Journal of Ayurveda and Holistic Medicine (JAHM) Impact factor SJIF (2012): 3.167

Background: Arthritis and various musculo-skeletal disorders are the leading causes of disability in persons between 18 to 65 years of age and are common causes of disability related to employment. Among them ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic, systemic, inflammatory disease that affects primarily the sacroiliac joints and spine with the symptoms of muscular spasm, stiffness and limitation of movement of spine. It is classified under seronegative spondyloarthritic disease.Traditional practice of Ashtavaidyan Ayurveda line of management has been tried to evaluate the efficacy in ankylosing spondylitis.A combined treatment with internal medication and external therapeutic procedures of Ayurveda has been taken up to assess the evaluate the effect on the functional improvement and safety in ankylosing spondylitis.

Methodology:

Diagnosed cases of ankylosing spondylitis(n=30) (20-60 yrs) have undergone the prescribed classical Ashtavaidyan Ayurvedic therapy;the total study period was 57 days which included 21 days each at inpatient and outpatient basis and 15 days of follow up. Initially Pizhichil (Kayaseka)with Ketakeemooladi Taila with Panchatiktaka Ghrita was performed along with internal medications for first 7 days later same internal medication is continued with Sathaila Tila Pinda Sweda and followed by PanchatikthakaKsheera Basti for last 7 days.  Same internal medicines and oil application were continued for next 21 days on outpatient basis and Balaguluchyadi Taila was applied regularly on scalp for all these days.

Result: The response of treatment was assessed periodically with respective parameters and was showed significant improvement. The functional improvement was evaluated by using the BASDAI score, DAS-28 score, disability index, SF-36 (quality of life index) and global assessment of disease activity scale and it was that there were significant changes in all the above scales.  The laboratory parameters used to evaluate the liver and kidney functions did not show any significant change that indicates the prescribed treatment is safe.

Conclusion: Traditional Ashtavaidyan Ayurveda therapy is s effective in improving functional ability in Vatarakta vis-à-vis ankylosingpondylitis over a period of 42 days. Moreover, there was no adverse drug reaction recorded during as well there was no significant change observed in liver and renal function tests.

Keywords: Ayurveda, ankylosing spondylitis, Vatarakta, Pizhichil, Gandarvasthadi Kashaya, Kethakeemooladi Taila, Ksheera basthi, HLA-B27

ABSTRACT:

Background: Senile cataract is an age related vision threatening disease. It affects 12 to 15 million persons worldwide. In India approximately 3.38 million persons become blind from cataract every year. Senile immature cataract closely resembles the symptoms of Timira involving Prathama and Dwithiya patala. At present there is no time tested and proven medical treatment to delay, prevent or reverse the development of senile cataract. The present research work is aimed to evaluate easy, cost effective and prevent the deterioration of sight. Aims: To evaluate the efficacy of Patoladi ghrita pana and Punarnavadi anjana in the management of Timira. Research Design: Comparative clinical study Methods and Material: A total of 40 patients who are fulfilling the diagnostic and inclusion criteria were selected randomly and allotted in to 20 patients in each group. Group ‘A’ patients were treated with Patoladi gritha internally and Group ‘B’ patients were treated with Punarnavadi Anjana external application. Statistical analysis used: The data were graded based on standard methods and analyzed statistically using Paired ’t’ and Unpaired ’t’ tests. Results: Both the groups have shown statistically significant results. Group B patients showed better response when compared to group A. Conclusion: Both medicines were found to be effective in reducing the severity of the symptoms but were not sufficient enough to improve the visual acuity to higher extent and density of opacity. Patients with immature cataract with short duration showed better response when compared to that of longer duration.

Key Words: Timira, Patoladi ghrita, Punarnavadi Anjana, Senile cataract.

Kidney being a major organ of excretion, is susceptible to the damage caused due to variety of toxins such as xenobiotics, drugs, environmental toxins etc. Nephrotoxicity is impairment of renal function which occurs due to adverse effects of these toxins on kidney. Oxidative stress is implicated as one of the mechanisms of drug induced nephrotoxicity. Drug induced nephrotoxicity (DIN) can be correlated with the concept of gara visha in Ayurveda. Shotha is one of the important manifestations found in gara visha as well as drug induced nephrotoxicity. Vishaghna dravyas from Charakokt mahakashays possess shothaghna, raktashodhak, tridoshashamak and mutral properties. Also, these dravyas have been reported for antioxidant and nephroprotective potential. Hence, these vishaghna dravyas from Charakokt mahakashays can be useful in Garavishajanya Shotha as well as drug induced nephrotoxicity. This review article is an attempt to discuss the role of vishaghna dravyas as antioxidant and gara vishaghna in oxidative stress induced nephrotoxicity with special reference to Garavishajanya Shotha.

