Plastic Pandemic after COVID-19: A Global Health Concern.

Abstract: COVID-19 pandemic has increased the amount of plastic burden to environment and complexities of plastic waste management. Change in behavioral pattern with advent of this pandemic led to increased practice of hygiene and increased use of different types of personal protective equipment. Unfortunately, rapid rise in production of the PPEs (like Hazmat suit, gloves, etc.) and single-use plastics used in RT-PCR and other testing are the biggest source for increased non-biodegradable plastic waste leading to amplified burden on plastic waste management. A number of measures like prioritizing the policies directed towards changes at behavioral, social and institutional level need to be started. Also, reduction in plastic waste along with proper plastic waste management policies should be implemented. To prevent the transition from one pandemic to other; improvement in government policies with public private partnership are the need of the hour.

Ethnopharmacological, Phytochemical, Pharmacological, and Toxicological Review on Senna auriculata (L.) Roxb.: A Special Insight to Antidiabetic Property.

Avartaki (Senna auriculata (L.) Roxb. syn. Cassia auriculata L.; Family- Fabaceae ) is a traditional medicinal plant, widely used for the treatment of various ailments in Ayurveda and Siddha system of medicine in India. Almost all the parts of the plant, such as flowers, leaves, seeds, barks, and roots have been reported for their medicinal uses. Traditionally, it has been used in the treatment of diabetes, asthma, rheumatism, dysentery, skin disease, and metabolic disorders. The principle phytochemicals in Senna auriculata (L.) Roxb. are alkaloids, anthraquinone, flavone glycosides, sugar, saponins, phenols, terpenoids, flavonoids, tannins, steroids, palmitic acid, linoleic acid, benzoic acid 2-hydroxyl methyl ester, 1-methyl butyl ester, resorcinol, α-tocopherol-ß-D-mannosidase, epicatechin, ferulic acid, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside, quercetin, proanthocyanidin B1. The extracts from its different parts and their isolated compounds possess a wide range of pharmacological activities such as antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihyperlipidemic, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, cardioprotective, anti-atherosclerotic, anticancer, antimutagenic, antimicrobial, antiulcer, antipyretic, anthelmintic, immunomodulatory, antifertility, anti-venom, and anti-melanogenesis. The toxicological findings from preclinical studies ensured the safety of the plant, but comprehensive clinical studies are required for the safety and efficacy of the plant in humans. The current review article aimed to provide up-to-date information about Senna auriculata (L.) Roxb. covering its ethnomedicinal, phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological aspects with special emphasis on its clinical implications in diabetes.

Beneficial effect of Brahmi Ghrita on learning and memory in normal rat.

BACKGROUND: Learning, the process of acquiring memory such as behavioral change due to previous experiences and most intensively studied subjects in the field of neuroscience through various approaches to understand the mechanisms. Brahmi Ghrita (BG) was claimed for the treatment of learning and memory disorders in human being. AIM: To assess learning and memory activity of BG in normal rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this study, 24 rats were taken and divided into four groups (six in each). First group served as the control group, second and the third group as BG treated groups (400 and 800 mg/kg, p. o.) and the fourth group as standard drug (piracetam) 500 mg/kg, p.o. treated group. Learning and memory, activity of BG was evaluated in normal rats, using elevated maze plus and passive avoidance test. RESULTS: BG and piracetam treated rats demonstrated a significant decrease in transfer latency in modified elevated plus maze test and increase in step through latency in passive avoidance test compared with control rats in a dose dependent manner. It may be due to increase in learning and memory. It was also reported that prolonged use of Bacopa monneri (L.) Pennell causes elevation of cerebral glutamic acid and transient increase in gamma aminobutaric acid, which may be helpful in the process of learning. CONCLUSION: Brahmi Ghrita enhances learning and memory as analogous to standard drug (piracetam) in normal rats.

Effect of Drakshavaleha in cyclophosphamide induced weight loss and reduction in crown-rump length in developing mice embryo.

Being an anti-mitotic and apoptosis inducing agent, Cyclophosphamide (CP) causes stunting in size and loss of body weight of the pups on intra-peritoneal injection (10 mg/kg) to pregnant mice on day 11 of gestation. Loss of body weight due to CP administration could be minimized by feeding Drakshavaleha (16 g/kg) orally to pregnant mice from day "0" to day "18" of their gestation. Recovery observed in terms of body weight of the pups was statistically significant (P < 0.001) in Drakshavaleha treated pups. Drakshavaleha also recovered the crown-rump length of the pups occurred due to CP administration. Growth retardation with decreased fetal weight was observed in all CP treated pups when compared with the controls.

