• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.20-33
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• 2001

A major portion of drugs used in Ayurvedic system of medicine which has been practiced since the early human civilization in Indian subcontinent were of plant origin. It should be noted that 70% of the population in this region depends on Ayurveda for their medical treatment and 60% of the drug resources are obtained from the Himalayan region. Therefore, Nepal becomes a potential source of plant drug resource since it occupies a major portion of the Himalaya. In the present paper, in general a current status of medicinal plant resources of Himalayan region especially Nepal will be discussed. In addition to this, a typical example of antidiabetic activity of Shilajit will be taken for the discussion. Shilajit is one of the crucial elements in several formulations including those of Rasayana, a therapy in Ayurveda, which has been practiced in the prevention of ageing and mental disorder. Although, Shilaiit is widely used for the treatment of diabetes, no satisfactory scientific reports are available up to now. The crude Shilajit in the market is a dark brown or black rock-like substance collected from the Himalayan region with a strong smell of cow's stale urine. In our studies, Shilajit (collected in the central Himalayan region) prevented the diabetes in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice model. Shilajit also prevented the diabetes in the rats against the action of multiple low-dose (10 ㎎/㎏, i.v., 5 times) of streptozotocin. On the other hand, Shilajit did not show antioxidative activity. The preventive action of Shilajit on diabetes is mainly focused on the Th1 and Th2 cell activities, since Th2 cells activity was found to be significantly upregulated. Shilajit, however, showed a mild action in controlling the blood sugar level in young, old, and mild diabetic rats, but not in the severe diabetic rats. It also stimulated the nitric oxide production in macrophages. Based on these evidences, the antidiabetic activities of Shilajit appear to be immunomodulative probably by protecting or strengthening insulin-producing b-cells In the pancreas. further systematic research on constituents of Shilajit and its quality evaluation is necessary to enable the use of natural medicines in the treatment of diabetes.

• CELLMED
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.9.1-9.4
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• 2019

Ayurveda is one of the ancient systems of traditional medicine in India, however, there is a lack of proper scientific research and controlled studies on efficacy and toxicity of several Ayurvedic formulations using the methods of modern science, which hinders the proper development of Ayurveda, both in India and abroad. The present study was undertaken to further corroborate the efficacy of some popular anthelmintic Ayurvedic medicines, as evident by the pharmacological effects of Ayurvedic formulations on body surface of a cestode parasite. This study employed a common intestinal cestode of domestic fowl, Raillietina sp., as a model parasite, that was exposed in vitro to different concentrations of three common Indian Ayurvedic anthelmintic drugs, namely Krimimudgar Ras, Kriminol and Vidangasava, and also to a modern anthelmintic drug, praziquantel (PZQ). After the paralysis of parasites, the specimens from the highest drug-treated concentration (50 mg/ml), praziquantel (1 mg/ml), and control groups, were collected and processed for scanning electron microscopic studies to document the effects of drugs on the body surface of parasite. In this study, maximum degree of alterations on parasite body surface was observed in the worms exposed to Krimimudgar Ras, indicating this drug to be highly efficacious against intestinal worms and brings out a transtegumental mode of action on parasite. In conclusion, the findings of present study suggest that of the three Ayurvedic formulations tested, Krimimudgar Ras possesses significant anthelmintic effects, which are mediated through parasite's body surface. Therefore, Krimimudgar Ras may be considered as a reliable anthelmintic Ayurvedic formulation, as validated through this study.

• CELLMED
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.16.1-16.7
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• 2021

Cancer is an abnormal growth of cells in body which leads to death. These cells are born due to imbalance in cell proliferation mechanism. In 2018, WHO released new statistics on cancer incidence, mortality, and prevalence worldwide i.e., GLOBOCAN 2018 estimates for 28 types of cancer in which more prevalence of cervix and breast cancer. According to survey, in India about 7.8 million cancer deaths and 11.5 million new cases arise in 2018, which will increase to 19.3 million new cases per year by 2025. Though breast cancer as such is not explained anywhere in Ayurvedic compendia, correlations can be done with the Stana Arbuda. Ayurveda, the ancient system of medicine came into existence 1000's of years ago with an objective of maintaining the health of people and treating diseases. Many herbs used in Ayurveda have been screened for activity against cancer and in-vitro and in-vivo studies have given promising leads. The plant, called as "Mother of Medicine", Haritaki has been extensively studied for its various ailments because of its extraordinary healing potency. Haritaki (Terminalia chebula Retz.), Family: Combretaceae have a great therapeutic value and is widely distributed in India. Dried fruit of Terminalia chebula contains high quantities phenolic compounds consist of ellagic acid, gallic acid and chebulic acid. The fruit extract of T. chebula is having different biological properties like anticancer, antioxidant, hepatic and renal protective activities etc. In this study, we focus on the use of CO₂ extract of Terminalia chebula, on the breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. All tests proved that CO₂ extract of Terminalia chebula containing active chemical component, therefore our experiment showed the positive results for CO₂ extract of Terminalia chebula against breast cancer cell line cancer MDA-MB-231. The MTT assay results were used to evaluate the anti-cancer activity of the extract. The percentage of cell growth and cell viability were calculated from tabulated result values of MTT assay. Cell viability MTT assay also showed significant growth inhibition, at the same time statistical analysis of MTT assay also proved significant results.

