In vitro and In vivo study targeting the development of Unani Antidermatophytic Cream: Implication of Herbal Formulations in Treatment of Dermatophytosis.

Panwad (Cassia tora L.), Sarshaf (Brassica nigra L.) and Kunjad (Sesamum indicum L.) have been used in the treatment of ringworm infection since ancient times and are documented in classical literature of Unani Medicine. These plant drugs give promising results when used topically in the form of paste (zimad). Hence, the development and evaluation of a cream containing extracts of Tukhm-e-Panwad (Cassia tora L.), Sarshaf (Brassica nigra L.), and Kunjad (Sesamum indicum L.) was carried out to get better efficacy of the drugs. A total of 16 batches (F1-F16) of cream were prepared by adding varying concentrations of hydro-alcoholic extract of the drugs (20%, 40% and 50%) in water removable bases, and three batches were selected as final batches (F4-20%, F6-40% and F16-50%). In vitro antidermatophytic activity was conducted to optimize MIC against dermatophytosis-causing fungi. Dermal irritation of the prepared cream was determined in New Zealand Albino Rabbits. In vivo testing of the different concentrations of the prepared cream (20%, 40%, and 50%) was also carried out using Wistar rats to assess the antidermatophytic activity. Final batches showed good results in all the tested parameters and significant in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity in a dose-dependent manner. No microbial growth was seen in the prepared formulation. The study revealed significant antidermatophytic activity of the prepared cream against dermatophytosis-causing fungi. Hence, it can be concluded that the prepared cream can be an alternative topical agent with safe and effective antifungal activity for treating dermatophytosis.

The Perspective of Unani Medicine in Understanding Hyperthyroidism.

Context: Hyperthyroidism, Kasrat-e-Ifraz-e-Darqiyya in Unani medicine, is a condition in which the thyroid gland produces an excessive amount of the thyroid hormone thyroxine. Its clinical features are excessive sweating, heat intolerance, increased bowel movements, a voracious appetite, insomnia, tremors, palpitations, and a rapid pulse. Objective: This review intended to investigate the observations in ancient Unani literature, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and Ayurveda that correspond to the clinical presentation of hyperthyroidism as well as to identify probable treatments in Unani medicine. Design: The research team performed a narrative review to evaluate the concept of hyperthyroidism using classical Unani Medicine books, such as Firdaus-Ul-Hikmat (Wisdom of Paradise), Al-Havi Fit Tib (Liber Continence), Kamil- Us- Sana (Liber Regius), Al-Qanoon (The Canon of Medicine), and Zakheera Khvarazm Shahi (The Treasure of Medicine) to assess the perception of hyperthyroidism. The team also searched internet sources, such as Pubmed, Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Publons, and Google Scholar. using keywords such as Su-e-Mizaj Ha'ar Maddi, Ghair Tabayi Safra, Yang-Yin, Pitta, hyperthyroidism. The study was undertaken at National Institute of Unani medicine, Bengaluru, India. Results: In TCM, a dominant Yang Qi is considered as cause of hyperthyroidism; in Ayurveda, excessive Pitta production is considered as its cause, and in Unani Medicine it is due to an excess of abnormal bile (Ghair Tabayi Safra). Thus, the traditional systems all view the disease as a manifestation of excessive energy production. Conclusions: The clinical symptoms of the hot temperament of bile (Su-e-Mizaj Ha'ar Maddi) and hyperthyroidism are similar in the literature. The resemblance may help medical practitioners to recommend a better approach for preventing, treating, and reducing the condition's devastating complications using the treatment approach of Unani medicine. It approaches hyperthyroidism with recommendations for reducing excessive energy production, with the help of restoration of the imbalance in temperament (Mizaj).

Exploring Drug De-addiction Treatment in Unani Medicine.

Background: Drug addiction, or substance abuse disorder, has a long history. The use of a drug that causes dependence has been used in various religious and tribal initiation ceremonies. Currently, recreational use or peer modelling leads an individual to substance abuse. The magnitude of the problem of addiction increases multifold in the presence of stressors like broken families, joblessness, occupational stress, etc. Objectives: The de-addiction process is used to relieve an individual's craving for the drug. It is a painful process, as several effects of withdrawal compel a person to return to the drugs again and again. Our aim is to explore the available literature on the use of Unani medicine for de-addiction. Methodology: We surveyed various classical books from the available literature for drug de-addiction in Unani medicine. Indexed journals were also surveyed for the available related material using various keywords like "opium addiction" and "Unani medicine and de-addiction " and the information was filtered for this review. Results: We observed that there was an elaborate scheme for de-addiction in opium addiction and the process is so general that it could serve as a framework for the de-addiction process for other similar drugs. Conclusion: Unani medicine is significant in the literature as being among the the available de-addiction addiction processes and may furnish several leads for various herbal drugs that may be used for de-addiction in the future.

