Background: Telosma pallida (L.) Kurz., is one of the traditional medicinal plants from Asclepiadaceae family. It is abundantly available in Gujarat, India during monsoon. It is a slender and deciduous climber used traditionally in the treatment of various diseases such as cough, cold, skin diseases etc., Aims: To study the leaves of Telosma pallida (L.) Kurz. for detailed Pharmacognostic characters and Analytical Profile. Materials and Methods: In this work pharmacognostic, preliminary phytochemical screening, fluorescence analysis, and HPTLC profile of leaves were determined following standard procedures. Results: The leaves are simple, entire, opposite, cordate in shape, the upper surface is dark green and lower surface is light green in colour. The Transverse section of a leaf through petiole shows the presence of uniseriate multicellular warty trichomes and laticifer cells at the adjacent side of the phloem. Surface study shows paracytic and anomocytic type of stomata. Preliminary physicochemical analysis shows water soluble extractive value as 28.44 ± 2.89% w/w and alcohol soluble extractive value as 14.60 ± 0.79% w/w. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of extracts shows the presence of glycosides, alkaloids, carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids and flavonoids. Conclusion: The information obtained from this research work may be useful to establish the botanical as well as analytical standards for the leaves of T. pallida.

Introduction: Zahar Mohra (Serpentine/Bezoar stone) is mentioned as efficacious and a useful drug indicated in heart diseases in Unani medicine. It is also used to remove effect of poison and is termed in Unani Medicine as Daf-e-Zahar or Fad-e-Zahar (antidote). It acts as preservative of quwa (faculty) and ruh (pneuma). Unani physicians commonly use Zahar Mohra (ZM) in Kushta (Calcined) form, because the Kushta gives quick and potent response. In this work owing to its beneficial and efficacious use, Kushta-e-Zahar Mohra (KZM) was prepared as per contemporary methods and was subjected to preliminary physicochemical analysis to develop a standard. Materials and Methods: KZM was prepared as per contemporary method (Muffle furnace) by simulation of the heat pattern as per classical texts/method and its physico-chemical and instrumental analysis including XRD, ICP-MS and AAS was performed. Statistical analysis used was Mean ± SEM. Results: Prepared Kushta passes the classical Unani specification tests, contemporary test data for various physicochemical parameters were also set in. XRD analysis indicated presence of Mg₂Si O₄ (Magnesium Silicate) and Ca (Cl O)₂. 3H₂O (Calcium Chlorite Hydrate) phase. Conclusions: The study indicates content and physicochemical standards of KZM prepared by contemporary method; it can be a better choice. KZM can be safe for use as acclaimed for heart diseases in Unani System of Medicine.

Background: Preclinical and clinical studies have shown the importance of calorie restriction diet in cardiovascular risk factors such as weight. In this study, our objective is to compare the Naturopathic short-term fasting therapy with low-calorie diet on anthropometric and leptin measures among obese and overweight persons. Materials and Methods: Obese and overweight subjects (n = 84, 59.52% females) with Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥25 were randomized into fasting therapy intervention (n = 42) and a low-calorie diet intervention (n = 42). After a written informed consent, the fasting therapy and low-calorie diet intervention group underwent a very low-calorie diet (288-904 kcal) and a low-calorie diet (1234 kcal) respectively for 10 days. Subjects in both the groups were assessed with serum leptin levels and anthropometric parameters such as BMI, weight, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC) and waist-hip ratio (WHR) at the baseline and after 10 days. Results: Within-group comparison showed both the groups did better in all the parameters. However, greater changes were observed in the fasting group as compared to the low-calorie diet group. Changes in BMI, weight, HC and WC were significantly different in the two groups (P < 0.05), except for serum leptin (P > 0.05). Conclusions: The findings support that, both short-term fasting therapy and a low–calorie diet are beneficial in reducing leptin and anthropometric parameters among obese or overweight subjects. However, long-term adherence of weight loss with these interventions need to be tested with future studies.

