International Journal of Ayurveda and Pharmaceutical Chemistry

16

Authors: Harish Kumar Singhal 1*, Neetu 2, Amit Kataria 3 and Jai SinghaYadav 4

Ashwagandha , commonly known as Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal is an important medicinal plant which is used in indigenous medicine for over 3,000 years. Due to its varied therapeutic potential, it has now become a subject of interest for modern scientific attention. Withania is widely claimed to have potent aphrodisiac, sedative, rejuvenating and life prolonging properties. It is also used as a general energy-enhancing tonic known as Medha Rasayana (‘that which promotes learning and a good memory’) and in geriatric problems. More than thirty five chemical constituents are present in the roots of Withania somnifera. The biologically active chemical constituents are alkaloids and steroidal lactones. To explore this drug and its properties we made an effort to collect literature mentioned in ancient textbook backed with recent research evidences. To achieve this, known database like pubmed, medline were selected for studies from 1988 to 2010. Data obtained in English language from clinical and experimental studies on Withania somnifera were considered. Various clinical & experimental studies proved its utility as anti-anxiety, anti stress, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, antioxidant, antiageing, anticarcinogenic, antibacterial, adaptogenic, hemopoetic & immodulation activity along with cognition enhancing & memory improving activity with effect on Parkinson disease, neuritic regeneration and synaptic reconstruction.

11

Authors: Alpana Tewari1*, Archana Srivastava1 and Kumud Dubey2

During the past decade, demand for medicinal plants and their products as well as health systems have attracted global interests. The value of medicinal plants as a source of foreign exchange for developing countries depends on the use of plants as raw materials in the pharmaceutical industry. The present study is aimed to survey Kanpur city to analyze the information regarding the availability of medicinal plants and to prepare its appropriate records concerning the source locality, plant parts used, economic value of herbs and present price trends. The results obtained from the study provided sufficient ground to believe that the traditional medicinal practice using native medicinal plants is still alive, functioning well and is economic significant.

11

Authors: Roshani Verma1* and Kirti Kumar Akhand2

Omega-3 & Omega-6 are essential unsaturated fatty acids. Acharya Charak has described about Sneha in Charak samhita, sutra sthana, and chapter 13/38-40. According to Acharya Charak, Haswa matra of sneha should be taken daily for all age groups. Similarly, Omega-3 & Omega-6 fatty acids found in various types of sneha (ghrita, taila, vasa, majja) like oil, butter, fishes, oily substances of different food materials also. The world is facing with many lifestyle disorders like Diabetes, Obesity, Hypertension, Cardiac diseases and many more diseases. These are due to unhealthy lifestyle and diet. In this article, we will highlight the concept of Omega 3 & Omega 6 fatty acids, which plays an important role in diet and many lifestyle disorders and how its ratio can cure us from many lifestyle disorders. Alpha linolenic acid (ALA) intake should be 1.6 gm/day in male and 1.1 gm/day in female. People should consume 2% of their total daily calories from Omega-3 fats. Omega-3 is helpful to reduce inflammation, prevent from excessive clotting, lower the level of cholesterol etc. Omega-6 is helpful in growth, especially for brain and muscle development. With the help of correct ratio of Omega-3 & Omega-6 fatty acids, we can cure and avoid various diseases like Alzheimer’s diseases, Asthma, Diabetes etc. In this article, we will describe how to lower excess Omega-6 and how to increase your Omega-3 for obtaining the correct ratio of these fatty acids. People should always include foods like Akharota (walnuts), Alasi (Flax seeds), fishes, and vegetables in their regular diet. This topic has been chosen because it is easy for Ayurveda physicians to maintain the correct ratio of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids in patient’s regular diet as Pathya-Apathya concept.

8

Authors: Poonam Choudhary1*, Reetu Sharma2, Ranjana Pande3 and Sushila Sharma4

Circadian rhythm is the cyclical 24-hour period of human biological activity. Within the circadian (24-hour) cycle, a person usually sleeps approximately 8 hours and stays awake for 16 hours. During the wakeful hours, mental and physical functions are most active and tissue cell growth increases. During sleep, voluntary muscle activities nearly disappear and there is a decrease in metabolic rate, respiration, heart rate, body temperature, and blood pressure. In Ayurveda, this concept is based on three Doshas- Vata, Pitta, Kapha - which predominantly govern our daily routine life. These Doshas maintain the integrity of our body by creating, assimilating & diffusing strength. In this article, efforts will be made to correlate the Doshic influence which affects the human body.

16

Authors: Kewat Sheela Rajaram1*, Vaidya Asmita Amrut2 and P. B. Thakare3

Ayurveda being a holistic medical science considers Sharira and Mann both as Vyadhiaashraya and for its examination Acharya Charaka has described Dashavidha Pariksha among which Prakriti Pariksha and Sattva Pariksha have their own importance. Among Prakriti, Dehaprakriti is formed by intensified Doshas & not only producing effect on every component of body but also on mind. Dehaprakriti is having influence on Sattva because Sattva is nothing but the reflection of our emotions & mind. Hence, in present study, an attempt is made to state the association between Sattva i.e. Mann & Dehaprakritti.