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Evaluation of toxic heavy metal content in marketed Ayurvedic decoctions using closed vessel microwave digestion in ICPMS
Full text linkThe heavy metal toxicity of marketed Ayurvedic herbal formulations has been sporadically reported in the literature. Drakshadi (DK) and Gandharvahastadi (GK) decoctions are widely prescribed classical Ayurvedic herbal formulations. The potential adverse heavy metal toxicity due to consequent intake of DK and GK have been published in scientific papers or reported through pharmacovigilance. The objective of our investigation was to determine the presence of heavy metals in marketed DK and GK, with reference to the Ayurveda Pharmacopeia of India (API) standards. In this study, the concentration of four heavy metals, Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), and Mercury (Hg) were investigated using Inductively Coupled Plasma- Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS). These metals are not known to have any role in the pharmacological activity of these formulations. However, their presence beyond acceptable limits can have harmful consequences. Eighteen random samples each of DK and GK decoctions were collected from different pharmacy outlets, Kerala province, India. We tested 36 market samples of the above formulations for heavy metals, which were found to be within the limits prescribed by the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Our study suggests that heavy metal contamination of Ayurvedic formulations may not be widespread as suspected. However, continuous dynamic monitoring of Ayurvedic herbal formulations for heavy metal contamination is warranted considering the possibility of inadvertent contamination of raw drugs from environmental exposure
A preliminary study on the safety and efficacy of the compound Unani medicine Jawarish-e-Shahi in the treatment of palpitation
Full text linkHeart palpitations are the sensations or feelings that accompany an excessively rapid, skip-beat, or fluttering heartbeat. Heart palpitations can be brought on by a variety of factors, such as anxiety, tension, fear, caffeine, nicotine, some medications, dietpills, physical activity, and fever. Herbal remedies have long been utilized widely in the therapeutic management of palpitations because available synthetic medications have substantial negative effects. The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and effectiveness of the Unani medication Jawarish-e-Shahi in patients experiencing palpitations. The information provided here is an open-level, multicentric clinical study that was carried out at the “Regional Research Institute of Unani Medicine in Aligarh”, Uttar Pradesh, from 2016 to 2019 on 74 cases of palpitation streated with Jawarish-e-Shahi. A p-value of<0.05 was proved to be significant in the statistical analysis of the presented data, which was conducted using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Dunnett's test. The study's findings, which were compared to baseline data from various follow-ups of palpitation cases treated with Jawarish-e-Shahi, demonstrated a notable improvement in a number of palpitation symptoms, including anxiety, perspiration, nausea, vomiting, and chest heaviness. A significant decline in diastolic pressure and pulse rate had also been observed. Reduction in number of pallor (pale appearance of patients) in baseline, 1st follow-up and post-treatment had been noted. Based on the investigation, the Unani medicine is safe and non-toxic. More research on a large size of population with palpitations is suggested for further study.
Dynamic Protective Potential of Couroupita guianensis. Aubl against Reactive Free Radicals: An Approach of Stimulated in vitro model.
