Preventing Apathyanimittaja Madhumeha - An Ayurvedic Approach

Prevention is always better than cure especially in diseases such as Type 2 DM which is fast gaining the status of a potential epidemic in India with more than 62 million diabetic individuals currently diagnosed with the disease. The disease Madhumeha can be correlated with Type 2 DM. The disease is characterized by metabolic abnormalities and long term complications involving the eyes, kidneys, nerves and blood vessels. Madhumeha being an Anushangi vyadhi will make the person suffer for life time. Complications are further more difficult to treat. Hence it is always recommended in Ayurvedic classics to prevent the manifestation of diseases as much as possible and also to prevent the Upadravas if Madhumeha is already manifested. A good and proper diet in disease is worth a hundred medicines and no amount of medication can do well to a patient who does not follow a strict regimen of diet. Pathya ahara is the first and foremost step while considering the prevention of Madhumeha. Another factor which has important role in the disease manifestation is improper Vihara which can be considered for increased urbanisation, high prevalence of obesity, sedentary lifestyles and stress. Healthy life style has a key role in preventing Madhumeha and also to ease the life with Madhumeha by delaying the complications. Hence the present study is aimed at collecting and compiling various preventive measures which are explained by our Ayurvedic Acharyas to prevent Madhumeha and its complications.

Analytical study on pattern of intestinal obstruction

Background: Acute intestinal obstruction is an enigma with its versatile presentation and wide spectrum of management options available. It presents a constant challenge to the surgeon both in diagnosis and in judgment as regards the line of management for that specific patient, for those specific parameters and for that specific moment in the course of the disease. Materials and methods: This was a facility based retrospective study involving all patients diagnosed as intestinal obstruction clinically, radiologically, and pathologically. The relevant data shall be collected by using detailed case history/previous surgery, symptoms, signs, investigations like complete hemogram, liver function test, radiological, and intra operative findings. Results: In our setup, there was higher incidence of intestinal obstruction among males (28 – males, 12 – females). As far as age distribution was concerned the age range was 14-72 years and most common occurrence between 30 to 60 years. Most common cause of intestinal obstruction was band/adhesion followed by irreducible hernias (inguinal/ umbilical/ incisional/ epigastric)/ malignancy etc. Commonest symptom in our study was pain followed by vomiting, distension, and constipation. Abdominal tenderness, tachycardia, with hyper dynamic or absent bowel sounds was the commonest signs. Conclusion: Acute intestinal obstruction is one of the most common emergencies requiring surgical intervention. A proper and complete bedside clinical examination by the surgeon is more superior to investigational procedures. In our study, Adhesions /bands were found to be the commonest cause for obstruction.

Retrospective study analyzing the data on non-traumatic abdominal emergency surgeries done tertiary care hospital, Chennai

Background: Abdominal pain is one among the common reason to visit the casualty. Appendicitis remains the commonest cause in it. An accurate diagnosis is needed for the essential treatment. Materials and methods: All patients admitted in emergency surgical ward as acute abdomen and underwent emergency surgeries during a period of November 2015 to January 2016 (3 months) in our Stanley Hospital were studied. Patients with history of trauma were excluded from the study. Patients managed conservatively were also excluded from the study. A total of 268 cases underwent emergency abdominal surgery were studied. The age, sex, type of surgery done, etc. details were collected from the emergency registers and other records available. The results were tabulated for age and sex incidence according to different surgeries done. Results: A total of 178 cases of acute appendicitis were operated. The majority of cases were in the age group of 10-30 years. 2 patients having appendicular mass were operated and 6 appendicular abscess patients were operated and drained. Most of the patients were operated by open appendectomy and few numbers of patients operated via laparoscopy technique. A total of 32 cases of intestinal perforation were studied. Out of 32 during the study 2 case of gastric perforation and 2 cases of ileal perforation were reported. Total number of cases operated was 20 with inguinal hernia accounting for 15 cases and umbilical hernia 2 and epigastric hernia 2 cases, 1 case of incisional hernia. 3 cases (10%) of large bowel obstruction observed and were due to gangrenous bowel, sigmoid.

In vitro anticancer activity of vitis vinifera

Vitis vinifera was evaluated for in vitro anticancer activity using Dalton's lymphoma ascites cells. Its dried seeds aqueous extract [10-200 microg/ml] induced dose dependent cytotoxicity with an IC50 value of 150 microg /ml favoring its anti-cancer action

Antimicrobial and wound healing activities of aphalis neelgerriana DC. and cnicus wallichii DC.

Anaphalis neelgerriana DC. and Cnicus wallichii DC. belonging to the family Asteraceae [Compositae] were selected to evaluate antimicrobial and wound healing activity. These two valuable medicinal plants are indigenous to Nilgiris, Tamilnadu, South India. These plants are used by the tribals of Nilgiris in skin infections, cuts, wounds and abscesses. Seven different extracts were obtained from the aerial parts of each plant and screened for in vitro antimicrobial and in vivo wound healing activity studies by excision method. Significant antimicrobial activity was found in aqueous, 50% methanol, and methanolic extracts of both the plants. Ethyl acetate extract of Anaphalis neelgerriana DC. produced significant antimicrobial activity. The extracts were prepared as 0.2% w/w emulsifying ointment and subjected to wound healing activity studies and compared with the standard 0.2% w/w Nitrofurazone ointment. The ethyl acetate extract of Anaphalis neelgerriana DC produced a significant wound healing activity. The animal groups which exhibited wound healing activity were subjected to histopathological studies

Preliminary phytochemical and pharmacognostical studies on cnicus wallichii DC

The leaves and stems of Cnicus wallchii DC family Asteraceae [Compositae] were studied to determine the pharmacognostical standards. The investigation was carried out on macro and microscopical characters of leaf and stem, powder microscopy, fluorescence analysis, leaf constants like vein islet number, vein termination number, stomatal number, stomatal index and study of physical constants like ash values, extractive values and preliminary phytochemical evaluation

Preliminary phytochemical and pharmacological investigations on anaphalis neelgerriana DC

Anaphalis neelgerriana DC belonging to the family Asteraceae [Compositae] commonly known as Helichrysum. It is an important medicinal plant indigenous to Nilgiris, Tamilnadu, South India. Different extracts were obtained from the aerial parts of the whole plant and subjected to pharmacological investigations. Since the related species Anaphalis morisannicola was reported for its anti-cancer activities, In vitro screening studies for anti-tumour and antioxidant activities were carried out. Preliminary phytochemical evaluation, fluorescence analysis of the different extracts and aerial parts powder, physical constants like ash values, extractive values were also determined