@article {1245, title = {Micromorphology, Physiognomies and Bio-element Analysis of Launaea nudicaulis (L.) Hook. f.}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {16}, year = {2024}, month = {April 2024}, pages = {414-422}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {414}, abstract = {

Background: Launaea nudicaulis (L.) Hook. f. is a glabrous perennial herb having simple, sessile leaf and yellow flower. In Ayurveda it is used as a botanical source of Gojihva. The herb is said to be useful as a Shaka (vegetable) and medicine for various diseases like Raktapitta (hemorrhagic disorders), Shwaasa (breathing problems), Kasa (cough), Kushtha (skin diseases), Vrana (wounds), Visarpa (erysipelas), Prameha (diabetes mellitus), and Aruchi (anorexia). Few researches have also been published on its analgesic, anti-inflammatory activity, anti-diabetic and wound healing but its micromorphology, pharmacognosy, physiochemical and bio-element analysis is not reported yet. Objectives: The present study was carried out to study the micromorphology, pharmacognosy, physiochemical and bio-element analysis for proper identification and authentication of the herb. Materials and Methods: The macroscopy, microscopy, physicochemical, phytochemical parameters and bio-element analysis were done using different chemicals and reagents with standard procedures. Results: The presence of golden yellow latex in the root of the herb is identification characteristic. Calcium oxalate crystals and stone cells were seen in powder study. The GC-MS analysis identified 25 metabolites which comprised of fatty acids, sugars, amino acids etc. HPLC analysis revealed presence of 10 metabolites among which Cichoric acid was found in maximum concentration. Conclusion: The results of the study will help for the proper identification and authentication of the herb.

}, keywords = {Ayurveda, GC-MS, Gojihva, HPLC, Pharmacognosy.}, doi = {10.5530/pres.16.2.51}, author = {Shivani Ghildiyal and Vishal Kumar and Yashika Bidhuri and Tanuja Manoj Nesari and Debabrata Sircar} } @article {1154, title = {Physico-chemical and Phytochemical Analysis of Sphaeranthus indicus Linn. (Whole Plant)}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {15}, year = {2023}, month = {June 2023}, pages = {492-496}, type = {Original Article }, chapter = {492}, abstract = {

Introduction: Quality, safety, and efficacy are the three main components of any therapy used for disease cure. Ayurveda encompasses vast knowledge regarding the use of numerous herbal sources for disease management. Sphaeranthus indicus Linn. (Known as Mundi) is one such drug praised in classical as well as contemporary medicinal science for its therapeutic efficacy. The present study aims at development of quality standards for the Sphaeranthus indicus Linn. (Whole plant) sample utilizing physico-chemical and phytochemical analysis. Objectives: To perform physico-chemical, phytochemical, HPTLC, FTIR and UV analysis of Sphaeranthus indicus Linn (Whole plant) sample. Materials and Methods: Physico-chemical analysis was done as per the guidelines mentioned by Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Phytochemical analysis, HPTLC, FTIR and UV analysis was done as per the globally accepted standard guidelines. Observations and Results: The observed values were then compared to the standard values to make the monograph of Sphaeranthus indicus Linn. (Whole Plant).

}, keywords = {Ayurveda, Dravyaguna, Geraniol, HPTLC, Mundi, Sphaeranthus indicus.}, doi = {10.5530/pres.15.3.051}, author = {Sumedh Joshi and Megha and Bhargav Vijay Bhide and Shivani Ghildiyal and Tanuja Manoj Nesari} } @article {1057, title = {Ayurveda: The Prominence of Herbal Medicine in Containment of COVID-19}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {14}, year = {2022}, month = {July 2022}, pages = {233-240}, type = {Review Article}, chapter = {233}, abstract = {

The global community is in a vulnerable and intricate state due to the COVID-19 pandemic given the lack of targeted drugs and extreme population making it an arduous journey to the public system of health care towards the extermination of the disease. The essentiality of newer compounds, novel medical instruments, and practices for diagnosis, cure, and prevention of the COVID-19 infection is the greatest concern. Since the persistent waves of COVID-19 are being observed at a variety of location across the globe, and the intensity and mutation of the virus is still possessing an inviolable threat to humanity. Along with conventional medicine, the application of traditional medicine practices using natural and herbal products has been proved effective in several disease conditions. The usage of Traditional Chinese medicine and ayurvedic medicine is used to treat COVID-19 infected patients in China and India respectively marks the contribution and effectiveness of traditional medical therapy in the restriction of the virus. The prominence of herbal products for prophylactic and symptomatic treatment for COVID-19 is notable and recommended by various organizations and governments in the world. All the pragmatic considerations and evidence to use ayurvedic practices on a large scale require further animal and robust human studies. This article reviews various practices, herbal products, effectiveness, case studies and the contribution of ayurvedic medicine, to be used to treat and restrict the viral epidemic and may further provide a forward insight into future learning, evidence compiling, and research in the respective domain.

