Kuchala (Strychnous Nuxvomica Linn) - Known as Toxic and Less Known as an Effective Medicinal Herb

Strychnous nuxvomica Linn, known as Kuchala in Ayurveda is a well known poisonous herb that consists of multiple health benefits in Indian system of medicine. In Ayurveda, it is said as Upavisha and used as a popular folk medicine from ancient times. This Kuchala is still being used in rural India in the medicinal form. Strychnine is a main contain of Kuchala which was first used in 1540 for the purpose of medicine and continued to be used in many stimulants, tonics and cathartics. It includes constituents like alkaloids with flavonoids, iridoids and phenolic glycosides. Research studies have reported its anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, antipyretic, gastroprotective, antidiabetic, antialcoholic, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antinociceptive, anti-snake venom and neuropharmacological properties. Though considered as an extremely poisonous plant, but has enormous medicinal properties.

Back pain and spinal osteoporosis in clinical practice

Back pain is a common clinical and socioeconomic problem. Back pain is a symptom, not a nosological form. Osteoporosis is a skeletal disease in which, despite normal bone mineralization, bone loss and bone (structure) integrity is observed. The article considers the main causes of primary and secondary osteoporosis. The main modifiable and unmodifiable risk factors for osteoporosis and fractures are presented. The main pathological conditions and diseases associated with the risk of osteoporosis are described. The problem of osteoporosis of the spine as one of the causes of mechanical painful episodes in the back of elderly patients is considered in depth. Clinical features of compression vertebral fractures in osteoporosis in women after menopause are presented. The methods of conservative treatment of osteoporosis are considered. The greatest attention is paid to such effective antiosteoporotic drugs as bisphosphonates. The data on the efficacy and tolerability of alendronic acid preparations as the most studied preparation from the group of bisphosphonates are analyzed. The information on the new medicinal form of alendronic acid – sparkling soluble tablets (Binosto) is presented.