Protective role of Bacopa monniera on morphine-induced brain mitochondrial enzyme activity in rats.

Alcoholic extract of Bacopa monniera was tested for its protective role on morphine-induced brain mitochondrial enzyme status in rats. The level of the brain mitochondrial enzymes was significantly lower in the morphine-treated group when compared with control animals. These enzymes were maintained at normal level when Bacopa extract was administered orally at a dose of 40 mg/kg, 2 h before the administration of morphine.

Protective role of Bacopa monniera on morphine induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

The protective effect of Bacopa monniera on morphine induced liver antioxidant levels was studied in rats. Oral administration of alcohol extracts of Bacopa monniera induced a significant hepatoprotective effect. In the morphine treated group, a significant increase of lipid peroxidation and a significant decrease in liver antioxidant enzyme levels were observed. Simultaneous administration of morphine and Bacopa extract prevented these alterations. The results of this study showed that Bacopa monniera alcohol extract exerted a hepatoprotective effect against morphine induced liver toxicity.

Kaya Kalpa methods adopted by Siddars: a scientific approach.

Thirumular says in his "THIRUMANTHIRAM" the body is a sacred instrument to contain the soul and therefore must be nurtured well to safeguard the life. Thirumular is reported to have lived a long span of three thousand years according to tradition. The art of longevity and the attempts of immortalising the corporeal human body were the ultimate aims of Siddhars as understood from their numerous treatises on the art of rejuvenation - Thirumular Karpam - 300, Bohar Karpam - 300, Thiruvalluvur Karpam - 300 Yugimuni Karpam - 300 etc. which form some of the excellence works in this regard. One of the means to rejuvenate the body was achieved through the art of breathing (Pranayama) which has a direct bearing on the basal metabolic rate and the span of longevity. In this paper an attempt has been made to throw some light on the scientific basis of the various Kaya Kalpa methods adopted by Siddhars.

Yugi's pramegam and diebetes mellitus: an analogue.

Yugimahamuni was one among the greatest siddhars and has matchless contribution towards enrichment of Siddha system. In his Vaidya Chinthamani-800, he has written clearly about 4448 names of the diseases, its signs, symptoms and prognosis. Under the heading - "Meganoikal," he has elaborated twenty varieties of the urinary disorders based on the physical characters of urine. But the general signs and symptoms of 'Meganoikal' described by Yugi clearly indicate that many of these characteristics are of diabetic in nature. Under the sub-heading 'avasthaikal', Yugi accurately described certain sufferings experienced by the patients of 'Meganoikal'. It is quite interesting to note that those ten types of sufferings he has listed out, starting from obesity ending in Tuberculosis are comparable with the acute and long term complications of diabetics, and hence this analogue.

Humoral classification of diseases in Siddha system of medicine.

In siddha system of medicine the total number of diseases are said to be 4448, but the subclassification methodology and enumeration differ from one source to another. However, classification of the majority of these diesases is either based on clinical symptoms or vitiation of humor. Futher they have been sub-classified on the basis of the predominent symptoms, affected organs and aetiological factors. This study may help to understand the diseases classified under humors very well and would trigger interest in scholars to correlate the diseases in Siddha system with those in modern medicine.

Preparation of "777 oil" used for psoriasis in siddha medicine by modified method.

"777 oil" a coded drug of Siddha system of medicine was prepared and analyzed in the paper. The drug showed 3.62, 13.57 and 266.9 Iodine value, acid number and saponification number respectively. The bark which was one of the ingredients in the drug was possessing 0.63% nitrogen in the acid soluble portion. The bark also exhibited proeolytic activity and the optimum pH was 4.

Process and product standardisation of "77 oil" used for psoriasis in siddha medicine.

"777 oil" is a code drug of the Siddha system of medicine used in the treatment of Psoriasis. The drug is derived from the leaves Wrightia tinctoria by insolation, with coconut oil as base. The present study is aimed at comparing the drug prepared by insolation with that prepared in darkness.Analytical studies carried out in both the drugs showed difference in acid number without exposing to sunlight. The drugs showed changes in acid and iodine numbers on exposure to sunlight.Studies on Thin Layer Chromatography showed no difference between the two drugs. However semi quantitative chromatography showed that two spots were more in concentration in the drug prepared in darkness than the drug processes in sunlight. Except one spot all the spots Rf values are identical to raw coconut oil.In analytical studies carried out in shade dried leaves of Wrightia tinctoria showed the presence of iron calcium and ammonium. Alcohol had maximum extractive matter.