}, keywords = {Antiviral, Ayurveda, COVID-19, Immunomodulatory, Inflammation}, doi = {10.5530/pres.14.3.33}, author = {Sarasa Meenakshi and V Udaya Kumar and Reny Sara Raju and Sameer Dhingra and Nitesh Kumar and V Ravichandiran and Krishna Murti} } @article {1002, title = {Effects of Extraction Solvents on Phytochemical Screening, Cytotoxicity and Anti-Obesity Activities of Selected Sri Lankan Medicinal Plants}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {13}, year = {2021}, month = {October 2021}, pages = {246-256}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {246}, abstract = {

Background: Phytoconstituents are known to have an arena of health benefits. The choice of extraction solvents for a desired pharmacological activity is poorly characterized. Objectives: The present study compared the use of different solvents to extract phytoconstituents, evaluate cytotoxicity and anti-obesity activities. Materials and Methods: Leaves, bark, flowers or tubers of fourteen commonly utilized plants in the Sri Lankan Ayurvedic system were used to prepare extracts of distilled water (DW), ethanol or n-hexane. Phytochemical screening, total phenolic and flavonoid contents (TPC and TFC), cytotoxicity and triglyceride assays were performed. Results: DW served as the best solvent to extract the highest yield of phytochemicals followed by ethanol marking hexane as the least efficient solvent. The water extract (WE) of Averrhoa bilimbi leaves and ethanol extract (EE) of Cassia auriculata showed the highest TPC. The TFC was lowest in the hexane extract (HE) of all plants. The WE of plants showed >=75\% cell viability below 500 μg/mL with no potential anti-adipogenic activity. The EE of Justicia adhathoda showed maximum lipid inhibition (88.31\%), followed by Aerva lanata (74.65\%), and Cyperus rotundus (74.04\%) at 100 μg/mL. The EE of Ipomoea aquatica (45.11\%), Murrya koenigii (41.04\%), and Hemidesmus indicus (32.97\%) showed the highest viable anti-adiposity activity at 50 μg/mL. Conclusion: The WE of most plants provided a greater yield of phytoconstituents enabling their safe usage in higher doses during Ayurvedic medication. Ethanol served as a better solvent to extract constituents responsible for anti-adipogenesis and no possible correlation was found between the phenolic content and anti-adiposity.

}, keywords = {3T3-L1, Anti-adipogenesis, Ayurveda, cytotoxicity, Medicinal plants, Phytochemicals}, doi = {10.5530/pres.13.4.18}, author = {Silva Waruni Randika and Nugara Ruwani Nilushi and Manage Pathmalal and Undugoda Lanka and Udayanga Dhanushka and Liyanage Renuka Nilmini and Galhena Prasanna} } @article {128, title = {Immunological, Biochemical, and Infant-Toddler Quality of Life Parameter-Based Study of Swarna Prashana (a Herbo-Mineral Ayurveda Preparation) in Infants}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {13}, year = {2021}, month = {April 2021}, pages = {34-41}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {34}, abstract = {