Understanding Holism in the light of principle underlying practice of Unani Medicine.

The holistic Unani medicine is fundamentally different from the reductionist conventional medicine. It asserts the self-integration amongst its basic disciplines, without considering them underlying principles of Unani system of medicine cannot be understood. The diagnosis, selection of drugs, and plan of treatment is also overlooked. Unani scholars attribute health to the functions or actions of the body in a normal way. The constitution is considered as the result of need based on the amalgamation of Arkan (primordial essence). Umoor Tabiya (basic principles) interact at many levels and manifest into Kaifiyyat (Mizaj), Akhlat (Humour), Arwaah (Pneuma), Quwa (faculties), and Tabiyat (Physis) which need to be understood properly for effective management and diagnosis of disease in Unani medicine as well as its treatment. Ilmul Asbab is applied in the prevention of disease as well as in disease causation. In Unani medicine, there should be conformity in between, Asbab (causes), Alamaat (symptoms), and therapeutics. Therefore; the treatment strategy needs the knowledge of Ilmul Asbab. This paper will examine the basic relationship amongst disciplines i.e. Basic principles, diagnosis, and principles of treatment. It will attempt to illustrate the need for awareness of the basic principles of health and disease for a physician for effective management of disease which is what Unani medicine claims to be holistic.

Shahatra (F.parviflora Lam)- a comprehensive review of its ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: F.parviflora Lam. is a plant widely used in traditional medicine systems like Unani, Ayurveda, and folk medicines in Iraq and Turkey. It is known as Shahatraj in Arabic, which is derived from Shahatra and called Shajaratuddam. In the ancient Unani system, it is called Shajaratuddam. The term derived from Sajarat means tree, and Dam means blood since it has a potent blood purifier property. AIM OF THE STUDY: This review focused on comprehensive, updated information on the F.parviflora Lam. about the traditional uses, phytochemical and pharmacology and provided insights into potential opportunities for future research. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The classical literature of Shahatra for its temperament (Mizaj), medicinal properties and traditional therapeutic uses were gathered from nearly 15 classical Unani books, eight local and foreign books on ethnomedicines and ethnobotany in English. The information of pharmacognosy, phytochemical and pharmacological activities of F.parviflora Lam was collected by browsing the Internet (PubMed, ScienceDirect, Wiley online library, Google Scholar, ResearchGate). The relevant primary sources were probed, analysed, and included in this review. The keywords used to browse were F.parviflora Lam, shahatra, pitpapda, and fine fumitory. Relevant Sources were gathered up to April 2021, and the chemical structures were drawn using Chemsketch software. The species name was checked with http://www.theplantlist.org ("F.parviflora Lam. - The Plant List," n.d.). The materials published in both Urdu and English were included in the review. RESULTS: F.parviflora Lam was found to possess an excess of bioactive compounds and broad pharmacological properties, including antimicrobial activity, antioxidant activity, antiprotozoal activity, anthelmintic activity, antidiarrheal, antispasmodic and bronchodilator activities, antidiabetic activity, hepatoprotective activity, anticancer activity (cytotoxicity)of nanoparticle, antipruritic activity, dermatological effect, reproductive effect, anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activity. CONCLUSION: In this review, the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of F.parviflora were reviewed. It showed a broad scope of application, and its benefits had been extended far beyond the initial conventional uses of its parts. It consists of numerous chemical constituents and reported various pharmacological activities such as antimicrobial activity, antioxidant activity, antidiabetic activity, hepatoprotective activity, anticancer activity etc. Though it is widely studied using several in-vitro and in-vivo models and tested clinically for skin diseases, several gaps and research priorities have been identified that need to be addressed in the future, such as active ingredients and their mechanism of action applications in immunomodulation and hepatic diseases.

Historical account of endocrinal disorders in Unani medicine.

