Pain Management by Ayurveda in Lumbar Spondylosis– A Case Study and Selective Review of Literature

Introduction: In Ayurveda, Snehana is an important method of treatment for diseases of the spine. As per Ayurveda, fatty substances are having properties opposite to that of Vata Dosha which is the root of many diseases. Therefore, Sneha (fatty substances) have an important position in Ayurvedic treatment. Fatty substances are of 4 types of Ghrita (Ghee), Taila (oil), Vasa (muscle fat), and Majja (bone marrow fat). Among these types, the literature is available about Ghrita (ghee), Taila (oil), and Majja (bone marrow fat) only, but Vasa (muscle fat) is not currently practiced. We got a case study, in which cod liver oil capsules were used as a representative of Vasa Sneha. A male of 35 suffering from lumbar spondylosis approached for moderate to severe low back pain. We successfully used cod liver oil capsules as representative of Vasa Sneha in this case. Study Design: A single case study and selective review of the literature. Place and Duration of Study: Panchakarma OPD, Yashwant Ayurvedic medical college, PGTRC, Kodoli, 416114, Dist. – Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India. Presentation of Case: This is a single case study in which a male of 35 years was suffering from chronic low back pain (CLBP) due to lumbar spondylosis The patient had chronic low back pain which was aggravated for 3 months. We prescribed him Ayurvedic medicines and cod liver oil capsules orally. The patient was followed for 16 months. Results: The outcome measure was assessed by the Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire. The low back pain score was measured in different positions. The before treatment value was 36 (median ẋ = 3.5) and the score was 72, and after treatment value was 2 (median ẋ = 0) and the score was 4. The Mann Whitney U test was performed. The p was 0.00009 (<0.05). Conclusion: It is concluded that cod liver oil can be successfully used as a representative of vasa Sneha, and it is very effective in relieving chronic low back pain in lumbar spondylosis along with other ayurvedic preparations.

Aurantiochytrium sp. Meal Improved Body Fatty Acid Profile and Morphophysiology in Nile Tilapia Reared at Low Temperature

Aurantiochytrium sp. is a heterotrophic microorganism that produces docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), thus being considered as a possible replacement for fish oil in aquafeeds. We investigated the effect of Aurantiochytrium sp. meal (AM) dietary levels (0, 5, 10, 20, and 40 g kg−1) on Nile tilapia body and hepatopancreas fatty acid (FA) profile, body FA retention, somatic indices, and morphophysiological changes in the intestine and hepatopancreas, after feeding Nile tilapia juveniles (average initial weight 8.47 g) for 87 days at 22 °C. The 10AM diet was compared to a control diet containing cod liver oil (CLO), since their DHA concentration was similar. Within fish fed diets containing increasing levels of AM, there was a linear increase in n-3 FA content, especially DHA, which varied in the body (0.02 to 0.41 g 100 g−1) and hepatopancreas (0.15 to 1.05 g 100 g−1). The morphology of the intestines and hepatopancreas was positively affected in AM-fed fish. Fish fed 10AM showed less accumulation of n-3 FAs in the body and hepatopancreas when compared to fish fed CLO. Therefore, AM is an adequate substitute for fish oil in winter diets for Nile tilapia, with the supplementation of 40AM promoting the best results regarding intestine and hepatopancreas morphophysiology.

Regular consumption of cod liver oil is associated with reduced basal and exercise-induced C-reactive protein levels; a prospective observational trial

Background Dietary supplement use among recreational athletes is common, with the intention of reducing inflammation and improving recovery. We aimed to describe the relationship between omega-3 fatty acid supplement use and inflammation induced by strenuous exercise. Methods C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations were measured in 1002 healthy recreational athletes before and 24 h after a 91-km bicycle race. The use of omega-3 fatty acid supplements was reported in 856 out of 1002 recreational athletes, and the association between supplement use and the exercise-induced CRP response was assessed. Results Two hundred seventy-four subjects reported regular use of omega-3 fatty acid supplements. One hundred seventy-three of these used cod liver oil (CLO). Regular users of omega-3 fatty acid supplements had significantly lower basal and exercise-induced CRP levels as compared to non-users (n = 348, p < 0.001). Compared to non-users, regular users had a 27% (95% confidence interval (CI): 14–40) reduction in Ln CRP response (unadjusted model, p < 0.001) and 16% (95% CI: 5–28, p = 0.006) reduction after adjusting for age, sex, race duration, body mass index, delta creatine kinase, MET hours per week, resting heart rate and higher education. CLO was the primary driver of this response with a 34% (95% CI: 19–49) reduction (unadjusted model, p < 0.001) compared to non-users. Corresponding numbers in the adjusted model were 24% (95% CI: 11–38, p < 0.001). Conclusion Basal CRP levels were reduced, and the exercise-induced CRP response was attenuated in healthy recreational cyclists who used omega-3 fatty acid supplements regularly. This effect was only present in regular users of CLO. Trial registration NCT02166216, registered June 18, 2014 – Retrospectively registered.

In vitro intestinal digestion of lipids from the marine diatom Porosira glacialis compared to commercial LC n-3 PUFA products

Marine sources of long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFA) are in high demand for use in health supplements. Mass cultivated marine microalgae is a promising and sustainable source of LC n-3 PUFA, which relieves pressure on natural fish stocks. The lipid class profile from cultivated photosynthetic algae differ from the marine organisms currently used for the production of LC n-3 PUFA. The objective of this study was to compare in vitro intestinal digestion of oil extracted from the cold-adapted marine diatom Porosira glacialis with commercially available LC n-3 PUFA supplements; cod liver oil, krill oil, ethyl ester concentrate, and oil from the copepod Calanus finmarchicus (Calanus® oil). The changes in the free fatty acids and neutral and polar lipids during the enzymatic hydrolysis were characterized by liquid and gas chromatography. In Calanus® oil and the Ethyl ester concentrate, the free fatty acids increased very little (4.0 and 4.6%, respectively) during digestion. In comparison, free fatty acids in Krill oil and P. glacialis oil increased by 14.7 and 17.0%, respectively. Cod liver oil had the highest increase (28.2%) in free fatty acids during the digestion. Monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids were more easily released than polyunsaturated fatty acids in all five oils.

Self-Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery System (SNEDDS) for Oral Delivery of Cod Liver Oil

Cod liver oil (CLO) has long been used as medicine or as a functional food. The CLO is a potential source of vitamin D, vitamin A, and omega fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid/EPA and docosahexaenoic acid/DHA). Self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) can enhance dissolution, absorption, and bioavailability of hydrophilic and lipophilic substances for oral administration. The objective of this study was to develop a SNEDDS of CLO with good physical characteristics and stability. The optimization formula was carried out using various ratios of oil, surfactant, and cosurfactant. The physical properties of SNEDDS were determined by transmittance percentage, dispersibility, robustness, thermodynamics stability (heating-cooling cycle, centrifugation, and freeze-thaw cycle), and globule size distribution. The optimum formula of CLO-SNEDDS was obtained at a ratio of surfactant and cosurfactant 2 : 1 and a comparison of oil and surfactant mixtures 1 : 6. The CLO-SNEDDS meets the requirement of percent transmittance (97.90±0.85), dispersibility (grade A), and stability based on robustness and thermodynamic stability tests. Diluted SNEDDS has an average globule size of 125 nm with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.515. CLO-SNEDDS preparation has good physical characteristics and stability.