Ayurvedic Perspective of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is the leading cause of female infertility in the present scenario. It is one of the important reproductive endocrine disorders in the world. The various conditions associated with PCOS show similarities with Gulma, Prameha, Sthoulya, etc. Pushpagni Jaataharini mentioned in Kasyapa Samhita bears some similarities with clinical presentations of this disease. Nashtarthava, Arthavakshaya, and Vandhya yoni Vyapath mentioned in Susrutha Samhita can also be taken into account. As PCOS is a metabolic disorder, there is impairment of the function of Agni at various levels. The disease can be considered as a Bahudoshavastha. It begins as a Vata imbalance, which pushes Kapha and Pitta out of balance in the Arthavavaha Srothas. Samsodhanam, use of Agneya Dravyas, use of Swayoni Vardhana dravyas, and avoidance of etiological factors is the main treatment principle. Ayurvedic classical textbooks along with available modern literature were referred to make a clear understanding of the concept of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. The clinical symptoms of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome like amenorrhea and hyperprolactinemia are seen in Rakthagulma. The clinical manifestation and pathology of the disease are very close to that of Prameha. Nashtarthava explained by Acharya Susrutha mentions that due to Vatha Kapha Avarana, Arthavanasha occurs in females. This can be correlated with amenorrhoea associated with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. In Vandhya yonivyapath, arthava is destroyed. This can be considered secondary amenorrhoea or anovulation which ultimately causes the inability to conceive a child.

Hansen's Disease“ Clinically Atypical Presentation with Atypical Histopathology

Type II Lepra reaction is a Th2 mediated hypersensitivity reaction characterized by involvement of skin and nerves. Herein we report an unusual leprosy case that had a rheumatic mode of onset of Type II Lepra reaction. This case also had livedoid plaques, ulcers on the genitalia, extremities as the initial manifestation of Hansen's Disease and atypical histopathology. His symptoms had started 1 year back as polyarthralgia of both knees and small joints of hands and feet for which he was on immunosuppressant by a Rheumatologist who made a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. After 6 months, patient developed red painful lesions; initially on arms, chest and trunk followed by legs. Subsequently, painful ulcerations developed on feet, knees and genitalia and a dermatology referral was made. Histopathology and slit skin smears led to diagnosis of Lepromatous leprosy in Type II Lepra reaction. Hansen's disease is a great imitator. Rheumatic manifestations can be the initial presentation of Type II Lepra reaction. Rheumatic manifestations thus can be the initial presentation of Type II Lepra reaction even before starting Multi drug therapy. High index of suspicion and routine slit skin smears in small peripheral settings can be helpful in diagnosing and treating such cases.

Characterization and phylogenetic analysis of novel polyene type antimicrobial metabolite producing actinomycetes from marine sediments: Bay of Bengal, India

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To isolate and indentify the promising antimicrobial metabolite producing Streptomyces strains from marine sediment samples from Andrapradesh coast of India.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Antagonistic actinomycetes were isolated by starch casein agar medium and modified nutrient agar medium with 1% glucose used as a base for primary screening. Significant antimicrobial metabolite producing strains were selected and identified by using biochemical and 16S rDNA level. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of the organic extracts were done by using broth micro dilution method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among the 210 actinomycetes, 64.3% exhibited activity against Gram positive bacteria, 48.5 % showed activity towards Gram negative bacteria, 38.8% exhibited both Gram positive and negative bacteria and 80.85 % isolates revealed significant antifungal activity. However, five isolates AP-5, AP-18, AP-41 and AP-70 showed significant antimicrobial activity. The analysis of cell wall hydrolysates showed the presence of LL-diaminopimelic acid and glycine in all the isolates. Sequencing analysis indicated that the isolates shared 98.5%-99.8% sequence identity to the 16S rDNA gene sequences of the Streptomyces taxons. The antimicrobial substances were extracted using hexane and ethyl acetate from spent medium in which strains were cultivated at 30°Cfor five days. The antimicrobial activity was assessed using broth micro dilution technique. Each of the culture extracts from these five strains showed a typical polyene-like property. The lowest minimum inhibitory concentrations of ethyl acetate extracts against Escherichia coli and Curvularia lunata were 67.5 and 125.0 µg/mL, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>It can be concluded that hexane and ethyl acetate soluble extracellular products of novel isolates are effective against pathogenic bacteria and fungi.</p>