Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine

This paper examines the scenario of research orientation in Ayurveda educational institutions of India. We demonstrate through the data obtained by searching the SCOPUS that the actual research output by these institutions is not very significant in terms of number of publications. While a lack of research expertise and infrastructure is one contributing factor to this status, a lack of questioning attitude is more crucial one. Mushrooming of new colleges, laxity in regulations, corruption, lack of atmosphere for ethical and quality research make the problem more complex...

BACKGROUND: Premna integrifolia Linn. is a medicinal plant of an Ayurvedic importance and proved to have an anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-microbial and hypo-lipidemic activity. Glutathione (GSH) redox status is an important parameter to assess the antioxidant activity of any neutraceuticals. OBJECTIVE: In order to assess the anti-oxidant potential of hydro alcoholic extract (HAE) of P. integrifolia, this study was aimed to evaluate the GSH redox status in high fat diet induced experimental atherosclerosis...

BACKGROUND: Urolithiasis is a growing problem worldwide. Many a times, asymptomatic stones are kept under observation. Many herbal preparations are available for the same, but they lack proper scientific documentation. OBJECTIVE: To study the anti-urolithiatic effect of an herbal preparation, Subap Plus (IP) capsules in patients with asymptomatic renal calculi of size ranging from 4 to 9 mm. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Pune, India...

Medicinal leech therapy or Hirudino therapy have roots back in ancient civilization. It was a prevalent form of therapy in various ailments. The novel Ayurveda text Sushruta Samhita devoted a complete chapter on hirudino therapy. In the early 20th century this therapy had a major setback due to origin and evolution of antibiotics. There was a discontinuity in the flow of knowledge about this therapy. Then, resumed and revived after few recent decades, due to its contribution in reconstructive surgeries. During this period, the research work on various aspects have been conducted...

BACKGROUND: Extreme environments are inherently stressful and are characterized by a variety of physical and psychosocial stressors, including, but not limited to, isolation, confinement, social tensions, minimal possibility of medical evacuation, boredom, monotony, and danger. Previous research studies recommend adaptation to the environment to maintain optimal function and remain healthy. Different interventions have been tried in the past for effective management of stress. Yoga practices have been shown to be beneficial for coping with stress and enhance quality of life, sleep and immune status...

BACKGROUND: Currently, no vaccines or modern drugs are available for dengue and chikungunya and only symptomatic relief is provided to the patients. Siddha medicine, a traditional form of indigenous medical system uses specific polyherbal formulations for the treatment of such infections with considerable success. One such polyherbal formulation for the treatment of chikungunya and dengue is Nilavembu kudineer (NVK). The mechanistic details of this drug as an antiviral for chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and dengue virus (DENV) is poorly understood...

The present paper attempts to study the revitalisation of Ayurveda in Colonial Tamil region and the contributions of Pandit Srinivasa Narayana Iyengar in the movement. Western medicine was introduced initially for benefit of Europeans in British India and later extended to the Indian population was a 'tool' of empire. Gradually, Colonial government and practitioners of Western medicine stigmatised Ayurveda as irrational, dangerous and superstitious medicine and strived to marginalise it in the government policies and public sphere which paved the way to get cultural domination over colonised...

Ulcerative Keratitis is a sight-threatening corneal infection. It is one of the most common global causes of irreversible blindness due to corneal diseases. This case report highlights the potential of Ayurvedic management in nonresponding ulcerative keratitis. A 20 year old boy came to the outpatient department with redness, discharge, photophobia and defective vision in the right eye since 4 months following a foreign body injury. He was treated at leading ophthalmic hospital for keratitis but due to poor response was suggested keratoplasty and the patient had opted for Ayurvedic treatment...

Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is a severe acute paralytic neuropathy with rapid progression usually occurring post infections. Inspite of the active medications it is associated with severe weakness, incomplete recovery and pain. Long disease course can cause autonomic dysfunction or deterioration in general health and life threatening complications like respiratory failures. Current case was diagnosed as GBS with motor, sensory & sphincter disturbance. Ayurveda diagnosis of Sarvangavata was made and customized treatment strategy was planned...

BACKGROUND: Increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) has become alarming, burdening health care systems throughout the world. Prediabetes is an intermediate step before manifestation of full blown DM. Effective intervention at this step would help stop/slow progression to DM. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at use of a polyherbal combination (PDBT - constituted of Tinospora cordifolia, Pterocarpus marsupium, Gymnema sylvestre, Zingiber officinale and Momordica charantia) along with life style modification compared to a placebo in prevention of DM among prediabetic individuals...

