Indian Journal of Ancient Medicine and Yoga

 Quality, the denominator of any object for its acceptance is the prime issue in present scenario. It is also applicable for the drugs of different origin mentioned in Ayurveda. Ayurvedic science has developed in a cultural milieu and through a methodology that is based on a subjective approach to standardization. After scrutinizing the classics, it can be said that the ancient seers were well familiar with the concepts of quality control of the drugs, which helps in maintaining positive health and eradicating diseases, while the contemporary system learnt about the significance, in recent times only. WHO too starts to think about implementation of quality control aspects for herbal drugs in recent past. This paper reflects some light on the important subjective quality control parameters mentioned in classics along with some advanced analytical and phytochemical investigations for the quality control, along with suitable examples based on recent studies. Attempt has also been made to compile the scattered references pertaining to quality control from the ancient classics along with justification at few instances. The whole paper tries to reflect a need of collaborative approach between ayurvedic and modern sciences for better understanding and to create relevant quality standards.

Key words Ayurvedic medicines, commercialization, quality control, raw material, finished products.

 Latjîrâ (A. aspera Linn.) is considered as an important drug among the Tharu tribe residing in the vicinity of Dudhwa National Park, District Kheri (U.P.). The plant is famous in the tribal community by the name of CHHATTÎSÂ (curing 36 ailments) and is used widely in the local health traditions to treat various ailments by the tribe. It is also known as Vajrâdantî for its ability to cure dental problems and its Dataun (tooth brush) is very popular in the community. Main uses of the plant by the ethnic group, their classical references from the Classics of Ayurveda and pharmacological activities based on scientific screening are comparatively analyzed here.

 Antibacterial activity of Syrup and Tablet form of the Jwarahara Dashemani of Charaka was tested against both Gram-positive and Gram negative organisms by using bioassay method with concentrations of 1000, 500 and 250 mcg/ ml. Both the formulation i.e. JHD Syrup and JHD Tablet showed antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. But minimal activity showed against Escherichia coli and Streptococcus pyogenes. The above results were supported by phytochemical analysis. Both formulations exhibited concentration dependent activity.

Keywords Antibacterial, JHD Syrup, JHD Tablet, JHD: Jwarahara Dashemani

 Not Provided.

 Fart-e-Tadassum-fid-Dam (Hyper-lipidaemia) is not a single condition, but encompasses a wide range of disorders characterized by excess of fatty (lipid) substances in the blood due to metabolic derangement. The lipids include total serum cholesterol (TC), serum triglycerides (TG) and Lipoprotein (molecules of fat and cholesterol linked to protein). According to Harrison, raised fasting serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels from 4.5 mmol/dl (250 mg/dl) and according to Devidson’s, raised levels of plasma cholesterol and triglyceride from 20 mmol/l is termed as Hyper-lipidaemia 1-2 The increased level of one or more of these lipids i.e. Total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL); serum cholesterol or triglyceride (TG) or both TC and TG and low level of high density lipoprotein (HDL) predispose cardiovascular ailment while raised serum level of HDL is inversely related and protect the heart against cardiovascular diseases. The treatment of Hyper-lipidaemic state is to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease through lowering blood lipid levels. It may be achieve by adopting certain measures: (i) by reducing the total fat intake, (ii) by eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables; (iii) by keeping alcohol consumption to no more than 1-2 standard drinks a day; (iv) by doing exercise 3 times a week for at 30 minutes at a time; (v) by stopping smoking and by managing stresses. Drug treatments applied, if diet, exercise and weight reduction have not adequately reduce the blood lipid levels. Commonly used lipid lowering agents in Allopathy are bile sequestrant resins (cholestyramine, colestipol), lovastatin, simvastatin, gemfibrozil and nicotinic acid. Unani system of Medicine also provides some herbo-animo-minerals that are in use as blood lipid level lowering/weight reducing agents since ancient times like Luk-e-Maghsool, Zeera Kirmani (Carum carvi), Karafs (Apium graveolens), Sandros, Limoon, Honey, Sirkah (Vinegar), Sikanjbeen (Venegar+ Honey), Dawaul Luk, and Safoof Mohazzil etc. The present deals with Age, Sex, Marital status, Religion, Occupation, Socio-economic status, Dietary habit, Exercise, Family history, Addiction, Temperament, and Obesity as demographic parameters.

Key words: Fart-e-Tadassum-fid-Dam, Hyperlipidaemia, Hypercholesterolaemia, Hypertriglyceridaemia, Demographic studies

 Cyperus kyllinga Endl. syn. Kyllinga monocephala Rottb. is known as ‘Nirbisi’ in the different medicinal plant-lore of India. Its rhizome and roots are widely used as ethnomedicine among different tribal communities. Some scholars of Indian system of medicine reported that the plant may consider as ‘Nirvisha’ (antidote or anti poison) of old Sanskrit literature. The detailed studies on their macro and micro morphological characters, histo-chemical test, physico-chemical studies and fluorescence analysis are discussed here for the consideration and evaluation of the plant for proper utilization in Ayurveda system of medicine.

Key words Pharmacognosy; Cyperus kyllinga; ‘Nirvisha’; Cyperaceae; folk medicine

This fact is broadly validated that Ayurveda cures chronic diseases such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, asthma and hepatitis etc for which the modern i. e. allopathic system of medicine has no permanent cure. However there are less scientific studies were carried out to know the science behind the success of Ayurvedic treatment i.e. pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of Ayurveda drugs. It is reported that death rate with cancer is on the rise, by 6% every year in a country even in United State of America where best medical care is available to treat cancer patients. This becomes a necessity that world scientific community should consider for a strategy for ‘drug development programme’ so that safe and cheap medicines could be made available for treatment of cancer and other chronic diseases. An integrated approach is needed to manage cancer using the growing body of knowledge gained through scientific developments. Thousands of herbal and traditional compounds are being screened worldwide to validate their use as anti-cancerous drugs. The science of Ayurveda is supposed to add a step on to the curative aspects of cancers that have resemblance.

Keywords Cancer, Integrated approach, Ayurveda