Revisiting prophylaxis of homeopathic interventions in COVID 19

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused by novel beta-coronavirus has emerged as a cause of coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) declared by Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Korean oriental medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and Indian systems of medicine known as AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Sowa-Rigpa and Homeopathy) had implemented various prophylactic measures and interim treatment guidelines in prevention and treatment for COVID -19 cases. However, even though different approaches were implemented to break the epidemic chain, we have not reached herd effect or herd immunity in the Indian population. Therefore, in this ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a specific study on immune markers of IL-6 (Interleukin-6), D-Dimer, Ferritine, CRP (C-reactive protein) with SARS CoV-2 specific IgG & IgM antibodies need to be investigated for generating hard-core evidence for homeoprophylaxis in terms of immunity response. Therefore, there seems to be a need to revisit the program of homeoprophylaxis in the COVID -19 pandemic.

Comparative inhibition analysis of wild type and G671S catalytic site mutant of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2) has wrecked a global havoc, after its emergence in Wuhan, Hubei province of China. It is known to have a distressing effect on the respiratory tract and has a high mortality rate. Till to date (25 Dec 2021), total number of cases (279,362,428) have been reported across the globe. Variable mutations have been reported on various geographical levels. In this study, we have analyzed G671S mutation of RdRp of the SARS-CoV-2, which has been reported in various strains globally, but importantly delta variant cases of Pakistan and has a serious impact on the protein structure. To study the conformational impact, we screened a Tibetan medicinal compound/Sowa Rigpa library against RdRp and compared the best docked compound (Kaempferol 3-O-gentiobioside) to the wild type and mutant RdRp against Remdesivir. A short simulation was used to validate the findings. Both remdesivir and our screened compound showed better inhibition for mutant, compared to the wild type RdRp.

bonpa indigenous cure system of sowa rigpa or ‘science of healing’ practices

The Tibetan medicinal system is among the oldest known healing traditions practiced in the world. History is witness to the fact that there is a vast treasure trove of indigenous knowledge and practices. It offers a holistic treatment system that is aimed at regulating and maintaining an astute balance of the functional principles defining human existence through mind and body. Indigenous medicine is an integral part of the Tibetan culture and has grown and developed across several centuries and geographical spaces. The origins of Tibetan system that pertain to the Bon religious tenets are apparently very old as aspects of the Tibetan medicine have been traced to ancient cultures over 2,500 years old. Traditionally the Tibetan curative system has been known as Sowa-Rigpa Medicine meaning the ‘Science of Healing’. “It is a centuries old system of treatment that is based on a complex approach to diagnosis, incorporating techniques like taking the pulse and conducting an analysis of bodily fluids besides making an examination of the behavior and dietary intake. The medicines are composed of natural materials (e.g., herbs, minerals, plants, leaves etc) and physical therapies (e.g. Tibetan acupuncture, moxabustion, etc) to treat illness.

AYUSH Research Portal: Matching Traditional Indian Knowledge with Modern Needs

Indexing is a mandatory requirement for the sustenance and progress of anyscientific discipline. AYUSH Research portal (https://ayushportal.nic.in/) is anexclusive portal meant for indexing and dissemination of research findings inthe domain of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa andHomeopathy and allied faculties. By 2010, despite the availability of up to 45databases catering to Complimentary and Alternative medical systems (CAM),none was dedicated to index-based search on the literature of AYUSH systems.Though PubMed remained a very vast storehouse, limited indexation of AYUSHjournals left searches incomplete. To address this problem a dedicated portal onAYUSH systems was developed with an exclusive focus on bringing researchfindings in a relatable, user-friendly manner by providing the contents basedInternational Classification of Disease (ICD) - 10 terms and InternationalClassification of Primary Care (ICPC) classification while at the same timepreserving the ontological nuances of these systems. This fete over a decadehas resulted in an impressive portal housing more than 30,000 articles with avery good reception among the scientific community. This article discusses theevolution of the concept and steps involved in the development andsustenance of this portal. We list out further steps required to develop theportal into a global treasure house.

Critical Review of Healing Elements: Efficacy and the Social Ecologies of Tibetan Medicine

This article offers a critical review of Healing Elements: Efficacy and the Social Ecologies of Tibetan Medicine. The ethnography provides rich and comprehensive insights regarding the triumphs and tribulations of Sowa Rigpa (traditional Tibetan medicine) as the medical system is translated across diverse contexts to ensure its continuity within the globalized world; however, these insights can be broadened by more deliberately acknowledging and investigating the (post)colonial subtexts underlying these translations. Incommensurability emerges throughout the ethnography in the form of tensions that arise as tacit knowledge is translated to explicit knowledge in the quest for legitimization. It is argued that expounding the nature of this incommensurability by engaging with rather than rejecting polarized notions of “traditional” and “modern” paradigms can reveal that non-biomedical medical systems and medically pluralistic contexts more broadly are inundated by (post)colonial processes. Borrowing Blaser’s (2013) notion of “Sameing,” it is demonstrated that translation involves (post)colonial processes of assimilation, as Sowa Rigpa is rendered visible through Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and appropriation, as it is made palatable through pharmaceutical commodification. Furthermore, it is argued that these processes mobilize mimesis and essentialization to transform Sowa Rigpa into a system that is both legitimized and acquiescent to the imperatives of varying external regimes. The simultaneity of these effects and the position that they are not mutually exclusive is asserted throughout the review as further evidence of (post)colonization.

Qualitative study on Bhutanese patients’ perceptions of modern, Sowa Rigpa, and local medicine

Modern society has seen a rapid shift toward biomedicalization. However, there is now an increasing trend of using complementary and alternative medicine for holistic treatment. Bhutan promotes the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of its citizens through its universal healthcare system, production of herbal medicines, Buddhist practices, and governmental policy of Gross National Happiness. Patients can choose one or a combination of modern, traditional (Sowa Rigpa), and local healing practices for treatment. For this study, in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted among randomly-selected patients (N = 20). Interviewees were categorized based on demographics, past medical experiences, upbringings, and expectations for medical care providers. All participants were found to rely on modern medicine (n = 20), many used traditional medicine (n = 13), and some had experienced local medicine (n = 9). Only a fraction had solely relied on modern medicine (n = 5) and a select number relied on all three practices for treatment (n = 7). In addition to determining patients' reliance on one or a combination of healing practices, this study identified their perceptions of the strengths and limitations of each method. To this end, the participants' reasonings for relying on certain practices over others for particular ailments were investigated. A key finding was that patients believe the flexibility in the reliance of one or multiple treatment types optimize their health and facilitate access to medical resources. Further collaborations between modern medical practitioners and complementary and alternative medical care providers are necessary to advance the integration of these three practices and ensure patient well-being. Key messages Bhutan provides universal health coverage to access basic public health services in both modern and traditional medicine, giving patients the freedom to choose their own modes of treatment. Referrals and communication between modern medical practitioners and complementary and alternative medical care providers are necessary to ensure patient health and well-being.