Alternative Systems Of Medicine Research Articles

Exploration of Pharmacological Mechanism of Cinnamomum tamala Essential Oil in Treating Inflammation based on Network Pharmacology, Molecular Modelling, and Experimental Validation.

Cinnamomum tamala (Buch.-Ham.) T.Nees & Eberm., also known as Indian Bay leaf, holds a distinctive position in complementary and alternative medicinal systems due to its anti-inflammatory properties. However, the active constituents and key molecular targets by which C. tamala essential oil (CTEO) exerts its anti-inflammatory action remain unclear. The present study used network pharmacology and experimental validation to investigate the mechanism of CTEO in the treatment of inflammation. GC-MS analysis was used to identify the constituents of CTEO. The key constituents and core targets of CTEO against inflammation were obtained by network pharmacology. The binding mechanism between the active compounds and inflammatory genes was ascertained by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation analysis. The pharmacological mechanism predicted by network pharmacology was verified in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated murine macrophage (RAW 264.7) cell lines. Forty-nine constituents were identified by GC-MS analysis, with 44 constituents being drug-like candidates. A total of 549 compounds and 213 inflammation-related genes were obtained, revealing 68 overlapping genes between them. Compound target network analysis revealed cinnamaldehyde as the core bioactive compound with the highest degree score. PPI network analysis demonstrated Il-1β, TNF-α, IL8, IL6 and TLR4 as key hub anti-inflammatory targets. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed a Toll-like receptor signalling pathway as the principally regulated pathway associated with inflammation. A molecular docking study showed that cinnamaldehyde strongly interacted with the Il-1β, TNF-α and TLR-4 proteins. Molecular dynamics simulations and MMPBSA analysis revealed that these complexes are stable without much deviation and have better free energy values. In cellular experiments, CTEO showed no cytotoxic effects on RAW 264.7 murine macrophages. The cells treated with LPS exhibited significant reductions in NO, PGE2, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β levels following treatment with CTEO. Additionally, CTEO treatment reduced the ROS levels and increased the antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, GSH, GPx and CAT. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that CTEO inhibited LPS-stimulated NF-κB nuclear translocation. The mRNA expression of TLR4, MyD88 and TRAF6 in the CTEO group decreased significantly compared to the LPS-treated group. The current findings suggest that CTEO attenuates inflammation by regulating TLR4/MyD88/NF- κB signalling pathway.

A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF AGNI AND ITS ROLE IN THE ETIOPATHO-GENESIS OF THYROID DYSFUNCTION: A HIGHLY WIDESPREAD DISEASE

Ayurveda is an alternative medicine system that originated in the Indian subcontinent. Ayurveda believes that the universe is made up of five elements: Vayu (air), Jala (water), Aakash (space or ether), Prithvi (earth), and Teja (fire). Ayurveda emphasises the maintenance and promotion of health and the prevention of diseases through various dietary and lifestyle regimens and the treatment of diseases through various therapeutic measures, substantiating the principle “Swasthasya Swasthya Rakshanam,” i.e., preserving the health of healthy persons, and “Aturashya Vikar Prasamanam,” i.e., curing the diseases of the diseased. Sushruta has described the features of a healthy person, i.e., doshas must be in equilibrium, the digestive fire (Agni) must be in a balanced state, and the tissues (Dhatus) and Malas (wastes) must work in a normal state. Agni regulates numerous metabolic reactions, including digestion and cell growth. It is related to a stance or entity that brings about transformation in any form. It supports healthy digestion, joy, and happiness and preserves body tempera-ture and complexity. Thyroid hormones play a crucial part in maintaining homeostasis in the body and function in food digestion at the GI level, which assists in biochemical reactions at the tissue level and helps convert het-erogeneous chemicals to homogeneous ones. An imbalance in Thyroid hormones plays a crucial role in metabol-ic processes. Thyroid hormone functioning can be normal or disordered, similar to Agni in Ayurveda. Agni leads to various metabolic disorders like thyroid disorders. So here, an attempt is made to address the essential func-tions of thyroid hormones as a part of Agni.

