Estimation of Amarogentin content and standardization of different samples of Chirata collected from crude drug markets of Nepal

Background: Amarogentin is a major chemical constituent of bitter principle found in Swertia chirayita (Roxb.ex Fleming) Karsten; family Gentianaceae. Chirata is an endangered species because of it’s over exploitation for pharmaceutical industries. These species are mainly found in the Himalayas and used for gastritis, diabetes, jaundice, urinary disorders, liver disorders, etc. The bitter principle as a main indicator of the medical herb, Nowadays, other species of Swertia are substituted and traded by the name of Chirata. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to estimate Amarogentin and to standardize Chirata samples collected from different markets of Nepal in 2013 A.D. Method and Materials: Different market samples of the species were analyzed for foreign matter, moisture content, extractive values; and bitter principles i.e. Amarogentin by using UFLC at Pacific Analytical Laboratory and Training Center, Lalitpur, Nepal. Result: The findings revealed that foreign matter, moisture content, extractive values; and bitter principles i.e. Amarogentin content varied with different market samples. Methonolic extraction yielded higher percentage of extracts than that of chloroform extraction. Samples including more root and stem, in general, contained higher Amarogentin than samples containing more leaves. The samples containing higher moisture content were lesser in Amarogentin content. The finding of Amarogentin of sample collected from Charikot, Dolkha was 3mg/100gm.Conclusion: In this study, the findings suggest that sample collected from local market of Charikot, Dolkha district was Swertia chirayita and was the best quality.

Management of Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) with Ayurveda - a case study

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common problems affecting approximately5% of all women. PCOS can affect menstrual cycle, fertility, and hormone level as well as appearance including acne, facial hair growth and balding, overweight. Some women may suffer from depression. It is also a metabolic problem that affects several body systems. The condition gets its name because there are often an increased number of small painless cysts in the ovaries (polycystic ovaries). It is very difficult to cure in contemporary system and treatment is also very costly. A case of 19 years female suffering from PCOS reported was treated successfully at at Ayurveda Teaching Hospital within 1 month by various ayurveda medicine and panchakarma procedures. The improvement is evident from regularity of menstrual cycle and also from the ultrasonography (USG) reports.

A REVIEW ON THE PHARMACODYNAMICS OF BASTI KARMA

ABSTRACT Basti Karma is the most widely used and highly effective treatment modality in Panchakarma. Though Basti is specially indicated for Vatika diseases but it is mentioned in vitiation of all the Vata, Pitta, Kapha, Rakta Doshika disorders. Correctly given Basti will stay in the Pakawashaya, Shroni, Nabhi and Adhobhaga. Basti Dravya will reach the entire Srotasa, in view of its Veerya and produces alleviating action Shamanadi karmas. References regarding Basti Karmuktwa were collected from various classical and Ayurveda published works, published research papers from Pub Med, Google Scholar and compilation was done. Concept of Pharmacodynamics of Basti was studied in detail. Basti is most often recommended practice in Vata Roga Chikitsa. Most of the previous studies have emphasized on the importance of Basti in Vata vyadhis; however there were limited studies carried out on pharmacodynamics of Basti only. Pharmacodynamics outcome of Basti Karma may be due to functioning of the one or more effect of different mechanism.

Ayurveda and post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) Management

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first detected in China in December 2019. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has been one of the major pandemics affecting all the world and human beings. Since then, more than 241 million people worldwide have been infected, and over 4 million people have died from the COVID-19. In Nepal, it is 807 thousand people have been infected, and more than 11 thousand people have been died from the disease till date.1

TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AS A PROTECTED FORM OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS IN NEPAL: A LAW AND POLICY ASSESSMENT

A serious discourse is built around the world for proper and better protection of traditional knowledge associated with intellectual property rights. Traditional knowledge was considered as a leftover subject in intellectual property governance since the IP has been a talk of the town. Nepal is rich in terms of traditional knowledge associated with indigenous communities largely used in the medical sectors or what we generally name with “ home-grown medicines”. There is a lack of proper protection and also incentives for these communities and researches have shown that there are also possibilities of conflict over ownership over such knowledge. The traditional knowledge will not only benefit particular stakeholders rather in an extended way, it creates values for the nation and ultimately a global asset in the intellectual property regime across the world. The IP Policy, Law, and Regulations need further incorporation of elements as the subject of traditional knowledge specifically used for medicinal purposes. This paper is based on a theoretical analysis of law, policies, rules, cases, and practices for the protection of traditional knowledge for medicinal in Nepal. This paper has further analyzed the position of existing umbrella clauses as seen in intellectual property laws for the said purpose.

