Anand Chaudhary

Quality control of herbal medicines by using spectroscopic techniques and multivariate statistical analysis.

Herbal medicines play an important role in modern human life and have significant effects on treating diseases; however, the quality and safety of these herbal products has now become a serious issue due to increasing pollution in air, water, soil, etc. The present study proposes Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) along with the statistical method principal component analysis (PCA) to identify and discriminate herbal medicines for quality control. Herbal plants have been characterized using FTIR spectroscopy. Characteristic peaks (strong and weak) have been marked for each herbal sample in the fingerprint region (400–2000 cm−1). The ratio of the areas of any two marked characteristic peaks was found to be nearly consistent for the same plant from different regions, and thus the present idea suggests an additional discrimination method for herbal medicines. PCA clusters herbal medicines into different groups, clearly showing that this method can adequately discriminate different herbal medicines using FTIR data. Toxic metal contents (Cd, Pb, Cr, and As) have been determined and the results compared with the higher permissible daily intake limit of heavy metals proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Contribution of world health organization in the global acceptance of Ayurveda

Amongst the mandates of United Nations, health of mankind is the thrust area of UN through World Health Organization (WHO). Planning and execution of policies for mainstreaming of traditional medicines (TRM) of respective countries along with conventional system of medicine (allopathy), first in the country of origin followed by the international arena, is the priority agenda of operations of WHO. Within Indian context, WHO accorded prime focus to Ayurveda in its activities related to TRM.Sponsorship and encouragement of studies substantiating parameters of standardization, safety and efficacy of herbal medicines of Ayurveda are under chief consideration of WHO. In this review, several guidelines of WHO are summarized. Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH), Central Council of Research in Ayurveda and Siddha and numerous other collaborative centers of WHO in India are assigned with several Appraisal Project Work (APW) and Direct Financial Cooperation (DFC) projects that will strengthen Ayurveda as evidence-based medicine for its global acceptance. Implementation of pharmacovigilance program in Ayurveda, publication of documents for rational use and initiatives to prepare consumer guidelines for appropriate use of Ayurvedic medicines are some other contributions of WHO toward advancement of Ayurveda at national as well as global level. Here, we suggest further exploration, interaction and interpretation of traditional knowledge in the light of contemporary core sciences and biomedical sciences that can pave the way for accreditation of Ayurveda worldwide as an established system of medicine.

A progressive review of Sandhana kalpana (Biomedical fermentation): An advanced innovative dosage form of Ayurveda.

Sandhana kalpana (biomedical fermented formulations) are one of the best dosage forms of Ayurveda in practice since thousands of years. In order to prepare these medicaments, certain sets of conditions are prearranged, which lead to fermentation. Thus, products bequeath with self-generated ethyl alcohol, which potentiate these preparations (Asava–Arishta), pharmaceutically and therapeutically. Commonly, medicinal and commercial components of these formulations are prompting many researchers to contribute in manufacturing, quality control, safety, and efficacy of these formulations. To cope up with this, literature related to Asava–Arishta has been surveyed from the Vedic period to recent publications of Government of India, ie, Ayurvedic Formulary of India, and presented briefly here. In this review paper, we have discussed pioneering facts such as nature and amount of carbohydrate, type of containers, optimum temperature, variety and relevance of initiator of fermentation, manufacturing, regulatory rules, and business aspects of Asava-Arishta. After going through this basic information, any academician or researcher may show a way to further strengthen this dosage form.

