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The article discusses the highlights of the 2nd World Ayurved Congress held in Pune, India on November 9, 2006. It mentions that the workshop was aimed to emphasize the importance of paradigm shift among Ayurvedic scholars. Doctor E. L. Cooper gave a presentation on the global scenario and position of Ayurveda and alternative medicine and the importance of scientific literature. Another session, headed by doctors Cooper and Alexander M. Hankey, involved consultations with researchers concerning their research papers.

Background: Traditional medicine (TM) interventions are plausible therapeutic alternatives to conventional medical interventions against emerging and endemic zoonotic diseases, particularly in low-and middle-income countries that may lack resources and infrastructure. Despite the growing popularity in the usage of TM interventions, their clinical safety and effectiveness are still contested within conventional healthcare in many countries. Methods: We conducted a scoping review of the peer-reviewed literature that synthesises and maps the evidence on TM interventions for the treatment and prevention of zoonoses on the Indian subcontinent. The region, a global hotspot of biodiversity and emerging infections, is characterised by high prevalence of TM use. Based on the scientific literature (mostly case study research, n=l06 studies), our review (1) maps the scope of the literature, (2) synthesises the evidence on the application of TM interventions for zoonoses, and (3) critically reflects on the state of TM and identifies areas for future research focus. Results: The evidence synthesis confirmed widespread usage of TM interventions for zoonoses on the subcontinent, with the majority of research reported from India (n=99 studies, 93.4%), followed by Pakistan (n=3 studies, 2.8%), Bangladesh (n=2 studies, 1.9%), and Sri Lanka (n=1, 0.9%). Most of the reviewed studies reported on ethno-medicinal uses of plant species, primarily for treating dengue (n=20 studies), tuberculosis (n=18 studies), Escherichia coli infection (n=16 studies), lymphatic filariasis and cholera (n=9 apiece). However, the evidence on the safety and effectiveness of these reported TM interventions is limited, indicating that these data are rarely collected and/or shared within the peer-reviewed literature. Conclusion: This review thus highlights that, whilst TMs are already being used and could offer more widely accessible interventions against emerging and endemic zoonoses and ectoparasites, there is an urgent need for rigorous clinical testing and validation of the safety and effectiveness of these interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Training young doctors is essential for carrying out need-based research. The field of Traditional Medicine (TM) has made significant contributions to modern medicine, and there is unlimited scope for exploring it further in search of improved treatment options. However, there is a lack of systematic research studies on traditional medicines. It was, therefore, considered necessary to assess the interest and awareness among modern medicine practitioners regarding Traditional Medicine Research (TMR). Aim: To assess the need for training in TMR among modern medicine practitioners. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted in the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, from March 2020 to September 2020 among modern medicine practitioners from the Western region of India. A validated questionnaire was used to collect data regarding the level of training in research methodology, research experience including TMR, areas for training, attitude towards training in TMR, challenges in TMR, and therapeutic areas to focus TMR efforts. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: Out of 109 participants, 96 (88.1%) were trained in research methodology. At least one research project was undertaken by 91 (83.5%) participants. Ninety-seven percent of participants felt that TMR was necessary. TMR was conducted by 19 (17.4%) participants. Approximately 65 (59.6%) participants felt that conducting TMR poses challenges such as lack of funds, infrastructure, lack of belief in TM, unavailability of literature pertaining to TM, lack of expertise, and lack of corporate attention and marketing. Therapeutic areas identified to focus research efforts included lifestyle-related disorders, diabetes mellitus, cancer, ageing, allergic disorders, osteoarthritis, and obesity. Conclusion: All the participants expressed the need to undergo training in TMR. However, the experience of conducting TMR was limited. Lack of funds, infrastructure, and expertise were mentioned as the main hurdles in undertaking TMR. It is essential to conduct systematic and need-based training programs for modern medicine practitioners in basic research methodology and TMR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM) is commonly used by those living with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) but little is known about the use of TCIM such as yoga and Ayurveda in ethnic Indian women with PCOS living worldwide. This survey aimed to explore the prevalence and types of TCIM used and in particular the pattern of use of yoga and Ayurveda including reasons for not using and future interest in using them among non-users. Method: An online, international cross-sectional survey was conducted using a pre-designed survey tool. Participants were ethnic Indian women of reproductive age who reported that they were medically diagnosed with PCOS. Descriptive analysis was used