OBJECTIVES: It is hypothesized that these polar active botanical ingredients are present in the formulation should be either suspended in the form of submicron particles or entrapped in the submicron vesicular structures since the formulation did not show any precipitation or phase separation instead showed a monophasic oily liquid with very little moisture.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present investigation, the micro architecture of the anu tailam is studied via column chromatography and high performance thin layer chromatography to prove the contents are polar hydrophilic compounds followed by optical microscopy, photon correlation Spectroscopy (PCS) and environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) to study the particle/vesicle size of the formulation.
RESULTS: In this study, it was proved that the formulation contained only polar ingredients and can be extracted in polar solvents like methanol and ethanol. It was also found that the formulation taken for study contained nano particles of the active botanical ingredients embedded in a network of vesicular structures of the lipid base.
CONCLUSION: The selected Ayurvedic formulation 'anutailam' found to contain novel nano drug delivery system to deliver water soluble ingredients across barriers.
OBJECTIVES: The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of E. longifolia on the proliferation, differentiation and maturation of osteoclasts and the translational mechanism of inhibition of osteoclastogenesis using RAW 264.7 cells as an in vitro osteoclastic model.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Having assessed cytotoxicity, the cell viability, cell proliferation rate and osteoclastic differentiation capacity of E. longifolia was investigated by evaluating the tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity in receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclasts. Taken together, the time-mannered expression of osteoclast-related protein biomarkers such as matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9), cathepsin-K, TRAP, nuclear factor of activated T-cells cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1), superoxide (free radicals) generation and superoxide dismutase activity were also measured to comprehend the mechanism of osteoclastogenesis.
RESULTS: E. longifolia did not show significant effects on cytotoxicity and cell proliferation of RAW 264.7 cells; however, a significant inhibition of cells differentiation and maturation of osteoclasts was observed. Moreover, a significant down-regulation of RANKL-induced TRAP activity and expression of MMP-9, cathepsin-K, TRAP, NFATc1 and generation of superoxide and enhanced superoxide dismutase activity was observed in E. longifolia treated cell cultures.
CONCLUSION: We anticipated that E. longifolia that enhances bone regeneration on the one hand and suppresses osteoclast's maturation on the other hand may have great therapeutic value in treating osteoporosis and other bone-erosive diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and metastasis associated with bone loss.
OBJECTIVES: This paper aims to develop an Ayurvedic clinical profile of COVID-19 by literature review supported by analysis of clinical data of a cohort of COVID-19 patients.
METHODS: The typical clinical presentation of COVID-19 was categorized based on a cluster of symptoms with reference to "Interim Clinical Guidance for Management of Patients with confirmed corona virus disease (COVID-19)" released by the US CDC. As the clinical presentation is found to vary widely, research papers reporting clinical symptoms of patient samples from different parts of the world were also reviewed to identify outliers and atypical presentations. Case records of fourteen COVID-19 patients treated at Medanta Hospital, Gurgaon were analyzed to compare symptomatology with data obtained from published literature. Further, a careful correlation was done with the data collected from selected Ayurvedic classical texts and expert views of clinical practitioners to arrive at a preliminary Ayurvedic clinical profile of COVID-19.
RESULTS: COVID-19 can be understood from the Ayurvedic perspective as vātakapha dominant sannipātajvara of āgantu origin with pittānubandha. The asymptomatic, presymptomatic, mild, moderate, severe and critical stages of COVID-19 with varying clinical presentations have been analysed on the basis of nidāna, doṣa, dūṣya, nidānapañcaka and ṣaṭkriyākāla to present a preliminary clinical profile of the disease.
CONCLUSION: In this paper, we have demonstrated that a preliminary clinical profiling of COVID-19 from the Ayurvedic perspective is possible through literature review supported by discussions with Allopathic clinicians as well as examination of patient case records. The provisional diagnosis proposed can be further developed with continued review of literature, wider cooperation and teamwork with Allopathic physicians and access to clinical data as well as direct clinical assessment of COVID-19 patients.
Case report: A family with 5 members age ranges between 13 to 77, both male and females, one with preexisting renal impairment, SARS CoV-2 positive with mild to moderate category were treated with VKM along with the specific dietary practice. The drug was consumed at home quarantine. Real-Time RT PCR from oropharynx swab, X-ray/CT scan chest, hematology, renal function, liver function, body temperature and oxygen saturation were assessed. Blood parameters were repeated after completion of therapy to assess the safety aspect of mercury drug. Chemical profile of the drug was done using Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.