BACKGROUND: The plant Cajanus cajan had earlier shown protective effect against hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in rats. OBJECTIVE: Hence, hydroalcoholic extract of C. cajan Linn leaves (HECC) was evaluated for its protective role against memory impairment in sleep-deprived Sprague Dawley rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult rats were divided into five groups each consisting of 5 rats (n = 5). Groups I, II, III, IV and V received 1 mL/kg 1% CMC, 1 mL/kg 1% CMC, 200 mg/kg HECC, 400 mg/kg HECC and 200 mg/kg piracetam respectively as per b...

BACKGROUND: Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) mediates activation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) resulting in induction of proinflammatory genes such as that encoding tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) which played a significant role in cartilage destruction of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Low risk and better efficacy made herbal drugs more reliable than nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) in RA treatment. Gugguluthiktam Kashayam (GuK), Punarnavadi Kashayam (PuK) and Balaguluchiadi Kashayam (BgK) are ayurvedic polyherbal formulations prescribed in classical ayurvedic texts Sahasrayogam and Ashtangahridayam as medicines for the treatment of RA...

Visphota kushta (blistering skin disease) is characterized by transparent blisters with thin skin covering. Management of Visphota Kushta in Ayurveda is rarely reported. The case reported here showed significant regression in the condition in short span of time and could completely stop the use of anti histamines and corticosteroids. A 32 year old female, presented with complaints of blisters over both upper and lower extremities associated with edema, burning sensation, pain, severe itching and oozing since three months...

Ayurveda, an Indian medical science has been practiced for thousands of years. What makes Ayurveda relevant today is its subtle understanding of the environment and its focus on the generation of good health through one's own lifestyle choices. The digestive system has long been an area of critical importance within the Ayurvedic system and is only now being acknowledged by modern science as a key component in the regulation of physical and mental well-being. The gut microbiome and enteric nervous system are two particular areas in which the onset of psychiatric disorders, such as depression, have been associated...

BACKGROUND: Viscum articulatum Burm. (Family: Loranthaceae) is commonly known as mistletoe. In ayurveda, the plant parts are used in "Kapha", "Vata", diseases of the blood, ulcer, and epilepsy. The plant parts are also used in urinary tract infection and wound infection. The plant contains five triterpenoids such as α-amyrin, lupeol, betulin, betulinic acid and oleanolic acid, exhibiting several pharmacological activities including antimicrobial, anti-HIV, antitumor, antiviral activity...

BACKGROUND: Guggulutiktaka ghritam is an ayurvedic medicine which has been traditionally used to treat various chronic inflammatory conditions. However, the mechanism of action of the Ayurvedic medication in control of inflammatory conditions has not been clearly evaluated. OBJECTIVE: In the current study, the effect of the Guggulutiktaka ghritam extract (GTG) on the lipoxygenase pathway and in the production of proinflammatory cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammation was studied...

BACKGROUND: Laghu Sutashekhara Rasa (LSR) is a herbo mineral formulation containing Shuddha Gairika (Fe2 O3 ) and Shunthi (Zingiber officinale Roxb.) with the levigation of Nagawalli Swarasa (fresh juice of Piper betel Linn.) prepared as per the reference of Rasatarangini Parishistha. This is an important formulation in Ayurveda therapeutics, but its shelf life is not evaluated till date. The Govt. of India Gazette specifies the shelf life of various Ayurvedic medicines. However, there is a need to revalidate the shelf life of individual formulations by following parameters prevalent in respective scenario...

BACKGROUND: Unani concept of therapeutic interchange, despite having immense practical aspect, has not been touched upon in a coherent way by most of the Unani scholars except Razi (Rhazes 865-925 AD), who took the concept plausibly and framed rules for alternate drug prescription at the time of unavailability of the drugs of choice. OBJECTIVE: The Unani concept of therapeutic interchange is based on similarity in action, temperament and physical properties of drugs mainly botanicals, which are already established and need no further discussion; however, phytochemistry has not been considered a basis for substitution...

Sphaeranthus indicus whole herb is included as a Rasayana drug in Ayurveda and is reported for the treatment of epilepsy. S. indicus flowers have anxiolytic, hypotensive, peripheral vasodilatory and cathartic activity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anticonvulsant activity of the extract of flowers of S. indicus in various animal models of epilepsy. The anti-epileptic activity of Methanolic extract (ME) and Acetone extract (AE) of the flowers was evaluated using Maximal electro shock (MES) seizures, Pentyelenetetrazole (PTZ) induced convulsions and Picrotoxin induced convulsions...

BACKGROUND: Entada phaseoloides is a well-known medicinal plant traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the anti-stress activity of seeds of E. phaseoloides in endoplasmic reticulum stress during chronic restrain stress in mice, based on our preliminary screening. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mice (n = 6/group) were restrained daily for 6 h in 50 ml polystyrene tubes for 28 days. Methanolic extract of E...