A STUDY ON VISHAGHNA PROPERTY OF SHANKHPUSHPI (CONVOLVULUS PLURICAULIS CHOIS) W.S.R. TO SUB ACUTE TOXICITY IN ALBINO WISTAR RATS

Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis chois) is an indigenous and very significant herb which is considered as a gift of nature in Ayurveda. In Ayurvedic literature, Shankhpushpi is considered as Medhya rasayana means it enhances the knowledge, memory and retaining power of a person. Shankhpushpi which is well described and abundantly available is taken for the Vishaghna property also. Although, the Medhya property of Shankhpushpi is well marketed and used by different pharmaceutical companies but, the Vishaghna property of this miraculous drug should be researched and established as it may fulfil the long awaited gap of Ayurvedic antitoxic substance(Agad). In this study 24 albino wistar rats were divided in four groups such as group G1, G2, G3 & G4 with 6 rats in each group. Group G2, G3 & G4 had received PCM in dose 1000mg/kg body weight for 7 days to induce hepato-nephro toxicity while group G1 was normal control group which was kept on normal feeding. After inducing hepato-nephro toxicity the sample drug Shankhpushpi in Group G2 in the form of Churna and in group G3 in the form of aqueous extract (Kwatha) was administered while in group G4 only normal saline was administered for 28 days. On the basis of study it can be concluded that toxicity induced by 1000mg/kg body weight PCM did not cause any neurological manifestations. After 28 days administration of drug Shankhpushpi Churna as well as Kwatha in group G2 & group G3, body weight and food consumption in this group slightly increased while in group G4 no any significant changes were found. Therapeutic administration of Shankhpushpi as Churna as well as Kwatha significantly decreased PCM induced toxicity

Time to look upon the Ayurvedic Dietary Habits in the Present Scenario : A Critical Reappraisal

Background: Ayurveda places special emphasis on "Ahara" (diet) and "Anna" (food) as a means to good life, health and wellness. According to the Ayurveda ones who consume Viruddha Ahara are prone to many disorders. According to Acharya Charak those food substances and combinations, which induce deteriorating action on the body tissues, that is, Dhatus can be called as Viruddha Ahara. Acharya Charaka also pointed out the eighteen dietetic incompatibilities that generate the toxins responsible for generating the pathogenesis systematically or less commonly localized. Objective: To conclude the association of Virudhha Ahar with disease in the individual who consume these incompatible foods with short and long duration. Materials and Methods: A through search of modern medicine and Ayurvedic literature through free searching engine like PubMed and Google Scholar are used. Relevant results analysed and draw the conclusion. Results: Many studies held in Ayurvedic Institutions in India regarding the Viruddh Ahar mostly arrived on the conclusion that combinations of certain food items cause certain disease. Even for taking chronically this may cause cancer also. Conclusion: There is great need of checking and proving facts enumerated in the old text regarding the Viruddha Ahar based on the evidence based Modern medicine. So that it can be applied in modern medicine also. However, In Ayurvedic discipline the Viruddha Ahar certainly cause the disease depending on the nature, amount, frequency, duration and immunity status of the individual approved in many Ayurvedic studies

An evaluation of pharmacological actions of Padmak Agada: A Review

Agada means the medicaments which have antitoxic properties. They are used to combat Gada which means disease, discomforts, pain, or morbid conditions produced by any type of the poison. For the management of different poisons many formulations are mentioned in Ayurveda. Acharaya Vagbhatta has mentioned so many formulations in Keetlootadivishpratishedham Adhyay of Ashtanghrudayam Uttarsthana. One of those formulation is Padmakagada, which is indicated in the treatment of all types of insect bite (Keet Visha and Loota Visha). Padmakagada can be used in different forms like Nasya (Nasal instillation), Dhoom (medicated smoke), Abhyanga (massage), Paan (drink) etc. It contains 5 ingredients including Priyangu, Haridra, Daruharidra, ghee and honey. Easy availability of its ingredients and simplicity of the preparation and preservation of the formulation may encourage the physician to use this formulation. Here is an effort has been made to review Padmak Agada in order to its pharmacological properties for its medicinal use

