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. 2015 May;6(Suppl 1):S1–S4.

Update Ayurveda 2014 Abstracts: Dr. Sharadini Dahanukar Prize Session

PMCID: PMC4456679
J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2015 May;6(Suppl 1):S1–S4.

UA/PZ/01: A comparative study of Curcuma longa and its fortified varieties on glucose uptake in normal and insulin resistant cells

Vaishali Dongare, Renuka Munshi, Samidha Joshi, Supriya Bhalerao

Department of Clinical Pharmacology, TN Medical College and BYL Nair Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India E-mail: vaishali.dongare@ymail.com

Background: Introduction of metal wire into the tuber of Curcuma longa plant can prove a novel way to use metals to get their therapeutic benefits in Ayurveda. Objective: The aim was to evaluate the effect of C. longa and its fortified varieties on glucose uptake in naïve and insulin resistance 3T3L1 cells. Materials and Methods: Zinc (Zn) and Tin (Sn) metal wire was inserted into the tuber of growing C. longa plant, which was further used as a therapeutic agent and glucose uptake activity was analyzed by measuring uptake of radio-labeled glucose in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, in naïve and insulin resistant state. Results: At the end of 20 min fortified variety of Sn showed dose dependent increase with maximum effect at 50 μg/ml as compared to fortified variety of Zn and control variety that is, C. longa alone. At the end of 24 h both the fortified varieties exhibited lesser glucose uptake when compared to the control variety. In resistant state, glucose uptake was higher in all the groups when compared with dexamethasone treated adipocytes. However, the effect with a fortified variety was lesser than control variety. Conclusion: Insertion of metals (Zn and Sn) into the tubers did not enhance the glucose uptake activity known to be exhibited by C. longa. The present study needs to be explored further in terms of insertion technique, concentration of metals and climatic conditions.

J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2015 May;6(Suppl 1):S1–S4.

UA/PZ/02: An experimental study to evaluate the anti-osteoporotic effect of Panchtikta ghrita on glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis rat model

Bhagyeshri Rane, Tanvi Patil, Renuka Munshi, Supriya Bhalerao, Chetan Gurada

Department of Clinical Pharmacology, TN Medical College and BYL Nair Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India E-mail: bnrane87@gmail.com

Background: Although the exact prevalence of steroid-induced osteoporosis remains unclear, it is estimated, that significant bone loss occurs in 30–50% of patients receiving chronic, long-term steroid therapy. Objective: The study was conducted to develop the glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GC) model in Sprague Dawley weanling rats using different doses of methylprednisolone (MP) and evaluate the anti-osteoporotic effect of an Ayurvedic formulation, Panchatikta ghrita [PG], in this model.Materials and Methods: Institutional Animal Ethics Committee approval was obtained. Development of the model was done by subcutaneous injection of two doses of MP (14 mg/kg/week and 28 mg/kg/week) for 4 weeks in 21 day old weanlings. The standard drug (alendronate: 2.9 mg/kg/day) and test drug (PG 1.35 g/kg/day) were administered orally 2 weeks after MP (14 mg/kg/week) injection and continued for 4 weeks. Serum and urine calcium and inorganic phosphate were analyzed at weekly intervals. Animals were sacrificed after 6 weeks, and femur bones were processed to measure bone hardness and elasticity and for histological studies.

Results: Phase I: As rats treated with MP 14 mg/kg/week showed optimum osteoporotic effect with no mortality when compared to MP 28 mg/kg/week, this dose was used in the second phase. Osteoporotic rats treated with PG 1.35 g/kg showed increase in serum calcium and phosphate levels (10.0 ±0.59, 8.36 ± 0.26) while urine calcium and phosphate levels (2.78 ± 0.74, 278.6 ± 45.5) were significantly reduced. A significant decrease in number of osteoclasts (1.0 ± 0.63, 0.83 ± 0.40, 0.83 ± 0.40) while an increase in bone hardness and elasticity (203.03 ±54.15, 5.51 ± 2.72) were observed as compared to diseased group (184.25 ± 100.21), demonstrating anti-osteoporotic effect of PG. Conclusion: Based on its effect on restoration of mineral content, reduction in osteoclasts and increase in bone hardness, it can be concluded that PG has an anti-osteoporotic effect in GC-induced osteoporosis model.

J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2015 May;6(Suppl 1):S1–S4.

