Hitesh Vyas

Nootropic (medhya) effect of Bhāvita Śaṇkhapuṣpī tablets: A clinical appraisal

Background: Nootropic (medhya) potential of śaṅkhapuṣpī (Convolvulus pluricaulis Choisy.) is reported in Ayurvedic literature and modern studies are now validating the same. In spite of plentiful preclinical researches already carried out during the past decades, only meager clinical efforts exploring its nootropic activity have been reported. Present clinical study is an attempt to evaluate the nootropic effect of Śaṅkhapuṣpī tablets. Aims and Objective: To evaluate the nootropic effect of śaṅkhapuṣpī tablets prepared by three Bhāvanā (levigation) of its cūrṇa (powder) with its own Svarasa (fresh juice). Materials and Methods: Thirty volunteers between the age 16 and 25 years participated in this single group pre-post study. Weschler′s memory scale was adopted to collect data before (pre) and after (post) intervention period (2 months). Paired t-test was used for analyzing the data. Results: In auditory immediate test and delayed test, 41.03% and 48% improvement was found which statistically highly significant (<0.001). In visual immediate and delayed test 32.5% and 44.87% improvement was found respectively, which shows highly significant result (<0.001). Conclusion: Results reveal that śaṅkhapuṣpī tablet shown highly significant results in improving memory, especially in long term memory loss in younger age group.

A comparative study on chronic administration of Go Ghrita (cow ghee) and Avika Ghrita (ewe ghee) in albino rats

Ghrita (ghee) is the foremost substance of Indian cuisine from centuries. Ayurvedic classics described eight kinds of ghee from eight different animal milk, among them ghee made from cow milk is said to be the superior and ghee of ewe milk is said to be the inferior and also detrimental to heart. The present study was undertaken to evaluate chronic administration of cow ghee (Go Ghrita) and ghee of ewe milk (Avika Ghrita) to experimental animals. Experiment was carried out on Wistar strain albino rats and study was done at two dose levels. The test drugs were administered orally for 45 consecutive days. Parameters, such as gross behavior, body weight, weight of important organs, total fecal fat content, electrocardiogram, serum biochemical parameters, and histopathology of different organs were studied. Both the test drugs did not alter the gross behavior, body weight, weight of organs, and cytoarchitecture of different organs to significant extent. Avika Ghrita at a low dose significantly decreased triglyceride content, significantly prolonged QTc and at both dose levels it significantly shortened the PR interval. This study shows chronic administration of Avika Ghrita and Go Ghrita has no marked differences between them except the QTc prolongation in Avika Ghrita. This may be the basis for the classics to categorize Avika Ghrita as Ahridya.

A clinical trial of Pippali (Piper longum Linn.) with special reference to Abheshaja

The classification of Dravya has been undertaken in many ways, but according to the medicinal value, they are mainly divided into two - Bheshaja and Abheshaja. No study has been documented on Abheshaja to date as per the scholars knowledge. Therefore, the present study was carried out to understand the concept of Abheshaja by a practical study. The drug Pippali (Piper Longum Linn.) has been contraindicated to be used for a longer duration. A clinical study was carried out on patients with Kaphaja Kasa, to evolve and assess if the drug acts as Abheshaja or not, and if yes, then under what circumstances. The patients of Kaphaja Kasa had been selected by the random sampling method. They were randomly divided into two groups - Group A and Group B. In Group A, test drug Pippali Churna was administered. Group B was a standard control group and Vasa Churna was given to this group. The dose of both the drugs was 4 g B.I.D. The result was assessed after three weeks of drug administration with the help of a specially prepared proforma. All the important hematological, biochemical, urine, and stool investigations were carried out. There was no adverse drug reaction (ADR) observed after the administration of Pippali in this particular study.

Fundamental approach in the management of Drava Bahula Amlapitta with Bhringaraja (Eclipta alba).