KEY WORDS: DIN, Oxidative Stress, Antioxidants, Garavishajanya Shotha, Vishaghna Dravyas, Charakokt Mahakashay.

Infertility is defined as the failure to conceive after a year of regular intercourse without contraception. Nowadays, the problem of infertility is becoming a great threat to human society. Globally, infertility incidence rate is about 15% which varies in different population. Infertility affects about 10% of Indian population. Causes of infertility lies on both male and female factors (40%-30%).

In Ayurveda infertility refers to biological inability of couple in reproductive age to contribute to conception and also a state of women who is unable to carry pregnancy to fullterm.Infertility arises when shukradhatu does not get the proper nutrition which can happen due to unhealthy food habits and modern life style. Intake of junk foods, artificial colouring and flavouring agents, alcohol and other addictions etc. which may alter the digestion and metabolism and can lead to accumulation of toxins in the body.

In AgadaTantra,sukrasankshaya, shanda, santhanadoshaare considered as the main complications in the various concepts like dooshivisha, virudhaahara, garavisha, kritrimavisha, madatyaya etc.It is the need of the hour to interpret the relation between these concepts and infertility, hence an attempt has been made through this paper and also to think on the same lines when it comes to treating a case of infertility.

Most of the metabolic processes including detoxification of various drugs and xenobiotics occur in the liver. During the detoxification process the reactive chemical intermediates damage the liver. Drug induced hepatotoxicity causes liver damage due to oxidative stress. Hepatotoxicity is an injury to the liver that is associated with impaired liver functions and is a major concern at present. In this modern era, herbal antioxidants have attracted the researches due to its potential and efficacy against drug induced liver injury. Ayurveda describe Vishaghna dravyas as they possess the property to pacify the visha (Toxin) and prevent the reoccurrence of toxic manifestations. Hepatoprotective and Antioxidant activity of Vishaghna Dravyas in Charakokta Mahakashaya has been reported. Most of the Vishaghna dravyas shows pharmacological actions like Shothaghna, Raktashodhaka, Tridoshashamaka, Pittashamaka etc. Drug induced hepatotoxicity can be correlated with the concept of Garavisha in ayurveda. Shotha is one of the manifestations found in Garavisha as well as DIH. Hence Vishaghna dravyas in Charakokta Mahakashaya can be useful in Garavishajanya Shotha and DIH. This review article is an attempt to discuss role of Vishaghna dravyas from Charakokta Mahakashaya as Antioxidant and Garavishaghna in oxidative stress induced hepatotoxicity with special reference to Garavishjanya Shotha.

KEY WORDS: Garavishajanya Shotha, DIH, Oxidative Stress, Antioxidants, Vishaghna Dravyas, Charakokta Mahakashaya.

Ayurveda, the science of life is being practiced by Aryans from Vedic period. Arsenic compounds are popularly used in Ayurveda therapeutics since centuries. Haratala, Manahshila and Somala are important arsenic compounds used in Ayurveda. Haratala being important among them is commonly used in treating the diseases like Sleshmaroga, Raktapitta, Vatarakta, Kustha etc. Haratala is called orpiment of yellow arsenic with two molecules of Arsenic and three molecules of Sulphur (AS₂S₃). Haratala (Arsenic) is a poison which vary with the type and concentration of the poison. Haratala consumed without proper Shodhana shortens the life span, causes diseases of Kapha and Vata, Prameha, Santapa, Spotha, Snayu Sankocha. Hence Shodhana of Haratala is essential. Shodhana is the process of removal of physical, chemical impurities and potentiating of the drugs. Generally Shuddha Haratala is not given alone. It is administered along with herbal drugs or in the form of Rasamanikya or also as a main ingredient in most of the popular formulations like Samirapannaga Rasa, Vatagajankusha Rasa etc. There are different medias explained in literature for Shodhana of Haratala. According to the media of purification the quality and pharmacological properties of Haratala will vary. Depending on the change in properties the therapeutic effect may also vary. The present study includes the introduction of Haratala, origin of Haratala, types, properties, uses, Ashudha Haratala Guna, its management, modern review of Haratal and different Shodana Dravyas is explained.