Overview of Kshar-sutra in treatment of Ano-rectal diseases- review of cases treated at ACTH in 2011-2012: Retrospective study

Background Anorectal disorders including Fissure in Ano, Fistula in Ano and hemorrhoids are among the most common digestive complications. To our knowledge there is no any retrospective study of previous medical record data of Ayurveda Campus and Teaching Hospital (ACTH), Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal available on the prevalence of major anorectal problems. Therefore, this retrospective was carried out to analyze the medical record of Shalya department OPD in fiscal year 2011-12 A.D. to estimate the prevalence of anorectal problems among the patients of anorectal complaints. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted from January 2020 to December 2020 A.D. All the patients visiting the Department with anorectal complaints were screened. Name, sex, age, address and diagnosis was entered into Microsoft excel 2016 from registers of medical record; and analyzed in SPSS Version 2021 after coding the variables in excel. The findings were presented with percentage and frequency in pie and bar diagram. Results: Overall, anorectal cases (n=1067) were enrolled and analyzed in the study. The findings of major anorectal diseases like Fissure in Ano, Fistula in Ano and Hemorrhoids were commonly found in age group of 21-30 year; and followed by 31-40 year and 41-50 year. Fistula in Ano was also significantly found in the old age group of 61-70 year. Furthermore, the prevalence of Fissure in Ano, Fistula in Ano, Internal and External Hemorrhoids were 20%, 32%, 31.2% and 12% among ano-rectal problems in this hospital during this fiscal year respectively. Conclusion: Anorectal diseases are one of the common diseases observed in adolescent and adult patients which is more common in male than female. The prevalence of hemorrhoids is higher among Fissure in Ano and Fistula in Ano. Ksharasutra is the most effective procedure for treatment of these anorectal diseases.

Effectiveness of Workshop on Problem Based Learning for Health Professionals

Background: Problem based learning (PBL) is a self-directed method that help learner to develop critical thinking, problem solving skills and enhance their aptitude. The objective of the study was to measure the effectiveness of workshop in changing the faculties’ knowledge, skills, and attitude on PBL. Methods: A descriptive design with pre-test and post-test was used to examine the objectives of the study. A self-report questionnaire was used to collect data from a convenience sample of 23 health professions faculties from various institutions of Institute of Medicine (IOM), Tribhuvan University (TU), affiliated institutions and others of Nepal who attended the workshop. Faculty's feedback on PBL was collected before and after workshop using Likert Scale's 4 and 5 point. Results: The findings of the study were highly significant increment of mean score of post-test compared to pre-test within the group of “can do it confidently” (p≤0.001). Similarly, Majority of participants scored “strongly agreed” in ten statement of feedback on the effectiveness of the PBL after workshop. Conclusion: This PBL workshop training was highly effective to change the faculties' knowledge, skills and attitude towards the integration of PBL in their classes. This training may help to move from traditional way of thinking to PBL for future implementation.

Ayurvedic review on diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Diabetes mellitus is a major health issue in today's world. Main threat is not the disease itself but its complications like nephropathy, retinopathy and neuropathy etc. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is one of the earliest complications which has the highest prevalence of about 40-50% and is becoming the leading cause of hospital stay among diabetic mallitus and also the leading cause of foot ulcers, their complications like limb amputation and cost associated with it. Madhumeha which has been described as 'Maharogas' i.e. difficult to treat disease has many similarities with Diabetes mellitus can be understood and studied as same disease. Ayurveda has mentioned the causes, pathophysiology and symptoms of DPN as 'karapada daha -suptata' in purvarupa lakshanas and upadrava lakshanas but in scattered form. Applying the ayurveda principals in diagnosis and management of diabetes mellitus and its complications like DPN can considerably reduce the chance of foot ulcers, and its consequences. But it needs depth study to understand the concept of DPN so as to form an effective management protocal.

Anti-oxidant Features of Amla –A Review

The role of reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress in bringing about a negative impact on health and providing an open invitation to a plethora of diseases is a well-known fact. This has led to the search of antioxidants. The number of conventional available antioxidants have certain limitations and researchers are constantly in search of herbs and medicinal plants. Amla possesses a wide range of medicinal values used ardently by our seers for the treatment of the diseased and to maintain the health of the healthy people as well. Researches have thrown light upon the fact that Amla possess anti-oxidative features and has a wide range of therapeutic utilities. The antioxidant property of Amla has been even experimented to offer a readily available alternative in certain cases as well. The scattered information pertaining to the antioxidant potential of Amla is reported. Present review embraces the general introduction, morphology, phytochemical and pharmacological attributes and an in-depth information of reported antioxidant properties of Amla in terms of available experimental and clinical studies.

Management of Grahani roga in Ayurveda (irritable bowel syndrome)- A case report

Grahani Roga is a common Gastro-intestinal Tract disorder of present era. In Ayurveda, Grahani is considered as the main functional part of Mahasrota which is located in between amashaya & pakwashaya, also known as the 6th kala i.e., Pittadhara Kala where jatharagni resides and its main function is to hold the ahara upto the end of avasthapaka & after completion passes it into pakvasaya. Symptoms like alternate passing of hard & loose stool, abdominal pain, passing of foul-smelling stool, mucus in faecal matter are diagnostic of Grahani Roga. In modern science, above mentioned symptoms can be correlated with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). In IBS, the wall of the intestine becomes sensitive to even mild stimulus which causes excess abdominal cramps & hence the bowel movement alters along with indigestion. In this case an effort has been made to treat 33 years male suffering from Grahani roga, at Ayurveda Teaching Hospital within 3 months by various ayurveda medicine and panchakarma procedures.