Rr Dwivedi

Anti depressant activity of Mamsyadi Kwatha: An Ayurvedic compound formulation.

Depression is a psychiatric condition in which there is loss of interest in all pleasurable outlets, viz. food, sex, work, friends, hobbies and entertainment. The prevalence rate of the disease is 6-8% in women and 3-5% in men. Ayurveda, the science of life, provides systematic management principles for depression. Mamsyadi Kwatha is one such formulation stated by Yadavji Trikamji Acharya in Siddha Yoga Sangraha and Bheshaja Samhita, which is said to be effective in psychiatric conditions. The ingredients are Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and Parasika Yavani (Hyocymus niger) in an 8:4:1 ratio, respectively. The test drug was subjected for antidepressant activity in experimental models. The models selected for anti depressant activity were behavioral despair test, anti-reserpine test and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) test in albino mice. The test formulation showed significant inhibition of behavioural despair (P < 0.05), weak to moderate anti-reserpine activity - ptosis (P < 0.001), catatonia (P < 0.01), sedation (P < 0.01) and moderate effect in CFS test (P < 0.050). These effects clearly show that Mamsyadi Kwatha has an anti-depressant activity.

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.

Practical applicability of Nyayas (Maxims) mentioned in Chakrapani Tika

The Nyayas - Maxims are of two types: (1) Loukika Nyaya and (2) Shastriya Nyaya. Loukika Nyayas are the one which are used by the common public in day today life whereas Shastriya Nyayas are the one which are used by the authors of the treatise to explore their concepts. Most commonly by using the meaning and gist of Loukika Nyaya, the Shastriya Nyayas were put forth by the Granthakaras. Moreover, notion of Nyaya depends upon the situation, place, and topic of explanation mainly. To explain the meaning of the topic, these Nyayas helped since Vaidika Kala. They teach hidden meaning correctly. As like Vedas, these Nyayas are also a part of other Shastras and so as in Ayurveda Shastra too. While explaining the Nidana, Chikitsa, etc., these Nyayas were utilized by the Acharyas of Ayurveda. To discern these Nyayas in their entirety at one place with examples is necessary for easy understanding of the Shastra. Here is an attempt to explore such Nyayas mentioned in Ayurveda for the benefit of easy understanding of the subject.

Evaluation of some objective parameters for Ushna and Sheeta Gunas based on pharmacological study

In the formation of a principle, the experimental study plays a pivotal role. After repeated experiments under the same conditions, if one finds the same results, then a principle is formed. Ayurvedic principles which were formulated on the basis of keen observations and through special senses need to be reassessed through contemporary scientific tools. The principles of Ushna (hot) and Sheeta (cold) Gunas (properties) need to be assessed and evaluated through various animal experiments so as to suggest parameters which can be suitable for the evolution of these Gunas. The present study is an attempt to find out the possibility of employing simple experimental parameters to assess these Gunas in selected drug substances and the data generated through this study were analyzed. The obtained results are encouraging to develop the same. All details are presented in this paper.

Effect of selected Samana and Vicitra Pratyayarabdha Dravya w.s.r. to Vipaka

Concept of Arabdhata and Pratyayarabdhata is a unique concept of Ayurveda, which is related to the conjugation and configuration of Mahabhutas (penta elements). Every substance undergoes some changes during digestion and metabolism in terms of changes in its Panchabhautika composition. If substance retains its Panchabhautika composition throughout the digestion and metabolism, it is known as Samana Pratyayarabdhata and if Panchabhautika composition of substance becomes totally different after digestion and metabolism, it is known as Vicitra Pratyayarabdhata. The change in Panchabhautika composition of substance can be seen at the level of Vipaka (post-digestive effect) or Virya (potency), which are not found according to Rasa (taste) and hence the Karma (action) of substance becomes different from its Rasa. Therefore, four drugs were selected, two having Samana Pratyayarabdhata (Nimba and Vasa) and two having Vicitra Pratyayarabdhata (Bhumyamalaki and Shankhapushpi). Clinical study was carried out on 24 healthy volunteers having Madhyama Koshta, divided into four groups, one group for each drug. The effects of drugs were assessed according to their Vipaka on Koshta (Bowel habit) especially on stool and habit of defecation (Srishtavinmutrata or Baddhavinmutrata). All the drugs showed effect according to their Vipaka in few parameters, but most of the results were statistically insignificant which suggested that substances perform their action according to their Pratyayarabdhata.

A comparative evaluation of intestinal transit time of two dosage forms of Haritaki [Terminalia chebula Retz].

Haritaki is praised as the best salutary drug which can be used in almost all ages of human life and is reputed for its Anulomana property. In Ayurveda, it has been mentioned that fruits of Haritaki when used in different forms give different type of actions. As the prime therapeutic utility of Haritaki is Anulomana, in the present study, two dosage forms of Haritaki fruits namely Churna and Vati were evaluated for intestinal transit time to evaluate its effect in two different dosage forms. Mature fruits were collected, authenticated, and processed as per classics to get Churna and Vati. Test drugs were administered in the dose of 550 mg/kg and evaluation on intestinal transit time was carried out by adopting kaolin expulsion test in mice. The results show that both the dosage forms of Haritaki significantly shortened intestinal transit time and between them Churna form is found to be better.

A clinical study of Panchakola Siddha Yavagu in the management of Agnimandya.

This research is carried out with the aim to study Agnidipana effect of Panchakola Siddha Yavagu which comprises Pippali (Piper longum), Pippalimula (root of Piper longum), Chavya (Piper chaba Hunter), Chitraka (Plumbago zelynica) and Nagara (Zingiber officinale) which are all in equal proportion processed in six times of water. A randomized open clinical trial on 47 patients of Agnimandya has been screened on the basis of clinical findings and the patients were allocated to two groups. Group A having 29 cases received the trial drug (Panchakola Siddha Yavagu) and 18 cases in Group B received simple Yavagu with roasted rice powder as the control group. Special scoring pattern was done for the assessment of Agnimandya state. Complete cure of the patient was found in 17.24% of the patients, 34.48% patients were improved moderately as well as markedly, whereas mild improvement was observed in 13.80% patients by treatment with Panchakola Yavagu.

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.

A randomized open-label comparative clinical study of effect of lifestyle modification and Shatapushpadya Churna on Agnimandya

Background: Non-communicable diseases are expected to kill more people in the 21st century which are the resultant of deranged lifestyle such as unhealthy dietary habits and wrong behavioral pattern. In Ayurveda, Ahara Vidhi (dietary rules) and Vihara (conducts) are described in detail which can be included under the heading of lifestyle. Agnimandya (indigestion) is considered as the root cause of all diseases like diabetes mellitus, obesity etc., which are few among the top ten lifestyle disorders. Aim: The present study is aimed at establishment of relationship between disturbances in lifestyle and Agnimandya and role of lifestyle modification in correcting the state of Agnimandya. Materials and Methods: The present study was carried out on 33 patients diagnosed with Agnimandya having disturbed lifestyle. Patients were divided into two groups with simple random sampling method. In Group A, lifestyle modification was advised with placebo capsules of wheat flour, while in Group B, patients were treated with 2 g of Shatapushpadya Churna for 2 weeks. Results: Both the groups showed statistically highly significant results on majority of the symptoms of Agnimandya, however, Group A provided better effect than Group B. Conclusion: Lifestyle has definite role in the manifestation and treatment of Agnimandya.