Current Traditional Medicine - Volume 1, Issue 2, 2015

Siddha medicine is one among World’s oldest medical systems. It originated in Southern Part of Tamilnadu and Kerala more than 3,000 years ago. It is one of the States’ official Traditional health care systems. Siddha medicine serves both Therapeutic and Prophylatic concepts and hence Holistic in nature. Kaya karpam, a special branch of this medical system is a science of rejuvenation, longevity, and spiritual wellbeing. Concept of Kaya Karpam was breifly explained by saint Thirumoolar in his text Thirumanthiram [1]. The word Kaya & Karpam denotes the meaning of Prevention of body from diseases. Nowadays, this can be correlated with the Anti-Oxidant concept. It deals with the Prevention of Narai (Whitening of hairs), Thirai (shrinkening of Skin), Moopu (aging) and Saakadu (Death) [2]. Kaya kalpa drugs have proven scientific evidences to prevent and manage the Non communicable diseases like Diabetes mellitus, Obesity and also Chronic deliberating diseases like cancer etc. In that way, our test drug ‘Aswathy Chooranam’ also comes under the division ‘Kaya karpam’. It is a poly herbal formulation containing about eleven herbal Ingredients indicated for the prevention of Non communicable diseases [3]. So the Authors’ of this paper decided to evaluate the In vitro Anti-oxidant activity of the test drug through DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), Nitric Oxide Scavenging, Total Antioxidant activities and the results show significant free radical scavenging properties.

The nature has provided abundant plant wealth for all the living creatures, which possess medicinal virtues. Therefore, there is a necessity to explore their uses and to ascertain their therapeutic properties. In that way, the Traditional Siddha Medicine plays a vital role in preventing the progress of the disease. Saint Yugi (one of the Founders of Traditional Indian Siddha system of Medicine) describes 21 types of Mega noigal, which includes Madhu megam (Madhu – Sweet, Megam – Disease) [1, 2]. Diabetes mellitus is compared with Madhu megam in Siddha literature. Diabetes mellitus is a complex and a diverse group of disorders that disturbs the metabolism of carbohydrate, fat and protein. The number of diabetes mellitus cases has been increasing worldwide in recent years. Insulin is a key player in the control of glucose homeostasis. Lack of insulin affects carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. Management of diabetes without side effects is still a great challenge to the medical community [3]. The aim of the present study is to investigate the in-vitro Anti-Diabetic activity of the selected Herbo- Mineral drug, having its reference in age old Siddha classic text “Sarabhendhirar Vaithiya Ratnavali”. Thus, validating the traditional claim of the Herbo-mineral drug exhibits a significant inhibitory effect on In-vitro glucose diffusion and the result is being discussed.

The importance of Herbal medicines is increasing nowadays. This impact creates a huge awareness among public to undergo traditional treatment methods in order to maintain a disease free healthy life. This concept in particularly true when it comes to the management of Non-communicable diseases (N.C.D). Not only in developing countries like India, the demand of herbal medicines are increasing in developed Countries due to growing recognition of natural plants possessing no drastic side effects, being time tested, easily availability and also cost effectiveness. According to Traditional Indian Siddha system of medicine, Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is denoted as ‘Gunmam’ [1]. It is again classified into 8 types according to the symptoms and clinical picture. Gunmam (PUD) is one among the major and commonly occurring problem worldwide. Peptic ulcers are a broad term that includes ulcers of digestive tract in the stomach or the duodenum. The formation of peptic ulcers depends on the presence of acid and peptic activity in gastric juice plus a breakdown in mucosal defenses. The authors of this paper, decided to document the literary review of ‘Gunma Kuligai (GK)’ having its reference in Traditional Siddha text, “Sikitcha rathna deepam” [2]. Complete literary review and Pharmacological activities of the ‘Gunma kuligai’ for its antiulcer and gastroprotective effects are documented here.

Objective: The present pilot study was designed to evaluate the effect of Nandukkal parpam (Calx of Fossil stone crab) a Traditional Siddha medicine in Kalladaippu (Urolithiasis) patients. Method: This study was conducted at the National Institute of Siddha, Tambaram, Chennai, India. The investigator recruited 10 patients with an inclusion and exclusion criteria. The patients were treated with 260 mg of Nandukkal parpam along with 50 ml Sirupeelai kudineer (freshly prepared decoction of the whole plant of Aerva lanata – Mountain Knot grass) twice a day for a period of 60 days. All the patients were taken laboratory investigations and Ultra Sono Gram (USG-KUB). Results: Normal sonographic study was observed in 6 patients and reduction in number of stones and stone size in 4 patients. There were no adverse events reported during the study and no recurrences during the follow up period of up to one year were reported. Conclusion: Results suggest that the trial drug Nandukkal parpam is effective and safe for the management of Kalladaippu (Urolithiasis) and in alleviating recurrences.

Childhood Obesity (Athi Dhoola noi) starts over from the young age due to various causative factors even it may deal from the infancy. The obesity in such age causes various complications to the each and every body tissues right from the connective tissues to the genital tissues. The susceptibility with the obesity for cardiac and diabetic issues is high since it interferes with its metabolism. Over the past three decade the prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased substantially [1]. Globally, an estimated 170 million children (aged < 18 years) are estimated to be overweight, and in some countries, the number of overweight children has trebled since 1980. The high prevalence of overweight and obesity has serious health consequences. Raised body mass index (BMI) is a major risk factor for diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and many cancers (including, colorectal cancer, kidney cancer and Oesophageal cancer). These diseases often referred to as Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), not only cause premature mortality but also long-term morbidity. In addition, overweight and obesity in children are associated with significant reductions in quality of life (QoL) and a greater risk of teasing, bullying and social isolation and Stigmatization. Due to the rapid increase in obesity prevalence and the serious health consequences, obesity is commonly considered as one of the most serious health challenges of the early 21st century. This article briefly explains the importance and it negative impacts of Childhood obesity in a proposed manner.