Background:\ Increasing rate of emergence of newer infection, resistance to antibiotics, reoccurrence of infections, and malnutrition have created a space for an effective and safe solution of above issues to mankind.\ Swana Prashana\ is a unique concept of Indian system of medicine for improving the generalized immunity consequently helping the child to resist and fight against various infection and diseases.\ Aims:\ Study was planned to evaluate the efficacy of Swarna Prashana and Swarna Vacha Prashana in infants.\ Materials and Methods:\ A randomized, controlled, single-blind clinical study was planned in healthy infants to study the effect of\ Swarna Prashana\ in anthropometry, hematological, biochemical, immunological, and infant-toddler quality of life (ITQOL) parameters in 3 differently categorized groups namely Group A: (n\ = 39,\ Ghrita and Madhu). Group B: (n\ = 42,\ Swarna Bhasma, Ghrita and Madhu) Group C: (n\ = 38,\ Swarna Bhasma, Ghrita, Madhu\ and\ Vacha Churna).\ Results:\ The present clinical study showed statistically highly significant (P\ \< 0.001) increase in all the anthropometrical measurements of infants all three groups. The drugs did not hamper normal growth of the infants and they did not have any additional effect on enhancing the anthropometrical values. Hematological and biological parameters did not show significant difference in comparison in all groups. The results of Renal function and liver function tests were in normal limits after completion of treatment and post treatment follow-up suggestive of safe to be administered in infants. Immunological parameters also did not show significant difference of comparison in all groups except in Group C where immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgM, albumin, globulin levels were increased. Group C significantly improved all the ITQOL parameters while on comparison significant difference was observed in improving the physical abilities only.\ Conclusion:\ Current study suggests\ Swarna Prashana\ as infants health promotive and morbidity preventive. Author advocates a large scale randomized double blind clinical trial for further validation of impact of\ Swarna Prashan\ as mass health-care initiative.

}, keywords = {Ayurveda, Immunomodulation, Swarnaprashan, Vyadhi kshamatva}, doi = {10.4103/pr.pr_69_20}, author = {Satyawati Rathia and Lowkesh Chandravanshi and Virendra Kumar Kori and Kalpana Patel and Prashant Kumar Gupta} } @article {171, title = {Comparative Botanical and Phytochemical Studies of Ambiguous Medicinal Plant Species of Wedelia and Eclipta (Fam. Asteraceae) Used in ASU Systems of Medicine with Special Reference to in-silico Screening of Hepatoprotective Potential of Marker Wedelolacto}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {12}, year = {2020}, month = {August 2020}, pages = {285-298}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {285}, abstract = {

Context: In traditional medicine, Kesaraja (Ayurveda) or Manjal karisali (Siddha) is effective for jaundice. Aim: Three species of Asteraceae need to be studied for their therapeutic superiority of their intended claim. They are Wedelia chinensis (Osbeck) Merr. Philipp J., Wedelia trilobata (L.) Hitchc. and Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. (Asteraceae). The present study aimed to screen and characterize the potential species for therapeutic purpose. Materials and Methods: The whole plants, W. chinensis (Osbeck) Merr. Philipp J., W. trilobata (L.) Hitchc. and Eclipta prostrata (L.) (Asteraceae) were collected and botanically identified. Preliminary phytochemical analysis and high-performance thin-layer chromatography finger printing with marker wedelolactone were done for the ethanolic extracts of these plants. Botanical and pharmacognostical diagnostic characters of the plants based on macro-morphological, micro-morphological and powder microscopical characterization were worked out. Comparative in-vitro antioxidant potential of ethanolic extracts of these plant species was carried out. Using ADMET SAR software, the pharmacokinetics of wedelolactone were predicted. Using Autodock 4.2 software, the binding energy of wedelolactone on targets of acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity namely PPAR-α, AMPK, JNK-1, EGFR, Nrf2, ALT, ALP, GGT, CAR, Frizzled receptor, FXR, ERK1, LXR, mitochondrial glutamate dehydrogenase, p53, mTOR C1, CYP1A2, CYP2E1, 5-lipoxygenase, thrombin, UCP1, GSK1, RXR and PXR was predicted. Results: All the three plant species were pharmacognostically and chemically different. W. chinensis was found to possess more antioxidant potential than the other two plants. The marker compound wedelolactone was not detected in W. trilobata. Wedelolactone passed the Lipinski{\textquoteleft}s rule of five, and the docking analysis of wedelolactone confirmed high binding affinity toward PPAR-α, AMPK, Nrf2, CYP2E1, EGFR, JNK1, UCP-2, thrombin, 5-lipoxygenase, mTORC1, RXR, FXR, LXR, Frizzled receptor, GDH and Erk-1. Conclusion: Based on the above observations, we conclude that the presence of marker compound wedelolactone might have attributed the potency of W. chinensis and E. prostrata in counteracting acetaminophen toxicity when compared with W. trilobata.