Results: With the first dose, the oxygen saturation was improved. Within 3 days of therapy, all symptoms (fever, body pain, cough, and loss of taste) were normalized and renders the Real-Time RT PCR negative for COVID-19. There was no observed side effects and damage to renal and liver. The drug contains 22% of mercury along with a 9-Octadecenoic acid-(E), 1H-Imidazole, 4,5-dihydro-2-(phenylmethyl) and 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)- as major organic compounds.
Conclusion: Vajra kandi maathirai might be a safe drug to manage COVID-19 patients. Rigorous research is required to discover new antiviral molecules from this formulation.
OBJECTIVE(S): The present study was aimed to investigate the mechanism of bone-forming capacity of EL using MC3T3-E1 as an in vitro osteoblastic model.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cell differentiation capacity of EL was investigated by evaluating cell growth, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, collagen deposition and mineralization. Taken together, time-mannered expression of bone-related mediators which include bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP-2), ALP, runt-related transcription factor-2 (Runx-2), osteocalcin (OCN), type I collagen, osteopontin (OPN), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and androgen receptor (AR) were measured to comprehend bone-forming mechanism of EL.
RESULTS: Results demonstrated a superior cell differentiation efficacy of EL (particularly at a dose of 25 μg/mL) that was evidenced by dramatically increased cell growth, higher ALP activity, collagen deposition and mineralization compared to the testosterone. Results analysis of the bone-related protein biomarkers indicated that the expression of these mediators was well-regulated in EL-treated cell cultures compared to the control groups. These findings revealed potential molecular mechanism of EL for the prevention and treatment of male osteoporosis.
CONCLUSION: The resulting data suggested that EL exhibited superior efficacy in stimulating bone formation via up-regulating the expression of various mitogenic proteins and thus can be considered as a potential natural alternative therapy for the treatment of osteoporosis.
OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the neuropharmacological effect of four herbs commonly identified as source of Shankhpushpi.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Methanol extracts of all four varieties were tested and evaluated in vitro and in vivo for their neuropharmacological effects. Experiments such as protection against β-amyloid induced neurotoxicity on brain cell line (Neuro 2A), antioxidant potential, AchE (acetylcholinesterase enzyme) inhibition, and 5-LOX (lipoxygenase) enzyme inhibition were conducted for in vitro evaluation. For in vivo evaluation, scopolamine (0.3 mg/kg i.p.) induced memory retrieval using pole climbing apparatus and Morris water maze were performed in rat models.
RESULTS: It was found that protective effects of EA and CD against β-amyloid induced neurotoxicity in Neuro 2A cells were significantly higher than CT and CP. EA proved to be superior than other varieties on the basis of antioxidant activity, AchE inhibitory and LOX inhibitory activities. The preventive activity of EA on scopolamine induced memory retrieval in pole climbing and Morris water maze task in rats was found to be higher than that of CD, CT and CP.
CONCLUSION: EA has remarkable neuropharmacological effect as compared to other three varieties of Shankhpushpi. This effect may be attributed due to the presence of steroids (stigmasterol and betulinic acid), coumarins (scopoletin) and flavonoids (β-carotene and chlorogenic acid). Hence it can be used as a promising lead in development and management of neuronal disorders including Alzheimer's disease.
OBJECTIVES: To know the effect of stress on morphology of substantia nigral neurons and the effect of O. sanctum fresh leaf extract (OSE) on substantia nigral neurons of stressed rats.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Present study included three experiments. Experiment I: To study the effect of 3 and 6 weeks of foot shock stress in rats; Experiment II- To study the effect of 3 weeks of OSE treatment on 3 week-stress undergoing rats and on 3 week-stressed rats; Experiment III- To study the effect of 6 weeks of OSE treatment in 6 week-stress undergoing rats and in 6 week-stressed rats.
RESULTS: In experiment I, stress had significant deleterious effect on dendritic arborization of substantia nigral neurons. Experiments II and III showed prevention and attenuation of the stress induced dendritic atrophy of substantia nigral neurons in both 2 ml and 4 ml OSE treatment groups. Protective effect of OSE was more pronounced in rats which are treated for a longer duration.