Study of Brahmi Ghrta and piracetam in amnesia.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of Brahmi Ghrta with piracetam (a reference standard chemical) in amnesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Brahmi Ghrta contained Brahmi (Bacopa monneri), Vaca (Acorus calamus), Kustha (Sassurea lappa), Sankhapuspi (Convolvulos pluricalis), and Purana Ghrta, prepared as per snehapaka process. Antiamnesic activity of Brahmi Ghrta (400 and 800 mg/kg, p.o.) was evaluated in scopolamine (1 mg/kg, s.c.) induced amnesia in Charles Foster rats using elevated plus maze, passive avoidance, and active avoidance tests. Piracetam (500 mg/kg, p.o.) was used as standard drug. This effect was compared with standard chemical used in experimental study. RESULTS: Brahmi Ghrta - (in both doses) and piracetam-treated rats significantly reversed the effect of scopolamine in modified elevated plus maze, passive avoidance, and active avoidance tests. But there were no significant differences observed in antiamnesic activity of Brahmi Ghrta and standard drug. CONCLUSION: Brahmi Ghrta and piracetam produced significant beneficial effect on scopolamine-induced amnesic effect, but no significant difference was observed in between them.

A critical study of Rasamritam and it's applied aspects.

Historical studies of Rasa shastra reveal the use of metals and minerals, both for alchemical and therapeutical purposes in ancient past. But, gradually the alchemical use of the subject, declines and the therapeutical use takes over. Rasamritam is the latest doctrine in the field of Rasa shastra which compiles the extract of the older books and adopted some new and contemporary concepts. The practical aspects of this text influence both the academicians as well as physicians in large extent. Keeping the wealthier, timely concept of this text in mind, we are trying to review and analyze it critically for the benefit of researchers and practitioners and hope the idea will be fruitful.

Identifications studies of Lauha Bhasma by X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence.

Procedures for preparation of Lauha Bhasma are described in ancient texts of Ayurveda. These procedures also begin with different source material for iron such as Teekshna Lauha and Kanta Lauha etc. In the present study, we have selected different source materials viz. magnetite iron ore for Kanta Lauha and pure (Armco grade) iron turnings for Teekshna Lauha. The standard procedures of preparation of Lauha Bhasma are carried out in identical conditions for these two raw materials. The final product from the Puta are characterized by using X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy to understanding the crystallographic form or forms of iron oxides and their composition at the end of each Puta. The iron content at the end of repeated Putas (18 for Kanta Lauha and 20 for Teekshna Lauha) have shown a decrease in case of Teekshna Lauha since the starting material is pure iron while it showed only marginal decreases in the case of Kanta Lauha because the Fe(3)O(4) of magnetite is undergoing oxidation to Fe(2)O(3). The trace elements remain within the Bhasma in the form of various oxides of Si, Al, Ca, etc.

Pharmaceutical study of Lauha Bhasma.

In the present research paper, the work done on pharmaceutical study of Lauha Bhasma conducted in the Department of Rasa Shastra under the postgraduate research programme is being presented. The pharmaceutical processing of Lauha Bhasma was performed by following samanya shodhana, vishesha shodhana and marana of Lauha. Under the process of marana, three specific pharmaceutical techniques were followed, viz. bhanupaka, sthalipaka and putapaka. During the putapaka process, an electric muffle furnace (EMF) was used. The temperature of puta was studied in two batches, viz. in Batch I, a temperature of 800°C was maintained whereas in Batch II, a temperature of 600°C was maintained. The purpose behind selecting two temperatures was to validate the process of marana of Lauha and to determine an ideal temperature for the preparation of Lauha Bhasma in EMF. It is found that after 20 puta at a temperature of 600°C, the Lauha Bhasma was prepared properly. The entire characteristic of Lauha Bhasma, like "pakwa jambu phala varna," varitar, etc. was attained at 600°. At a temperature of 800°C, the process could not be carried out smoothly. The pellets turned very hard and brassy yellow in color. The desired color was attained only after decreasing the temperature in further puta.

A Comparative clinical trial on the role of Panchakarma therapy and Unmada Gajankusha Rasa in the cases of major depressive disorder vis-à-vis kaphaja Unmada.

Depression is a common but serious mood disorder which exerts wide range of physical, physiological and psychological impact. On the basis of the severity of disease, depression is classified under various categories. Of all the types of depression, major depressive disorder resembles the features of kaphaja Unmada. The patients of Kaphaja Unmada are dirty in appearance, their speech and activities are retarded and they prefer to remain in solitude and lonely places. The presentstudy has been conducted in eighty patients of major depressive disorder dividing them into four groups, A, B, C and D using Vamana therapy and Unmada Gajankusha Rasa in the dose of 250 mg twice daily with water. The results were assessed on scoring of clinical symptoms and signs and by using Hamilton depression rating scale (HDRS).The results reveal the mild to moderate degree of response over various parameters which has been presented in detail in the article.

Historical review of Svarna Maksika.