Investigation of The Effect of Metal-based Medicine Arsenicum album on Humoral Immune Response in SRBC-immunized Mice.

In complementary and alternative medicinal systems, the Arsenicum album in ultra-high dilution was used in various therapeutic conditions, considering its effects on the body's immune system, including the COVID-19 pandemic. However, scientific evidence regarding its immunomodulatory effects is insufficient. The current study aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory effects of Arsenicum album in an experimental mouse model. Immunomodulatory activity of potentized dilutions of Arsenicum album i.e., 6C, 30C, 200C in BALB/c mice was evaluated by humoral antibody titer and delayedtype hypersensitivity assays wherein a fixed concentration (0.5 ml of 1× 109 cells/ml) of freshly prepared sheep RBC was administered as a foreign antigen to generate primary and secondary antibodies. Arsenicum album showed significant immunomodulatory activity by increasing primary antibody titer evaluated on day 21 of the treatment in all the dilutions as compared to SRBC and vehicle control group in humoral immune response assay without showing any effect on delayed-type hypersensitivity. The results of this preliminary study indicate that oral administration of Arsenicum album has the potential to augment primary humoral response at all dilutions. Hence, the possibility of using the Arsenicum album could be explored to treat immunological conditions, infections, etc., as an alternative therapy alongwith modern medicines.

Understanding Self-medication Trends in First-year Medical Students: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract Objectives: The objective is to explore self-medication perceptions and practices among 1st year undergraduate medical students. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 1st-year medical students in a private college in North Karnataka. A prevalidated questionnaire assessing self-medication perceptions and practices was administered to 176 participants through Google Forms. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Results: Nearly half of our study participants (52.3%) reported engaging in self-medication. The common sources of information included previous experience/prescriptions (43.8%) and advice from parents/friends (41.5%). Reasons for self-medication included perceiving the illness as nonsevere (82.4%) and time-saving (10.8%). The most common conditions prompting self-medication were the common cold (29%), fever (25.6%), and pain (18.8%). Analgesics (28.4%) and antipyretics (27.3%) were the most commonly used drug classes. Conclusion: The relatively lower prevalence of self-medication among 1st-year medical students in this study may be attributed to factors such as the targeted focus on this specific demographic, limited availability of self-medication resources in hostels, and foundational training emphasizing evidence-based medicine principles. However, concerns arise regarding the use of alternative medicine systems like Ayurveda, potentially leading to herb–drug interactions. To address these issues, structured educational initiatives, regulatory enforcement, and improved access to health-care consultations are crucial for promoting rational medication use and mitigating self-medication risks among medical students.

An Overview of the Naturopathic Medicine Protocol Used in Inpatient Yoga and Naturopathy Hospitals in India: The Prakriti Shakti Protocol.

Naturopathic medicine is a popular form of complementary and alternative medicine systems practiced worldwide. This study provides an overview of a typical inpatient yoga and naturopathy protocol followed in India. Naturopathic medicine is commonly used in the management of certain lifestyle-related disorders, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity, cancer, musculoskeletal disorders, endocrine disorders, and neurological disorders. Moreover, naturopathic medicine integrates different lifestyle medicine practices, such as yoga, diet, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, and color therapy into its treatment plans. Moreover, India is one of the few countries that offer naturopathy treatments through inpatient hospitals. Although the clinical efficacy of naturopathic medicine practices in various pathological conditions has been confirmed, no studies have yet investigated the effectiveness of naturopathic medicines protocols in naturopathic inpatient settings. Naturopathic physicians use a set of philosophical principles when determining their therapeutic order and all therapies that upregulate physiological homeostasis.