to identify the proportion of TCIM users, while a multivariable binary logistic regression was used to analyze their characteristics. Results: Data from 3130 respondents were analysed. The prevalence of TCIM use was 80% (2515/3130). Yoga and Ayurveda were the most frequently practised TCIM modalities with a prevalence of 57% and 37% respectively. We found a high future interest in using yoga (81%) and Ayurveda (70%) among the non-users. The motivation for most Ayurveda use was a recommendation from family/friends (66%), rather than personal choice (38%) or the internet (19%). Most women used Ayurveda because it has natural ingredients (64%) and it is safe (60%) and cited its use to be safe and somewhat helpful. The majority of women were currently practising yoga (73%) up to four times a week (54%) at home (93%). Yoga was primarily used to improve overall health (67%), manage weight (64%), stress (54%) hormonal imbalance (49%) and emotional well-being (48%). Barriers to practising yoga were common among the current users and non-users and included lack of motivation (59% and 59%), time constraints (48% and 39%), and non-availability of yoga teachers specialised in PCOS (31% and 23%). Most women found yoga to be helpful and preferred individual one-on-one (52%) yoga sessions specifically tailored for PCOS (58%). Conclusion: This is the first international study that discovered the prevalence and pattern of TCIM use among ethnic Indian women with PCOS living worldwide. We support the urgent need for more research, education, and regulation of different TCIM modalities to promote safe and effective practices globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bhaishajya Kaala (time of drug administration) is an important principle to be considered while treating a disease. Still hardly a handful of physicians are seen, who account for this. To highlight its imperial role in Chikitsa, there is an immense necessity to analyze this concept, which is the need of the hour. Bhaishajya Kaala is mainly explained in relation with Bala of Roga, Rogi, particular Dosha, Dooshya, and various other factors. The comprehensive understanding of this concept involves so many questions as, why there is a difference in the number of Aushdha Kaala? What is the logic behind their indications as well as contraindications? The present paper focuses on the above points to find out the convincing answers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Varanasi is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities of the world, and one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage sites. Despite this importance, very little information exits on the cities flora in general, and medicinal species found within its limit in particular. Traditional medicine plays a large role in Indian society. The presented study attempted to investigate if traditional plant use and availability of important common medicinal plants are maintained in urban environments. The paper presents information on the traditional uses of seventy-two plant species collected form the campus of Banares Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, and highlights the uses of these plants by the local inhabitants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the wealth of medicinal plants used by the Apatani tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. Apatani have traditionally settled in seven villages in the Ziro valley of Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh in the Eastern Himalayan region of India. The present study has resulted in the documentation of 158 medicinal plant species used by the Apatani group of villages. These medicinal plant species were distributed across 73 families and 124 genera. Asteraceae was the most dominant family (19 species, 11 genera) of medicinal plants, followed by Zingiberaceae, Solanaceae, Lamiaceae and Araceae. For curing ailments, the use of aboveground plant parts was higher (80%) than the below ground plant parts in the Apatani group of villages. Of the aboveground plant parts, leaf was used in the majority of cases (56 species), followed by fruit. Different belowground plant forms such as root, tuber, rhizome, bulb and pseudo-bulb were used by Apatani as a medicine. About 52 types of ailments were cured by using these 158 medicinal plant species. The results of this study are further discussed in the changing socio-economic contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lower back pain the most prevalent conditions that leads to a visit to a pain specialist. Individuals with lower back pain or traumatic back / spine injury compliant triage compliance will first discuss patient presentations and patient attributes. Methods/Deign: An comparative study was conducted in Cuttack from September 2020 to January 2022. The total sample size was 30 and we used convenient sampling in which 10 in each group were recruited. Then the patient was screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria with which informed consent was given if the patient agrees to give the consent. Then the patient was selected by convenient sampling based on eligibility criteria. Procedure of study was explained to all the patients and written consent was taken from them. Patients with low back pain were allocated for the study. Amongst this, group 1 was given conventional physical therapy, Group 2 was given osteopathy techniques and group 3 was given combined both physical therapy and osteopathy techniques for 6 days a week for 6 weeks. Results: Significant difference(p<0.001) were seen in group 3 in both outcome