Background- Plant-based medicinal formulations are an integral part of classical Ayurveda therapeutics. Although Rasashastra is predominantly focused on metals and minerals, many processes such as Shodhana and Marana are incomplete without the herbal-origin drugs. Therefore, plants and herbs are the conjoining part of these two specialty domains. Shalmali (Bombax ceiba L.), mentioned in Rasashastra literature, is revered for its multipotent therapeutic utility. Objectives- This document aims to compile and study references of Shalmali and Mocharasa in classical Rasashastra literature. Further, they were analyzed to gain insights into the rationale present in the pharmacodynamics of the therapeutics of both drugs. Methods- Thirty-two classical Rasashastra texts available in the Central Library of ITRA, Jamnagar, were screened for references of Shalmali and Mocharasa about therapeutics. The collected information of formulations was evaluated and arranged in tabular format for ease of understanding and ready reference. Results- Shalmali along with Mocharasa were found in thirty classical Rasashastra texts, which are used in more than 42 therapeutic indications with 15 parts of the plant. These include Moola, Moola Tvak, Kanda, Kanda Tvak, Veshta, Satva, Pushpa, Beeja, Panchanga, Phala, Patra, Patra Vrinta, Pushpa Vrinta, Kantak, and Toola. Balashalmali and Kutashalmali are also mentioned at very few instances. This indicates their broad-spectrum therapeutic potential in Rasashastra. In the Rasashastra domain, Shalmali has been used in various processes of Parada, Abhraka, Haratala, and Loha. Conclusion: This review can be utilized as a ready handbook regarding the references of Shalmali and Mocharasa in Rasashastra literature. The information revealed here is beneficial for AYUSH stakeholders like Ayurvedic researchers, practitioners, and pharmacists in understanding the action mechanism of Shalmali and Mocharasa.
Background: Shodhana Snehapana is an internal oleation procedure and forms the most crucial component of Purva Karma (Preparatory procedures), as the success of subsequent Shodhana (Purification)procedures depends upon the adequacy of Snehana. Twaka Snigdhata (oiliness of skin) is an important indicator of proper oleation and is traditionally assessed subjectively using Anumana Pramana (Inferential reasoning), such as tactile examination or scratching of the skin. However, subjective assessment lacks standardization and may lead to inaccurate clinical decisions. In the present era, there is a growing need for objective tools to quantify classical Ayurvedic parameters. Objectives: The present study was undertaken to quantitatively assess Twaka Snigdhata during Shodhana Snehapana (Purificatory internal oleation) and to evaluate its relationship with the oleation process using a Digital Skin Moisture Meter. Methods: The study was conducted at Parul Institute of Ayurveda, Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat. Fifty volunteers fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled. Skin oiliness was measured using a Digital Skin Moisture Meterat the midpoint of the volar aspect of the forearm from the first day of Snehapana until the appearance of Samyak Snigdha Lakshanas (clinical features indicating adequate oleation). Result: A significant increase in estimated skin-oiliness scores was observed during Shodhana Snehapana. Compared with Day 1, skin oiliness did not differ significantly on Day 2 (β = 0.040, 95% CI: −0.272–0.352, p = 0.802), whereas significantly higher estimated skin-oiliness scores were observed on Days 3, 4, 5, and 6 (all p < 0.001), indicating progressive increase in oiliness of the skin. Conclusion: The findings suggest that quantitative assessment of skin oiliness may have potential utility as an objective adjunct for monitoring Twaka Snigdhata (oiliness of the skin) during Shodhana Snehapana. Digital assessment of skin oiliness may complement the traditional clinical evaluation of Samyaka Snigdha Lakshanas.
Background: Infertility is an escalating global concern, impacting one-sixth of the reproductive-age population worldwide. Idiopathic oligozoospermia is a common cause of male infertility characterized by low sperm concentration without identifiable etiology in modern medicine. From an Ayurvedic perspective, it may correlate with Kshinashukra. Aim: This prospective interventional case series aims to evaluate the clinical effect of an Ayurvedic treatment protocol in improving semen parameters and FertiQoL scores in patients with Kshinashukra. Materials and Methods: Six cases of primary infertility associated with idiopathic oligozoospermia are reported. The treatment plan included Virechana (therapeutic purgation) followed by oral medication, administered for 33 days. The primary outcome was change in semen parameters, and the secondary outcome comprised change in FertiQoL (Fertility Quality of Life) score. Assessments were performed at baseline, post-treatment and during follow-up. Results: Marked improvement in the sperm concentration of all six patients was observed. The mean sperm concentration increased from 5.83 million/mL to 25.83 million/mL after treatment and was maintained at 27.67 million/mL during follow-up. All participants achieved sperm concentration above the WHO Laboratory Manual, 6th edition 2021 lower fifth percentile reference limit (16 million/mL) after treatment. The FertiQoL score improved from 38.83 ± 4.88 to 60.17 ± 3.54 (mean increase of 21.33 ± 3.98). The intervention was well tolerated, and no adverse events were observed. Conclusion: In this uncontrolled six-patient case series, Virechana followed by oral Ayurvedic medication was associated with increased sperm concentration and improved FertiQoL scores. The mean sperm concentration increased from 5.83 million/mL to 25.83 million/mL post-treatment (+20.00 million/mL) and was sustained at 27.67 million/mL during follow-up. The FertiQoL score improved from 38.83 ± 4.88 to 60.17 ± 3.54. These preliminary findings require confirmation in controlled clinical studies due to the small sample size, lack of a control group, and absence of pregnancy outcome data.
