ABSTRACT
This paper examines the scenario of research orientation in Ayurveda educational institutions of India. We demonstrate through the data obtained by searching the SCOPUS that the actual research output by these institutions is not very significant in terms of number of publications. While a lack of research expertise and infrastructure is one contributing factor to this status, a lack of questioning attitude is more crucial one. Mushrooming of new colleges, laxity in regulations, corruption, lack of atmosphere for ethical and quality research make the problem more complex. We show, with the help of SCOPUS Data, that the recent trend of establishing stand-alone institutions of Ayurveda may not help in invigorating research activities since the research contributions from such institutions have always been very poor. Instead, we suggest that existing stand-alone institutions of Ayurveda be merged with other established Central/State universities or other Medical colleges. The data demonstrates that the research output has been always significant when an institution has many experts working in different streams of science within, than when the institutions have only Ayurveda experts. We also take up the question of designing the clinical trials that are suitable for Ayurveda and propose an algorithm that may be considered for research in educational institutions, at least at doctoral level. We further enlist a set of recommendations that could potentially change the scenario. Evidence-informed policy making, inducting clinicians into the education system, making the curricula more attractive by including recent advances, introducing efficient faculty training programs, and rigorous implementation of the existing regulations - are some of the key recommendations we have made.
ABSTRACT
This study was undertaken to investigate the impact of formulation factors and adjuvants on the expression of biological activity of Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers. The adaptogenic effect of three samples of Guduchi ghrita, prepared using plain ghee (clarified butter) obtained from three different sources was studied in albino rats and compared with expressed juice of stem of Guduchi. The test preparations were evaluated against forced-swimming induced hypothermia, gastric ulceration and changes in the hematological parameters. The test drug given in the form of 'ghrita' produced better effect in comparison to the expressed juice. Among the three 'ghrita' preparations evaluated, only the 'Solapur Guduchi ghrita' (SGG) was found to produce significant inhibition of stress hypothermia and gastric ulceration. The other two preparations 'Nanded Guduchi ghrita' (NGG), and 'Wardha Guduchi ghrita' (WGG) could produce only a marginal effect. In hematological parameters 'Guduchi' juice produced better reversal of the stress-induced changes in comparison to the test 'ghrita' preparations. The present study provides evidence highlighting the importance of formulation factors for the expression of biological activity.