measures from 2nd week. Conclusion: The combination of both conventional physical therapy and osteopathy manipulative techniques will help in better way in patients with lower back pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of health care responsiveness by conventional, traditional and complementary medicine providers in middle-aged and older community-dwelling adults from the India Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) Wave 1 in 2017– 2018. Methods: The cross-sectional sample included 37,852 participants who received outpatient health care in the past 12 months, of which 33,615 had visited a conventional health facility, 2120 an AYUSH facility, and 2117 a traditional health practitioner (THP). Results: The prevalence of poor health care responsiveness was 10.1% overall, and 10.7% for the conventional health facility, 8.3% for AYUSH, and 5.7% for the THP. In adjusted logistic regression analysis using the whole sample, the prevalence of poor health care responsiveness was significantly lower among AYUSH and THP clients than among conventional health care clients. Having higher education, higher socioeconomic status and being a Sikh decreased the odds of poor health care responsiveness, while being a member of a caste, having two or more chronic diseases, functional disability, and visiting the health facility for immunisation increased the odds of poor health care responsiveness. In regard to the AYUSH provider, older age decreased the odds and member of a caste, being a Christian and functional disability increased the odds of poor health care responsiveness, and in terms of the THP, being a Sikh decreased the odds and older age, functional disability and visiting the THP for immunisation and for treatment for injury/accident increased the odds of poor health care responsiveness. Discussion: One in ten middle-aged or older adults in India reported poor health care responsiveness, and several sociodemographic and health factors were identified associated with poor health care responsiveness by different service providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Homeopathy is one among the popular medical systems in India. Over the years, the government has been attempting to mainstream homeopathy in the public health system, nevertheless, most service providers are in the private sector. Therefore, increase of quality and availability to all population classes by means of public-private partnerships is seen as a viable policy option. In Delhi, 90% of homeopathic services providers belong to the private sector, including charity trusts. Most of them provide services to the low-income population in urban slams. In 2003, Delhi government launched a program involving the private sector to provide homeopathic services in underserved city areas. This project funded private agencies to run homeopathic clinics. This paper provides an overview on this program, addressing in particular the lessons taught by six case studies represented by non-governmental organizations (NGOs). It also discusses expectations of private providers and concludes with specific recommendations for wider participation of the private sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One of the major concerns of governments of developing and developed countries is to have a check on their population increase. Realising the importance of avoiding the harmful effects of synthetic compounds, scientists and researchers throughout the world are cooperating in efforts to design new and effective contraceptives from compounds of plant origin. Methods: In this paper, we compared 11 plant species by analysing compounds showing antifertility properties with respect to the metabolic pathways involved. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome pathway database was the source of metabolic pathway information. Protein sequences and classification numbers of unique enzymes exclusively present in certain species were identified using the Expert Protein Analysis System. Results: Two enzymes, namely, L-aspartate dehydrogenase (EC no. 1.4.1.21) and transhexaprenyltranstransferase (EC no. 2.5.1.30), were identified as novel drug targets from the metabolic pathway analysis. Validation of the essential proteins identified through metabolic pathway comparison was done based on the literature information. Conclusion: The in silico analysis resulted in identification of 2 enzymes that are predicted to be the targets for putative antifertility drug. These enzymes can further be modelled to obtain their 3-dimensional structures with the help of various protein structure modelling softwares. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The ethnic communities in Nagaland have kept a close relationship with nature since time immemorial and have traditionally used different kinds of insects and their products as folk medicine to treat a variety of human ills and diseases. The present study was conducted to record the entomotherapeutic practices of seven different ethnic groups of Nagaland. Method: Documentation is based on semi-structured questionnaires and group discussions with a total of 370 informants. The data collected were analysed using fidelity level (FL) and informant consensus factor (ICF). Results: Fifty species of medicinal insects belonging to 28 families and 11 orders were identified in connection with treatments of at least 50 human ailments, of which the most frequently cited were coughs, gastritis, rheumatoid arthritis, stomach ache and wound healing. Mylabris sp. showed the highest fidelity level (FL) of 100% for its therapeutic property