Background: Naath Pottali is a formulation containing Hingulottha Parada (mercury extracted from cinnabar), Shuddha Gandhaka (purified sulfur), Rajata Bhasma (silver ash) and Swarna Makshika Bhasma (copper pyrite ash) processed in Ahiphena Beeja Kashaya (poppy seeds decoction). Due to potential toxicity of heavy metals, acute oral toxicity study was conducted. The study evaluated acute oral response to a single dose of 2000 mg/kg of Naath Pottali in female Wistar rats. Methods and Materials: After approval of Institutional Animal Ethics Committee, two groups of female (nulliparous, non-pregnant) Wistar Albino rats (n=3 per group) were selected. Group 1 (vehicle control) received 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose; Group 2 received single dose of Naath Pottali (2000 mg/kg) suspended in 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose. Animals were observed for body weight, clinical and behavior signs like convulsions or tremors, piloerection, salivation, diarrhea etc. over 14 days. On 15th day, animals were euthanized and the brain, heart, liver, kidney, stomach and intestine were examined for gross and histopathological signs. Results: All three animals in trial group as well as in control group survived, and no signs of mortality or severe clinical side effects were observed. Body weight trajectories were normal. On gross necropsy, no macroscopic abnormalities were observed. In histopathological examination of all three treated animals, moderate (grade 3) lesions were noted: periportal inflammation with steatosis in the liver, focal tubular necrosis with hydropic change in the kidney, coronary congestion without ischemic change in the heart, and hypertrophy of mucosal glands in the stomach. Brain and intestine showed no such signs. Conclusion: Naath Pottali, at the single dose of 2000 mg/kg caused no mortality; this finding cannot be extrapolated to the overall safety of the formulation and histopathological changes in the liver, kidney, heart and stomach indicate potential organ-level stress. Comprehensive dose-response and repeated-dose studies are required to establish safety.
Background: In Ayurvedic treatises, the state of a person’s psyche (Sattva) is shaped by the Triguna (three mental attributes: Sattva, Rajas and Tamas), whose relative predominance determines an individual’s mental constitution, known as Manas Prakriti. Although the Triguna concept has been examined by several psychologists, methodologically rigorous assessment tools developed within Ayurveda remain scarce. Objective: To develop the Manas Prakriti Assessment Inventory (MPAI) and to evaluate its reliability and validity using structured psychometric procedures. Material and Methods: Development comprised systematic item generation, preliminary draft construction, pilot testing, field testing and psychometric analysis. After approval from the Institutional Ethical Committee (Letter No. Dean/2016-17/EC/768), the MPAI was administered to 100 clinically healthy students aged 18-25 years from different departments of Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi; 95 complete responses were analyzed. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha and Guttman’s lambda-2, content validity by a panel of 14 experts, and convergent validity and classification agreement against an existing Manas Prakriti questionnaire. Results: Internal consistency (n = 95) was satisfactory for the Sattvika (Sattva-predominant; Cronbach’s alpha = 0.806) and Rajasika (Rajas-predominant; 0.731) dimensions and acceptable for the Tamasika (Tamas-predominant) dimension (0.684; Guttman’s lambda-2 = 0.706). All 14 experts (9 Ayurveda, 5 psychology) rated the inventory applicable or strongly applicable. In the 71 participants whose Prakriti was classifiable by both instruments, all three MPAI dimensions correlated positively and significantly with the corresponding dimensions of the existing questionnaire (Sattvika r = 0.531, p < 0.001; Rajasika r = 0.356, p < 0.01; Tamasika r = 0.240, p < 0.05), and the two tools assigned the same Manas Prakriti to 76.06% of participants (Gwet’s first-order agreement coefficient [AC1] = 0.75; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.63–0.85). Conclusion: The MPAI shows satisfactory evidence of reliability and convergent validity for assessing mental constitution in healthy university students aged 18-25 years.
