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Efficacy of Swarna-prash in combating perinatal oxidative stress and its compatibility in newborns
Full text linkAll neonates are exposed to a variable degree of oxidative stress that may result in cellular, tissue, or organ damage due to a low-efficient antioxidant system. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of licked Swarna-prash, comprising 15 mg Swarna-bhasma (incinerated gold particles) mixed with 1 mL honey and 0.5 mL Ghrita (butter oil), given in perinatal oxidative stress. A randomized case-control study ensued after the microanalysis of InAuPs (Incinerated Aurum Particles) and Swarna-prash. Ninety newborns were registered, considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and divided into three groups. The single dose of Swarna-prash was given once a day in Group A and thrice a day in Group B. Due to ethical issues, nothing was given except mother milk in Group - C (control group). Venous blood samples were collected from the umbilical cord after birth and 48 h for complete blood counts (CBC), Liver function test (LFT), Renal function tests (RFT), and antioxidant enzymes. The Swarna-bhasma consisted of crystallite-size InAuPs ranging from 30.86 to 114.02 nm. The intergroup analysis of CBC, LFT, RFT, SOD, GSH, and catalase values shows in significant (p>0.05) variation except for the serum bilirubin and SOD in group-B v/s C, offers significant mean values (p<0.05). Finally, it can be inferred that Swarna-prash opposes neonatal perinatal oxidative stress, seems nontoxic, reduces the incidence of physiological jaundice, and is bio-compatible.
Utilizing traditional medicinal plants to address health issues and enhance sustainable community wellbeing
Full text linkThe practice of using plants in traditional remedies, drawing from age-old knowledge to treat various illnesses, falls under the scope of ethnobotany. The current research aimed to report traditional medicinal herbs that locals used to treat various diseases in Ahmedpur East, Pakistan. GPS data was used to capture the whole survey area. All plant specimens were preserved in the herbarium. The collected data was in demographic form. The native names of the plants, their purposes, parts used and techniques for preparing medicines as well as other pertinent information were gathered. The current study involved interviewing 300 informants (25 females, 275 males). The study identified wild medicinal plants from 15 families with Amaranthaceae and Brassicaceae being the most prevalent. The study revealed that leaves were the primary plant part used medicinally, accounting for 65% of remedies. Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) scores ranged from 0.52 to 0.96, while Fidelity Level (FL) was observed between 66% to 96%, indicating the community's agreement on the plants' medicinal efficacy. Notably, species like Aerva javanica, Melilotus indicus, and Cannabis sativa achieved the highest Use Value (UV) of 0.93. Comparative analysis using the Jaccard Index showed varying plant use patterns across different regions, emphasizing the unique ethnobotanical landscape of each area. The findings highlight local populations' rich traditional plant knowledge, suggesting potential avenues for phytotherapeutic chemical discovery and new treatments
Clinical efficacy of Gojihvadi Kwath, Shirishadi Kwath, Sanjeevani Vati, Panchagavya Ghrita Granules & Shunthi Churna for COVID-19 management, a randomized controlled trial
Full text linkThe obscure disease pattern of COVID -19 have to be evaluated with Ayurvedic interventions and the present clinical trial was a randomized open label parallel three-arm control trial on the major and minor symptomatic patients with the recent pandemic. The patients were recruited from the Super specialty building of Sir Sunderlal hospital, COVID- 19 ward and home isolated ones. The Ayurvedic intervention includes the 15 days oral administration (Group A) –Gojihvadi Kwath, Sanjeevani Vati; Panchagavya Ghrit Granules; Shunthi (Dry ginger powder) plus conventional treatment, in (Group B) –Shirishadi Kwath, Sanjeevani Vati; Panchagavya Ghrit Granules; Shunthi (Dry ginger powder) plus conventional treatment and in Group C (control group) only the conventional medicines. Assessment was done based on the RT-PCR reports, signs and symptoms. The results point out the efficacy of trial medicine (that is group A and B) to discharge the patients earlier than those from the control group. The early reduction in the signs and symptoms noted were also observed. Group B showed a faster recovery from dry cough and shortness of breath and improvement in appetite. Home-isolation patients showed faster recovery of clinical symptoms than the hospitalized patients. Ayurvedic interventions can accelerate viral load clearance associated with quicker recovery and concurrently decrease the risk of viral dissemination. Additionally, there were no adverse reactions observed with these trial medicines
Indigenous fishing gears of the Pulicat lagoon of Tamil Nadu
