Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine最新文献

Ayurveda is the traditional medicine system of India, and has been in practice for millennia. It is a traditional approach that uses 1000's of different plant preparations in various combinations for treatment of human ailments, including cancer. Ethnopharmacological and phytochemical analyses are now elucidating the bioactive constituents of the different plant species and herbal formulations, including ashwagandha, curcumin, guduchi, triphala, and others.

To provide an overview of: 1) the ethnopharmacology of Ayurveda and several of its most important plant species and formulations, including pharmacological and molecular mechanisms of its anti-cancer effects; 2) review the literature applying Ayurvedic herbs and formulations to brain tumors.

A detailed PubMed search was performed that included publications involving Ayurveda, cancer, ethnopharmacology, phytochemical analysis, molecular analysis, and brain tumors.

In recent decades, significant research has begun to elucidate the bioactive compounds of ashwagandha, tumeric, guduchi, and triphala, such as withaferin A, withanolides, curcumin, palmatine, and many others. These compounds and extracts are now being applied to brain tumor cells in vitro and in animal models, with positive signs of anti-cancer activity including reduced cell growth, increased apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, increased differentiation, and inhibition of important internal signal transduction pathways.

Several Ayurvedic herbs (ashwagandha, curcumin) have bioactive compounds with significant anti-cancer activity, and are effective in early pre-clinical testing against brain tumor cells in vitro and in animal models. Further pre-clinical testing is warranted, along with advancement into phase I and phase II clinical trials of patients with glioblastoma and other brain tumors.

A research topic is a subject or problem that an investigator is interested in research. The starting point of any research project that is successful is a well-defined subject of research. The selection of topics is an ongoing approach in which investigators analyse, describe, classify, and refine their ideas. For the ease of selection of topics particularly in the field of Ayurveda, Authors have created an acronym ‘TOPIC’ as a guiding tool for the selection of the area of research. The components of the TOPIC criterion are Textual & Time-bound; Objectivity & Outcome measures; Planning & Pragmatic; Innovative & Interesting and Contemporarily relevant & Consent, highlight useful points for the easy selection of the topic for the research by the novice.

Background

Medications, including chemotherapeutic drugs, contribute to male infertility as external factors by inducing oxidative stress in testicular cells. Shilajit is a naturally occurring bioactive antioxidant used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat a variety of ailments.

Objective

This study examines the potential of Shilajit to counteract the negative effects of the chemotherapeutic drug cyclophosphamide (CPA) on testicular germ cell dynamics.

Material and methods

Male Parkes mice received single intraperitoneal CPA injection (200 mg/kg BW) on day one, followed by daily supplementation of Shilajit (100 and 200 mg/kg BW) for one spermatogenic cycle.

Results

CPA adversely affected testicular germ cell dynamics by inhibiting the conversion of spermatogonia-to-spermatids, altering testicular histoarchitecture, impairing Sertoli cell function and testicular steroidogenesis, and disturbing the testicular oxido-apoptotic balance. Shilajit supplementation restores testicular germ cell dynamics in CPA-exposed mice, as evidenced by improved histoarchitecture of the testis. Shilajit improves testicular daily production and sperm quality by promoting the conversion of spermatogonia (2C) into spermatids (1C), stimulating germ cell proliferation (PCNA), improving Sertoli cell function (N-Cadherin and β-Catenin), and maintaining the Bax/Bcl2 ratio. Additionally, Shilajit enhances testosterone biosynthesis by activating enzymes like 3β-HSD, and 17β-HSD. Shilajit also reduces testicular oxidative stress by increasing antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD) and decreasing lipid peroxidation (LPO). These effects are mediated by upregulation of the antioxidant protein Nrf-2 and downregulation of Keap-1.

Conclusion

The findings underscore the potent androgenic and antioxidant characteristics of Shilajit, as well as its ability to enhance fertility in cases of testicular damage caused by chemotherapeutic drugs.

Integral health encompasses the way individuals live, considering their quality of life. An inadequate lifestyle can harm human health, increasing the risk of developing chronic non-communicable diseases, which represent 71% of the causes of death worldwide and 54.7% in Brazil. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to impacts on quality of life, resulting from lifestyle changes, especially among health professionals. This constitutes an important factor in the health-disease relationship and the core of the healthcare approach embraced by Ayurveda. The present study evaluated the role of daily Ayurvedic practices in improving the quality of life of health professionals working in the Family Health Strategy of SUS in Paty do Alferes/RJ, Brazil. Ayurveda practices based on Trayopastamba were introduced to 30 health professionals through lectures and guided activities from July to October 2021, spanning three months. Quality of life was assessed using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire before and after the intervention. An improvement in perceived quality of life was observed in the physical, psychological, and environmental domains (p > 0.05), while the social domain did not show statistically significant results. The physical domain demonstrated the most substantial score increase (10.95). Conversely, the social domain displayed the smallest rise in scores (5.83). In conclusion, the daily Ayurvedic practices demonstrated the potential to enhance the quality of life in this group, contributing to health promotion in a practical and economically accessible manner.

Precision in personalized medicine is a crucial subject that needs comprehensive discussion and scientific validation. Traditional healthcare approaches like the Ayurvedic Sciences are often contextually linked with personalized medicine. However, it is unfortunate that this knowledge concerning Ayurveda and personalized medicine is restricted to applying systems biology techniques to 'prakriti' the phenotypic expression and characterization detailed in the literature. There are other significant constructs besides prakruti that interest an Ayurvedic physician, which accounts for crafting precision in evidence-based medicinal practices. There is this influential model of Ayurvedic healthcare practice wherein the physician maps specific personalized characters in addition to prakruti to deduce the host responses to endogenous and exposome conditions. Subsequently, tailored protocols are administered that bring about holistic, personalized outcomes.