Context: With a rising need for development of drugs that are effective with multifaceted therapeutics for the treatment of depression and the associated behavioral changes, brāhmī ghr̥ta offers a choice of treatment. The challenge of palatability of ghr̥ta in therapeutic dose of 20 to 40 g per day can be overcome by potentiation and the same was tested in the present study. Aims: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of 1x Brāhmī Ghr̥ta (BG) and 10x BG in Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) induced behavioral alterations. Settings and Design: Randomized Controlled preclinical trial. Materials and Methods: Self prepared and standardized 1x Brāhmī ghr̥ta (3.6 g/kg) and 10x BG (3.6, 1.8 and 0.9 g/kg) were evaluated in CUMS induced behavioral changes in rats by using sucrose preference (SPT), forced swim (FST), and memory assessment with elevated plus maze (EPM) tests. Statistical Analysis Used: One-way ANOVA followed by Post hoc analysis. Results: 28 days CUMS procedure induced depression in rats which was confirmed. Upon comparison with CUMS control group, 1x BG and 10x BG, at all three dose levels, increased the sucrose preference (P < 0.05); in forced swim test increased the number of rotations (P < 0.001) and in elevated plus maze test significantly lowered the transfer latency time in retention transfer latency [1X BG (P < 0.05) and10X BG (P < 0.001)]. Further, 10x BG at all 3 dose levels showed significantly better results in comparison to 1x BG in FST (P < 0.01) and EPM (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Both the samples of brāhmī ghr̥ta āēapākī (1x) and daśapākī (10x), showed antidepressant effect and reversal of memory impairment induced by CUMS model. This is the first study to report that drug potentiation increases the efficacy and achieves dose reduction.

Background: Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers in women worldwide with 122,844 women are diagnosed every year in India. 67,477 die from the disease. High-quality screening with cytology (Pap smear) has markedly reduced mortality from squamous cell cervical cancer. Objective: Efficacy of Kasīsādi Kṣāra Karma followed by Dārvyādi Yonivarti (Vaginal suppository) in cervical cell pathology was evaluated. Materials and Methods: Total 44 patients with cervical erosion diagnosed by Pap smear test were selected from the outpatient department of Prasutitantra and Streeroga, out of which three patients discontinued. The treatment protocol comprised of Kṣāra Karma by Kasīsādi Kṣāra in one sitting followed by Dārvyādi Yoni Varti of 3 gm once at bed time from next day for 21 days. The assessment was done with subjective criteria and Pap-smear after 45 days. Results: The results were observed to be highly significant in clinical features of disease such as yonitaḥ -srāva (77.67%), yoni-kaṇḍu (84.09%), yoni-dāha (87.5%), kaṭi -śūla (73.41%), udara -śūla ( 79.48%), mūtra- dāha (84%), daurbalya ( 72.34%) and area of erosion (85.96%), appearance of erosion (69.32%). Conclusion:Kasīsādi Kṣāra followed by Dārvyādi Yoni Varti was effective in the management of primitive cervical cell pathology.

Backround: Haemorrhoids are the most common problems of the anal canal due to hereditary, anatomical deformities, exciting causes, diet etc. In Ayurveda, disease arśas which is explained by all the classics can be correlated to haemorrhoids. In modern surgery, different surgical methods are advocated to overcome the haemorrhoids. However, modern management has its own limitations and in that it causes various side effects, recurrence, severe pain etc., Ācārya Suśruta advocates different treatment modalities such as auṣadha (medical), śastra (surgical), kṣāra (alkali cauterization) and agni karma (heat cauterization) in the management of arśas. Aims and Objectives: Considering this, the present study has been undertaken to evaluate the comparative efficacy of Apāmārga Kṣāra Sūtra and Apāmārga Kṣāra Taila in the management of arśas. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 patients enrolled for the study, out of which 30 patients were randomly assigned into first group (control group) and were subjected to Apāmārga Kṣāra Sūtra (AKS). 30 patients were randomly assigned into the second group. In second group, i. e trial group, to obtain efficacious and safe results an innovative method was planned by using Apāmārga Kṣāra Taila basti (AKT). AKT involved administration of oil through anal route. Results: After intervention, it was observed that both AKS and AKT group are found to be equally effective to treat the arśas with reduction in clinical parameters such as bleeding per rectum, pain in ano, protrusion of mass and in constipation. In both the groups, results obtained with the above parameters showed statistically highly significant result with P value < 0.001. Conclusion: Hence, Apāmārga Kṣāra Sūtra and Apāmārga Kṣāra Taila are found to be affective in the management of arśas.