Hippocratic doctrine of four humors and qualities is implicated to be a pioneer of modern endocrinology because of the concept of dyscrasia. Imbalance in humors causes disease. Unani scholars were aware of endocrinological disorders like endocrinologic syndrome (i.e., association of amenorrhea and galactorrhoea in a non-pregnant woman), castration, contraceptives techniques, infertility, obesity, diabetes etc., and also their mode of remedy, albeit with a phenomenological approach. Their understanding of the symptoms and signs related to endocrinologic syndromes, which were explained in detail in the recent account of the endocrine system, is presented here with historical chronology. The survey was carried out from the literature of the Unani system of medicine, and the same was analyzed from the observations reported in various indexed journals and reputed books. The paper details the account of endocrinologic syndrome from the Greek era to the end of the medieval ages.

Understanding Humma-e-Wabai (epidemic fever) and Amraz-e-Wabai (epidemic disease) in the light of Unani medicine.

The pathogenesis and clinical characteristics of Humma-e-Wabai were described several years ago in the Unani System of Medicine close to the clinical manifestation associated with epidemic or pandemic situations. In the Unani System of Medicine, Humma-e-Wabai described under the legend of epidemic disease (Amraz-e-Wabai). Amraz-e-Wabai is an umbrella term which is applied for all types of epidemic or pandemic situation. Renowned Unani Scientists like; Zakariya Rhazi (865-925 AD), Ali Ibn Abbas Majusi (930-994 AD), Ibn Sina (980-1037 AD), Ismail Jorjani (1,042-1,137 AD), Ibn Rushd etc., explained that Humma-e-Waba is an extremely rigorous, lethal fever, that is caused due to morbid air (fasid hawa) and it frequently spreads among the larger population in the society. There are four etiological factors responsible for Amraz-e-Wabai viz; change in the quality of air, water, earth, and celestial bodies, which was described by Ibn Sina in Canon of Medicine. He also advised that movements should be limited during epidemic situations. Shelters should be fumigated with loban (Styrax benzoin W. G. Craib ex Hartwich.), Kafoor (Cinnamomum camphora L.), Oodkham (Aquilaria agallocha Roxb.), Hing (Ferula foetida L.), myrtle (Myrtus communis L.), and sandalwood (Santalum album L.), etc. The use of vinegar (sirka) and rose water (arque gulab) has been advocated to prevent the infection by spray. Avoid consumption of flesh, oil, milk, sweets, alcohol. Food prepared with vinegar. Specific antidotes (e.g. Tiryaq-e-Wabai, Tiryaq-e-Farooque), should be used as prophylaxis. This review attempts to explain the concept, prevention, and management of epidemic or pandemic situations.

Possible role of Unani Pharmacology in COVID-19 - a narrative review.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), viral diseases continue to rise, and pose a significant public health problem. Novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. The pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of COVID-19 is close to Amraz-e-Wabai (epidemic diseases) which was described by Hippocrates, Galen, Aristotle, Razes, Haly Abbas, Avicenna, Jurjani etc. Presently, there is no specific or challenging treatment available for COVID-19. Renowned Unani Scholars recommended during epidemic situation to stay at home, and fumigate the shelters with aromatics herbs like Ood kham (Aquilaria agallocha Roxb.), Kundur (Boswellia serrata Roxb), Kafoor (Cinnamomum camphora L.), Sandal (Santalum album L), Hing (Ferula foetida L.) etc. Use of specific Unani formulations are claimed effective for the management of such epidemic or pandemic situation like antidotes (Tiryaqe Wabai, Tiryaqe Arba, Tiryaqe Azam, Gile Armani), Herbal Decoction (Joshandah), along with Sharbate Khaksi, Habbe Bukhar, Sharbate Zanjabeel, Khamira Marwareed, Jawarish Jalinus, and Sirka (vinegar). Such drugs are claimed for use as antioxidant, immunomodulatory, cardiotonic, and general tonic actions. The study enumerates the literature regarding management of epidemics in Unani medicine and attempts to look the same in the perspective of COVID-19 prevention and management.

Oxy+ (arthrospira) and its medicinal importance: an appraisal.

Oxy+ is a natural source of arthrospira found in nature, used as a dietary supplement and manufactured in Aruba for lifefactors. Arthrospira contains good quality of proteins, sulfated polysaccharides, γ-linoleic acid, along with an array of carotene and phytopigments, vitamins, and minerals which are reported to be antioxidant, immunomodulator, antihyperglycemic, antidyslipidemic, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, antiviral, anticancerous, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, neuroprotective and renoprotective activities. Several studies have shown arthrospira, and active ingredients of it revealed various pharmacological activities. It can be used for the management of various ailments such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, hypertension, cancer, arthritis, osteoarthritis, autoimmune disorders, etc. This review attempts to explore the hidden benefits of Oxy+ (arthrospira).