Asthma is a non-communicable chronic lung disease, characterized by airway inflammation, airway obstruction mainly due to muscle spasm, associated with edema and stagnation of the mucus, Airway hyper-reactivity to aerobiologicals and irritants, airway remodeling in uncontrolled asthma. Ayurveda texts have described five types of Shwasa Roga and among them five, Tamaka Shwasa is one which is a “Swatantra” Vyadhi i.e. independent disease entity having its own etiological factor, patho-physiology and management. It is mentioned as Yapya Vyadhi i.e. a disease of chronic nature Charaka Samhita, while Sushruta considered it as Krichchra Sadhya Vyadhi. Tamaka Shwasa is basically a disorder of Praanavaha Srotasa while other Srotasa are also vitiated. The present effort is intended to study the efficacy of such formulations in reducing the sign and symptoms of childhood asthma. A case of 12 year old male patient who presented features of Tamaka Shwasa (Bronchial Asthma) was treated by internal Ayurvedic Medicine, Shwasahara Dashemani Churna showed marked improvement in cardinal feature such as breathlessness, cough, Awaking in night etc. and some hematological Parameters, discussed here. After 8 weeks of Follow up no episodes of above complaints have been reported.

Key Words – Bronchial Asthma, Shwasahara Dashemani Churna, Tamaka Shwasa

With the rising socioeconomic standards, Diabetes mellitus is becoming country’s fastest growing disease burden over 16 years to 2016. Acc. To WHO, India had 69.2 million people living with diabetes in 2015 and by 2030, nearly 98 million people in India may have type 2 diabetes. Scientists are still continuing to develop improved treatment options to give people with diabetes the best possible quality of life. Recognising the potential of ayurveda for treating metabolic diseases, the present clinical study was done in which patient of diabetes mellitus was managed with ayurvedic formulations. The drugs were given in adequate doses for 3 months along with pathya (SAT-H.2) ahara (SAT-H.1) vihara (dietary advice and day regimen)(SAT-J.58). Follow up was done after every 1 month. The patient showed marked improvement with the ayurvedic drugs. So it was concluded that the drugs selected have very good hypoglycemic activity so can be used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Background: Arthritis and various musculo-skeletal disorders are the leading causes of disability in persons between 18 to 65 years of age and are common causes of disability related to employment. Among them ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic, systemic, inflammatory disease that affects primarily the sacroiliac joints and spine with the symptoms of muscular spasm, stiffness and limitation of movement of spine. It is classified under seronegative spondyloarthritic disease.Traditional practice of Ashtavaidyan Ayurveda line of management has been tried to evaluate the efficacy in ankylosing spondylitis.A combined treatment with internal medication and external therapeutic procedures of Ayurveda has been taken up to assess the evaluate the effect on the functional improvement and safety in ankylosing spondylitis.

Methodology:

Diagnosed cases of ankylosing spondylitis(n=30) (20-60 yrs) have undergone the prescribed classical Ashtavaidyan Ayurvedic therapy;the total study period was 57 days which included 21 days each at inpatient and outpatient basis and 15 days of follow up. Initially Pizhichil (Kayaseka)with Ketakeemooladi Taila with Panchatiktaka Ghrita was performed along with internal medications for first 7 days later same internal medication is continued with Sathaila Tila Pinda Sweda and followed by PanchatikthakaKsheera Basti for last 7 days.  Same internal medicines and oil application were continued for next 21 days on outpatient basis and Balaguluchyadi Taila was applied regularly on scalp for all these days.

Result: The response of treatment was assessed periodically with respective parameters and was showed significant improvement. The functional improvement was evaluated by using the BASDAI score, DAS-28 score, disability index, SF-36 (quality of life index) and global assessment of disease activity scale and it was that there were significant changes in all the above scales.  The laboratory parameters used to evaluate the liver and kidney functions did not show any significant change that indicates the prescribed treatment is safe.

Conclusion: Traditional Ashtavaidyan Ayurveda therapy is s effective in improving functional ability in Vatarakta vis-à-vis ankylosingpondylitis over a period of 42 days. Moreover, there was no adverse drug reaction recorded during as well there was no significant change observed in liver and renal function tests.