Pancha Shirishanama Agad - An Ethno-Ayurvedic Formulation for Insect Bite

Agad Tantra is one among the branches of Ayurveda that deals with sign, symptoms and management of poisoning resulting from the bites of animal origin (Jangam Visha) like snakes (Sarpa), insects (Keet), spiders (Loota), rodents (Mooshika) etc as well as various toxic combinations of plants(inanimate) and mineral (Dhatu) poisons. To neutralize the effect of Visha (poison), administration of different Vishaghna (anti-toxic) formulations has been mentioned in classical texts. Pancha Shirishanama Agad is an ethno-Ayurvedic formulation indicated to be useful in the treatment of all types of Keet Visha (insect bite poison) and their associated symptoms. Pancha Shirishanama Agad consists of five parts of Shirish (seed, root, stembark, flower and leaves), Trikatu (Shunthi, Maricha, Pippali), Pancha Lavana (Saindhav Lavana, Sauvarchal Lavana, Samudra Lavana, Vid Lavana, Audbhidha Lavana) and Madhu. Almost all the ingredients are having Vedana Sthapana (analgesic) and Shothaghna (anti-inflammatory) properties as Vedana (pain), Sopha (swelling), Kandu (itch) and Jwara (fever) are the primary symptoms of Keet Visha Damsha (insect bite poison). Through this paper, an attempt has been made to understand the properties of all the ingredients of Pancha Shirishanama Agad in detail

Rust (Uromyces viciae-fabae Pers. de-Bary) of Pea (Pisum sativum L.): Present Status and Future Resistance Breeding Opportunities

Uromyces viciae-fabae Pers. de-Bary is an important fungal pathogen causing rust in peas (Pisum sativum L.). It is reported in mild to severe forms from different parts of the world where the pea is grown. Host specificity has been indicated in this pathogen in the field but has not yet been established under controlled conditions. The uredinial states of U. viciae-fabae are infective under temperate and tropical conditions. Aeciospores are infective in the Indian subcontinent. The genetics of rust resistance was reported qualitatively. However, non-hypersensitive resistance responses and more recent studies emphasized the quantitative nature of pea rust resistance. Partial resistance/slow rusting had been described as a durable resistance in peas. Such resistance is of the pre-haustorial type and expressed as longer incubation and latent period, poor infection efficiency, a smaller number of aecial cups/pustules, and lower units of AUDPC (Area Under Disease Progress Curve). Screening techniques dealing with slow rusting should consider growth stages and environment, as both have a significant influence on the disease scores. Our knowledge about the genetics of rust resistance is increasing, and now molecular markers linked with gene/QTLs (Quantitative Trait Loci) of rust resistance have been identified in peas. The mapping efforts conducted in peas came out with some potent markers associated with rust resistance, but they must be validated under multi-location trails before use in the marker-assisted selection of rust resistance in pea breeding programs

NTIRE 2024 Challenge on Low Light Image Enhancement: Methods and Results

This paper reviews the NTIRE 2024 low light image enhancement challenge, highlighting the proposed solutions and results. The aim of this challenge is to discover an effective network design or solution capable of generating brighter, clearer, and visually appealing results when dealing with a variety of conditions, including ultra-high resolution (4K and beyond), non-uniform illumination, backlighting, extreme darkness, and night scenes. A notable total of 428 participants registered for the challenge, with 22 teams ultimately making valid submissions. This paper meticulously evaluates the state-of-the-art advancements in enhancing low-light images, reflecting the significant progress and creativity in this field.Comment: NTIRE 2024 Challenge Repor

Urban Planning: R.P. Misra and B.S. Bhooshan: Human Settlements in Asia: Public Policies and Programmes, Heritage Publishers, New Delhi, 1979, xvi, 280p., Rs.75

Rameswari Varma and N.N. Sastry: Habitat Asia: Issues and Responses: Volume III: Japan and Singapore. Concept Publishing Co., New Delhi, 1979, 192p., Rs. 200/- (Per set). </jats:p