as a dermatologic agent, while the informant consensus factor (ICF) ranged from 0.66 to 1.00. The use of medicinal insects varies amongst the seven ethnic groups, suggesting that differences in cultures and geographic location can lead to the selection of specific insect species for specific medicinal purposes. The largest number of insect species appear to be used for treating gastrointestinal, dermatological and respiratory diseases. Conclusion: The list of medicinal insect species, many of which are reported for the first time in the present study, suggests the presence of a considerable diversity of therapeutically important insect species in the region and elaborate folk medicinal knowledge of the local ethnic groups. This knowledge of insects not just as a food, but also as therapy is passed down verbally from generation to generation, but is in danger of being lost if not documented in a systematic way. Having stood the test of time, traditional folk medicinal knowledge and its contribution through entomotherapy should not be regarded as useless as it has the potential to lead to the development of novel drugs and treatment methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: De Quervain's tenosynovitis is the most common overuse injury, involving the wrist, and often occurs in individuals who regularly use a forceful grasp coupled with ulnar deviation of the wrist. There is no consensus in the treatment of De Quervain's tenosynovitis; both surgical and conservative medical management has adverse effects. Myofascial release (MFR) and myofascial taping (MFT) are newer techniques which have been proven effective for other inflammatory and noninflammatory musculoskeletal conditions. Hence, the study was planned to determine and compare the effectiveness of both the above-mentioned adjunct method along with conventional occupational therapy in the treatment of De Quervain's tenosynovitis. Objective: To compare and study the effectiveness of MFT and MFR as an adjunct to conventional occupational therapy treatment on patients with De Quervain's tenosynovitis. Study Design: A prospective, comparative randomized control trial was conducted for 18 months in the Department of Occupational Therapy (OT) of the O.T. Training School and Centre, Seth G.S. Medical College and KEM Hospital. Methods: Thirty-one patients (both males and females aged 20-50 years) diagnosed as De Quervain's tenosynovitis, referred to the OT outpatient department, were randomized into two groups after screening by simple random sampling using a computerized generated table. Patients in Group A (N = 16, 11 females and 5 males) received MFT along with conventional treatment, and patients in Group B (N = 15, 9 females and 6 males) received MFR along with conventional treatment; they followed up for the treatment for 5 weeks, 2 times a week with each session lasting for 30-40 min. Pain level and functional improvement were evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS) score and patient-specific functional scale (PSFS) score, respectively, at the end of the 3rd and 5th week of the 5-week therapy program. Results: Both the groups showed significant improvement in pain scores on VAS at the 3rd and 5th week. There was no significant difference in the values between the two groups at the3rd week; however, at the end of the 5th week, Group A showed significant improvement in pain than Group B. Both the groups showed significant improvement in functional scores on PSFS at the 3rd and 5th week. Conclusion: Although both MFT and MFR showed improvement in function and decrease in pain, when compared we could conclude that MFT along with conventional OT yields better outcome measures in terms of decreasing pain and improving function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author reflects on six decades of research and education of Ayurveda medicine in India as of 2013. The author discusses topics on the establishment of an exclusive research center and the first research center in Ayurveda in the country in 1953, research on Ayurvedic hematinic formulations, and other notable achievements in the field from 1953-2013. Also mentioned is the struggle of research in Ayurveda to produce scientific validation with evidence based documentation.

Background: With an estimated 65 million Diabetes Mellitus (DM) patients, India ranks second in the world in terms of DM burden. The emphasis of current medical practice has been on pharmacotherapy but, despite the best combination therapies, acheiving glycaemic control (reduction of blood sugar to desirable levels) is a challenge. 'Integrated Naturopathy and Yoga'(INY) is an alternative system of medicine that lays emphasis on the role of diet and physical exercise. We assessed the short term effect of INY as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy on glycaemic control among type 2 DM patients. Methods: In this prospective cohort study with a 3 month follow-up, DM patients consecutively admitted to a hospital in India from May-October 2014 for either 15 or 30 days were offered INY - a package of vegetarian diet with no added oil, sugar and salt, yoga-based exercise, patient counselling and rest. A 'favourable outcome' was defined as glycaemic control (glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) < 7 % or absolute reduction by 1 %) along with at least 50 % reduction in antidiabetes medication at 3 months relative to baseline. Compliance to diet was scored by self-report on a scale of 0-10 and categorized into poor (0-5), moderate (6-8) and excellent (9-10). Results: Of 101 patients with 3-month