Overweight and obesity have become major health problems that can lead to or aggravate other medical problems such as Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus. Hypothyroidism is defined as failure of the thyroid gland to produce sufficient thyroid hormone to meet the metabolic demands of the body. A female patient aged 36 years and was a housewife reported to the Panchakarma O.P.D. of Rishikul campus, Haridwar with complaints of increase in weight, heaviness in the body, pain and stiffness in joints and sore throat with known case of hypothyroidism and was on medication of thyroxine 25μg OD for 2 months. She had earlier taken hormonal therapy (progesterone) for infertility. The patient had undergone Virecana Karma (medicated purgative therapy), in which dīpana–pācana (increasing digestive fire for digesting undigested material) with Pañcakola Phāṇṭa, snehapāna (internal oleation) with goghṛta (cow's butter fat), virecana (medicated purgative therapy) with Trivṛt Leham, Kuṭakī, Āragvadha, jaggery and Icchābhedī Rasa followed by anupāna ( drink taken with or after medicine) of Drākṣā was given. After saṃsarjana krama ( a diet regimen after Pañcakarma for improving digestion and regaining strength of patient), Ārogyavardhinī Vaṭi was introduced for 7 weeks in a dose of 2 tablets twice in a day (Each tab 250 mg) with lukewarm water. There was marked relief in the symptoms of heaviness, pain, stiffness, weight reduction from 76 kg to 72 kg with significant improvement in TSH level from 7.98 μg/dl to 2.07 μg/dl after completion of saṃsarjana krama (a diet regimen after Pañcakarma for improving digestion and regaining strength of patient). 18 days after it, TSH level become 3.83 μg/dl and weight reduced to 70 kg. Again after seven weeks TSH was 2.99 μg/dl and weight was 67 kg. Six weeks after discontinuation of Ārogyavardhinī Vaṭi TSH was 2.32 μg/dl and weight was 67 kg. Virecana (medicated purgative therapy) is effective in management of obesity and Thyroid level.

Background: Acute renal calculus is a common recurrent and emergency condition with an annual incidence of one to two cases per 1000. Lifetime risk of its recurrence is 10–20% in men and 3–5% in women. It is an important cause of acute renal failure. About 12% of the population of India is reported to have urinary stones. Acute attacks are managed by analgesics, antispasmodics and use of Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). In this case report we report an acute renal colic case managed by Ayurveda treatment without using any modern analgesics. Case Summary: A 34 year old male patient presented with severe pain in abdomen radiating from lower back to pubic symphysis, vomiting and nausea. Diagnosis of ureteric stone was confirmed by Ultrasonography (USG) of abdomen. We gave him local snehana (~local massage with sesame oil), nāḍi svedana (~fomentation), basti (~medicated enema) and oral Ayurveda medicines. Reduction in acute pain was achieved in three hours. Painless removal of stone was also achieved in seven days. Conclusion: This case study provides an example of successful management of acute renal colic with Ayurveda treatment alone and without using any modern analgesics. This case study also gives leads for the experiments on role of gut in the management of pain. Clinical trials on Ayurveda management of acute renal colic are warranted.

Background: Chronic wounds affect around 2.4 – 4.5 million patients in the United States. The burden of wound management is growing rapidly. Objective: Management of chronic wounds with integrated conventional medicine and Ayurveda treatment. Clinical Features: A 52-year-old female patient, presented with non-healing chronic wound on the right leg with pain persisting for 5 years. Initial measurement of the wound was 48 cm length × 13 cm width × 0.4 cm depth. Intervention and Outcomes: Wound depth was measured during different stages of healing along with photographic images. Patient was given Ciprofloxacin 500mg twice daily for 10 days, compression leg wraps and diuretics along with washing of the wound with Triphala decoction daily and application of wound dressing with Turmeric powder, neem bark powder and Medihoney daily were done. Marma therapy was performed once a week. Patient was also suggested kapha pacifying diet and lifestyle. Results: The wound was completely healed with normal skin coloration by the sixth week. Conclusions: This case study discusses the use of integration of ayurvedic herbs with conventional medicine for the management of wound healing. Interventional studies should be conducted to better understand the effectiveness of this integrative approach for the treatment of chronic wounds.