Evaluation of the effect of different concentrations of organic amendments and botanical extracts on the mortality and hatching of Meloidogyne javanica.

Organic amendments and botanical extracts are considered as some of the eco-friendly alternatives to chemical pesticide in suppressing plant pathogenic nematodes (PPN). Root-knot nematode (RKN) is the most important group of PPN distributed globally causing both qualitative and quantitative damage to many crops. Vermicompost and biogas digestate (BD) are two forms of organic amendments reported to have potential to limit RKN infestation. Likewise, marigold (Tagates spp.) and cabbage (Brassica oleracea) are two widely studied botanicals having shown their potential to control RKN. However, there was not much in vitro research related to organic amendments and botanicals targeting a particular species of RKN to observe their nematicidal effect. An in vitro experiment was undertaken to evaluate the effect of these organic amendments and botanical extracts at different concentrations (10.0%, 25.0%, 50.0% and 100.0%) on the hatching and mortality of Meloidogyne javanica at different time spans. Mortality of J2 and inhibition of hatching of egg mass of M. javanica differed significantly (p < 0.0001) among the interaction effect of treatments and incubation time for both organic amendments and botanical extracts. Findings of this experiment indicated that potentiality for increasing mortality and inhibition of hatching was higher and steadier in botanical extracts than those of organic amendments.

Antilithiatic activity of a non-pharmacopoeial Unani formulation in chemically induced urolithiasis in rats.

OBJECTIVES: Parshioshan (Adiantum capillus-veneris L.), Duqu (Peucedanum grande C.B. Clarke), Kaknaj (Physalis alkekengi L.) and Kharekhasak (Tribulus terresteris L.) have been selected for this study as they have been associated with medicinal actions for litholytic activity. METHODS: The experiment was carried out in Sprague Dawley rats divided into seven groups, serving as plain control, disease control, standard control, curative A and B and preventive A and B groups. Animals of plain control received distilled water. Remaining six groups received Ethylene glycol 0.75% and Ammonium chloride 1% by adding in the drinking water for the first three days followed by 0.75% Ethylene glycol for 18 days. From 8th day till 21st day, standard control received Cystone in the dose of 750 mg/kg. Preventive and curative test groups were treated with hydroalcoholic extract of the test drug in the dose of 132 mg/kg and 264 mg/kg from 1st to 21st day and 8th to 21st day of calculi induction. RESULTS: Test drug reduced the number of calcium oxalate crystals in the urine; the level of urinary calcium, creatinine, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium and chloride decreased significantly in standard and test groups. The urine volume increased significantly in all the test groups. The level of serum calcium, urea, phosphorus and creatinine were significantly reduced in all the test groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicated that the test drug reduced and prevented the growth of urinary stones. Moreover, the test drug also possessed significant antiurolithiatic activity. However, the protective effect was found more than its curative effect.

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of Habbe Gule Aakh, A polyherbal Unani formulation in animal models.

BACKGROUND: Habbe Gule Aakh is extensively used in Unani medicine for anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Habbe Gule Aakh on Wistar rats and Swiss mice of either sex. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out in Wistar rats for anti-inflammatory activity while Swiss mice were used for analgesic activity. In both the tests animals were divided into five groups of six animals each which served as control, standard and test groups A, B and C. For anti-inflammatory activity, method reported by Amman was followed. For analgesic activity, Koster's protocol was adapted. RESULTS: Significant (P < 0.01) reduction in the paw volume was noted in all the test groups but less than the standard drug. Mean writhes of group B and C reduced significantly (P < 0.01) demonstrating analgesic effect. CONCLUSION: The study validated the claim of Unani medicine of use of Habbe Gule Aakh in inflammation and pain. Further, phytochemical studies are needed to know the exact mechanism of action of this formulation.

Unani concept of drug substitution (therapeutic interchange) and its validation on scientific parameters.

BACKGROUND: Unani concept of therapeutic interchange, despite having immense practical aspect, has not been touched upon in a coherent way by most of the Unani scholars except Razi (Rhazes 865-925 AD), who took the concept plausibly and framed rules for alternate drug prescription at the time of unavailability of the drugs of choice. OBJECTIVE: The Unani concept of therapeutic interchange is based on similarity in action, temperament and physical properties of drugs mainly botanicals, which are already established and need no further discussion; however, phytochemistry has not been considered a basis for substitution. Therefore, objective of this study was evaluation of the concept on phytochemical parameters as actions of most drugs are due to phytoconstituents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Classical Unani literature pertaining to therapeutic interchange and ethnobotanical literature for uses and phytoconstituents of three botanicals and their respective substitutes were reviewed. Ethnobotanical literature was collected from well known search engine viz., PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus and Science direct. In view of exploring the concept on scientific basis, physicochemical, phytochemical and analytical (HPLC, GC-MS) studies were also conducted. RESULTS: The study exhibited similarity in phytoconstituents in main and substitute botanicals with insignificant differences. Direct relation between doses, actions, intensity of actions, temperament and chemical constituents of main and substitute botanicals was observed. CONCLUSION: The study, however, seemed to validate the concept on the basis of phytoconstituents, further pharmacological studies on the basis of properties and activities is required to strengthen the concept.