UA/PZ/03: Androgenic activity of Suvarna bhasma evident as changes in the cytoarchitecture of the testes, seminal vesicles, and ventral prostate

Gaurav Vaish, Pawankumar Godatwar

Department of Roga and Vikriti Vijnana, National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

E-mail: gauravayurveda@rediffmail.com

Background: The presence of gold in normal human seminal plasma has been reported. In some cases of pathological semen samples, the value of gold was less than the normal, possibly demonstrating the need of gold for the fertility potential. Objective: To assess the role of gold for possible androgenic activity which would be evident as changes in the cytoarchitecture of the testes, seminal vesicles and ventral prostate and to assess the effect of gold on sperm count and motility.

Materials and Methods: The study was carried out in two groups of albino rats. After recording the initial data, five rats in both the groups A and B were started with lactose solution and Suvarna bhasma suspension therapy for 15 days. Cauda epididymis suspension was examined for sperm count, motility and morphology. Dissected testes, seminal vesicles, and prostate were subjected to microscopic examination for cytoarchitecture.

Results: Following treatment by S. bhasma, concentration of spermatozoa in cauda epididymis of the rat increased significantly, the percentage of the rapid linear progressive motility of spermatozoa in rats also increased. The area of interstitial tissue of the testes increased significantly, and the diameter of seminiferous tubules in rat testis was reduced while the number of seminiferous tubules per field in rat testis was increased.

Conclusion: S. Bhasma is effective on sperm count and motility and showed androgenic activity, which was evident as changes in the cytoarchitecture of the testes, seminal vesicles, and ventral prostate.

J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2015 May;6(Suppl 1):S1–S4.

UA/PZ/04: Unmadgajakesari: A novel antipsychotic drug

Rajeeta Joseph, Vijaya Pandit1, Asmita Wele2

Department of Pharmacology, B.V.D.U. Dental College and Hospital, 1Department of Pharmacology, B.V.D.U Medical College, 2Department of Rasashastra, B.V.D.U. College of Ayurveda, Pune, Maharashtra, India

E-mail: rajeetajoseph@gmail.com

Background: Schizophrenia is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder with abnormalities involving multiple neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Unmadgajakesari (UGK) is a herbomineral formulation claimed to possess antipsychotic activity. Hence, the present study was carried out to assess the antipsychotic profile of UGK. Objective: To evaluate the antipsychotic activity of UGK in animal models.Materials and Methods: After performing acute toxicity studies of UGK, it was evaluated for its dopaminergic, serotonergic, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and GABA activity in animal models viz., inhibition of apomorphine-induced climbing (dopamine), Inhibition of 5-HTP-induced head twitches (serotonin), antagonism of MK-801-induced hyperlocomotion (NMDA) in mice and antagonism of PTZ-induced convulsion (GABA) in rats. Animals were divided into 6 groups for studying each neurotransmitter. Each group comprised of six animals wherein Group I - Normal control, Group II - Vehicle control (ghrita), Group III - Drug control (positive control). In test groups (IV-VI) UGK were administered in doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg in mice and 70, 140 and 280 mg/kg in rats. All the drugs were given orally for 8 days, and the study parameter was evaluated on day 1 and 8. Results: UGK was found to be nontoxic upto dose 2000 mg/kg. Significant antidopaminergic, antiserotonergic, anti NMDA activity was obtained on day 1 with no significant increase till day 8. Efficacy of UGK was not increased with dose increment. Significant gabergic activity was seen on day 8 only in low dose. Conclusion: Lack of adverse effects and multitude of actions exhibited by UGK may prove it to be one of the novel drugs in the treatment of psychosis, not responding to modern medicine.

J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2015 May;6(Suppl 1):S1–S4.