Full text linkOxygen is an essential element for life but it is also the reason for the cause of tissue damage. During various metabolic activities, oxygen gets reduced to highly reactive oxygen metabolite which readily reacts with macromolecules like protein, carbohydrate, lipid and nucleic acids in the body. Antioxidants block the process of oxidation by neutralizing these reactive free radicals. The present study has focused on the validation of the antioxidant potential of Couroupita guianensis.Aubl. using goat liver slices which is an in vivo stimulated in vitro model system. Liver is the major metabolic organ involved in clearance of many xenobiotics. Hydrogen peroxide was used as the standard oxidant in treatment groups. The enzymatic and non enzymatic antioxidant potential was evoked by the methanolic extract and alkaloid fraction of both leaves and flowers of Couroupita guianensis.Aubl. in oxidatively stressed goat liver slices. The results proved that the Couroupita guianensis.Aubl. exhibits good antioxidant potential and is able to combat oxidative damaging systems for preventing various oxidative stress induced secondary diseases and disorders. This in vitro model system will mitigate the sacrifice of animals by mimicking the in vivo condition for research purposes
Investigation of Acacia nilotica seed gum for formulation prospects
Full text linkPlant gums are useful excipient materials for preparation of different health care formulations. Gums are generally carbohydrates, which consist of long chain polysaccharides. Traditionally, plant gums have been utilized for preparation of different drug delivery systems. A. nilotica seed has nutritional and ethnobotanical values, which has been traditionally used as food and folk medicine. Thus, the purpose of this study was separation of A. nilotica seed endosperm and isolation of endospermic gum for exploration of their physicochemical properties. Result revealed that isolated endospermic gum was amorphous in nature based on SEM and XRD analysis. Elements C, K and Mg were found to be attached on gum surface in EDS analysis pH, tapped and true density were found to be closer in seed endosperm and their isolated gum. Hygroscopicity, water holding capacity, porability, swelling index, angle of repose and porosity were enhanced in isolated gum. Tensile strength and viscosity of isolated gum i.e., 60.93 mN.m-1 and 5-200 cP respectively, were increased as compared to seed endosperm i.e., 55.73 mN.m-1 and 4-100 cP respectively. Thus, isolated endospermic gum was found to be suitable in terms of physicochemical properties and may be used as plant based safe, non-toxic and eco-friendly excipient material in pharmaceutical applications
Antifertility activity of Oroxylum indicum Vent. stem bark on female Wistar rats
Full text linkPlant based traditional medicines are being used by the diversified populations of North-East India (NE India) for numerous human ailments and birth control since ancient times. Different ethnic communities of the Indian state Tripura have been traditionally using fresh stem bark of Oroxylum indicum (L.) Vent. for birth control. Thus, the aim of this research was to justify pharmacologically the traditional use of Oroxylum indicum stem bark for birth control. The ex-vivo uterotonic potential of four different extracts viz., ethyl acetate (EAOI), acetone (ACOI), methanolic (MEOI) and aqueous (AEOI) extracts (10 μg/50 µL) of O. indicum stem bark was carried out using uterine tissue and 4%, 16%, 53% and 89% uterine contraction, respectively was observed. Hence, 200 mg/kg/day dose of MEOI and AEOI were investigated on female rats for in-vivo abortifacient and anti-implantation activity and the level of different hormones released were estimated. In addition, acute-toxicity of the MEOI and AEOI were carried out on rats of either sex. The AEOI extract showed height potential for both aborticide (**p<0.01) and anti-implantation effect (**p<0.01) in compared to MEOI extract. It was noticed that there was a significant decline (**p<0.01) in gonadotropic releasing hormone (GnRH) level in anti-implantation model and major elevation (**p<0.01) in luteinizing hormone (LH) level of anti-implantation and abortifacient model in both standard and treatment group, where Ethinylestradiol (0.1 mg/kg/day, P.O.) used in standard group and the treatment group received AEOI. In acute toxicity studies, both the test samples of MEOI and AEOI have not exhibited any toxic effect up to 2000 mg/kg dose. Based on the pharmacological aspect, the present study justifies the traditional claim for O. indicum as an antifertility agent and identifies the potential of AEOI as an excellent and safe source of antifertility agent
Medicinally important orchids of Northeast India: traditional knowledge and scientific validation
Full text linkNortheast India, comprising eight states, harbors a rich gene pool of orchids vital to local culture, economy, and medicine. These plants, with 145 documented species used across the region, are valued for treating diseases like cancer, tumors, nervous disorders, and skin ailments. Key genera include Acampe, Aerides, Anoectochilus, Bulbophyllum, Calanthe, Coelogyne, Cymbidium, Dendrobium, and Vanda, known for their diverse secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, and polyphenols that contribute to their healing properties. However, scientific exploration has been limited, with only 54 species reported to contain active compounds. Future research should focus on identifying new bioactive compounds, validating efficacy through animal and human studies, and exploring traditional knowledge for potential new species, aiming to harness these plants for commercial medicinal applications