The disease Amlapitta has been selected for the clinical trials because it presents two type of manifestations depending upon the involvement of Agni (Ushnagunadhikya) and Jala (Dravagunadhikya) Mahabhuta. The present research work was focused at Drava Guna, with an aim to assess the efficacy of a drug with quality of Ruksha and Ushna predominance like Bhringaraja in treating Amlapitta with Pitta Drava Guna Vriddhi. Randomized open clinical trials were conducted on 22 patients of Amlapitta who were screened on the basis of clinical findings and allocated in to two groups. The criteria for selection were the signs and symptoms of Dravagunadhikya Amlapitta, irrespective of sex, religion, etc. Group A consisting of 15 cases received the trial drug Bhringaraja tablet (4 Tab. two times, 1 tablet=500 mg) and 7 cases in Group B received rice powder tablet as a placebo (4 Tab. two times, 1 tablet=500 mg) for 4 weeks. Special scoring pattern was adopted for the assessment of Amlapitta. Routine pathological tests such as blood, urine, stool, etc. were also carried out. In Group A, 55.33% patients showed marked improvement, whereas moderate improvement was observed in 26.67% patients. Complete cure was found in 06.67% of the patients and mild improvement in the chief complaints was observed in 13.33% patients. All the selected symptoms showed statistically significant results (P<0.01) except the Vidbheda in treated Group A, while in Group B, all symptoms showed statistically insignificant results except the Utklesha and Amlodgara. Total effect of the therapy showed statistically significant effect of the test drug. These results support the hypothesis

Comparative study of Upavasa and Upavasa with Pachana in the management of Agnisada.

Ayurvedic management is not only concerned with the cure of the diseased person, but is also meant to maintain the health of the healthy person because it is used for Dhatusamya. Langhana is the prime tool in the process of Dhatusamya. In this research study, Upavasa plus Pachana and Upavasa (among ten types of Langhanas) are applied in two different groups, using the random sampling method. Upavasa is taken as Hina Matra Bhojana — that is, gradually increasing the dose of Ahara (by Padanshika Krama) was applied on the basis of the Ahara Shakti of the Atura and status of the Agnisada. Furthermore, for the Pachana, Shunthi (Zingiber officinale) was selected. The subjects for the study were patients who had signs and symptoms of Agnisada and were between the age group of 20 and 60 years. In Group A (Upavasa plus Pachana) 83.77% and in Group B (Upavasa) 72.97% improvement was found, which was statistically highly significant (< 0.001). Upavasa plus Pachana and Upavasa were both found beneficial in promoting the Agni in patients with Agnisada. However, in the percentage-wise comparison Group A showed better result than Group B.

Assessment of Nutritional Status and Dietary Risk Factor for Malnutrition in Adolescent of Jamnagar District

Introduction: Adolescence is a period of crest growth for boys and girls. Nutritional requirements in relation to age are more during adolescence. The nutritional status which is often poor during early life gets worsened as the adolescent growth spurts happened. The common causes of malnutrition among adolescents in the poor community may be of less access to food and inadequate knowledge about dietary requirements. No study has been conducted on adolescent of particular Jamnagar district to determine their nutrient intake and nutritional status. The present study was conducted to fill this gap in the knowledge. Methods: Adolescent between age group of 16-25 years who has lived in Jamnagar for at least 5 years was considered eligible to be enrolled for the study from the surrounding area of Jamnagar district with problem of poor weight, poor growth, lean and thin body complains were taken for study. After taking a complete history emphasizing on milestones and dietetic history this problem is selected for present study. Results:58.00 % of patients were taking fermented items in food, 60.00 % of patients had to take food in poor quantity, 29.00 % of patients had taking food in moderate quantity, it can be conclude in this regards that poor quantity of food may ultimately leads to malnutrition. Conclusion: This may be due to tense life of studying, away from parents, exposure to sunlight, much activeness, faulty food habits which are leading to malnutritionin that particular age group. Therefore, lack of proper nourishment most of the poor adolescents are more effected to malnutrition.

