International Hypnosis Research Institute - Ayurvedic Medicine

Estimation of berberine in ayurvedic formulations containing Berberis aristata

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 02:04:00 -0500

A sensitive, simple, rapid, and efficient high-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method has been developed and validated for the analysis of berberine in marketed Ayurvedic formulations containing Berberis aristata DC for regulatory purposes. Chromatography of methanolic extracts of these formulations was performed on silica gel 60 F254 aluminum-backed TLC plates of 0.2 mm layer thickness. The plate was developed up to 66 mm with the ternary-mobile phase butanol-acetic acid-water (8 + 1 + 1, v/v/v) at 33 +/- 5 degrees C with 5 min of tank saturation. The marker, berberine, was quantified at its maximum absorbance of 350 nm. The limit of detection and limit of quantitation values were found to be 5 and 10 ng/spot. The linear regression analysis data for the calibration plot showed a good linear relationship with correlation coefficient = 0.9994 in the concentration range of 10 to 50 ng/spot for berberine with respect to peak area. The instrumental precision was found to be 0.49% coefficient of variation (CV), and repeatability of the method was 0.73% CV. Recovery values from 98.27 to 99.11% indicate excellent accuracy of the method. The developed HPTLC method is very accurate, precise, and cost-effective, and it has been successfully applied to the assay of marketed formulations containing B. aristata for determination of berberine. J AOAC Int. 2008 Sep-Oct;91(5):1149-53. Rout KK, Pradhan S, Mishra SK. Utkal University, Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry Division, University Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vani Vihar, Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India.

The Ayurveda Education in India: How Well are the Graduates Exposed to Basic Clinical Skills?

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 03:02:00 -0500

'Ayurveda' is an ancient system of healthcare that is native to India. At present, in India, there are more than 240 colleges that offer a graduate-level degree (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery-BAMS) in Ayurveda. Even though the Central Council of Indian Medicine, the governing body that monitors the matters related to Ayurveda education, has imposed various educational norms and regulations, the standard of education has been a cause of concern in recent years. The mushrooming of substandard Ayurvedic colleges is the most important factor that is being held responsible for this kind of erosion in the standards. The present study is a mailed survey, which was carried out to evaluate the 'Extent of exposure to basic clinical skills during BAMS course' as perceived by the sample groups of students and teachers drawn from 32 Ayurvedic educational institutions spread all over India. A methodically validated questionnaire was used as the tool in the study, to which 1022 participants responded. The study indicates that there are some serious flaws in the existing system of the graduate-level Ayurveda education. Since the Ayurvedic graduates play an important role in the primary healthcare delivery system of the country, governing bodies are required to take necessary steps to ensure the adequate exposure of the students to basic clinical skills. Along with the strict implementation of all the regulatory norms during the process of recognition of the colleges, introducing some changes in the policy model may also be required to tackle the situation. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2009 Aug 17. Patwardhan K, Gehlot S, Singh G, Rathore HC. Department of Kriya Sharir, Faculty of Ayurveda, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India. patwardhan.kishor@gmail.com.

In vivo enhancement of natural killer cell activity through tea fortified with Ayurvedic herbs

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 03:01:00 -0500

The effect of a tea fortified with five herbs selected from Indian traditional medicine (Ayurveda) for their putative immunoenhancing effect (Withania somnifera, Glycyrrhzia glabra, Zingiber officinale, Ocimum sanctum and Elettaria cardamomum) on innate immunity was investigated. Ex vivo natural killer (NK) cell activity was assessed after consumption of fortified tea compared with regular tea in two independent double-blind intervention studies. Both studies were conducted in India with healthy volunteers (age >/= 55 years) selected for a relatively low baseline NK cell activity and a history of recurrent coughs and colds. In a pilot study conducted with 32 volunteers, the consumption of Natural Care tea significantly improved the NK cell activity of the volunteers in comparison with a population consuming regular tea. These results were validated in an independent crossover study with 110 volunteers. Data from these two studies indicate that regular consumption of the tea fortified with Ayurvedic herbs enhanced NK cell activity, which is an important aspect of the (early) innate immune response to infections. Copyright (c) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Phytother Res. 2009 Jun 5. Bhat J, Damle A, Vaishnav PP, Albers R, Joshi M, Banerjee G. Unilever Food and Health Research Institute, Unilever Research India, 64, Main Road, Whitefield, Bangalore 560066, India.