Biological activities and phytochemical investigation of some Sideritis species
Full text linkOne of the most generally used plants for herbal tea is Sideritis L. species (Lamiaceae) which is commonly grown in the Mediterranean region and represented by 46 species and 53 taxa in Türkiye. Sideritis species are widely used in Türkiye due to their antispasmodic, antirheumatic, anti-inflammatory, and diuretic activities. In the present research, the effects against oxidative stress, and enzyme activitiy, as well as chemical compositions of the water and methanol extracts of seven Sideritis species (S. bilgeriana P.H. Davis), S. brevidens P.H. Davis, S. cilicica Boiss. & Balansa, S. erythrantha Boiss. & Heldr., subsp. cedretorum P. H. Davis, S. hololeuca Boiss. & Heldr., S. libanotica Labill. subsp. linearis (Benth.) Bornm., and S. libanotica Labill. subsp. violascens P. H. Davis.). Its main objective was to assess the suppression of five enzymes, tyrosinase, α-glucosidase, α-amylase, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and butyrylcholinesterase, for the water and methanol extracts of seven different Sideritis species. The extracts were also assessed for antioxidant effects using various spectrophotometric methods involving DPPH, ABTS·+, and iron chelating, as well as the determination of total phenol and flavonoid amounts. As for the phytochemical investigation on Sideritis species, the phenolic compounds of the extracts were determined by LC-MS/MS analysis. Because of the LC-MS/MS analysis, Hierarchical Cluster Analysis was performed on four major components: quinic acid, chlorogenic acid, fumaric acid, and acacetin in the present work. As a result, our research indicates that Sideritis species, particularly S. cilicica, S. erythrantha, and S. libanotica subsp. linearis, deserve to be examined afterwards for their active secondary metabolites, which are thought to be responsible for their potential biological activities. Furthermore, the composition of extracts of Sideritis species was statistically analysed using the principal component.
Overview of the handicraft products of Lepironia articulata (Retz.) Domin (Cyperaceae) in Wawonii Island, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia
Full text linkLepironia articulata or the kolosua is a species of herbaceous plant from the Cyperaceae family used as a raw material for weaving crafts. The woven craft of kolosua is one of the additional incomes of the local community on Wawonii Island. This study aims to find out local knowledge about the utilization of kolosua as handicraft, various handicraft products, and the problems faced by craftsmen so that the plant species can be considered for local government policies in terms of using kolosua to increase people's income and environmental regulations to maintain their natural habitat. An ethnobotanical study on the utilization of kolosua by the local community in Wawonii Island was carried out by semi-structured and "open-ended" interviews, and direct observations in the field. Lepironia articulata is one species of plant that is used as raw material for woven crafts. Generally, handicraft products are produced for craftsmen's use or sold to traditional markets on Wawonii Island. Art and craft products are one of the sources of community income. The income from the sale of kolosua woven products was around IDR 100,000 (USD 7) up to IDR 150,000 (USD 10) after deducting transportation costs. The role of local governments is needed to provide awareness counseling on the use of kolosua. This study has implications for the local community and government to increase people's income, environmental regulations and to maintain their natural habitat
The contribution of traditional knowledge systems to sustainable urban development: The case of the historic settlement of Sille
Full text linkTraditional Knowledge Systems (TKS) encompass the indigenous knowledge, techniques, values, customs, and ethics developed and preserved by native inhabitants over centuries. Analyzing these systems helps transmit them to future generations while enhancing their adaptability to contemporary designs. This research focuses on TKS in Sille, a historical settlement in Konya, Türkiye, aiming to increase awareness and establish their connection with sustainable development. Through archival and literature research, field observations, and interviews, the study identifies Sille’s traditional construction techniques, cultural practices, and methods of food production and preservation. Findings reveal that these practices are deeply tied to the region’s natural environment, including its climate, topography, and ecology. They also align harmoniously with ancestral customs, traditions, and rituals. Despite their richness, Sille’s TKS face threats from modernization and the pressures of increased tourism. With each passing day, unique elements of this heritage are being lost, underscoring the urgent need for protection through qualified area management planning. This study highlights the importance of documenting and preserving Sille’s TKS to safeguard its original values. By integrating this knowledge into sustainable urban development strategies, the research also explores practical solutions compatible with the historic urban fabric of the region. Overall, it emphasizes the potential of blending traditional wisdom with contemporary approaches to address ecological and cultural challenges.