• CELLMED
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1.1-1.4
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• 2018

We have various understandings regarding health. Various medical systems being practiced in India other than conventional medicine i.e. Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy have defined health in their own way. From physical level up to spiritual level health has so many aspects which affect our overall personality. Some says that one who is established in self is healthy but some other says that in a perfect state of health physical homeostasis and mental equanimity occur in a balanced and healthy harmony. Another concept believes that health is normal and harmonious vibration of the elements and forces composing the human entity on the physical, mental, moral and spiritual planes of living in accordance with the constructive principles in Nature. At one place it is stated that good health means existence in harmony with evolution. The authors have reviewed various concepts and definitions of health and trying to conclude that health is a feeling which may be experienced only if you are really healthy. So, health is more and more balancing of all elements of your life in harmony with the universe.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.215-221
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• 2008

In this present study Indian traditional Ayurvedic herbal formulation Amritaristo has been studied to assess the general pharmacological effect on mice. The drug showed no significant activity on the neuropharmacological test models experimented. The increased pentobarbital sleeping time was considered related with hepatic metabolism of pentobarbital. The formulation exhibited a non-significant reduction of gastrointestinal motility, and devoid of any acute diuretic activity. The tested drug revealed antidiarrhoeal activity on castor oil-induced model, whereas on magnesium sulphate-induced model no effect was observed.

• CELLMED
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.28.1-28.7
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• 2013

Careya arborea Roxb. (Lecythidaceae) is a significant medicinal plant known as kumbhi in Ayurveda. Though, most of the plant parts are used in traditional systems of medicine, bark and leaves constitute the important medicinal parts. The present review gives an account of the updated information on its phytochemical and pharmacological properties. The review reveals that numerous phytochemical constituents have been isolated from the plant possessing hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticoagulant, analgesic, antidiarrhoeal and various other important activities. Leaves are used in filaria, colic, loose motions and ulcers. Bark is used as an antipyretic, abortifacient, antipruritic and in smallpox, urinary discharges and rheumatic pain. Since last few decades, extensive exploration has been done to establish the biological activities and pharmacology of the extracts and plentiful chemical constituents including flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, terpenoids and many other have been isolated.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2007

Mangifera indica Linn. (MI) (Family: Anacardiaceae) is commonly known worldwide as mango and ‘Aam’ in India. MI shares an important place in treatment of several diseases in various ancient system of medicine like Ayurveda and other Indian System of Medicine and some other Traditional Medicines world wide. Almost all the parts of MI have been used in oriental medicine, so in this review attempt has being made to review the history, traditional uses, phytoconstituents and therapeutic potentials of mango.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.63-71
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• 2003

The psycho-pharmacological effect of BRHAT VATACHINTAMANI RASA (BVC) an Ayurvedic preparation was investigated, both in animal and clinical models. It was observed that BVC possess a sedative or quitening effect in that it significantly decreased the spontaneous motor activity, and also lowered the exploratory behavior of the amphetamine treated animals. This was further evident by increase in climbing out time and taming effect on animal in isolation induced aggression test. Apart from very high dose it seems have little effect on pentobarbital sleeping time and narcotic analgesic test. The drug BVC increases performance of the animal in forced locomotor test. The effect of VATACHINTAMANI RASA on clinical study was not significant.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.331-335
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• 2007

The utility of Lepidium sativum Linn (Garden cress) as a medicinal plant has increased many fold over a period of time. A survey of literature relating to the medicinal uses of L.sativum reveals it to be one of the widely used medicinal plants. It finds place in folklore medicine, Ayurveda, Unani and other indigenous systems of medicine. Following a large number of claims on the wide range of traditional medicinal properties of the plant, considerable efforts have been made to verify its efficacy as a curative agent through pharmacological investigations and clinical trials. In this article, a comprehensive account of the traditional uses, phytochemical investigation and therapeutic potential of Lepidium sativum is presented.

• CELLMED
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.2.1-2.3
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• 2017

World health organization has recently published a strategic plan for the development and promotion of traditional system of medicine. Herbal pathies especially Unani and Ayurvedic systems of medicines have great scope in this aspect. But, there are several problems with these pathies in the current era, as the way of research and identification is still on classical system. The correct identification of medicinal plant is one of the major problems in both the system. This should be corrected with the modern tools and techniques. The various types of data including recent discoveries, economical growth, ethnobotanical literature and extremely rapid increase in herbal journals and books have emerged great scope for these pathies. At the same time several challenges and threats are present including herb-drug interaction, false reports, toxicity studies etc. In this review paper, opportunities, threats, and researches to be focused will be discussed.