Antilithiatic effect of Peucedanum grande C. B. Clarke in chemically induced urolithiasis in rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Duqu (Peucedanum grande C. B. Clarke) has been used by Unani physicians since ancient times in retention of urine, renal and bladder calculi, nephritis and other associated disorders in different dosage forms. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study was to evaluate the antiurolithiatic activity of Peucedanum grande C. B. Clarke in experimental model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experiment was carried out in male Sprague Dawley rats divided into 5 groups of 8 animals each. Animals of negative control received 1ml of 5% Gum acacia throughout the study. Remaining four groups received Ethylene glycol 0.75% and Ammonium chloride 1% by adding in their drinking water for first seven days to induce urolithiasis. From 8th day, positive control received 1ml of 5% Gum acacia, standard control received Cystone in the dose of 750mg/kg while test groups A and B were treated with hydroalcoholic extract of test drug in the dose of 56mg/kg and 97mg/kg respectively up to 21 days, thereafter the animals were sacrificed. Number of CaOx crystals in urine, levels of serum calcium, phosphorus, creatinine, urea, urinary calcium and sodium were observed. Kidney homogenate analysis and histopathology were also carried out. RESULTS: Test drug reduced number of CaOx crystals in urine (p<0.001); levels of serum calcium, phosphorus, creatinine, (p<0.001) urea, (p<0.05); urinary calcium (p<0.001) and sodium decreased significantly in standard and test groups. The urine volume increased significantly (p<0.05, 0.01) in both the test groups. Histopathology of kidney showed no CaOx crystal deposition in both the test groups. CONCLUSION: On the basis of above findings, it can be concluded that the test drug possesses significant antiurolithiatic activity.

Efficacy of Adiantum capillus veneris Linn in chemically induced urolithiasis in rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Adiantum capillus veneris Linn has been recommended in ancient literature of Unani system of medicine as an important ingredient of many formulations for the treatment of urolithiasis. Its decoction has long been used for the same purpose by several Unani physicians. AIM OF STUDY: To investigate the antiurolithiasic effect of the hydro alcoholic extract of Adiantum capillus veneris Linn in male Sprague Dawley rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The effects of oral administration of hydro alcoholic extract of test drug were studied on calcium oxalate urolithiasis. A total of 48 rats were used for the study. The animals were divided into six groups of eight animals each. Plain control rats were treated with distilled water only, throughout the study period, whereas in other groups nephrolithiasis was induced by providing drinking water containing 0.75% ethylene glycol and 1% ammonium chloride for 7 days. Thereafter, urine was examined for the presence of crystals. Negative control group A rats were sacrificed after 7 days, whereas negative control group B was left untreated up to the end of study. Test groups were treated with 127.6 mg/kg and 255.2 mg/kg of test drug and standard control with Cystone (750 mg/kg) for 21 days. At the end of experiment, number of crystals in urine and levels of calcium, phosphorus, urea and creatinine in serum were observed. Histopathological study of the kidney was done by light microscopy. RESULTS: Urine microscopy showed significant reduction (p<0.001 and p<0.01) in the number of crystals in test groups A and B respectively. Serum levels of calcium, phosphorous, and blood urea were found to be decreased significantly in all the groups. In both the test groups, serum creatinine level was found to be similar as in plain control. The animals treated with test drug showed much improvement in body weight. Histopathology of kidney showed almost normal kidney architecture in treated groups. CONCLUSION: The above findings indicate the antiurolithic activity of Adiantum capillus veneris Linn, and thus, validate the claims of Unani physicians for its medicinal use in urolithiasis.

Evolution of drug: a historical perspective.

To trace out the first person who discovered the first medicine is extremely difficult. Perhaps the origin of medicine and drug and its early history has been lost in myths. The use of medicinal plants dates back not only to human civilization but to ancient people also. Plants have been crucial in sustaining human health and well being of mankind. The word Drug, taken from French word Drogue which means Dry Herb, strongly suggests that earliest drugs were taken out from plant sources. Earliest people used to treat diseases by some unconventional methods, using plants, animal products and minerals, of them plants were given priority. World's ancient systems of medicine e.g. Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda and Greek Medicine, despite, having wider differences in their principles of treatment agree upon the point, that disease is due to imbalance within the constituents of the body and that the aim of treatment is to restore the balance with the help of herbs. So, herbs played vital role in the development of Pharmacology and Pharmacy. The splendid architect of today's advanced Pharmacology was not built in a day, but its foundation stone has been laid on old base. Pharmacology from its very beginning to the age of Chemotherapy and on words, has traversed long voyage. In this article travelogue of the Pharmacology has been discussed briefly.