Understanding COVID-19 in the light of epidemic disease described in Unani medicine.

Unani system of medicine is based on the humoral theory postulated by Hippocrates, according to him the state of body health and disease are regulated by qualitative and quantitative equilibrium of four humours. Amraz-e-Waba is an umbrella term which is used in Unani medicine for all types of epidemics (smallpox, measles, plague, Hameer Saifi, influenza, Nipaha, Ebola, Zika, and 2019 novel coronavirus, etc.) mostly fatal in nature. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a severe acute respiratory infection, and the pathogenesis and clinical features resemble with those of Nazla-e-Wabaiya (influenza) and Zatul Riya (pneumonia) which were well described many years ago in Unani text such as high-grade fever, headache, nausea and vomiting, running nose, dry cough, respiratory distress, alternate and small pulse, asthenia, foul smell from breath, insomnia, frothy stool, syncope, coldness in both upper and lower extremities, etc. The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as a global emergency pandemic. Unani scholars like Hippocrates (370-460 BC), Galen (130-200 AD), Rhazes (865-925 AD), and Avicenna (980-1037 AD) had described four etiological factors for Amraz-e-Waba viz., change in quality of air, water, Earth, and celestial bodies, accordingly mentioned various preventive measures to be adopted during epidemics such as restriction of movement, isolation or "quarantena", and fumigation with loban (Styrax benzoin W. G. Craib ex Hartwich.), sandalwood (Santalum album L.), Zafran (Crocus sativus L.), myrtle (Myrtus communis L.), and roses (Rosa damascena Mill.) and use of vinegar (sirka) and antidotes (Tiryaq) as prophylaxis, and avoiding consumption of milk, oil, sweet, meat, and alcohol. This review focuses and elaborates on the concept, prevention, and probable management of COVID-19 in the light of Amraz-e-Waba.

Understanding hormones in terms of humours (Akhlat) in Unani system of medicine.

In Unani System of Medicine, humours (Akhlat) play a vital role in maintenance of health; imbalance of their proportion either qualitative or quantitative can cause disease. Akhlat refers to the body fluids under a wider perspective in the Unani Medicine, which also encompasses fluids designated as hormones by the Modern Medicine. Akhlat (humours) are those moist and fluid parts of the body which are produced after transformation and metabolism of the nutrition; they serve the function of growth, repair, produce energy, preservation of individual and the species. It is concerned with growth, multiplication, differentiation, and metabolic activities of different tissues and systems, and thereby maintains a correct physiological balance between them. Present paper is a review on the concept of Akhlat and an attempt to understand hormones.

Update of hypothyroidism and its management in Unani medicine.

Hypothyroidism is a clinical syndrome caused by thyroid hormone deficiency due to reduced production, deranged distribution, or lack of effects of thyroid hormone. The prevalence of hypothyroidism in developed countries is around 4-5%, whereas it is about 11% in India, only 2% in the UK, and 4·6% in the USA. It is more common in women than in men. Hypothyroidism has multiple etiologies and manifestations. The most common clinical manifestations are weight gain, loss of hair, cold intolerance, lethargy, constipation, dry skin, and change in voice. The signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism differ with age, gender, severity of condition, and some other factors. The diagnosis is based on clinical history, physical examination and serum level of FT3, FT4, and thyroid-stimulating hormone, imaging studies, procedures, and histological findings. The treatment of choice for hypothyroidism is levothyroxine, however; in this review article, we have discussed the epidemiology, etiology, clinical sign and symptoms, diagnosis, complications, and management of hypothyroidism in modern medicine and a comparative treatment by the Unani system of medicine (USM). In the USM, the main emphasis of the principle of treatment (Usool-e-Ilaj) is to correct the abnormal constitution (Su-e-Mizaj) and alter the six prerequisites for existence (Asbab-e-Sitta Zarooriya) to restore normal health. It is a packaged treatment, that is, different components of treatment are given as a package form which includes different drugs, dosages form, and regimens.

