmacological potential. Objective: To evaluate the acute oral toxicity and safety profile of Bilwadi Agad in female Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: The acute oral toxicity study was performed in accordance with OECD Guideline 423 (Annex 2c) using healthy adult female Wistar rats. Animals received a single oral dose of Bilwadi Agad at 300 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg body weight and were observed for 14 days for mortality, clinical signs of toxicity, behavioural and physical changes, body weight variations, and haematological parameters. Results: No mortality or treatment-related toxic effects were observed at either dose during the study period. The animals exhibited normal food and water intake, behaviour, and physical appearance throughout the observation period. Body weight increased progressively in both groups. Haematological parameters, including haemoglobin, RBC, WBC, platelet count, PCV, MCV, MCH, MCHC, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes and eosinophils, remained within normal physiological limits without any dose-related abnormalities. Conclusion: Bilwadi Agad was found to be safe following single oral administration up to the limit dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight in female Wistar rats. The absence of mortality, clinical toxicity, and significant haematological alterations indicates a favourable acute safety profile and supports its further pharmacological evaluation.
Lichens have long been recognized for their therapeutic potential in traditional medicine; however, their secondary metabolites remain far less explored pharmacologically compared to plant-derived bioactive compounds. This review aims to highlight the chemistry and pharmacological applications of the lichen metabolite vulpinic acid (VA). Relevant literature was retrieved from scientific databases including Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar using the keyword “vulpinic acid,” and additional information was gathered through cross-referencing. Historically, VA was first noted for its toxic effects on wolves and foxes, but subsequent studies have revealed its diverse biological activities. It has demonstrated cytotoxic effects against several cancer cell lines, particularly breast and lung cancers, and has shown efficacy against a range of microbial pathogens as well as potential benefits in metabolic disorders. Beyond its direct pharmacological activities, VA is also of interest in medicinal chemistry as a precursor for the synthesis of various bioactive molecules, and methods for its chemical synthesis have been developed to enable commercial production. To date, most studies on VA have been conducted in vitro. Further research in advanced preclinical models is essential to evaluate its therapeutic potential and support its development as a viable drug candidate.
Garbhini Paricharya is a unique concept of Ayurvedic antenatal care that aims at ensuring the physical, psychological, emotional, and social well-being of both mother and fetus. The present review was undertaken to critically analyse the classical principles of Garbhini Paricharya and correlate them with contemporary concepts of antenatal care. Relevant references from classical Ayurvedic texts, modern obstetric literature, and published research studies related to maternal nutrition, fetal development, lifestyle modifications, and mental health during pregnancy were reviewed and analysed. The review reveals that the dietary recommendations described by various Acharyas, including Madhura, Snigdha, and Drava Aahara, Ksheera, Ghrita, and Mamsa Rasa, provide nutritional support essential for maternal health, fetal growth, neurodevelopment, and metabolic adaptation during pregnancy. Guidelines related to Vihara emphasise adequate rest, personal hygiene, suitable physical activity, and avoidance of excessive exertion, which correspond with modern preventive antenatal practices. Similarly, Achara promotes emotional stability, positive behaviour, spiritual practices, and social support, which are now recognised as important determinants of maternal mental health and favourable pregnancy outcomes. The precautionary measures described in Ayurveda regarding diet, lifestyle, and behaviour also reflect an early understanding of factors that may adversely affect fetal growth and development. Thus, the principles of Garbhini Paricharya demonstrate remarkable relevance when interpreted in the light of modern obstetric and physiological knowledge. Integrating these classical concepts with contemporary antenatal care may provide a holistic, preventive, and patient-centred approach for promoting healthy motherhood, optimal fetal development, and the achievement of Supraja Janana.
Background: Inflammation is a protective response to tissue injury and infection; however, persistent inflammation contributes to the development of various chronic diseases. Although conventional anti-inflammatory drugs are effective, their prolonged use is associated with several adverse effects, necessitating the search for safer therapeutic alternatives. Bilwadi Agad, a classical polyherbal formulation, contains medicinal plants with reported anti-inflammatory properties. The present study was undertaken to evaluate its anti-inflammatory efficacy in an experimental model. Objective: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory efficacy of Bilwadi Agad against carrageenan-induced paw edema in Wistar albino rats. Methods: Eighteen Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 6): control (0.25% CMC), Bilwadi Agad (200 mg/kg, p.o.) and indomethacin (10 mg/kg, p.o.). Acute inflammation was induced by subplantar injection of 1% carrageenan, and paw edema was measured using a digital plethysmometer at predetermined time intervals. Results: Treatment with Bilwadi Agad significantly reduced carrageenan-induced paw edema compared with the control group. The reduction became evident from the 2nd hour and continued up to the 9th hour, indicating significant anti-inflammatory activity. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory activity of Bilwadi Agad in the carrageenan-induced paw edema model in Wistar albino rats.