Pharmacovigilance: Boon for the safety and efficacy of ayuvedic formulations

Pharmacovigilance is a corrective process originating in pharmaco-epidemiology. The 1997 Erice Declaration, presented at the World Health Organisation, became the basis on which the concept was implemented internationally for conventional systems of medicine. The increasing international acceptance of Ayurveda, led regulators to implement a similar program for Ayurveda, particularly as some medical professionals, scientists and members of the public reported adverse reactions after taking Ayurvedic formulations. The World Health Organisation therefore persuaded the Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, to implement a pharmacovigilance program for Ayurveda, as a means to ensuring the safety and efficacy of Ayurvedic medicines. After a year of due diligence, the pharmacovigilance program was launched nationally on 29 September 2008. Since that time, Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani medicines have been monitored according to the provisions of a protocol prepared by the National Pharmacovigilance Resource Centre, IPGTRA, Jamnagar, and approved by Department of AYUSH. The program was reviewed, first, on 21st January 2009 by the National Pharmaco-vigilance Consultative Committee for ASU drugs (NPCC-ASU), and again, on 15 Feburary, 2010, when an evaluation meeting effectively rubber stamped the program. Among the outcomes of these meetings were several suggestions of measures to improve the program’s efficiency. Recent developments include the constitution of pharmacovigilance centers at all Ayurveda Teaching institutes and research centers.

A comparative review study of Sneha Kalpana (Paka) vis-a-vis liposome

Ayurvedic dosage forms are very exclusive in its pharmaceutics and therapeutics. Sneha Kalpana is a group of products of medicated taila and ghee, these drugs are treating very wide range of diseases among patients of all age groups. Liposomal system of drug delivery is a new invention in conventional system of medicine. This system is also covering a high degree of objective of therapeutics at different targets successfully. Probably, here is very distinctive similarity between these two on account of their aqueous and oleaginous origin. Most likely, these are two faces of same coin. A brief survey of literature is done here to explore possibilities of further investigation in benefit of mankind by applying wisdom of both fields together. In fact, this is a review paper based on certain hypothesis which may be established or rejected factually by further researches.

Intellectual property rights and patents in perspective of Ayurveda

Ayurveda is getting its due recognition as a rationale system of medicine worldwide despite the fact that medical and scientific fraternity of the globe has very strong opposite opinion regarding safety and efficacy of Ayurvedic medicines. Meanwhile, provisions of Intellectual Property Rights under World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and Patents have attracted many individuals and organizations to explore possibilities of commercial benefits with Ayurvedic traditional knowledge. Although rules are not favoring to grant a patent on prior published knowledge, biopiracy managed grant of Patent on knowledge of Ayurvedic medicinal plants which has been successfully checked with references of data base of Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL). Current provisions of the Patent law of India are obstructive in nature for getting patent on Ayurvedic medicines. If we have to invite researchers from basic science to ensure quality, safety and efficacy of Ayurvedic medicines, there is an urgent need to amend laws of patent with pragmatic promotional policies. This will encourage more patents on numerous pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and cosmaceutical products based on Ayurveda. As every action of todays world is based on economic criteria so why stakeholders of Ayurveda should be deprived of it. New inventions would drive acceptance of Ayurveda as a global system of medicine.

T HERAPEUTIC USES OF VANGA BHASMA: A CRITICAL REVIEW

Ayurveda, with its overarching approach to life and well - being, has always been an integral part of this civilization. The invention of Rasa Shastra (Ayurvedic Pharmaceutics) established specifi c and appropriate dosage forms of metals and minerals known as bhasma that is very much absorbable and assimilable into the human body. Vanga bhasma is widely - used in various herbo - metal formulation of Ayurveda, indicated specially for diseases of gastroin testinal tract and genitor urinary system, such as Prameha, Krimi, Pandu, Mutrakriccha, Sweta pradar, Rakta pr adar, Agnimandya, Vrana, Aruchi and Swapnadosha. It is used appropriately either as a single drug or in formulation with other medicines, dependin g on the patient, the ability to digest herbo - metallic medicines, other disease states in the body, and a variety of clinical factors that ensure safety and efficacy of its use. In indexed journal of Ayurveda research paper revealing many properties of Van ga bhasma which has already been quoted in rasa classics. Research to support the classic literature has shown excellent results of Vanga bhasma in genito urinary disorders such as the capacity of testic ular regeneration,