The Management of Bronchial Asthma (Tamak Shwasa) through Panchakarma Procedure with Ishvaku (Lagenariasiceraria) Vamana: A Case Report

Background Bronchial asthma, a hypersensitivity illness, is rising quickly in the modern world, particularly in wealthy nations. However, according to clinical features, bronchial asthma and Ayurvedic Tamaka Shwasa are similar diseases. Asthma is incurable, according to traditional medical knowledge. Both patients and doctors are looking at complementary and alternative systems of medicine as options because current prescriptions do not offer adequate treatment for terminal and long-term cures. Ayurvedic medicine has the potential to be a viable and efficient treatment option for bronchial asthma. Vaman karma is helpful for treatment globally so that people worldwide can keep faith in it based on scientific evidence. The first line of treatment for Tamakshwasa’s Utkleshita vastha is Vamana. To determine Vamana Karma’s involvement in Tamak shwas, a season it connected to Tamak shwasa has been searched for and attempted to be established in this case study. Purpose This study aimed to assess the efficacy of Ayurvedic management, including specific Ishwaku vaman karma, in Tamaka Shwasa. Materials and Methods A single case study of a 21-year-old man diagnosed with bronchial asthma. He was presented with frequent allergy due to dust, had an onset of sneezing due to cold weather, had a complaint of cold and cough on and off since childhood, and had a history of pneumonia in childhood. Observation and Outcome A 9-day symptomatic patient assessment was completed. The patient’s overall quality of life was greatly enhanced, and the outcome was satisfactory. In conclusion, the above-mentioned regimen significantly improved the management of bronchial asthma.

LMIC-14. MAPPING THE REFERRAL PATH - HURDLES IN PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR DIAGNOSIS: A PERSPECTIVE FROM TERTIARY CANCER CARE CENTRE IN A LOW MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRY

Abstract BACKGROUND Delayed referral remains leads to worse outcomes for children with cancer in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), especially for patients with brain tumors. Delay in treatment could be due to the ignorance from the families to seek health care advice or lack of awareness of primary care physician. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted to delineate the referral path of children with brain tumors who presented to our institution. Patients <18 years with brain tumors registered from June 2022-December 2023 were included. Patients with relapsed disease, second opinion, or partially treated in an outside institute prior to referral were excluded. Data were captured using a proforma after obtaining permission from Institutional ethics committee. RESULTS Thirty-one children were enrolled with a median age of 5 years (range: 0-17) with M: F ratio of 1.58:1. The most common diagnosis in this cohort was medulloblastoma in 13(42%) followed by high grade glioma in 7(22%) and low-grade glioma in 4 patients (13%). Twenty-four (77%) belonged to low socio-economic strata defined by Modified Kuppuswamy classification, of which 22 (71%) were hailing from rural area with median distance from cancer center being 121 miles (range: 4.34 -242). Median of 3 (range: 1-6) consultations were sought prior to being referred to us and about 11 (35%) had visited alternative system of medicine before consulting us. Mean delay from symptom onset to diagnosis was 52 days (range: 2-530) with healthcare seeking delay of 5.4 days (Range: 0-30) and health system delay of 46 days (range: 1-500). The factors influencing delay included rural background (p=0.04) and lower socioeconomic strata (p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS Health system delay was a major cause of delayed referral in our study. By improving awareness of the primary care physicians about symptomatology of pediatric brain tumors, the referral pathway can be expedited thereby improving the outcomes of these children.

Profiling of saponins in four different species of Chlorophytum by liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry

The genus Chlorophytum, rich in saponins is used in Ayurveda, an Indian alternative system of medicine. This study illustrates a comprehensive picture of saponins in four different species of Chlorophytum viz., Chlorophytum borivilianum Santapau and Fernandes, Chlorophytum glaucoides Blatt, Chlorophytum glaucum Dalz, Chlorophytum bharuchae Ansari, Sundargarh, Hemadri, from the western ghats of India. Metabolite profiling of leaves and tubers using Liquid Chromatography Quadrupole Time Of Flight Mass Spectrometry (LC-Q-TOF-MS) indicated presence of 13 saponins. C. glaucum was found to be abundant in saponins followed by C. glaucoides. Tokorogenin, diosgenin and sarsasapogenin are most abundant saponins confirmed from the leaves of C. glaucum and tubers of C. glaucoides.

