Embelin, a plant-based benzoquinone derivative, has been found to exhibit significant antitumor activity in methylcholan-threne-induced fibrosarcoma in albino rats besides enhancing their survival time. The drug also has an appreciable action on pain and inflammation. The changes in DNA, RNA and protein levels in various organs in the tumor-bearing control and the drug-treated animals were also studied.

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Using a rapid technique to assess drug-induced cell toxicity, a fibrosarcoma cell line was exposed in vitro to increasing concentrations of embelin, a benzo-quinone derivative of Embelia ribes Burm., and simultaneously inoculated with [³H]-thymidine. After regular time intervals, the cells were examined for incorporation of the labelled thymidine in DNA, lipid peroxide and glutathione levels. A dose-dependent decrease in labelled thymidine uptake, lipid peroxide and glutathione levels was observed on embelin administration.

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Siddha is considered to be one of the oldest medicines with its own benefits. In this modern era, people are more aware towards their health. At many circumstances of illness, people use Siddha medicines to cure their disease. Siddha is preferred for its own specialties. This paper has attempted to reveal the awareness towards Siddha medicines taking 52 respondents from Dharmapuri City. The results were analysed by using various statistical techniques like percentage analysis, chi-square and t test. Siddha focuses on the eight supernatural powers called as ‘Ashtaamahasiddhi’ and those who achieved these powers were known as siddhars. Hence it is called as siddha medicine. The siddhars knowledge was found in palm leaf manuscripts and their fragments were found in some parts of south India.

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