}, keywords = {Antioxidant, Ayurveda, Botany, Docking, Eclipta prostrata, High-performance thin-layer chromatography, Macro-morphological, Micro-morphological, Phytochemical, Powder microscopy, Siddha, Wedelia chinensis, Wedelia trilobata, Wedelolactone}, doi = {10.4103/pr.pr_11_20}, author = {C Arunachalam and R Arunadevi and S Murugammal and N Monika and R Susila and S N Sunil Kumar} } @article {107, title = {Molecular Identification and Next-Generation Sequence Analysis of Interspecies Genetic Variations among Three Varieties of Datura}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {12}, year = {2020}, month = {May 2020}, pages = {158-162}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {158}, abstract = {

Background: Datura is a well-known plant used in Ayurveda. It is a widely growing plant from Solanaceae family, attributed to poisonous and medicinal values. It is used in the treatment of various skin diseases, fever, etc., It is also used for external application and rarely for oral administration. Objectives: The present study aims to compare three different varieties of Datura which include the species of Datura innoxia Mill., Datura metel L. and Datura arborea are used to study molecular marker and phylogenetic analysis. Materials and Methods: Whole-genomic DNA was isolated from the leaves of Datura and the polymerase chain reactions amplification of DNA barcoding markers are rbcl, mat k, and internal transcribed spacer-4 and 5 were analyzed by 0.8\% agarose gel electrophoresis. Results: The DNA barcoding markers and next-generation sequencing are able to identify the interspecies genetic variations among these closely related plant varieties of Datura. Conclusion: The interspecies genetic variations among these closely related three species of D. innoxia, metel, and arborea was closely related with Datura stramonium isolate NN003 chloroplast genome similarity of 98\%, 99\%, and 99\%, respectively.

}, keywords = {Ayurveda, Datura, Internal transcribed spacer 4, Mat k, Medicinal plants, Next-generation sequencing, Ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase form I gene}, doi = {10.4103/pr.pr_101_19}, author = {Goli Penchala Prasad and Goli Penchala Pratap and Srinivasan Marimuthu and Shyam Baboo Prasad and Gajendra Rao and Anupam Kumar Mangal and Naryanam Srikanth} } @article {527, title = {Beliefs, attitudes and self-use of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy medicines among senior pharmacy students: An exploratory insight from Andhra Pradesh, India}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {7}, year = {2015}, month = {October 2015}, pages = {302-308}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {302}, abstract = {

Objectives: To assess the beliefs, attitudes and self-use of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH) medicines among senior pharmacy students. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among pharmacy students in four pharmacy schools located in Andhra Pradesh in South India. This study was conducted from the August to September 2014. The study population included all pharmacy students enrolled in Doctor of Pharmacy, Bachelor of Pharmacy and Diploma in Pharmacy programs in studied pharmacy schools. The pretested AYUSH survey had 8 questions on AYUSH related beliefs and 8 question on AYUSH related attitudes. The survey also asked participants about AYUSH related knowledge, frequency of use of AYUSH and the reason for using AYUSH. The data analysis was performed using SPSS Version 20. Chi-square test and Mann{\textendash}Whitney U-test were employed to study the association between the independent and dependent variables. Results: A total of 428 pharmacy students participated in the survey. 32.2\% of the study population was females and 32.5\% of the population resided in rural areas. Males were more likely to have positive beliefs about AYUSH when compared to females (odd ratio [OR] = 4.62, confidence interval [CI] = 2.37-8.99, P \< 0.001). Similarly, students living in hostels were more positive in their beliefs about AYUSH compared with students living at home (OR = 2.14, CI = 1.12-4.07, P \< 0.05). Students living in hostel also had a positive attitude about AYUSH use (OR = 1.74, CI = 1.03-2.93, P \< 0.05). Conclusion: Pharmacy students held favorable attitude and beliefs about AYUSH use. This baseline survey provides important information about the pharmacy student{\textquoteright}s perception about AYUSH. Further research is needed to explore the reasons that shape the pharmacy student{\textquoteright}s beliefs and attitudes about AYUSH.

}, keywords = {and Homeopathy, Attitude, Ayurveda, Beliefs, India, Pharmacy students., Siddha, Unani, Yoga and Naturopathy}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.158438}, author = {Akram Ahmad and Muhammad Umair Khan and Bandari Deepak Kumar and Gogikar Sudhir Kumar and Stephanie Perez Rodriguez and Isha Patel} }