Screening of anti-cancerous potential of classical Raudra rasa and modified Raudra rasa modified with hiraka bhasma (nanodiamond) through FTIR & LC-MS analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Raudra rasa is an ayurvedic medicine explicitly prescribed for the treatment of arbuda (cancer), whereas hiraka bhasma has the potential to promote cancer healing properties. Together, these two medicines provide multifunction benefits. This paper analyses the functional groups of Raudra rasa modified with hiraka bhasma and compares it with the classically prepared raudra rasa. To identify the functional group, organic ligands, and active compounds present in samples of raudra rasa (CRR) and modified raudra rasa with hiraka bhasma (MRR) contributing to cancer alleviation by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) & LC-MS analysis. METHODS: Classical raudra rasa (CRR), its ingredients, shadguna kajjali (SK); decoction of Piper betel Linn. (PBD); Amaranthus spinosus Linn. (ASD); Boerhaavia diffusa Linn. (BDD); Piper longum Linn. (PLD); cow urine (GM), & similarly modified raudra rasa (MRR), its ingredients, hiraka bhasma (HB); shadguna rasasindura (SHR); water-soluble extract of Piper betel Linn. (PBE); Amaranthus spinosus Linn. (ASE); Boerhaavia diffusa Linn. (BDE); cow urine ark (GA); Piper Longum Linn. (PLE) were subjected to FTIR and LC-MS analysis. RESULTS: Among all 15 samples studied, maximum numbers of peaks (21) were seen in MRR indicating a greater number of functional groups. Further, in MRR, a maximum peak in the double bond region is suggestive of its higher stability compared to CRR. Both the compound is preliminarily a mixture of the number of functional groups like; fluoro, methyl, amino, hydroxy, nitro, methylamino, carbonyl, and iodo groups, having known anti-proliferative activities. By the FT-IR analysis, the biologically active compounds in aqueous and methanol extract of CRR & MRR were identified that have anti-cancerous compounds. In the present study, a total of 40 major compounds like alkaloids, amino acid, carboxylic acid, Flavonoids, Nucleoside, Nucleotide, phenylpropanoid, Sphingosine, stilbenoid, sugar, phosphate, terpenoids, vitamin from aqueous & methanol extract of CRR & MRR were identified by LC-MS. CONCLUSIONS: This research paper highlights the presence of different functional groups and bioactive compounds known to have anti-cancer activities. Thus, this review suggests future recommendations for the design and development of improved anticancer drugs with higher efficacy.

Consumption of Ashtanga Ghrita (clarified cow butter added with herb extracts) improves cognitive dysfunction induced by scopolamine in rats via regulation of acetylcholinesterase activity and oxidative stress.

OBJECTIVES: Ashtanga Ghrita (AG), an Indian traditional formulation, has been used to promote neuropharmacological activities. AG is made up of clarified cow butter (ghee) and eight different herbs. METHODS: To test whether scopolamine (SCP)-induced dementia and brain oxidative stress can be counteracted by AG, rats were separated into five groups (n=6/group): group one control, group two SCP (1 mg/kg b.w., i.p.) treated and group three to five were co-treated with different doses of AG (1.25, 2.5 and 5 g/kg b.w., orally) and SCP. After the treatment regimen, behavioral (Y-maze test) and brain biochemical changes were measured in all groups. RESULTS: Microbial load and heavy metals were found within permissible limits. Results from attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy demonstrated the complexation/interaction of herbal phytoconstituents with the functional groups of Ghrita. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of AG exhibited the occurrence of flavonoids, phenolics, glycosides, steroids, triterpenes, tannins, and amino acids. Findings of the experimental study exhibited that AG significantly protected the rats from SCP-induced behavioral dysfunction and brain biochemical alterations. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that AG protects the brain from SCP-induced dementia by promoting brain antioxidant activity and thus could be a promising drug for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease.

Sodhana: An Ayurvedic process for detoxification and modification of therapeutic activities of poisonous medicinal plants.

Ayurveda involves the use of drugs obtained from plants, animals, and mineral origin. All the three sources of drugs can be divided under poisonous and nonpoisonous category. There are various crude drugs, which generally possess unwanted impurities and toxic substances, which can lead to harmful health problems. Many authors have reported that not all medicinal plants are safe to use since they can bear many toxic and harmful phytoconstituents in them. Sodhana (detoxification/purification) is the process, which involves the conversion of any poisonous drug into beneficial, nonpoisonous/nontoxic ones. Vatsanabha (Aconitum species), Semecarpus anacardium, Strychnos nux-vomica, Acorus calamus, Abrus precatorius etc., are some of the interesting examples of toxic plants, which are still used in the Indian system of medicine. Aconite, bhilawanols, strychnine, ß-asarone, abrin are some of the toxic components present in these plants and are relatively toxic in nature. Sodhana process involves the purification as well as reduction in the levels of toxic principles which sometimes results in an enhanced therapeutic efficacy. The present review is designed to extensively discuss and understand the scientific basis of the alternative use of toxic plants as a medicine after their purification process.