Improvement of balance in progressive degenerative cerebellar ataxias after Ayurvedic therapy

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 02:59:00 -0500

Full Title: Improvement of balance in progressive degenerative cerebellar ataxias after Ayurvedic therapy: a preliminary report BACKGROUND: The treatment options for improving the balance in degenerative cerebellar ataxias are very few. Ayurvedic texts have described diverse treatment regimens for this disease. AIMS: To determine the change in balance indices, if any, by dynamic posturography (Biodex Balance System, USA) in progressive cerebellar ataxia following Ayurvedic treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a preliminary open labelled study on ten patients diagnosed with progressive cerebellar ataxia. The patients were treated over a period of one month. Treatment consisted of Shirobasti (therapeutic retention of medicament over the scalp) in male patients and Shirodhara (pouring of a steady stream of medicament on the forehead) in female patients with Dhanvantaram tailam (medicated oil) for 45 minutes daily, followed by Abhyanga (methodical massage) with Dhanvantaram tailam and Bhashpa sweda (steam bath), for 14 days. In addition, the treatment also consisted Abhyantara aushadha (oral medicines) of Maharasnadi kashayam 15ml thrice daily, Dhanvantaram capsules 101 two capsules thrice daily, and Ashwagandha tablet 500 mg one tablet thrice daily, for one month. The patients were assessed on the Biodex balance system before and after the treatment. Results were analyzed using paired samples 't' test. RESULTS: All patients tolerated the treatment well without any adverse events and reported subjective improvement in walking. There was a statistically significant improvement in the overall and anteroposterior balance indices of dynamic stability. CONCLUSIONS: Over the short period of the present study, Ayurvedic therapy was found to be safe and, showed improvement in the balance in patients with progressive degenerative cerebellar ataxia. Further randomized placebo-control double-blind studies are needed to validate the results. Neurol India. 2009 Mar-Apr;57(2):166-71. Sriranjini SJ, Pal PK, Devidas KV, Ganpathy S. Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India.

The Ayurvedic medicine Clitoria ternatea--from traditional use to scientific assessment

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 02:57:00 -0500

Clitoria ternatea L. (CT) (Family: Fabaceae) commonly known as 'Butterfly pea', a traditional Ayurvedic medicine, has been used for centuries as a memory enhancer, nootropic, antistress, anxiolytic, antidepressant, anticonvulsant, tranquilizing and sedative agent. A wide range of secondary metabolites including triterpenoids, flavonol glycosides, anthocyanins and steroids has been isolated from Clitoria ternatea Linn. Its extracts possess a wide range of pharmacological activities including antimicrobial, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, diuretic, local anesthetic, antidiabetic, insecticidal, blood platelet aggregation-inhibiting and for use as a vascular smooth muscle relaxing properties. This plant has a long use in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for several diseases and the scientific studies has reconfirmed those with modern relevance. This review is an effort to explore the chemical constituents, pharmacological and toxicity studies of CT, which have long been in clinical use in Ayurvedic system of medicine along with a critical appraisal of its future ethnopharmacological potential in view of many recent findings of importance on this well known plant species. J Ethnopharmacol. 2008 Dec 8;120(3):291-301. Epub 2008 Sep 20. Mukherjee PK, Kumar V, Kumar NS, Heinrich M. School of Natural Product Studies, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, West Bengal 700032, India. pulokm@gmail.com

Neuronutrient impact of Ayurvedic Rasayana therapy in brain aging

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 02:54:00 -0500

Ayurveda is the oldest system of Medicine in the world, its antiquity going back to the Vedas. It adapts a unique holistic approach to the entire science of life, health and cure. The areas of special consideration in Ayurveda are geriatrics, rejuvenation, nutrition, immunology, genetics and higher consciousness. The Ayurvedic texts describe a set of rejuvenative measures to impart biological sustenance to the bodily tissues. These remedies are called Rasayana which are claimed to act as micronutrients. Some of these Rasayanas are organ and tissue specific. Those specific to brain tissue are called Medhya Rasayana. Such Rasayanas retard brain aging and help in regeneration of neural tissues besides producing antistress, adaptogenic and memory enhancing effect. In addition to the long tradition of textual and experience-based evidence for their efficacy, certain recent studies conducted on these traditional remedies on scientific parameters have shown promising results which have been reviewed in this paper for providing lead for further studies. The popular Medhya Rasayanas are Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera Dunal), Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri Linn), Mandukaparni (Centella asiatica Linn) and Sankhapuspi (Convolvulus pluricaulis Chois). Biogerontology. 2008 Dec;9(6):369-74. Epub 2008 Oct 18. Singh RH, Narsimhamurthy K, Singh G. Department of Kayachikitsa, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India. rh_singh2001@yahoo.com

Neuronutrient impact of Ayurvedic Rasayana therapy in brain aging

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 02:54:00 -0500

Neuronutrient impact of Ayurvedic Rasayana therapy in brain aging

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 02:54:00 -0500

Theories and Management of Aging: Modern and Ayurveda Perspectives.