follow-up data, 65(65 %) achieved a favourable outcome - with 19(19 %) stopping medication while sustaining glycemic control. Factors associated with favourable outcome were baseline HbA1c and compliance to diet, which showed a significant linear relationship with mean HbA1c reductions of 0.4 %, 1.1 % and 1.7 % in relation to poor, moderate and excellent dietary compliance respectively. Conclusion: INY, adjunctive to pharmacotherapy, was associated with a significant beneficial effect on glycaemic control and reduced the overall need for antidiabetes medications. These early results are promising. Further studies with long-term follow-up and using more rigorous randomized controlled trial designs are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Drug treatment in pregnancy presents a special concern because of the physiological changes in the mother besides the drug effects on fetus. In addition, usage of drug available over-the-counter (OTC) medication adversely affects the mother and fetus. Hence, this study was planned to observe the OTC usage during pregnancy in India. Aims and Objective: To assess and compare the pattern and extent of OTC drug usage in pregnant women of rural and urban areas. Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional descriptive study done at a tertiary-care hospital. Pregnant women aged 18-38 years attending the obstetrics outpatient department at KIMS and urban clinics were enrolled randomly. Written informed consent was taken and questionnaire filled consisting of sociodemographic data and OTC usage, mode, source, and type of request. Statistical analysis was done using percentages and w2 test. Results: Among 483 (rural, 248; urban, 235) antenatal women enrolled, 12.83% consumed OTC drugs (urban areas, 16.5%; rural, 9.27%). Higher OTC usage was observed in first (rural, 39.13%; urban, 53.84%) and second trimesters (rural, 43.47%; urban, 33.3%) and women with higher income levels (rural, 52.17%; urban, 58.97%) and education (rural, 60.86%; urban, 56.41%). The main reason for OTC usage was emergency situation (for immediate relief). Source of request was pharmacist's advice/previous prescriptions. Type of request for acquiring OTC was by telling symptoms in both urban and rural areas. Conclusions: Although OTC usage was less, most of the women were not aware of the teratogenic effects of drugs. Hence, an alarming need is necessary to educate the women and pharmacists and to frame and follow the strict regulatory guidelines for the OTC drugs sale, thereby to prevent the irrational use of drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present ethnobotanical study was carried out in Holi (Deol, Kut, Dal, and Lahaud Dhar) forest range and in Bharmor (Seri, Bharmour, Malkauta, Bharmani, Harsar, Dhancho, Sundrasi, Gorikund, and Manimahesh) forest range to obtain information on the plants usedby the local inhabitants for severalpurposes. A total of 54 plantswere recorded in this study.The plants are employed to treat simple diseases (cough, cold, fever, and burns) and some serious diseases (typhoid, jaundice, and kidney disease). Some of the plants are also used as incense for religious ceremonies and several other daily needs. But due to absence of scientific monitoring of plants, their cultivation, harvesting, and management techniques as well as sustainable use and lack of awareness of social factors, the availability of valuable plant resources is decreasing at an alarming rate. In addition, the indigenous knowledge regarding the use of lesser-known plants of this region is also rapidly declining. Therefore, the documentation of plant resources is a necessary step towards the goal of raising awareness in local communities about the importance of these plants and their further conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mukia maderaspatana (Linn.) M. Roemer, (Family: Cucurbitaceae) [syn.: Melothria maderaspatana (L.) Cogn.], is distributed throughout the tropics and subtropics of the Old World. Different organs of the drug-plant are utilised in Ayurveda, Siddha, Naturopathy and Folkloric traditional medicines of India as well as the indigenous medical systems of the Sub-Saharan African, Asian and Australian communities for health-care needs. The leafy vegetable is reported to exhibit potent antioxidant capacity in vitro and in vivo and to possess antihypertensive, vasodialatory, antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, antiinflammatory, antirheumatic, antiulcer, anxiolytic, antimicrobial, and antiplatelet aggregation activities. The present review is an attempt to highlight, for the first time, the current clinical and experimental evidences available in literature on the extent of its potentials to protect against vascular events and diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Visceral leishmaniasis is a systemic parasitic disease that is fatal unless treated. We assessed the cost and costeffectiveness of alternative strategies for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis in the Indian subcontinent. In particular we examined whether combination therapies are a cost-effective alternative compared to monotherapies. Methods and Findings: We assessed the cost-effectiveness of all possible mono- and combination therapies for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis in the Indian subcontinent (India, Nepal and Bangladesh) from a societal perspective using a decision analytical model based on a decision tree. Primary data collected in each country was combined with data from the literature and an expert poll (Delphi method). The cost per