Full text linkA study was conducted on the design and the operational details of fishing gears and craft operated form 54 fishing villages bordering the Pulicat lagoon, one of the important lagoons of India (lat. 13.5593° N, long. 80.2098° E). Information was collected from 320 respondents covering a minimum of 5–7 fishermen from each fishing village. The investigation revealed the existence of 26 types of traditional fishing gears belonging to 15 categories. The pattern of operation of fishing gears used by fishermen was as follows: stake nets (33%), drift gillnets (24%), set gill nets (19%), drive-in nets (14%), and other gears (<10%). Among the 26 types of fishing gears analyzed, 7 gears, viz. hand-lift net, crab fishing gear, lighted crab scoop net, prawn fishing gear, wooden cover pot, cradle trap, and mono line with multiple hooks, were found to be eco-friendly. Further, the multi-stick drag net was found to be as a detrimental fishing gear as its operation lead to indiscriminate fishing with the high contribution of juveniles fishes of higher growth potential. The study revealed that the fishing pattern with traditional gears being practiced in the Pulicat lagoon might be continued without any further additional introduction of detrimental fishing gears such as gill net or mini trawl that are operated adjacent to this lagoon in the sea to sustain the fishery of this lagoon
In silico preliminary evaluation of bioactive compounds from five Unani drugs as potential SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors
Full text linkCOVID-19, although on the decline currently with the role of vaccines, still impose public health challenges due to the quick evolution of SARS-CoV-2 into several variants and periodic surge in cases. Identifying therapeutic interventions that can effectively target virulence, boost immune response, and protect target organs is of paramount importance. Behi dana (Cydonia oblonga), Unnab (Zizyphusjujuba), Sapistan (Cordia myxa), Banafsha (Viola odorata), and Aslassus (Glycyrrhiza glabra) are the most commonly prescribed drugs in Unani Medicine for upper respiratory tract infections and have been shown to have antiviral, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. The current study investigated the inhibitory response of phytocompounds contained in these drugs on putative SARS-CoV-2 drug targets. Phytocompounds structures were retrieved from PubChem database, with some being constructed using Marvin Sketch. 3CLpro and SARS-CoV-2 S glycoprotein were chosen as the target proteins. To determine the binding affinities and predict top-ranking poses with the highest scores, AutoDock Vina was utilized. The results of molecular docking indicated that the phytoconstituents of these drugs interacted well with 3CLpro and S glycoprotein with strong binding affinities. Zijusesquilignan A, Zijusesquilignan B, Emetine, Glycyrrhizin and 3,4-Dicaffeoylquinic acid, Vicenin-2, Isoschaftoside, Schaftoside, Zijusesquilignan A & C, Emetine, Glycyrrhizin were shown to be intriguing candidates with the capability of interacting with spike glycoprotein and 3CLpro, respectively and preventing the virus from replicating and infecting the host. Molecular simulation results showed the structural stability of the docked complexes. To conclude, the combination of these drugs may be useful in the development of novel remedial candidates for COVID-19; however, additional in vitro and in vivo investigations are required to ascertain this claim
Traditional healing and antimicrobial role of the herbal drug against UTIs by ethnic people of Darjeeling tea gardens, India
Full text linkThe herbal age-old traditional method is practiced even today to treat Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) by the ethnic inhabitants of tea gardens of Darjeeling Himalaya, India. The aim of this study was to explore and document the traditional ways of healing UTIs. The information was collected from selected tea gardens and data was quantitatively analyzed with the help of ethnobotanical indices viz., use value, plant part value, family use value, fidelity level (%), and informant consensus factor. Antibiogram of four UTI-causing bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris and Staphylococcus aureus) was also established by Kirbye Bauer’s disc diffusion method. Antibacterial activity of twelve mostly used plants like Cheliocostus speciosus, Equisetum diffusum, Saccharum officinarum, Elettaria cardamomum, Coriandrum sativum, Plantago asiatica ssp. erosa, Centella asiatica, Achyranthes bidentata, Carex cruciata, Drymaria cordata ssp. diandra, Nephrolepis cordifolia, Malvaviscus arboreus were assessed against the aforementioned bacterial strains. Drymaria cordata and Centella asiatica on comparative MIC and MBC study showed the lowest MIC and MBC value of 0.29 mg/mL each against Staphylococcus, representing their effectivity. Nephrolepis cordifolia with 100% FL showed the lowest MIC and MBC value 0.67 mg/mL each against E. coli K12. The uses of these plants known from the ethnomedicinal knowledge of the healers could be promoted as complementary medicine to treat UTI.
