Overview on Dravaka Kalpana w.s.r. to Shankha Dravaka

Rasashastra is the Iatrochemistry of Ayurveda which deals with formulations containing herbals, minerals and metals. Various Kalpanas are mentioned in Rasashastra such as Pottali Kalpana, Kharaliya Kalpana, Parpati Kalpana. Dravaka Kalpana is one among them which is made out of predominately “Lavana- Kshara” Dravyas. Dravaka Kalpana is a liquid dosage form that is prepared either by using Agni or without the use of Agni. Shankha Dravaka is one such Dravaka Kalpana that is mentioned in the different classical texts. It is indicated in various diseases such as Gulma (abdominal lump), Shoola (pain), Yakrit Dosha (disorders of the Liver), Pliha (splenic disorders), Ashmari (calculus) etc. It is used in less dosage by diluting with water. Different Acharyas have mentioned different methods of its preparation. This article compiles review of Ayurvedic literature on Shankha Dravaka. This literature review is carried out to create the base for undertaking future research work because without research efficacy, the utility cannot be established

Review on Wound Healing Activity of Ropana Taila

Wound is a break in the integrity of the skin or tissue often, which may be associated with disruption of the structures and functions. Wound healing is a complex series of events that begin when an individual gets affected by a wound. It is a mechanism whereby the body attempts to re-establish the integrity of the injured part. In modern biomedical sciences, research on wound healing agents is one of the developing areas. Natural compounds are used in skin wound care from many years due to their therapeutic activities, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and cell-stimulating properties. Various herbs, oils and natural resources have been described in Ayurveda with wound healing properties. Acharya Sushruta has explained many drugs and formulations for the treatment of Vrana (wound). One such formulation named Ropana Taila has been described in Sushsruta Samhita for Wound healing. The present review article is undertaken to discuss about the wound healing activity of Ropana Taila

A Critical Review on Thermo-Sensitive Vaginal Gel for the Foundation of Preparing Thermo-Sensitive Vaginal Gel of PVK (Panchvalkal Kashaya) Extract

RTI (Reproductive Tract Infection) is the vital cause of suffering in women and neonates. According to WHO estimation 340 million new cases of curable STI (Sexually Transmitted Disease) other than HIV/AIDS occurs every year, most of which are occurring in developing countries. Genital tract infection is the prime cause of most gynaecological disease. Vaginal candidiasis is the most common cause of Genital tract infection. It (Vaginal candidiasis) is a common condition and up to 75% of all women suffer at least one episode of this infection during their life time. For treating the pathological condition of genital tract, direct application or self application of medicine is very difficult and the residence time of the medicine is less due to self cleansing properties of vaginal canal. Application of the drug in other route may cause systemic adverse reaction. To overcome this arduous situation, in situ thermo-sensitive gel form has great importance. In this article an attempt have been made for the review of the thermo-sensitive vaginal gel and the scholar has gathered the basic knowledge to develop an Ayurvedic formulation Panchavalkal kashaya thermo-sensitive vaginal gel by this review. This work will be done in School of Pharmaceutical Science, Shoolini University, Solan, HP.

Comparative Study Of Different Anand-bhairav Rasa And Its Standarization (w.s.r. To Bhaishajya Ratnavali)

Introduction: Standardization of Ayurvedic drug is an important criteria for selection, processing, efficacy & safety wise, to meet the WHO guidelines for the world wide acceptability of Ayurvedic formulations. Therefore different preparations of Anandbhairav rasa from classic Bhaishajya Ratnavali has been selected and studied for standariztion. Materials & Methods: Three samples of Anand Bhairav Rasa were prepared according to Jwaratisar prakaran of Bhaishajya Ratnavaliand three samples according to Atisar Prakaran of Bhaishajya Ratnavali were made and subjected to various physico-chemical analyses so that their physical as well as chemical changes can be analyzed. Conclusion: Both formulations showed the difference in pharmaceutically, organoleptic examination as well as in chemical analysis. However, the results obtained from physico chemical analysis of all the three samples are very close together and within fixed physico-chemical norms as described in pharmacopeial standards for Ayurvedic formulations.

Rasayana: The Rejuvenating Remedy For Health

Gradual increase of Population in urban area may leads to environmental pollution and microbial infection in air and water increases exponentially. Most of the persons in the population are in trap of mental stress and depression due to struggle in the life and overload of work. So both of these conditions are responsible for so many disease and ill-health, and one more important thing is that due to increase negligence and uninhabited use of processed food, the ill effects on health are compound manifold when coupled with unhealthy lifestyle and food habits. So there is a need of taking dietary supplementary food or nutraceutical. The main aim of Ayurveda has been working upon a twofold process i.e., to maintain the health of a healthy individual and to treat the one with the disease. Thus by laying emphasis on the first aspect and combining it with the knowledge of the role of phytochemical as, one can gradually deduce an effective module for living healthy and line of treatment of metabolic and geriatric disorders. The phytochemical are the essential nutrients, which are naturally contained in plants and are required for normal physiological functions. The Rasayan not only boost general health but also provide the necessary raw materials to strengthen the defense mechanism of the body.