Utilization of Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) Practitioners' Services Among Older Adults: Results From the Longitudinal Aging Study in India.

Ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and homeopathy (AYUSH) form an alternative system of medicine in India. Understanding the utilization of AYUSH practitioners' services is crucial to substantiating the current government initiatives to mainstream AYUSH in the Indian health system. The utilization of AYUSH practitioners' services among different sub-populations, including older adults, for various health conditions is underexplored. The present study explores the utilization of AYUSH practitioners' service among older Indian adults and its correlates. During 2017-2018, the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI) conducted a nationally representative study among adults aged 45 years or more and their spouses. The study leveraged this data from publicly available LASI. Descriptive analysis and cross-tabulation were performed using a subset of older adults (age ≥ 60 years, n = 31,464). The utilization of AYUSH practitioners' services was taken as the outcome variable. A logistic regression model was employed to understand the independent effect of various explorative variables on the use of AYUSH practitioners' services. One in 14 older adults utilized the services of AYUSH practitioners. The socio-demographic factors that were looked at, including religion, residence, and castewere significant independent factors for AYUSH consultation. Among chronic conditions, hypertension (use-5.6%, AOR: 1.24, CI: 1.09-1.40), diabetes (use-4.2%, AOR: 1.31, CI: 1.09-1.57), and arthritis (use-9.1%, AOR: 0.59, CI: 0.52-0.67) were independent determinants of AYUSH practitioners' service utilization. In the fully adjusted model, the effect of explanatory variables is almost similar to that in the minimally adjusted model. Only the effect of the female gender was accentuated in magnitude, whereas the effect of diabetes was partially attenuated. The preference for AYUSH practitioners' service among older adults is determined by the complex interplay between socio-demographic factors and disease conditions. Though utilization of AYUSH practitioners' service was high among certain underprivileged sections, it is assuring that education and income do not affect older populations' preference for AYUSH practitioners' service.

Ayurvedic Perspective of Abnormal Vaginal Discharge

In the context of wide prevalence and growing incidence of abnormal vaginal discharge throughout the globe and due to the lack of effective and safe therapy in modern science, there is an increasing focus on alternative systems of medicine. Ayurveda is an age-old life science that offers great potential in treating the symptom. The present study was taken up to review the theoretical foundations and empirical evidence of Ayurvedic drugs for this. Apart from consulting the texts in Ayurveda and modern systems, the study got access to internet sources like AYUSH Portal and PubMed, Google Scholar etc. Out of 90 papers identified, forty research papers were selected for review on various aspects of AVD, such as observational studies, clinical studies, review studies. They are reviewed for theoretical background, research techniques adopted, the drugs and methods employed for treatment and the parameters chosen for evaluation of the effects of these drugs. The results show that Ayurveda has both theoretical foundations and empirical evidence of efficacy of Ayurvedic drugs and shows the promise of evolving a polyherbal formulation to address the symptom holistically.

Phytochemical Composition, In Vitro Antioxidant, and Anticancer Activities of Cold Pressed Oil from Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Sesame seed oil (SSO) has long been used in many complementary and alternative medicine systems to treat a variety of maladies and ailments. SSO was obtained by cold pressing Sesamum indicum L. (sesame) seeds. Sesamum indicum L. (sesame) oil’s chemical constituents identified with GC-MS. Using the DDPH and MTT assays, respectively, the antioxidant and anticancer activities were investigated. phytosterols, (β-sitosterol, Campesterol, and Stigmasterol), lignans such as sesamin, fatty acids such as Oleic Acid, Esters of fatty acid, such as Hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester, Linoleic acid ethyl ester, flavonoids such as 3′,4′,7Trimethylquercetin, 6,8-di-c-a-glucosylluteolin, the carboxylic ester glycidyl oleate, alcoholic compounds, 1-heptatriacotanol, were the active chemical compounds detected in Sesamum indicum L. (sesame) oil. SSO has a high tocopherol profile. SSO showed antioxidant properties with DDPH radical scavenging of 63.1% relative to standard beta hydroxyl butyrate (BHT). The anticancer effects of SSO against Ovarian carcinoma (A-2780) cell line with IC50 = 1.68 ± 0.3 μg/mL. Sesamum indicum L. (sesame) oil’s chemical constituents identified with GC-MS showed antioxidant and anticancer properties.