Estimation of phytochemical constituents and antioxidant potential of underutilized ethnobotanically important wild edible fruits of Manipur
Full text linkThis paper presents investigation on ethnobotany, phytochemicals constituents and antioxidant potential of six selected wild edible fruits (WEFs) of Manipur. Ethnomedicinal data collected through a semi-structured questionnaire shows that there are different therapeutic possibilities of WEFs, practised by the local people. Phytochemical estimation observed Rhus semialata was the most acidic fruit (4.67 pH) with 0.73 % of titratable acidity and lowest solubility (20%). A strong negative and significant association was observed between pH and titratable acidity, r = -0.9, p < 0.01, while a moderate positive relationship between titratable acidity and solubility, r = 0.59, p < 0.01 and no significant relationship was observed between pH and solubility. The calorific value was found within the range of 198.48 - 458.59 kcal/100g. The phytochemical content was foremost in Phyllanthus emblica, including the antioxidant potential and vitamin C, except for tannin. Meanwhile, tannin was found highest in Spondias pinnata (67.63 ± 0.97 mg/g). Least total phenolic and tannin content was recorded in Vangueria spinosa. P. emblica shows the highest reducing capacity in both the analysis, i.e., total in-vitro antioxidant activity (159.06 ± 4.10 AAE mg/g) and FRAP assay (43.16 ± 0.05 AAE mg/g). In in-vitro antioxidant activity, Elaeocarpus floribundus (13.26 ± 0.10AAE mg/g) shows the lowest antioxidant activity. The inhibition percentage of the DPPH assay was in order of Phyllanthus emblica > Spondias pinnata > Rhus semialata > Elaeocarpus floribundus > Microcos paniculata > Vangueria spinosa. The fruit samples exhibit diverse antioxidant activity indicating an active response to the radical. The finding specifies the overall primary and secondary metabolites, and antioxidant properties of these underutilized wild edible fruits and validates their therapeutic values and future prospects. Value-added food products of the WEFs plant species may be promoted within and outside the state while assuring nutrient content and availability of products. Moreover, it will help improve the economic conditions local people, aiding financial condition by selling fruits and value-added products
Exploring the role of diverse underutilized nutri-crops on food and nutritional security of ethnic communities in Eastern Himalaya
Full text linkThe role of traditional underutilized food in fulfilling the nutritional requirements of rural communities is acknowledged across the world. The Sikkim and Darjeeling Himalaya is considered as one of the hotspots of diverse underutilized nutritious crops and vegetables. Though the earlier generation used those diverse traditional nutri-crops to fulfill food and nutritional requirements, their usage and cultivation have declined over the period. The new generation is not aware of the nutritional values of these local crops. In this context, the present study was conducted to document the traditional nutri-crops of Sikkim and Darjeeling Himalaya, and to suggest future policies for mainstreaming these traditional crops into the farmers’ existing cropping system. Participatory rationality analysis technique was conceptualized and used to understand the usage of different traditional nutri-crops in the region from a sample of 560 farmers. The findings revealed that the rationality index score of Ishkush (Sechium edule) was highest (4.66) followed by Chuche Karela (Momordica charantia L.- 4.38) and Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo-4.37). The crops with highest perceived medicinal (4.86) and nutritive value (4.93) was Ishkush (Sechium edule). The major recommendation for popularizing the traditional nutri-crops was ‘Ensuring better price for traditional nutri-crops (81%)’ followed by ‘Start research initiative specifically on local unexplored nutri-crops to enhance their productivity (80%)’, and ‘Demonstrating the potential of indigenous nutri-crops in fighting malnutrition through extension agents (78%)’