UA/PZ/05: Study of a holistic approach of antenatal care on pregnancy outcome

Supriya Gugale

Tanushree Garbhsanskar Center, Pune and Neel Hospital, Panvel, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

E-mail: doc_supriya13@yahoo.com

Background: Pregnancy is a unique state of physiological stress. Studies show that very high level of stress may contribute to an increased risk of premature delivery or low birth weight babies, increase heart rate, blood pressure. Objective: To study the holistic approach of antenatal care to improve the gestational age at birth.Materials and Methods: A total of 532 women attending the antenatal clinic both at Tanushree Garbhsanskar Kendra Pune and Neel Clinic, Panvel, Navi Mumbai, were enrolled between 18 and 28 week of pregnancy in prospective nonrandomized, matched, interventional study. Totally 254 women were enrolled in study group and 278 women in the control group. Holistic antenatal care included physical, mental and spiritual care. Stress management through Rajayoga Meditation (as taught by Brahma Kumaris), Nutritious and Satwik food, antenatal physical and breathing exercises were advised for the study group. Exercises, walking and meditation were practiced by the study group from date of entry until delivery. The control group walked half an hour twice a day (standard obstetric advice) during study period. Compliance in both groups was ensured by frequent telephone calls and maintenance of daily activity charts. Results: Preterm labor was significantly lower in study group. The number of babies with birth weight ≥2500 g were significantly higher in study group. Vaginal delivery was significantly higher in study group. Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and pregnancy-induced hypertension with associated IUGR were significantly higher in study group. Vaginal delivery was significantly higher in study group. Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and pregnancy-induced hypertension with associated IUGR were significantly lower in study group Conclusion: Holistic Antenatal care is safe, relatively cheap to implement and would reduce the costs of long-term health care.

J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2015 May;6(Suppl 1):S1–S4.

UA/PZ/06: An Ayurvedic approach in the management of Guillain–Barre syndrome: A case study

Amit Nakanekar, Sunanda Bhopale, Suraj Rathod, Harshad Gulhane, J. D. Gulhane

Government Ayurved College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India E-mail: amitnakanekar@gmail.com

Background: Guillain–Barre syndrome (GBS) is an acute, frequently severe and fulminant polyradiculopathy that is autoimmune in nature. GBS is a rare disorder that causes immune systems to attack peripheral nervous system. Objective: To observe the effect of Ayurvedic treatment in the management of GBS.Materials and Methods: A 46-year-old male patient, presenting with sudden onset, complete paralysis of all four limbs (quadriplegia), unable to walk, stand, sit, difficulty in deglutition (dysphagia) and dysarthria, having Foley's catheter and Ryle's Tube was brought by relative to OPD of our Institute. He was provisionally diagnosed as subacute sensory motor paraplegia. Previously, the patient admitted and treated in our institute but did not show any sign of improvement and hence patient was admitted and treated with Ayurvedic treatment. As per Ayurvedic classics, this condition can be correlated with Sarvangagatavatavyadhi (~ Vata disorder affecting all parts of the body), which is Apa tarpana in nature (~diseases with deprived nourishment of body tissue) preceded by Jvara (~h/o fever before onset of GBS). Hence, the principle of treatment is Santarpana Chikitsa (~ nourishing treatment) and jwaraghna chikitsa (~treatment of fever) using various Ayurvedic herbomineral compounds. Results: Remarkable results were observed in the form of improvement in the muscle power from 0 to 5 of all four limbs, improvement in speech. Post treatment there was no difficulty in deglutition, in sitting, standing and walking, and the patient's condition became near to normal movements. Conclusion: Ayurvedic treatment has a beneficial effect in the management of GBS.

J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2015 May;6(Suppl 1):S1–S4.

UA/PZ/07: Exploring multiscale entropy measures for the radial pulse analysis with Traditional Indian Medicine perspective for dominant humor identification

Prasad Joshi, Rohin Daruwala

Department of Electrical Engineering, Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute, Matunga (East), Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

E-mail: prasad.joshi@djsce.ac.in

Background: Radial pulse analysis is an important tool for patient diagnosis practiced in Traditional Indian Medicinal (TIM) Science – AyUrveda. Objective: Objective analysis and interpretation of radial pulse signal from signal processing perspective to obtain measures for dominant humor identification in healthy states has been attempted.Materials and Methods: Electret-based capacitance sensing mechanism and instrumentation has been build and implemented for sensing radial pulse perturbations. Sensed signal is sampled at 500 Hz and digitized using 14-bit data acquisitions unit. Pulse signal from point position proximal to the thumb, and along the radial artery, of the right/left hand is identified for single-channel pulse logging. Signals for healthy individual have been logged from the indicated position, in the three humor interval periods – 7 am, 1 pm and 5 pm corresponding to dominant humor Kapha, Pitta and Vata for at-least 5-min over a period of 8 days. Results: Radial pulse analysis, using multiscale permutation entropy (MSPE), for dominant humor identification has been implemented. Identifiably distinct trajectory variations, of MSPE values for pulse signal in dominant humor interval have been obtained. MSPE variations of Pitta (Pt) humor displayed by control subject correlate with a factor of 0.72 and P value of 0.014 with those of similar age group individuals.