Tue, 19 May 2009 15:46:00 -0500

Aging is a complex phenomenon, a sum total of changes that occur in a living organism with the passage of time and lead to decreasing ability to survive stress, increasing functional impairment and growing probability of death. There are many theories of aging and skin remains the largest organ of the study. Skin aging is described as a consequence of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. The most common amongst visible signs of skin aging are wrinkles and there are various therapies including antiaging cosmeceuticals, sunscreens, chemical peeling, injectable agents, such as botox, fibrel, autologous fat grafting as also few surgical procedures have been used. Ayurveda, the Indian traditional medicine, describes aging with great details. This review provides modern and Ayurvedic perspectives on theories and management of aging. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2009 Feb 20. Datta HS, Mitra SK, Paramesh R, Patwardhan B. Chief Academics, Manipal Education, Manipal Towers, Bangalore 560 008, India. bhushan.patwardhan@manipalu.com.

Diets based on Ayurvedic constitution--potential for weight management.

Wed, 06 May 2009 15:46:00 -0500

Ayurveda, the traditional Indian medical system, is receivingincreasing attention worldwide. OBJECTIVE: A retrospective study was conducted to determine the effectiveness ofAyurvedic constitution-based diets on weight loss patterns of obese adults. DESIGN, SETTING, SUBJECTS, AND INTERVENTION: Records of 200 obese adults, both male and female, who had completed 3 months of the diet therapy at Ayurvedic clinics, were examined and data collated. Techniques used included a checklist of personality traits, physical signs, and food likes and dislikes to determine the dosha. Based on the predominant doshas, diets were prescribed and closely monitored for a period of 3 months. OUTCOME MEASURES: Records of height and weight and chest, abdominal, waist, arm, and thigh circumferences noted initially and after each month for the period of 3 months were obtained. RESULTS: Among the 200 subjects, 55 (27.5%) were vatta-, 83 (41.5%) were pitta-, and 62 (31.0%) were kapha-predominant. At the beginning, kapha and pitta people were heavier than vatta people. After the 3 months of therapy, the pitta group lost the most weight (9.84%). The decrease in all the anthropometric measurements was higher in pitta and kapha people than in vatta individuals. Hence, diets based on Ayurvedic constitution may prove useful in promoting weight loss. Though these promising findings support traditional Indian Ayurvedic scriptures, more closely controlled trials are needed to substantiate these findings. Altern Ther Health Med. 2009 Jan-Feb;15(1):44-7. Sharma S, Puri S, Agarwal T, Sharma V. NutriHealth Systems, New Delhi, India.

A Comparative Study on Aphrodisiac Activity of Some Ayurvedic Herbs in Male Albino Rats.

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:45:00 -0500

The roots of Asparagus racemosus, Chlorophytum borivilianum, and rhizomes of Curculigo orchioides are popular for their aphrodisiac and immunostimulatory properties. The herbs have been traditionally used as Vajikaran Rasayana herbs because of their putative positive influence on sexual performance in humans. Lyophilized aqueous extracts obtained from the roots of A. racemosus, C. borivilianum, and rhizomes of C. orchioides were studied for sexual behavior effects in male albino rats and compared with untreated control group animals (total N = 60). The rats were evaluated for effect of treatments on anabolic effect. Seven measures of sexual behavior were evaluated. Administration of 200 mg/kg body weight of the aqueous extracts had pronounced anabolic effect in treated animals as evidenced by weight gains in the body and reproductive organs. There was a significant variation in the sexual behavior of animals as reflected by reduction of mount latency, ejaculation latency, post ejaculatory latency, intromission latency, and an increase of mount frequency. Penile erection (indicated by Penile Erection Index) was also considerably enhanced. Reduced hesitation time (an indicator of attraction towards female in treated rats) also indicated an improvement in sexual behavior of extract treated animals. The observed effects appear to be attributable to the testosterone-like effects of the extracts. Nitric oxide based intervention may also be involved as observable from the improved penile erection. The present results, therefore, support the folklore claim for the usefulness of these herbs and provide a scientific basis for their purported traditional usage. Arch Sex Behav. 2009 Jan 13. Thakur M, Chauhan NS, Bhargava S, Dixit VK. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr. H. S. Gour University, Sagar, MP, 470003, India.