Keywords: Ayurveda, ankylosing spondylitis, Vatarakta, Pizhichil, Gandarvasthadi Kashaya, Kethakeemooladi Taila, Ksheera basthi, HLA-B27

ABSTRACT:

Background: Senile cataract is an age related vision threatening disease. It affects 12 to 15 million persons worldwide. In India approximately 3.38 million persons become blind from cataract every year. Senile immature cataract closely resembles the symptoms of Timira involving Prathama and Dwithiya patala. At present there is no time tested and proven medical treatment to delay, prevent or reverse the development of senile cataract. The present research work is aimed to evaluate easy, cost effective and prevent the deterioration of sight. Aims: To evaluate the efficacy of Patoladi ghrita pana and Punarnavadi anjana in the management of Timira. Research Design: Comparative clinical study Methods and Material: A total of 40 patients who are fulfilling the diagnostic and inclusion criteria were selected randomly and allotted in to 20 patients in each group. Group ‘A’ patients were treated with Patoladi gritha internally and Group ‘B’ patients were treated with Punarnavadi Anjana external application. Statistical analysis used: The data were graded based on standard methods and analyzed statistically using Paired ’t’ and Unpaired ’t’ tests. Results: Both the groups have shown statistically significant results. Group B patients showed better response when compared to group A. Conclusion: Both medicines were found to be effective in reducing the severity of the symptoms but were not sufficient enough to improve the visual acuity to higher extent and density of opacity. Patients with immature cataract with short duration showed better response when compared to that of longer duration.

Key Words: Timira, Patoladi ghrita, Punarnavadi Anjana, Senile cataract.

Kidney being a major organ of excretion, is susceptible to the damage caused due to variety of toxins such as xenobiotics, drugs, environmental toxins etc. Nephrotoxicity is impairment of renal function which occurs due to adverse effects of these toxins on kidney. Oxidative stress is implicated as one of the mechanisms of drug induced nephrotoxicity. Drug induced nephrotoxicity (DIN) can be correlated with the concept of gara visha in Ayurveda. Shotha is one of the important manifestations found in gara visha as well as drug induced nephrotoxicity. Vishaghna dravyas from Charakokt mahakashays possess shothaghna, raktashodhak, tridoshashamak and mutral properties. Also, these dravyas have been reported for antioxidant and nephroprotective potential. Hence, these vishaghna dravyas from Charakokt mahakashays can be useful in Garavishajanya Shotha as well as drug induced nephrotoxicity. This review article is an attempt to discuss the role of vishaghna dravyas as antioxidant and gara vishaghna in oxidative stress induced nephrotoxicity with special reference to Garavishajanya Shotha.

KEY WORDS: DIN, Oxidative Stress, Antioxidants, Garavishajanya Shotha, Vishaghna Dravyas, Charakokt Mahakashay.

Infertility is defined as the failure to conceive after a year of regular intercourse without contraception. Nowadays, the problem of infertility is becoming a great threat to human society. Globally, infertility incidence rate is about 15% which varies in different population. Infertility affects about 10% of Indian population. Causes of infertility lies on both male and female factors (40%-30%).

In Ayurveda infertility refers to biological inability of couple in reproductive age to contribute to conception and also a state of women who is unable to carry pregnancy to fullterm.Infertility arises when shukradhatu does not get the proper nutrition which can happen due to unhealthy food habits and modern life style. Intake of junk foods, artificial colouring and flavouring agents, alcohol and other addictions etc. which may alter the digestion and metabolism and can lead to accumulation of toxins in the body.

In AgadaTantra,sukrasankshaya, shanda, santhanadoshaare considered as the main complications in the various concepts like dooshivisha, virudhaahara, garavisha, kritrimavisha, madatyaya etc.It is the need of the hour to interpret the relation between these concepts and infertility, hence an attempt has been made through this paper and also to think on the same lines when it comes to treating a case of infertility.

