Introduction:The aspiration for light skin (fair complexion) is becoming pronounced in a greater number of people in the present times with natural products being more in demand than their synthetic counterparts. Research in the area of skin-lightening agents is an expanding field with the knowledge being updated regularly. In Ayurveda, varṇya, raktaprasādana, tvacya are few terms specifying skin lightening with respect to its modern counterpart i.e., Tyrosinase inhibition, the most commonly reported method of skin lightening.Aim:The present review is undertaken for screening twenty herbs from Varṇya Mahākaṣāya, Lodhrādi varṇya gaṇa, Elādi varṇa prasādana gaṇa and few varṇya formulations to evaluate their probable modes of action through which the skin lightening is effected as per both Ayurveda and biomedical concepts.Materials and Methods:Critical review of herbs to show varṇya property is compiled from various Ayurvedic texts as well as from multiple articles on the internet to justify their skin lightening property on the basis of data collected.Result and Conclusion:All the twenty herbs reviewed are found to act as varṇya directly (citation as varṇya) or indirectly (alleviation of pitta and rakta) as per Ayurveda and to interfere in melanogenesis pathway through tyrosinase inhibition as per biomedicine. This shows their potential to act as good skin whitening agents. Śuṇṭhi being a part of many varṇya formulations, is the only herb among all reviewed in the present study found to exhibit tyrosinase inhibition without any Ayurvedic citation of varṇya property.
Background:Lauha Bhasma (LB) is a complex herbomineral preparation widely used as an Ayurvedic hematinic agent. It is an effective remedy for chronic fever (jīrṇa jvara), phthisis (kṣaya), Breathlessness (śvāsa) etc., and possesses vitality enhancing (vājīkara), strength promoting and anti aging (rasāyana) properties.Objectives:The present work was conducted to establish the safety aspects of the use of Lauha bhasma.Setting and Design:LB was prepared by Ayurvedic procedures of purification (śodhana), sun drying (bhānupāka), sthālīpāka, followed by repeated calcination (māraṇa) and “nectarization” (amṛtīkaraṇa). The resultant product was subjected to acute and sub acute toxicity studies.Materials and Methods:Acute and subacute toxicity study of LB was conducted in albino rats. Criteria for assessment included ponderal changes, change in biochemical parameters viz., LFT and KFT and hematological parameters. Histopathological studies of different organs including liver, kidney, spleen, testis etc., were also conducted to observe pathological changes if any.Results:In the acute toxicity study, the animal group did not manifest any signs of toxicity and no mortality was observed up to 100 times the therapeutic dose (TD). Significant increase in blood urea (27.83%, P < 0.01), serum creatinine (30.92%, P < 0.05), Aspartate aminotransferase (15.09%, P < 0.05), and serum alkaline phosphatase (27.5%, P < 0.01) was evident in group IV (10 TD). A significant increase in serum total protein (6.04%, P < 0.05) level was observed in group III (5 TD). Histopathological examination of livers in group IV (10 TD) showed mild inflammation in terms of bile stasis, peri-portal hepatic inflammation and sinusoidal congestion; lymphocyte infiltration in kidney and intracellular deposits in the splenic tissue.Conclusion:Lauha Bhasma was found to be safe at the therapeutic dose and also at five times the therapeutic dose levels. However, alteration in some of the biochemical and haematological parameters along with histopathological findings were evident at the highest dose level.
A novel endoglucanase gene, celM, was cloned from a thermal spring metagenome. The gene was expressed in Escherichia coli, and the protein was extracted and purified. The protein catalyzed the hydrolysis of amorphous cellulose in a wide range of temperatures, 30–95°C, with optimal activity at 80°C. It was able to tolerate high temperature (80°C) with a half‐life of 8 h. Its activity was eminent in a wide pH range of 3.0–11.0, with the highest activity at pH 6.0. The enzyme was tested for halostability. Any significant loss was not recorded in the activity of CelM after the exposure to salinity (3 M NaCl) for 30 days. Furthermore, CelM displayed a substantial resistance toward metal ions, denaturant, reducing agent, organic solvent, and non‐ionic surfactants. The amorphous cellulose, treated with CelM, was randomly cleaved, generating cello‐oligosaccharides of 2–5 degree of polymerization. Furthermore, CelM was demonstrated to catalyze the hydrolysis of cellulose fraction in the delignified biomass samples, for example, sweet sorghum bagasse, rice straw, and corncob, into cello‐oligosaccharides. Given that CelM is a thermo‐halo‐tolerant GH5 endoglucanase, with resistance to detergents and organic solvent, the biocatalyst could be of potential usefulness for a variety of industrial applications.