patient treated and average and incremental costeffectiveness ratios expressed as cost per death averted were calculated. Extensive sensitivity analysis was done to evaluate the robustness of our estimations and conclusions. With a cost of US$92 per death averted, the combination miltefosineparomomycin was the most cost-effective treatment strategy. The next best alternative was a combination of liposomal amphotericin B with paromomycin with an incremental cost-effectiveness of $652 per death averted. All other strategies were dominated with the exception of a single dose of 10mg per kg of liposomal amphotericin B. While strategies based on liposomal amphotericin B (AmBisome) were found to be the most effective, its current drug cost of US$20 per vial resulted in a higher average cost-effectiveness. Sensitivity analysis showed the conclusion to be robust to variations in the input parameters over their plausible range. Conclusions: Combination treatments are a cost-effective alternative to current monotherapy for VL. Given their expected impact on the emergence of drug resistance, a switch to combination therapy should be considered once final results from clinical trials are available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Litsea glitinosa is an evergreen tree of medium size which grows to a height of about 20 to 30 feet. It belongs to family Lauraceae. In India it is found mainly in North Eastern region. The leaves and the mucilage from the bark of plant is utilized in the gum for poultices. Methods: Mucilage of Litsea glutinosa was isolated from powdered bark by continuous hot extraction technique using water and precipitation by absolute alcohol (38% w/w yield). The mucilage was evaluated for binding properties in tablets and granules, using paracetamol as a model drug. The granules were prepared using 4 different concentrations of mucilage (4%, 6%, 8%, and 10%) and evaluated for percentage of fines, average particle size, total porosity, compressibility index, and flow properties. The prepared tablets were evaluated for content uniformity, hardness, friability, disintegration time, and in vitro dissolution profiles. Results: The results obtained with the lower concentrations of mucilage, that is, less than 6% were not so encouraging. The tablets prepared by using 10% mucilage of L. glutinosa as binder exhibited more hardness as compared with the starch. Conclusion: It may be concluded that the concentration ranging from 6% to 8% of L. glutinosa mucilage may be considered as better option as a binding agent for the preparation of tablets as compared to the starch (10%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study is to prepare and characterize Naga bhasma on structural and elemental basis to address the role of the raw materials used during the preparation, compound form of the lead bhasma, nature (crystalline/amorphous) and crystallite/particle size of the drug. The study also covers the toxicological effect of the drug on albino rats. It was found that drug contains lead in nano-crystalline (~60 nm) lead sulfi de form (Pb2+) associated with the organic contents and different nutrient elements coming from the herbs used during the preparation. Naga bhasma prepared was found to be totally safe in histopathology study on rats at a dose of 6 mg/100 g/day. The different characterization techniques used present a role model for the quality control and standardization of such kinds of herbo-metallic medicines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comparative phytochemical and antibacterial activities of bark of Alstonia scholaris and Alstonia macrophylla were investigated. The successive different solvent extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, phenolics, saponins and tannins were found in both the species. The antibacterial activities of bark of A. scholaris and A. macrophylla in successive different solvent were tested against gram +ve and gram -ve organisms. The chloroform extracts of A. macrophylla showed broader spectrum of antibacterial activity when compared with A. scholaris. However. Alstonia scholaris is widely used medicinal plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on folk medicine in Jaunpur, India. Difficulties in offering descriptions of Jaunpuri healing; Argument that Jaunpur healing is not a meaningful category for Jaunpuri healers themselves; Accelerating mobilization of concepts of culture, ethnicity, and tradition for a variety of political purposes; Recollection of the author's conversation with Puskarji, a 90-year-old healer.

The article discusses the ayurvedic concepts of adverse reactions to medicines. It states that the notion that ayurvedic medicines do not create adverse effects to patients is a myth since a textbook on ayurveda has noted that any medicine that is wrongly prepared can create adverse effects in patients. Pharmacovigilance investigators reportedly face obstacles in studying the concept due to the lack of adverse drug reaction monitoring and the different systems used in taking the medicine.

Presents a letter to the editor commenting on the effectiveness of herbal medicines for various therapies. Examination of the trends of herbal drug research in India using the Indian Journal of Pharmacology as a marker; Conduction of reviews of The Indian Journal of Pharmacology from 1995 to 2003; Establishment of the Herbal Drug Research Trend Index for presentation at conferences and publication; Revelation of the increase of herbal drug research publications; Reflection of the efforts of people searching for an alternative system of medicine.