The review aimed to determine the effective methods for integrating Systems Biology, Ayurvedic Sciences, and Personalized Medicine (precision medicinebased). Ayurveda adopts a holistic approach, considering multiple variables and their interconnections, while the modern reductionist approach focuses on understanding complex details of smaller parts through rigorous experimentation. Despite seeming extremes, ongoing research on lifestyle, gut health, and spiritual well-being highlights the evolving intersection between traditional Ayurvedic practices and modern science. The current focus is on developing the fundamental concept of Ayurveda Biology by incorporating Systems Biology techniques.

Challenges in this integration include understanding diverse data types, bridging interdisciplinary knowledge gaps, and addressing technological limitations and ethical concerns. Overcoming these challenges will require interdisciplinary collaboration, innovative methodologies, substantial investment in technology, and cultural sensitivity to preserve Ayurveda's core principles while leveraging modern scientific advancements. The focus of discussions and debates on such collaborations should be breakthrough clinical models, such as chronic inflammation, which can be objectively related to specific stages of disease manifestations described in Ayurveda. Validating patient characteristics with systems biology approaches, particularly in shared pathologies like chronic inflammation, is crucial for bringing prediction and precision to personalized medicine

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder of hyperglycemia has close link with obesity and insulin resistance. Standard approaches in T2DM management are lifestyle management and Pharmacotherapy. Dietary management in T2DM was found to be safe and effective. In India, studies on reversal of T2DM through diet were less found. Presenting a case of female aged 31 years with T2DM (HbA1c-13.5) was successfully reversed diabetes with dietary principles of Indian traditional medicine (Ayurveda diet) and therapeutic yoga practices. Pre and post assessment of Glycaemic parameters (HbA1C, FBS, and PPBS), Lipid profiles, Insulin resistance parameter (HOMA IR) were done. Major outcome of this case is greater reduction of HbA1c from inadequate control to near normal. Marked changes observed in weight, BMI and Waist circumference. A change in Homa IR indicates improvement in insulin resistance. Ayurveda dietary management training include Therapeutic fasting [Two meal method], meals include nutrient dense wholesome food, Indian millet based diet, herbal recipes [therapeutic food/herbal drinks, smoothies and plant juices] and eat only when hungry method. Yoga include complete sequel of body loosening practices, surya namaskara, yogic postures and breathing and meditative techniques practiced for specified period [60 min].This case showed effectiveness of Ayurveda diet and Yoga practices in reversing the insulin resistance, help to maintain the glycemic parameters .In addition, patient was able to loose body weight, waist circumference & serum triglyceride levels. Patient can able to withstand her diabetic profile in normal without any pharmacotherapy intervention.

Background

Oral Submucous Fibrosis, OSF is an inflammatory mucosal disorder prevalent in areca nut chewing belts of the world. Although various treatments are available for its management, none provide complete resolution.Curcumin, an indigenous product, improves burning sensation, mouth opening along with other clinical signs of OSF and is potentially viable therapeutic option for its management.

Objectives

To assess the available evidence for employing curcumin in improving symptoms in patients with OSF.

Methods

Systematic search was carried out in e-databases from January 2010 until July 2023 to identify relevant clinical trials comparing curcumin to active and/or nonactive controls (placebo) for the management of OSF.

Results

A total of 20 studies were used for qualitative analysis out of which 11 studies were considered for quantitative synthesis.Curcumin was found to be highly effective in alleviating pain/burning sensation, improving mouth opening (MO), cheek flexibility, tongue protrusion and induces positive histological changes in patients with OSF.The standardized mean difference in mouth opening between both the Curcumin and Multivitamin group showed a statistically significant difference favouring the Curcumin group (SMD, 0.37, 95% CI = 0.18–0.56, p - 0.0001, I²- 0%).

Conclusion

Statistically curcumin was noted to be as effective as Aloe vera, lycopene and steroids in relieving symptoms of OSF in stages 1 and 2 and improving MO. It is seen to improve histopathological picture of lesions thereby suggesting its active role in preventing malignant transformation. Its found to be more effective than multivitamins in improving mouth opening of patients in OSF.

Background

Coccinia grandis and Blumea balsamifera are two medicinal plants that have been known to have good antidiabetic properties. Combining these two plant extracts may generate a greater effect that can increase efficacy and decrease the dose.

Objective

This research investigated the antidiabetic activity of the combination of C. grandis and B. balsamifera leaves extracts on experimental diabetic rats.

Materials and methods

The dried leaves of C. grandis and B. balsamifera were powdered and macerated with ethanol 70% (v/v). A diabetic condition in male Wistar albino rats was generated by intraperitoneal injection of a single dose of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg) followed by nicotinamide (110 mg/kg). Diabetes-confirmed rats were then given glibenclamide (4.5 mg/kg), C. grandis extract (300 mg/kg), B. balsamifera extract (150 mg/kg), and the combined extracts with a dose ratio of 1:1, 1:3, and 3:1. The treatment was performed for 28 days and fasting blood glucose was tested once a week. The pancreas and liver organs were taken on day 29 for antioxidant, histological, and immunohistochemical assessment.

Results

Among all the extracts, the combined extract with a ratio of 1:3 showed the greatest glucose lowering effect. This combination also lowered malondialdehyde levels while increasing superoxide dismutase and catalase levels in the pancreas and liver organs. Histological examination showed this combination regenerated the islet of Langerhans. It also increased pancreatic insulin expression in immunohistochemical evaluation.

Conclusion

This study revealed that the combined extracts of C. grandis and B. balsamifera exhibited enhanced antidiabetic activity via ameliorating oxidative stress, regenerating β-cells, and increasing insulin expression.