Objectives Raudra rasa is an ayurvedic medicine explicitly prescribed for the treatment of arbuda (cancer), whereas hiraka bhasma has the potential to promote cancer healing properties. Together, these two medicines provide multifunction benefits. This paper analyses the functional groups of Raudra rasa modified with hiraka bhasma and compares it with the classically prepared raudra rasa. To identify the functional group, organic ligands, and active compounds present in samples of raudra rasa (CRR) and modified raudra rasa with hiraka bhasma (MRR) contributing to cancer alleviation by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) & LC-MS analysis. Methods Classical raudra rasa (CRR), its ingredients, shadguna kajjali (SK); decoction of Piper betel Linn. (PBD); Amaranthus spinosus Linn. (ASD); Boerhaavia diffusa Linn. (BDD); Piper longum Linn. (PLD); cow urine (GM), & similarly modified raudra rasa (MRR), its ingredients, hiraka bhasma (HB); shadguna rasasindura (SHR); water-soluble extract of Piper betel Linn. (PBE); Amaranthus spinosus Linn. (ASE); Boerhaavia diffusa Linn. (BDE); cow urine ark (GA); Piper Longum Linn. (PLE) were subjected to FTIR and LC-MS analysis. Results Among all 15 samples studied, maximum numbers of peaks (21) were seen in MRR indicating a greater number of functional groups. Further, in MRR, a maximum peak in the double bond region is suggestive of its higher stability compared to CRR. Both the compound is preliminarily a mixture of the number of functional groups like; fluoro, methyl, amino, hydroxy, nitro, methylamino, carbonyl, and iodo groups, having known anti-proliferative activities. By the FT-IR analysis, the biologically active compounds in aqueous and methanol extract of CRR & MRR were identified that have anti-cancerous compounds. In the present study, a total of 40 major compounds like alkaloids, amino acid, carboxylic acid, Flavonoids, Nucleoside, Nucleotide, phenylpropanoid, Sphingosine, stilbenoid, sugar, phosphate, terpenoids, vitamin from aqueous & methanol extract of CRR & MRR were identified by LC-MS. Conclusions This research paper highlights the presence of different functional groups and bioactive compounds known to have anti-cancer activities. Thus, this review suggests future recommendations for the design and development of improved anticancer drugs with higher efficacy.
Background:Muktā Bhasma (MB) is a traditional Ayurvedic preparation for cough, breathlessness, and eye disorders and is a powerful cardiac tonic, mood elevator, and known to promote strength, intellect, and semen production.Objectives:The present research work was conducted to generate fingerprint for raw and processed MB for quality assessment and standardization using classical and other techniques.Setting and Design:Three samples of MB were prepared by purification (śodhana) of Muktā (pearl) followed by repeated calcinations (Māraṇa). Resultant product was subjected to organoleptic tests and Ayurvedic tests for quality control such as rekhāpūrṇatā, vāritaratva, and nirdhūmatva.Materials and Methods:For quality control, physicochemical parameters such as loss on drying, total ash value, acid insoluble ash, specific gravity, pH value, and other tests using techniques such as elemental analysis with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), Structural study with powder X-ray diffraction, particle size with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were carried out on raw Muktā, Śodhita Muktā, and triplicate batches of MB.Results:The study showed that the raw material Muktā was calcium carbonate in aragonite form, which on repeated calcinations was converted into a more stable calcite form. SEM studies revealed that in raw and purified materials the particles were found scattered and unevenly arranged in the range of 718.7–214.7 nm while in final product, uniformly arranged, stable, rod-shaped, and rounded particles with more agglomerates were observed in the range of 279.2–79.93 nm. EDAX analysis revealed calcium as a major ingredient in MB (average 46.32%) which increased gradually in the stages of processing (raw 34.11%, Śodhita 37.5%).Conclusion:Quality control parameters have been quantified for fingerprinting of MB prepared using a particular method.
This study was a single blind open non randomized comparative prospective clinical trial as per the ethical guidelines of Declaration of Helsinki. 30 patients of Iron Deficiency Anaemia were included in this study. This study was conducted to evaluate the therapeutic potential of different Iron containing Ayurvedic formulations viz. Lauha bhasma, Navayasa lauha and Lohasava in comparison to ferrous sulphate. The trial was for a period of 6 weeks and assessment was done on the basis of peripheral blood picture, haematological changes as well as changes observed in biochemical parameters viz. Serum Iron and Total Iron binding capacity. The result of the study revealed that all the three iron containing preparations are effective in the correction of Anaemia. Out of all three trial drugs, Navayasa lauha and Lohasava are found effective haemetenic preparations even better than conventional iron therapy. Further, correction of Serum Iron and Total Iron binding capacity is indicative of their direct role on body Iron store
Marana (Incineration) is an essential step to be performed on substances especially related to Rasashastra. It is very important pharmaceutical process, applicable to the original minerals/metals for their conversion into fine ash form (Bhasma form). Due to Marana, the minerals and metals are converted in such a form, So that, the same will not be converted back to its original form and will be easily absorbed and assimilated into body. This form of drug also called "Rasa'' form. The present paper gives the details of different Marana treatments and their applied aspect with special reference to Lauha. In the present paper an attempt is made to review and put forth the concept of Marana with special reference to Lauha bhasma. The information available in this review could be helpful to scientist, drug designers to do more Ayurvedic research towards concept of Marana. More literary research is needed on Marana to establish different bhasma claimed therapeutic potential.
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