Determination of phytochemical constituents and antioxidant activity of Rasayana, Triphala and antiageing herbal plants.

Antioxidants possess the ability to protect the body from damage caused by free radical induced oxidative stress and have antiageing property. ‘Theinga Dara Thanhitar’ book, written by Ashin Nagathein described that ‘Rasayana and Triphala’ drugs have the ability to prevent ageing and illness. This study was carried out to investigate the antioxidant activities of commonly used ingredients of ‘Rasayana’ such as Streblus asper Lour. (Okhne), Cassia fistula Linn. (Ngu), Tinospora cordifolia Miers. (Sindone-Ma-Nwe), Asparagus racemosus Willd. (Shin-Matet), Boerhavia diffusa Linn. (Payan-Nawa), and ‘Triphala’ such as Phyllanthus emblica Linn. (Ze-Phyu), Terminalia chebula Retz. (Phan-Ga) and Terminalia belerica Roxb. (Thit-Saint). Their absorbances were evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl -2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay method by using spectrophotometer. Yield percents of these plants were ranging from 4.05% to 28.6%. The watery extracts of Okhne, Ngu, stem of Sindone-Ma-Nwe, tubor of Payan-Nawa, Ze-Phyu, Phan-Ga, and Thit-Saint contain phenols and tannins which have free radical scavenging activities. It was found that the bark and stem of Okhne, tubor of Payan-Nawa and ‘Triphala’ had the least IC50 value i.e. the best antioxidant potency. Therefore, the findings from this study supported the experience-based findings of antiageing activities in ‘Triphala’ and ‘Rasayana’ to be evidence-based.

Cobra bite in Sanpya Hospital, Thingangyun

Cobra bite is the second commonest poisonous snake bite in Myanmar. This descriptive study includes definite cobra bite patients (n=10) admitted to Thingangyun Sanpya Hospital from May 1999 to January 2000. their ages ranged from 5 years to 38 years; 70 per cent were bitten in South Dagon. 40 per cent had severe local reactions requiring wound debridement and skin grafting; 10 per cent had digital amputation. All patients received antivenom and 80 per cent received prostigmine and atropine; 9 patients survived; 30 per cent required assisted ventilation. One patient, who received antisnake venom 100ml within 20 minutes, died after 30 hours on respirator. although antisnake venom and respirator are useful in the management of cobra bite, survival rate is not 100 per cent. as 40 per cent of bites occurred while sleeping, particular attention should be given to tucking and sleeping in the middle of big mosquito net. As cobra bite also occurred in suburbs of Yangon, alnd survival despite therapy is not 100 per cent, everysone should exercise snake bite preventive measures.