Asthma is defined as a complex allergic disease of respiratory system which is characterized by airway inflammation & bronchial hyper-responsiveness to many allergens and due to interaction of many components of immunity system & resident lung cells. Asthma is currently a worldwide problem with around 300 million people around the globe suffering from it and about 250 thousand deaths are reported annually. Asthma remains an area of considerable unmet medical need. Few new drugs have made it to the clinic during the past 50 years, with many that perform well in preclinical animal models of asthma, failing in humans owing to lack of safety and efficacy. The utility of in vivo studies and demand for more predictive models and tools are based on the latest technologies. Studies have been conducted with in vitro and in vivo models but disease mechanism are still unclear. At present, there are no standardized experimental protocol models for asthma, most laboratories have developed and adopted own protocol with little modification. In this article, we discuss various in vivo, in vitro models of asthma which may describe the various mechanisms & pathophysiology involved in allergic and inflammatory disease & also provide investigation of new therapeutic substances for allergic disorders.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Traditional Indian Medicine are the earliest known Medical systems of the world. Both have contributed to the overall wellbeing and have pioneered to newer horizons in providing Holistic Health care. This review paper is a small attempt to document the similarities of herbs which are common to both Traditional systems and also to find out their inevitable roles in managing Non- Communicable Diseases. Both India and China are known as the “Emporium of Medicinal plants” due to availability of thousands of herbs which has got several unique properties. We are using herbal drugs in day to day practice as home remedies, health foods, Over-The –Counter (OTC as self medication) and as prescribed drugs in the Traditional Medicine sector. This strategy supports an integrated approach to herbal remedies for all sorts of diseases including some deadly lifestyle disorders including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, obesity, respiratory disorders, diabetes etc. This review paper is a small attempt to document the similarities of herbs which are common to both Traditional systems and also to find out their inevitable roles in managing Non-Communicable Diseases.

Tujia ethnomedicine is an important part of the national medicine system in China. Two Panax japonicus (Araliaceae) varietals known as Bai San Qi and Kou Zi Qi in Tujia ethnomedicine are of interest for further study due to their traditional use, biological effects and potential use in clinical applications. The plants have traditionally been used to treat weakness, fatigue and rheumatism for over a thousand years. As Bai San Qi and Kou Zi Qi are members of the genus Panax, both contain significant levels of saponins. Saponins have been shown to have a variety of bioactivities including, antiinflammatory, anti-tumor and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. Thus far, 109 different saponins have been isolated from and identified in the two plants. This review describes, classifies and provides information on reported biological activities and characteristic 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR signals for the saponins found in the two species. It aims to decrease the difficulties in structure elucidation of typical saponins and provides instruction and theoretical basis for further research of the two plants.

Background: Bauhinia racemosa Lam (BR), an ethnomedicinally important plant is used in various indigenous systems of medicine for the cure of variety of ailments. Its bark is reported to have antifilarial, abortifacient, anthelmintic, analgesic, antipyretic, antimalarial, anti-ulcerogenic, hepatoprotective and various other pharmacological activities. Maintaining quality standards of herbal drugs is the need of today, because of its increasing demand. Aims: The present study was designed to set standard phytochemical and analytical profile of the bark of BR. Materials and Methods: Pharmacognostical, physicochemical and fluorescence parameters along with pH value of the bark of BR were determined. HPTLC fingerprinting was carried out by the CAMAG HPTLC system. Results: The loss on drying, total ash, water-soluble ash, acid-insoluble ash, yield of alcohol-soluble crude extracts, yield of water-soluble crude extracts and pH (1% aqueous extract) were found to be 9.1%, 12.5%, 1.5%, 3.0%, 9.25%, 12.5% w/w and 6.96 respectively. Phytochemicals like carbohydrate, steroid, saponin, alkaloid, anthraquinone glycosides, flavonoid and phenolic compounds were found to be present in the methanolic extract. The fluorescence seen in UV light was of different colour in different solvents. 5 peaks were revealed in HPTLC analysis at wavelength 254 nm with max Rf values in the range of 0.47 to 0.94. A peak with max Rf value of 0.55 comparable to that of quercetin was obtained suggesting the presence of quercetin like flavonoid. Conclusions: The present study will help the future scientists for the correct identification, quality and purity of BR bark or pharmaceutical preparations prepared from it.

Development of plant based low cost protein products is need of the hour. Diplazium esculentum, a sustainable and abundantly available edible species, can be utilized to produce such types of products. The present study aimed to explore the production of Leaf Protein Concentrate from D. esculentum and its assessment for various essential properties for food applications. D. esculentum leaf protein concentrate (DELPC), showed minimum protein solubility (9.36%) at pH 4. Water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity and bulk density were 1.29±0.02 ml/g, 1.32±0.12ml/g and 0.45±0.01g/ml, respectively. Maximum foam capacity (61.72±2.76%) and foam stability (73.73±2.54%) were at pH 2 and 4 respectively. Maximum emulsion properties were recorded at pH 10. DELPC showed a maximum emulsion capacity (56.57±0.93%) and maximum emulsion stability (54.07±1.65%) at the salt concentration of 0.4M and 0.6M respectively. Mineral contents were found in the range of 84.5 to 312.2 mg/kg. IC50 values of DELPC for DPPH., DMPD·+ and ABTS·+ scavenging were determined as 10.23±0.85, 14.67±1.52 and 7.95±1.04 mg/ml respectively. The study supports the suitability of DELPC for various dietary supplement preparations, or as a food additive, to prevent oxidation in food products or even also in protein rich food where antioxidant character is likewise important.