DEVELOPMENT OF CONSUMER GUIDELINES FOR APPROPRIATE USE OF AYURVEDIC MEDICINES: NEED OF HOUR

Severe crisis is being felt by all stakeholders of Ayurveda about appropriate use of Ayu rvedic medicines by common consumers. This i s more relevant for new clients of Ayurvedic medicines who are very much vulnerable to different advertisements and purchase of Ayurvedic medicines without any th o rough knowledge about Ayurvedic medicines. Consid ering this alarming situation, World Health Organisation country office India sanctioned a project to develop “ C onsumer guidelines for appropriate use of Ayurvedic medicines” . This project was completed successfully in December 2011 and technical report wa s submitted to WHO in July, 2012 . In March, 2013 Dept of AYUSH , Government of India has shown interest to publish technical report of the project for larger benefit of common consume r of Ayurveda . On the basis of greater experiences of Ayurvedic physicians and patients seeking treatment through Ayurveda we prepared guidelines especially about intake of Ayurvedic medicines for consumers. W e had addressed criteria from purchase of medicines to parameters during administration with technical ad vice for storage of medicines. Need of

PROBABLE PHARMACOLOGY OF RASNA SAPTAK KWATH IN AMAVATA (RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS): A REVIEW

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic immuno-inflammatory systemic disorder of synovial joints. The major complaints for which a patient seeks medical attention are pain in and around the joints, swelling, stiffness and limited range of motion. A disease resembling clinically to RA is described in Ayurvedic texts as Amavata. The Ayurvedic treatment not only devoid such type of ill effect, but also provides a better way by treating Agni and Ama at its roots. Rasna Saptak Kwath (RSK) is a formulation which is prescribed to the patient in decoction form to treat arthritis. The description of RSK to treat amavata (Rheumatoid arthritis) is found in Bhaishajya Ratnavali. RSK is a formulation of eight herbs viz. Pluchea lanceolata,, Tribulus terristris, Tinospora cardifolia, Boerrihia diffusa, Ricinus communis, Cedrus deodara, Cassia fistula and Zingiber officinale. Researches revealed that these herbs play significant role in reducing the symptoms and to treat the RA. The herbs possess the property of anti-inflammation, analgesic, antioxidant, immunosuppressive activity. Maximum ingredients of RSK have Vatasleshmahara property which reduces Vata and Kapha Doshas from the body and reduces the symptoms of amavata. So, this paper will give a comparative view on probable pharmacology (pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic activity) of the formulation through Ayurvedic and contemporary approach.

A CRITICAL REVIEW ON HISTORICAL ASPECTS OF KSHARA

Various natural products are processed and used as medicine in Ayurveda system of medicine. These medicinal products are classified in different categories of dosage forms in Ayurvedic Pharmaceuticals. Kshara Kalpana (alkaline preparation) is one of them. Kshara are the substances obtained from the ashes of drugs of animals (conch shells, Cypraea moneta,coral etc.), minerals (borax, salt petre, mixture of potassium salts etc.) and plants (Mulaka; Raphenus sativus Linn., Snuhi; Euphorbia nerifolia Linn., Arka; Calotropis gigantea Linn. etc.) origin, where alkaline portion is extracted from the ashes of these substances. Kshara Kalpana is the dosage form of alkaline substance, which may be used as single, or compound, or mixture of many herbs, animal and mineral products. There is a wide range of description available about Kshara in many of authoritative texts of Ayurveda. However, Acharya Sushruta, father of Indian Surgery, is the pioneer of Kshara Kalpana, as he introduced Kshara Kalpana in one of the specific chapter. These alkaline preparations have many therapeutic usages and even proved to be effective in treating many disorders. Applications of these preparations have replaced many surgical procedures too. The internal use of Kshara is advised in Mutrashmari (viz. renal calculi), external application in Arshas (hemorrhoid piles) and in the form of Kshara Sutra (alkaline thread) in the treatment of Nadi Vrana (sinus), Bhagandhara (fistula in ano) etc.. Kshara is also aided in the different pharmaceutical procedure like Shodhana (purification), Jarana (roasting) and Maran (incineration of metals and minerals)in various preparations of Rasaausadhies (metal and minerals formulations).The importance of Kshara in therapeutics as well as in pharmaceutical procedure inspired us to explore the historical uses of Kshara and KsharaSutra in view to establish its importance as well to get its clues for future scopes.