Efficacy of Qurs-e-Gulnar in Ziabetus (type 2 Diabetes Mellitus): a single blind randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Diabetes is a serious threat to global health that respects neither socioeconomic status nor national boundaries. Globally, diabetes is among the top 10 causes of death. Unani system argued the effectiveness of several anti-hyperglycemic drugs, and all such drugs looked-for to be validated on scientifically. Hence a clinical trial was contemplated to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Qurs-e-Gulnar in the management of Diabetes Mellitus. METHODS: This study was conducted as single blind randomized control, on 40 patients of type 2 diabetes with the test (n=20) and control (n=20) groups for 45 days. Test group received Qurs-e-Gulnar at the dose of three Qurs twice a day, and control group received two capsules Diabeat® twice a day before meal. Subjective (at 0, 15th, 30th, and 45th) and objective parameters were assessed as pre-post treatment respectively. RESULTS: After treatment with test compound significant reduction was observed in all the subjective parameters viz. polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia and tiredness in comparison of control group. The objective parameters FBS and PPBS was found to be significantly reduced (p<0.001) in both the groups where as HbA1c was found unchanged in test group but control drug showed highly significant reduction in HbA1c (p<0.001).The results were assessed statistically using two tailed Student's t-test, and Fischer exact test. CONCLUSION: On the basis of above observation it is concluded that the test compound Qurs-e-Gulnar has significant anti-diabetic effect which is evidentially observed both in subjective and objective parameters in test group in comparison of control group (CTRI/2017/07/009060).

Aamar-e-Advia (shelf-lives) of drugs in Unani system of medicine: A conceptual review.

In an era of globalization and increased global demand for herbal medicines, it is essential to ensure the quality and consistency of drugs. Changes in the quality of an herbal product over time should be detectable. The assessments of chemical quality and therapeutic efficacy of herbal drugs are necessary to establish their shelf-lives. Thus, stability testing is needed to establish standards for herbal products. Unani medicine has its own conceptual framework for studying health and disease. The mode of treatment includes Ilaj bit Tadbeer (regimental therapy), Ilaj bil Ghiza (dietotherapy), Ilaj bil Dawa (pharmacotherapy) and Ilaj bil Yad/Jarahat (surgery) as a final option. Ilaj bil Dawa is the most used mode of treatment. The drugs include either crude drugs prepared from plant, animal and mineral sources, called Mufrad (single) drugs or various formulations prepared from these crude drugs, called Murakkab (compound) drugs. To date, stability studies have been carried out on compound drugs, whereas only a few single drugs had had their stability tested. These studies are needed to understand how the quality of an herbal drug varies over the time when it is prepared and consumed. This may also help to standardize procedures for manufacturing compound formulations ab initio. The present study reviews the concept of Aamar-e-Advia (shelf-lives) described in the literature of the Unani system of medicine. Further, various factors that are considered important to assess the shelf-life of Unani drugs are discussed in the context of contemporary protocols for shelf-life assessment.

Understanding COVID-19 in the light of epidemic disease described in Unani medicine.

Unani system of medicine is based on the humoral theory postulated by Hippocrates, according to him the state of body health and disease are regulated by qualitative and quantitative equilibrium of four humours. Amraz-e-Waba is an umbrella term which is used in Unani medicine for all types of epidemics (smallpox, measles, plague, Hameer Saifi, influenza, Nipaha, Ebola, Zika, and 2019 novel coronavirus, etc.) mostly fatal in nature. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a severe acute respiratory infection, and the pathogenesis and clinical features resemble with those of Nazla-e-Wabaiya (influenza) and Zatul Riya (pneumonia) which were well described many years ago in Unani text such as high-grade fever, headache, nausea and vomiting, running nose, dry cough, respiratory distress, alternate and small pulse, asthenia, foul smell from breath, insomnia, frothy stool, syncope, coldness in both upper and lower extremities, etc. The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as a global emergency pandemic. Unani scholars like Hippocrates (370-460 BC), Galen (130-200 AD), Rhazes (865-925 AD), and Avicenna (980-1037 AD) had described four etiological factors for Amraz-e-Waba viz., change in quality of air, water, Earth, and celestial bodies, accordingly mentioned various preventive measures to be adopted during epidemics such as restriction of movement, isolation or "quarantena", and fumigation with loban (Styrax benzoin W. G. Craib ex Hartwich.), sandalwood (Santalum album L.), Zafran (Crocus sativus L.), myrtle (Myrtus communis L.), and roses (Rosa damascena Mill.) and use of vinegar (sirka) and antidotes (Tiryaq) as prophylaxis, and avoiding consumption of milk, oil, sweet, meat, and alcohol. This review focuses and elaborates on the concept, prevention, and probable management of COVID-19 in the light of Amraz-e-Waba.