Tantraguna – The ancient criteria for scientific writing

The scientific paper has been developed over the past three centuries into a tool to communicate the results of scientific inquiry. Scientific writing must have of a high standard because it is related with the process of gaining knowledge for the learned as well as new learners. In ancient era, specific writing methodology was adopted by the scientists to prepare standard and highly-scientific manuscripts in the field. Tools such as Tantrayukti (techniques for writing/decoding treatise), Tachchhilya (inclinations), Kalpana (compositions), etc., have been described in the classics to maintain the quality standards of scientific literature. Due to well-established writing methods, scientific literatures such as Samhita (Ayurvedic texts), Samgraha-grantha (compendia), Nighantu (lexicons), etc., were written uniformly and good quality literature was generated. The characteristics of good scientific writing for Shastra (treatise) have been described in the Vimanasthana of Charaka Samhita which is known as Tantraguna. The Tantraguna covers the key points of the writing such as language, order, length, method, etc. After reviewing and analyzing these Tantraguna, it can be concluded that the ancient writing method can be compared with some aspect to current introduction, methods, results and discussion structure of scientific writing. This analysis may help to empower and strengthen the current standards of scientific writing by editing new aspects of ancient writing method.

Rasayana effect of Guduchi Churna on the life span of Drosophila melanogaster

Introduction: The Drosophila melanogaster is one of the most extensively studied animal models for understanding the process of aging and longevity. This fly is being used for genetic studies since almost a century. Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia [Wild.] Miers.) is an Ayurvedic drug used as Rasayana (rejuvenation) due to its antiaging effect. Aim: To explore the potential of Guduchi Churna (powder of T. cordifolia) on the life span of D. melanogaster using adult feeding method. Materials and Methods: For experimental setups, the regular food media were mixed with Guduchi Churna in different concentrations (0.25 g/100 ml, 0.50 g/100 ml, and 0.70 g/100 ml). Flies were exposed to these concentrations for 30 days. Results: Increase in the lifespan was observed in both parent and F-1 generation. Applying of ANOVA revealed significant difference between control and drug groups. The longevity effect, in the drug group was seen even on F-1 generation. Conclusion: Guduchi Churna enhances the life span of D. melanogaster in both parent and F-1 generation.

Effect of Vishamashana on health: A survey study

Introduction: Ayurveda has a novel concept of Vishamashana. Vishamashana means taking food irregularly or without following a particular time. Aims: In the present era, due to the competitiveness in each and every field of life, todays individual does not get sufficient time for taking food and to maintain its quantity and quality. Vishamashana became a very common habit and trend in the modern developed era. As per the Ayurvedic Siddhanta, Vishamashana aggravates all the three Doshas and it is also said to be an important cause of vitiating the Agni. Hence, present survay was conducted to assess the effect of Vishamashana on health. Material and Methods: survey study has been done on 100 persons having habit of Vishamashana. Persons were divided into two groups: Group A for volunteers and Group B for patients. A special proforma was prepared for the assessment of health status based on Swastha Lakshanas of Charaka Samhita and Kashyapa Samhita. Results: In the survey study, majority of patients of Group B were found to have Avara health status and Group A had Madhyama health Status.

Effect of Ekakala Bhojana in patients of Agnimandya

Background: Though Sushruta Samhita is considered as the chief surgical treatise, Maharshi Sushruta has also emphasized on the preventive and curative aspects of diet. Dwadasha Ashana Pravichara is one of the unique concepts of Sushruta Samhita which can be considered as the root of diet therapy. In Dwadasha Ashana Pravichara, diet pattern is described for both healthy and diseased people. Aim: This study aimed to assess the effect of Ekakala Bhojana in Agnimandya patients. Materials and Methods: Patients fulfilling the criteria of selection were selected for the present study and were divided into two groups using simple random sampling method. Patients were treated for 10 days. The patients in Group A were treated with Trikatu tablet and those in Group B were given Ekakala Bhojana and placebo tablet. Effect of therapy was assessed on the basis of Abhyavaharana and Jarana Shakti. Results: Group B (Ekakala Bhojana) shows better results than Group A in the parameters of Abhyavaharana and Jarana Shakti except in Udgarashuddhi. Group B (65.19%) shows better result in Ahara shakti than that of Group A (55.76%). Conclusion: Agnimadya may be treated at primary level without the use of any medicine and only by reducing frequency of meal to Ekakala Bhojana.