Conclusions: Objective evaluation of the radial pulse signal for obtaining results similar to those arrived by a trained TIM physician, using sense perception, can contribute in the development of value added diagnostic tool.

J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2015 May;6(Suppl 1):S1–S4.

UA/PZ/08: Effect of Withania somnifera on physical and cardiovascular performance-induced by physical stress in healthy human volunteers: A pilot study

A. P. Petare, B. A. Salve, R. K. Tripathi, S. V. Kapse, A. Raut, N. N. Rege

Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Seth G.S. Medical College and K.E.M. Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

E-mail: anuppetare@gmail.com

Background: Withania somnifera (WS) known as rejuvenator, increases vigor, vitality, immunity was evaluated for anti-stress/adaptogenic activity in healthy volunteers during exercise, versus placebo.

Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate effect of WS on physical performance and secondary objectives were to evaluate muscle power, maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and sympathetic activity in comparison with placebo when subjected to physical stress.Materials and Methods: After Ethics committee approval and consenting, 30 participants were randomly assigned into three groups of 10 each namely placebo, WS 330 mg and WS 500 mg after screening visit for physical fitness. They were assessed on baseline visit, day 14 and day 28. Physical stressors used were three cycle ergometer exercises, Jammers’ hand held dynamometer test and cold pressor test in each visit. Physical performance was evaluated as the maximum distance and speed, VO2max, hand grip strength. Cardiovascular response was assessed by multiple heart rate and blood pressure (BP) measurements during each test. Repeated measure of ANOVA used for the within group analysis, post-hoc Tukey's test and unpaired i-test used. Results: On day 28, WS 330 and WS 500 groups showed a significant increase mean distance travelled and mean average speed compared to placebo (P < 0.005). WS 500 group showed significant decreased mean systolic BP on fixed workload exercise, compared to placebo (P < 0.005). Compared to baseline WS 330 and WS 500 groups showed significant increased VO2max and hand grip strength (P < 0.005). Conclusion: WS demonstrated increasing trend in tolerance to exercise from baseline showing adaptogenic activity.

J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2015 May;6(Suppl 1):S1–S4.

UA/PZ/09: Evaluation of Withania somnifera on ethanol consumption and decision making in model of ethanol dependence in mice: An experimental study

Kshitij S. Jadhav, Padmaja A. Marathe

Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Seth GS medical college, KEM hospital, Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

E-mail: dr.kshitij@yahoo.com

Background: Therapy for alcohol addiction described in modern medicine is modestly beneficial and having high relapse rate. There is a need for more efficacious drugs. Withania somnifera (WS) has been shown to inhibit morphine tolerance and dependence in mice possibly due to its gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-mimetic action. Earlier work in our laboratory showed that WS protected against alcohol relapse and withdrawal. Depressed GABA and serotonin neurotransmission increase ethanol intake and impair decision making in addiction. WS has been shown to enhance GABAergic and serotonergic transmission in the CNS.

Objectives: To evaluate effects of WS on ethanol consumption and decision making in the experimental model of ethanol dependence.Materials and Methods: Following Animal Ethics Committee's permission, 24 male C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups as follows: Group 1: Vehicle, Group 2: 1 mg/kg/day naltrexone, Group 3: WS-390 mg/kg/day and Group 4: WS-650 mg/kg/day. Models of ethanol dependence (intermittent access) and Iowa gambling task (IGT) were used. Variables measured were ethanol and water intake/kg/day and percentage ethanol preference for 15 days after induction of ethanol dependence. IGT was performed for 9 days on the same mice after first experiment and number of choices for disadvantageous arm was noted. Data were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests with level of significance set at P < 0.05. Results: WS (390 mg/kg) group showed decreased ethanol intake whereas WS (650 mg/kg) showed decreased ethanol intake, ethanol preference as well as improved IGT performance (P < 0.05 vs. control); comparable to naltrexone.

Conclusions: WS effectively decreased ethanol consumption and improved decision making in ethanol dependent mice.

Articles from Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine are provided here courtesy of Elsevier

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