Most of the metabolic processes including detoxification of various drugs and xenobiotics occur in the liver. During the detoxification process the reactive chemical intermediates damage the liver. Drug induced hepatotoxicity causes liver damage due to oxidative stress. Hepatotoxicity is an injury to the liver that is associated with impaired liver functions and is a major concern at present. In this modern era, herbal antioxidants have attracted the researches due to its potential and efficacy against drug induced liver injury. Ayurveda describe Vishaghna dravyas as they possess the property to pacify the visha (Toxin) and prevent the reoccurrence of toxic manifestations. Hepatoprotective and Antioxidant activity of Vishaghna Dravyas in Charakokta Mahakashaya has been reported. Most of the Vishaghna dravyas shows pharmacological actions like Shothaghna, Raktashodhaka, Tridoshashamaka, Pittashamaka etc. Drug induced hepatotoxicity can be correlated with the concept of Garavisha in ayurveda. Shotha is one of the manifestations found in Garavisha as well as DIH. Hence Vishaghna dravyas in Charakokta Mahakashaya can be useful in Garavishajanya Shotha and DIH. This review article is an attempt to discuss role of Vishaghna dravyas from Charakokta Mahakashaya as Antioxidant and Garavishaghna in oxidative stress induced hepatotoxicity with special reference to Garavishjanya Shotha.

KEY WORDS: Garavishajanya Shotha, DIH, Oxidative Stress, Antioxidants, Vishaghna Dravyas, Charakokta Mahakashaya.

Ayurveda, the science of life is being practiced by Aryans from Vedic period. Arsenic compounds are popularly used in Ayurveda therapeutics since centuries. Haratala, Manahshila and Somala are important arsenic compounds used in Ayurveda. Haratala being important among them is commonly used in treating the diseases like Sleshmaroga, Raktapitta, Vatarakta, Kustha etc. Haratala is called orpiment of yellow arsenic with two molecules of Arsenic and three molecules of Sulphur (AS₂S₃). Haratala (Arsenic) is a poison which vary with the type and concentration of the poison. Haratala consumed without proper Shodhana shortens the life span, causes diseases of Kapha and Vata, Prameha, Santapa, Spotha, Snayu Sankocha. Hence Shodhana of Haratala is essential. Shodhana is the process of removal of physical, chemical impurities and potentiating of the drugs. Generally Shuddha Haratala is not given alone. It is administered along with herbal drugs or in the form of Rasamanikya or also as a main ingredient in most of the popular formulations like Samirapannaga Rasa, Vatagajankusha Rasa etc. There are different medias explained in literature for Shodhana of Haratala. According to the media of purification the quality and pharmacological properties of Haratala will vary. Depending on the change in properties the therapeutic effect may also vary. The present study includes the introduction of Haratala, origin of Haratala, types, properties, uses, Ashudha Haratala Guna, its management, modern review of Haratal and different Shodana Dravyas is explained.

Asthma is a non-communicable chronic lung disease, characterized by airway inflammation, airway obstruction mainly due to muscle spasm, associated with edema and stagnation of the mucus, Airway hyper-reactivity to aerobiologicals and irritants, airway remodeling in uncontrolled asthma. Ayurveda texts have described five types of Shwasa Roga and among them five, Tamaka Shwasa is one which is a “Swatantra” Vyadhi i.e. independent disease entity having its own etiological factor, patho-physiology and management. It is mentioned as Yapya Vyadhi i.e. a disease of chronic nature Charaka Samhita, while Sushruta considered it as Krichchra Sadhya Vyadhi. Tamaka Shwasa is basically a disorder of Praanavaha Srotasa while other Srotasa are also vitiated. The present effort is intended to study the efficacy of such formulations in reducing the sign and symptoms of childhood asthma. A case of 12 year old male patient who presented features of Tamaka Shwasa (Bronchial Asthma) was treated by internal Ayurvedic Medicine, Shwasahara Dashemani Churna showed marked improvement in cardinal feature such as breathlessness, cough, Awaking in night etc. and some hematological Parameters, discussed here. After 8 weeks of Follow up no episodes of above complaints have been reported.

Key Words – Bronchial Asthma, Shwasahara Dashemani Churna, Tamaka Shwasa

With the rising socioeconomic standards, Diabetes mellitus is becoming country’s fastest growing disease burden over 16 years to 2016. Acc. To WHO, India had 69.2 million people living with diabetes in 2015 and by 2030, nearly 98 million people in India may have type 2 diabetes. Scientists are still continuing to develop improved treatment options to give people with diabetes the best possible quality of life. Recognising the potential of ayurveda for treating metabolic diseases, the present clinical study was done in which patient of diabetes mellitus was managed with ayurvedic formulations. The drugs were given in adequate doses for 3 months along with pathya (SAT-H.2) ahara (SAT-H.1) vihara (dietary advice and day regimen)(SAT-J.58). Follow up was done after every 1 month. The patient showed marked improvement with the ayurvedic drugs. So it was concluded that the drugs selected have very good hypoglycemic activity so can be used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.