The old age Ayurvedic claim about the therapeutic importance of metals and mineral bhasmas are time tasted. To make available the evidence for use of metals and minerals in therapeutics and to provide the knowledge of processing techniques in ancient India it is very much necessary to look over the history. Rasa sastra is the branch of Ayurvedic science which deals with the pharmaceutical processings of the metals and minerals. Svarna Maksika is one of the most important materials described in various Rasa literatures as well as in Sarmhitas and in other Ayurvedic texts. Going through the different literatures its different features, geological distributions and various processing techniques like sodhana, marana are found. In Samhita period only the features were described but during 7th Cen. AD & onwards its processings were found. Now a day Svarrna Maksika is correlated with chalcopyrite by modern metallurgists. The features of chalcopyrite are also given to assist the more study in this regard. In the current paper it is tried to collect and compile all the related area about Svarna Maksika from all possible ancient literary resources as well as from possible modern texts, to facilitate further research.

Importance of Ananda kanda in the history of Indian alchemy.

Rasa Sastra is an important branch of Ayurveda developed for achieving therapeutic benefits from mineral materials. Ananda kanda is one of this subject text which gives an elaborate description of this subject. Dehavada concept of Rasa Sastra has been described elaborately along with Loha vada in this text. This book serves an important reference text. This book serves an important reference text for students and scholars of Rasa Sastra for teaching and training practical purposes.

Histological changes in ovaries of mice exposed to butea monosperma: preliminary study / Cambios histológicos en ovarios de ratón expuestos a butea monosperma: estudio preliminar

In Ayurvedic practice Butea monosperma (Palash) is in clinical use for hundreds of years as a contraceptive. Seeds of Butea monosperma are also used as an anthelmitic (Ansani et al., 1979) and antimicrobial (Avirutnant & Pongpan, 1983). Butea monosperma (Fabaceae family) locally known as Palash (Dhak) if given for 3 consecutive days acts as an antifertility agent for which it has been is traditionally used since time immemorial. The objective of the present study was to search the effect of Butea monosperma seeds on the ovary of mice. Observations in the present study were massive degeneration of ova in almost all the follicles, irrespective of the stage of their development. The ova from treated animals showed different stages of necrotic process. Moreover, the arrangement of follicular cells was also disturbed. The Palash seeds in the form of powder when administered orally with distilled water, according to the body weight i.e.2g/Kg, of female mice, for three consecutive days showed notable changes in ovaries. The animals were sacrificed on day next to the last day of treatment and ovaries were extirpated. Ovaries studied histologically after Haematoxylin & Eosin staining showed most of the follicle in immature state with undefined nucleus and nucleoli in the ovum. Others showed degenerative changes in the ovum. Follicles had lost their normal shape and arrangement and organization of granulosa cells. It was conspicuous to find that almost all follicles including graafian follicles of treated ovaries were undergoing degenerative changes simultaneously. The rate of apoptosis in the granulosa cells when studied was found increased in treated cases as compared with control. The study suggests that the disintegration of ova in the ovaries is a specific effect of Butea monosperma seed administration.

En la práctica Ayurvédica Butea monosperma (Palash) se encuentra en uso clínico durante cientos de años como método anticonceptivo. Semillas de Butea monosperma también se utilizan como un antihemético y antimicrobiano. Butea monosperma (familia Fabaceae) conocida localmente como Palash (Dhak) si se administra durante 3 días consecutivos actúa como un agente anticonceptivo que se utiliza tradicionalmente desde tiempos inmemoriales. El objetivo del presente estudio fue buscar el efecto de las semillas de Butea monosperma en ovarios de ratones. Se obsevó degeneración masiva de los óvulos en casi todos los folículos, independientemente de la fase de su desarrollo. Los óvulos de los animales tratados mostraron las diferentes etapas del proceso necrótico. Por otra parte, la disposición de las células foliculares se mostró alterada. El polvo de semillas de Palash, cuando se administra a los ratones, por vía oral en agua destilada, i.e. 2g/Kg peso corporal, durante tres días produce cambios en los ovarios. Los animales se sacrificaron al día siguiente terminado el tratamiento y fueron extirpados los ovarios. Los ovarios se estudiaron histológicamente con HE mostrándose la mayoría de los folículos en estado inmaduro, con núcleo definido y nucléolos en el óvulo. Otros mostraron cambios degenerativos en los óvulos. Los folículos habían perdido su forma normal y la disposición y organización de células de la granulosa. Se encontró que casi todos los folículos incluyendo los folículos mostraban cambios degenerativos de manera simultánea. En los casos tratados, la tasa de apoptosis en las células de la granulosa estaba aumentada, en comparación con el grupo control. El estudio sugiere que la desintegración de los óvulos en los ovarios es un efecto específico de la administración de las semillas de Butea monosperma.