CONCLUSIONS: Foot shock stress induces neuronal damage in the substantia nigra of rats. Treatment with fresh leaf extract of O. sanctum could prevent and attenuate the foot shock stress induced behavioral deficit and substantia nigral neuronal damage.
OBJECTIVE(S): The effects of tamarind seeds (T) on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in rats were studied. Rats were offered basal diet (BD) with T (2%, 4% or 8%) or without T.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Feeding and growth performance in rats were measured and samples of liver and blood were analyzed for glycogen content and levels of cholesterol and glucose respectively.
RESULTS: The inclusion of T in the diet influences the feeding and growth performance in rats. The serum cholesterol level was reduced (p
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the effects of pomegranate extract for the development of non-opioid substitution therapy for in-vitro and in-vivo studies.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anthocyanin contents consisting of cyanidin 3-glucoside, diglucoside, and pelargonidin 3-glucoside, diglucoside were detected and quantified in pomegranate extract using high-performance liquid chromatography. The optimum dosage of the extract was determined based on the regulation of MORs and cAMP proteins in U-87 cells. Co-treatment of the extract with morphine was performed to evaluate its potency in reducing the concentration levels of MORs and cAMP. For animal studies, rats were divided into two major groups representing both acute and chronic morphine-induced treatments and the Morris water maze (MWM) study was employed after treatment for each rat. The rats were sacrificed after the treatments and serum samples were collected to evaluate the levels of CREB and BDNF.
RESULTS: The results indicated that each of the anthocyanin content tested in the study was present in the pomegranate extract. Additionally, in-vitro studies using pomegranate extract treatment showed that the extract was effective in decreasing the MORs and cAMP protein levels in U-87 cells at a concentration of 0.125 mg/mL. The memory impairment based on the MWM study in rats was also subsequently improved after treatment with pomegranate extract as compared to treatment with morphine. The blood serum derived from the rats treated with pomegranate extract also showed a significant decrease in CREB level and an increase in BDNF as compared to rats treated with morphine.
CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this study substantiates the potency of pomegranate extract as a non-opioid substitution therapy for in-vitro and in-vivo studies.
OBJECTIVES: This research aims to assess the acute and sub-chronic toxicity of PHF in rats.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: PHF was administered once orally (1000 mg/kg body weight), and the rats (male and female) were monitored for toxicity signs for a 14-day period. For a 28-day chronic toxicity study, rats were daily administered with PHF dose of 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg body weight. Rats were followed up for mortality, weight changes, and other morbidities. Further haematological, biochemical, and histopathological changes were assessed.
RESULTS: No death related to treatment or toxicity signs were recorded in the acute single-dose administration group. The results showed that the PHF was tolerated well up to a dose of 1000 mg/kg body weight. Even at the high dose of 1000 mg/kg body weight, sub-chronic tests did not show any significant difference between the dosed and normal groups. No significant changes were seen in the histopathological analysis of the liver, spleen, and kidney as well as haematological and biochemical parameters in acute, sub-chronic and satellite groups following the administration of PHF.
CONCLUSION: The results confirmed that there was no adverse effect of this PHF at the maximum dose of 1000 mg/kg body weight in Wistar rats. Further, no adverse delayed effects related to PHF were observed in the satellite group. Therefore, this PHF appears safe for therapeutic purposes in the Ayurvedic medicinal system.
METHODOLOGY: In search of high-affinity ayurvedic alternatives, we conducted a pan-proteome in silico exploration of the NiV proteins for their interaction with the best-suited phytoconstituents. The toxicity prediction of thirty phytochemicals based on their LD50 value identified thirteen potential candidates. Molecular docking studies of those thirteen phytochemicals with five important NiV proteins identified Tanshinone I as the potential compound with a high binding affinity.
RESULTS: The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics studies also aided in determining the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity of the selected phytoconstituent. Interestingly, docking studies also revealed Rosmariquinone as a potent alternative to the antiviral drug Remdesivir binding the same pocket of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of the NiV. A molecular dynamics simulation study of the surface glycoprotein of NiV against Tanshinone I showed a stable complex formation and significant allosteric changes in the protein structure, implying that these phytochemicals could be a natural alternative to synthetic drugs against NiV.
CONCLUSION: This study provides preliminary evidence based on in silico analysis that the herbal molecules showed an effect against NiV. However, it is essential to further evaluate the efficacy of this approach through cell-based experiments, organoid models, and eventually clinical trials.