A double-blind controlled clinical trial to evaluate the effects of nasal therapy with Vrihatajivakadya oil on different viscosities in patients with migraine.

BACKGROUND: Migraine, characterized by pain of a specific type in one half of the head has a close resemblance with Ardhavabhedaka described in Ayurveda. Nasya karma (nasal therapy) with Vrihatajivakadya oil is indicated in Ardhavabhedaka. Low viscosity oil (LVO) and medium viscosity oil (MVO) prepared by Snehapaka (a specific Ayurveda method for preparation of oil) are advocated in different classical Ayurveda texts for N.karma. THE OBJECTIVES: This study was done to assess the effects of Vrihatajivakadhya oil on different viscosities in N.karma for the better Ayurveda management of migraine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this double-blind randomized controlled trial a total of 90 patients were randomly divided into two groups for N.karma with oil of different viscosities. In the group treated with LVO, 44 patients completed their treatment and one patient was lost in follow-up. In another group treated with MVO, 45 patients were enrolled and completed the intervention. N.karma was done with this oil in the dose of 6 drops per nostril for the duration of 14 days for each participant. The follow-up was done on the 15th day and 45th days. The assessment was done by the Migraine Disability Assessment Score (MIDAS) and Migraine Specific Quality of Life Assessment scale. RESULT: During the trial, significant improvement in both the groups on both parameters was observed. No adverse event was noticed during the study. CONCLUSION: N.karma with MVO had better improvement. No adverse event was noticed during the study. N.karma with these oils is effective and safe for migraine.

Assessment of free radicals and reactive oxygen species milieu in nanoparticles adjuvanted outer membrane proteins vaccine against Salmonella typhi.

In this study, calcium phosphate nanoparticles-based (STCNV) and montanide oil adjuvant vaccine (STOAV) containing outer membrane proteins (Omps) of S. Typhi were evaluated for inducing oxidative stress indicators [reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LPO), catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and total protein] in the tissues of mice after vaccination. The GSH levels though slightly high in the liver, kidney, and lungs of STCNV group were not significantly different from STOAV and the control group (STC). There was no significant difference in LPO levels in any group for any tissue. The significantly lower activities of catalase were observed in the kidney and lungs of the STCNV group as compared to STOAV and STC group, while in the liver, STCNV group revealed lower catalase activity in comparison to the control group. No significant difference in the SOD activities between the two vaccinated groups was observed. The total protein contents in all the organs showed no significant difference in the vaccinated and the control group. The vaccines may induce long-term inflammatory response and consequently damage vital organs; this study revealed no long-term oxidative stress in all the three vital organs, suggesting that these vaccines may not cause oxidative damages in the vital organs of mice.

Calcium phosphate adjuvanted nanoparticles of outer membrane proteins of Salmonella Typhi as a candidate for vaccine development against Typhoid fever.

Introduction. The conventional adjuvants used in vaccines have limitations like induction of an imbalanced Th1 and Th2 immune response. To overcome this limitation, novel adjuvants and newer forms of existing adjuvants like calcium phosphate nanoparticles are being tested.Hypothesis/Gap Statement. Calcium phosphate adjuvanted outer membrane proteins vaccine may work as an efficient, safe and cost effective vaccine against Salmonella Typhi.Aim. Our goals were to evaluate the potential of calcium phosphate nanoparticles as an adjuvant using outer membrane proteins (Omps) of Salmonella Typhi as antigens for immune response, with montanide (commercially available adjuvant) as control, and its toxicity in rats.Methodology. Calcium phosphate adjuvanted outer membrane proteins nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized. The efficacy of vaccine formulation in mice and toxicity assay were carried out in rats.Results. The calcium phosphate nanoparticles varying in size between 20-50 nm had entrapment efficiency of 41.5% and loading capacity of 54%. The calcium phosphate nanoparticle-Omps vaccine formulation (nanoparticle-Omps) induced a strong humoral immune response, which was significantly higher than the control group for the entire period of study. In the montanide-Omps group the initial very high immune response declined steeply and then remained steady. The immune response induced by nanoparticle-Omps did not change appreciably. The cell mediated immune response as measured by lymphocyte proliferation assay and delayed type hypersensitivity test showed a higher response (P<0.01) for the nanoparticles-Omps group as compared to montanide-Omps group. The bacterial clearance assay also showed higher clearance in the nanoparticles-Omps group as compared to montanide-Omps group (approx 1.4%). The toxicity analysis in rats showed no difference in the values of toxicity biomarkers and blood chemistry parameters, revealing vaccine formulation was non-toxic in rats.Conclusion. Calcium phosphate nanoparticles as adjuvant in vaccines is safe, have good encapsulation and loading capacity and induce a strong cell mediated, humoral and protective immune response.

Comparative study of biogenically synthesized silver and gold nanoparticles of Acacia auriculiformis leaves and their efficacy against Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

The present article reports the biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) from the extract of Acacia auriculiformis (AA) leaves using biogenic approach. Several spectral and morphological studies namely UV-vis, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), tunneling electron microscopy along with selected area electron diffraction (TEM/SAED), scanning electron microscopy along with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were carried out which ascertains the successful formation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) starting from Silver nitrate and Chloroauric acid respectively. On the basis of TEM/SAED and SEM-EDX, AgNPs were found to be more regular with smaller particle size and hence they were selected for biological studies. Thermal techniques like thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) were also performed to study the comparative thermal stability of AgNPs and AuNPs where AgNPs were found to be thermally more stable. Several biophysical techniques including Thioflavin T assay, ANS assay, Rayleigh scattering method and turbidity assay were also performed. These assays confirm that AgNPs possess better inhibitory property. Moreover, antioxidant activity of AgNPs was also carried out using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and AgNPs were found to be good antioxidant.

Gastric antisecretory and antiulcer activities of Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) Loud. in Wistar rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) Loud. is used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat peptic ulcer. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the gastric antisecretory and antiulcer activity of Cedrus deodara. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The volatile oil extracted by steam distillation of Cedrus deodara wood was examined for its gastric antisecretory and antiulcer effect in the pylorus-ligated rat model and ethanol induced gastric lesions in rats. RESULTS: The volatile oil showed significant antisecretory activity as evidenced by decreased gastric fluid volume, total acidity, free acidity and increase in the pH of the gastric fluid in pylorus-ligated rats. Our studies also revealed that pretreatment with Cedrus deodara significantly reduced the number of ulcer, ulcer score and ulcer index in pylorus-ligated and ethanol treated rats. The antiulcer activity of Cedrus deodara is further supported by histopathological study which showed protection of mucosal layer from ulceration and inflammation. CONCLUSION: The present findings conclude that volatile oil of Cedrus deodara wood has potent antisecretory and antiulcer effects and justify the traditional usage of this herb to treat peptic ulcers.