Exploring the prevalence of Ayurveda use among Asian Indians.

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 15:44:00 -0500

Despite a growing body of literature on complementary and alternative medicine, there is still limited information on the use of Ayurveda in the United States. Because Ayurveda is one of the world's major traditional medical systems, knowledge of its use is important. In particular, information on utilization by Asian Indians living in the United States is needed due to increased immigration from India and related regions. Recent reports of heavy metal contamination of some imported Ayurveda products underscore this need. For this reason, an exploratory survey was conducted. DESIGN: A semistructured 21-item questionnaire was administered using face-to-face interviews. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: The study comprised a convenience sample of 64 Asian Indians living in Northern California. OUTCOME MEASURES: Main outcome measures included sociodemographic variables, questions on awareness, knowledge and use of Ayurvedic products or services, use of other nutritional/herbal products, and reasons for use. RESULTS: In the sample, 95% of the participants were aware of Ayurveda, 78% had knowledge of Ayurvedic products or treatments, and about 59% had used or were currently using Ayurveda. Only 18% of those using Ayurveda had informed their Western medical doctors. CONCLUSIONS: Given its common use in the United States by Asian Indians, its cultural relevance, potential therapeutic value, and possible safety concerns, physician and consumer education along with more empirical research is warranted. J Altern Complement Med. 2008 Dec;14(10):1249-53. Satow YE, Kumar PD, Burke A, Inciardi JF. Department of Consumer and Family Studies/Dietetics, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA. yes@sfsu.edu

Psychoneuroimmunologic effects of Ayurvedic oil-dripping treatment.

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:44:00 -0500

This study assessed the psychoneuroimmunologic changes achieved by Shirodhara, an Ayurvedic treatment, characterized by dripping oil on the forehead, in a randomized, controlled protocol involving a novel approach using a robotic system. METHODS: In the first experiment for the determination of the most appropriate conditions of Shirodhara, 16 healthy females (33 +/- 9 years old) underwent a 30-minute treatment. In the second study, another 16 healthy females (39 +/- 9 years old) were assigned to either the Shirodhara treatment or control supine position for 30 minutes, with monitoring of physiologic, biochemical, immunologic, and psychometric parameters including anxiety and altered states of consciousness (ASC). RESULTS: The subjects receiving Shirodhara treatment showed lowered levels of state anxiety and higher levels of ASC than those in the control position. Plasma noradrenaline and urinary serotonin excretion decreased significantly more after Shirodhara treatment than in the control. Plasma levels of thyrotropin-releasing hormone, dopamine, and natural killer (NK) cell activity were different between control and Shirodhara treatment. The correlation between anxiolysis and the depth of ASC was significant in the Shirodhara treatment group (r = 0.52, p < 0.05, N = 16), while in the control no correlation was obtained (r = 0.13, p = 0.64, N = 16). The increase in foot skin temperature after Shirodhara showed a significant correlation with anxiolysis and the depth of Trance of ASC (r = 0.58, p < 0.01, r = 0.43, p < 0.01, respectively). NK cell activity after Shirodhara treatment showed a significant correlation with anxiolysis and the depth of Trance of ASC (r = 0.33, p < 0.05, r = 0.56, p < 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that Shirodhara has anxiolytic and ASC-inducing effects, and it promotes a decrease of noradrenaline and exhibits a sympatholytic effect, resulting in the activation of peripheral foot skin circulation and immunopotentiation. J Altern Complement Med. 2008 Dec;14(10):1189-98. Uebaba K, Xu FH, Ogawa H, Tatsuse T, Wang BH, Hisajima T, Venkatraman S. Department of Presymptomatic Health Promotion, Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan. uebaba@inm.u-toyama.ac.jp

Whole genome expression and biochemical correlates of extreme constitutional types (Ayurveda)

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 13:07:00 -0500

Ayurveda is an ancient system of personalized medicine documented and practiced in India since 1500 B.C. According to this system an individual's basic constitution to a large extent determines predisposition and prognosis to diseases as well as therapy and life-style regime. Ayurveda describes seven broad constitution types (Prakritis) each with a varying degree of predisposition to different diseases. Amongst these, three most contrasting types, Vata, Pitta, Kapha, are the most vulnerable to diseases. In the realm of modern predictive medicine, efforts are being directed towards capturing disease phenotypes with greater precision for successful identification of markers for prospective disease conditions. In this study, we explore whether the different constitution types as described in Ayurveda has molecular correlates. [More]

Whole genome expression and biochemical correlates of extreme constitutional types (Ayurvedic)

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 13:05:00 -0500