Oxy+ (arthrospira) and its medicinal importance: an appraisal.

Oxy+ is a natural source of arthrospira found in nature, used as a dietary supplement and manufactured in Aruba for lifefactors. Arthrospira contains good quality of proteins, sulfated polysaccharides, γ-linoleic acid, along with an array of carotene and phytopigments, vitamins, and minerals which are reported to be antioxidant, immunomodulator, antihyperglycemic, antidyslipidemic, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, antiviral, anticancerous, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, neuroprotective and renoprotective activities. Several studies have shown arthrospira, and active ingredients of it revealed various pharmacological activities. It can be used for the management of various ailments such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, hypertension, cancer, arthritis, osteoarthritis, autoimmune disorders, etc. This review attempts to explore the hidden benefits of Oxy+ (arthrospira).

Understanding hypothyroidism in Unani medicine.

Hypothyroidism (Qillat-e-Ifraz-e-Darqiyya) is a condition where the thyroid gland is underactive and unable to produce enough thyroid hormone. The description of hypothyroidism as a disease is not directly found in Unani texts. However, the signs and symptom of hypothyroidism resemble the clinical manifestation associated with Su-e-Mizaj Barid Maddi (derangement in cold temperament), such as plethora (Imtila), excessive salivation (Kasrat-e-Luabe-e-Dahan), tiredness (Aa'yan), loss of appetite (Zoaf-e-Ishteha), excessive sleeping (Kasrat-e-Naum) and cold skin (Baroodat-e-Jildia). These signs and symptoms are the result of an excess in abnormal phlegm (Ghair Tabayi Balgham) in the body. This review article identifies the observations from Unani literature that describe derangement in cold temperament and relate them to the clinical presentation of primary hypothyroidism in conventional medicine. We also discuss management of these symptoms in Unani medicine.

Antilithiatic effect of Peucedanum grande C. B. Clarke in chemically induced urolithiasis in rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Duqu (Peucedanum grande C. B. Clarke) has been used by Unani physicians since ancient times in retention of urine, renal and bladder calculi, nephritis and other associated disorders in different dosage forms. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study was to evaluate the antiurolithiatic activity of Peucedanum grande C. B. Clarke in experimental model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experiment was carried out in male Sprague Dawley rats divided into 5 groups of 8 animals each. Animals of negative control received 1ml of 5% Gum acacia throughout the study. Remaining four groups received Ethylene glycol 0.75% and Ammonium chloride 1% by adding in their drinking water for first seven days to induce urolithiasis. From 8th day, positive control received 1ml of 5% Gum acacia, standard control received Cystone in the dose of 750mg/kg while test groups A and B were treated with hydroalcoholic extract of test drug in the dose of 56mg/kg and 97mg/kg respectively up to 21 days, thereafter the animals were sacrificed. Number of CaOx crystals in urine, levels of serum calcium, phosphorus, creatinine, urea, urinary calcium and sodium were observed. Kidney homogenate analysis and histopathology were also carried out. RESULTS: Test drug reduced number of CaOx crystals in urine (p<0.001); levels of serum calcium, phosphorus, creatinine, (p<0.001) urea, (p<0.05); urinary calcium (p<0.001) and sodium decreased significantly in standard and test groups. The urine volume increased significantly (p<0.05, 0.01) in both the test groups. Histopathology of kidney showed no CaOx crystal deposition in both the test groups. CONCLUSION: On the basis of above findings, it can be concluded that the test drug possesses significant antiurolithiatic activity.

The basic rules and methods of mosquito rearing (Aedes aegypti).

The rearing of Aedes mosquitoes is complex and demanding for several reasons. Aedes larvae are affected by temperature, density and available nutrition, mating is not necessarily accomplished naturally and females need a blood meal to develop eggs. The climate chambers where the mosquitoes are kept are warm and sweaty. Due to these tropical conditions the larvae develop fast and need to be cared for daily. The Laboratory of Entomology in National Institute of Malaria Research Bangalore has cultured different colonies of different vectors successfully. In this paper, we discuss different aspects off the rearing process which affect mosquito fitness and are of importance for the quality of fundamental and applied research.