Microbial and cytopathological study of intrauterine contraceptive device users.

CONTEXT: Intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) is a commonly used birth-spacing method which is fitted into maternal system. Clinical, microbial and cytopathological monitoring of women using these devices are important for ascertaining their side effects, risk of genital tract infection and carcinogenic potential. AIMS: To study clinical, microbial and cytopathological changes in IUCD users in a tertiary care hospital. DESIGN: Prospective analytic. SETTING: Tertiary hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: women visiting Family Planning clinic for follow up (IUCD users, n=100) or for IUCD insertion (controls, n=50) were enrolled in the study. Each subject underwent detailed history, general physical, systemic, and per local examination. Vaginal discharge was subjected to pH testing, KOH and wet mount examination, gram staining, and for culture and sensitivity. Bacterial vaginosis was defined using Nugent criteria. Cervical smears were examined and reported as per Bethesda system. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The information was entered into Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. The results were analyzed using EPI Info version-6 and Stata statistical software version 7 packages. Two-tailed t-test, chi2 test with Yates correction and two-tailed Fisher Exact tests were applied. RESULTS: Most women used CuT 200 (92%). Median duration of use was 2 years. Chief complaints of IUCD users included backache (54%), vaginal discharge (46%), pain lower abdomen (34%), dyspareunia (22%), menorrhagia (18%) and dysmenorrhea (14%). Mean hemoglobin was lower in IUCD users than controls (11.2+/-1.7 versus 11.9+/-1.8 g/dL, p 0.02). Proportion of women with anemia was higher in IUCD users than in controls (29% versus 16%, p 0.12). Cervical erosion was significantly increased in study group as compared the controls (20% versus 0%, p=0.00) whereas only insignificant increase in vaginitis (6% versus 0%, p=0.17). Trichomonas vaginalis and fungal hyphae positivity and gram stain findings and bacterial vaginosis rate were not significantly different in two groups. Vaginal discharge bacterial culture revealed comparable results in two groups. Cytological findings were predominantly inflammatory. None of cases revealed Actinomycosis infection. High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (n=2) and low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (n=1) cytological finding were present in IUCD users compared to none in controls. None of the cases had any malignant transformation. CONCLUSION: IUCD use results in lower hemoglobin concentration and cervical erosion. Women using IUCD requires a regular follow up, clinical examination, counseling and further investigation if required.

Diagnostic criteria for Tuberculous Meningitis.

OBJECTIVE: Tuberculous Meningitis is associated with a high morbidity and mortality if there is a delay in diagnosis. The diagnosis is based on clinical evaluation since the bacteriological diagnosis takes time and has a low yield. This study attempts to validate these criteria in children with TBM. METHODS: Forty-two children clinically suspected to have TBM were enrolled in the study. History, examination, CT scan and CSF findings were utilized to categorize patients into "definite", "highly probable", "probable" and "possible" TBM based on the criteria laid down by Ahuja et al. The validity of these criteria was tested against bacterial isolation and response to treatment. RESULTS: Thirty one children, with complete data, were included for analysis. Using "improvement on therapy as a criterion for definite TBM, we analyzed the sensitivity and specificity of the Ahuja criteria in diagnosing TBM. Using the criteria of "highly probable" TBM, the sensitivity was 65% with a specificity of 75%. When the criteria of "probable" TBM were used, the sensitivity increased to 96% while the specificity dropped to 38%. In an attempt to make these criteria more appropriate for children, we modified the criteria by including mantoux reaction, and family history of exposure in the criteria. The modified criteria gave a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 63%. DISCUSSION: A sensitivity of 65% (highly probable group) implies that 35% of TBM patients will be missed, while the probable criteria gave a 63% false positive rate suggesting that the trade-off for a higher sensitivity makes the criteria very unreliable. Our modification of the criteria gave us a reasonable sensitivity of 83% with a higher specificity of 63%. The false positive rate was also reduced to 38%. Thus the modified Ahuja criteria worked better for children with TBM. CONCLUSION: The modified Ahuja criteria are better applicable for use in pediatric patients with TBM . Since the number of patients was small in this study, the study needs to be validated with a larger sample size.