RECENT ADVANCES IN NANOTECHNOLOGY - BASED DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS FOR DELIVERY OF PHYTOCONSTITUENTS WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON PSORIASIS MANAGEMENT

Psoriasis is an inflammatory, autoimmune disorder characterized by thick and silvery lesions of the skin. Beyond its physical dimension, this disease has a significant adverse effect on quality of life and represents a huge social health burden. Based on symptoms, psoriasis may be characterized from mild to severe. A range of therapeutic agents are available to treat the disease, but none is able to provide permanent cure of the disease. The most commonly used medicines for treatment of psoriasis include anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, biological and immunosuppressants. Though these drugs cure the disease to an extent, they are associated with many contra-indicative manifestations. Hence, an alternative system of medicine could be an excellent approach in the management of this disease, and numerous studies proved that bio-actives derived from natural sources have potential anti-psoriatic activity. Further, the therapeutic actions of these natural products can be enhanced by incorporating them in nano-formulations. The present era of medicine is focusing on implementation of natural product based nanotechnology to overcome the drawbacks of conventional treatment. This review primarily aims to focus on the recent advances in the field of natural product based nanomedicines for the effective management of psoriasis.

IJCM_124A: A cross sectional study to assess the prevalence, pattern and predictors of complementary and alternative medicine use among non – communicable disease patients in the urban field practise area of a Government Medical College, Bengaluru

Background: In the current century, a significant challenge is addressing the escalating global burden of Non-Communicable Diseases. Integrating Alternative and Complementary Medicine into the existing healthcare system is a major initiative to combat this issue. Despite increased access to free healthcare facilities, heightened disease awareness, and widespread exposure through electronic and print media, the popularity of unprescribed alternative medicine persists in India. Objectives: To assess the Prevalence, Patterns, and Predictors of Complementary and Alternative Medicine use among non-communicable disease patients in the urban field practice area of Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bengaluru. Methodology: A cross-sectional study conducted among non-communicable disease patients residing in the urban field practice area of Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bengaluru. A sample size of 250 was determined based on a pilot study and systematic random sampling used for participant recruitment. Data collection utilized a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Data analysed using SPSS 21.0 Results: Among the 250 participants, 55 (22%) used both Allopathic and Alternative medicines, only 11 (20%) exclusively relying on Alternative systems. Ayurveda was the most utilized alternative medicine 15(27.2%), followed by Sidda 8(14.5%). Statistically significant associations were observed between the usage of Alternative medicine and patients’ religion and education. Conclusion: A relatively small percentage of adults exclusively used Alternative systems of medicine in this study. Ayurveda emerged as the predominant alternative medicine, followed by Sidda. The prevalence of alternative medicine was higher among Hindus and participants with education below the primary level. These findings shed light on the complex dynamics of healthcare.

Rural-urban disparity in cancer burden and care: findings from an Indian cancer registry

BackgroundCancer incidence and mortality vary across the globe, with nearly two-thirds of cancer-related deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. The rural-urban disparity in socio-demographic, behavioural, and lifestyle-related factors, as well as in access to cancer care, is one of the contributing factors. Population-based cancer registries serve as a measure for understanding the burden of cancer. We aimed to evaluate the rural-urban disparity in cancer burden and care of patients registered by an Indian population-based cancer registry.MethodsThis study collected data from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, between 2017 and 2019. Sex and site-specific age-standardised rates for incidence and mortality per 100,000 population were calculated. Rural-urban disparities in cancer incidence and mortality were estimated through rate differences and standardised rate ratios (with 95% confidence intervals). Univariable and multivariable regressions were applied to determine any significant differences in socio-demographic and cancer-related variables according to place of residence (rural/urban). Crude and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated.Results6721 cancer patients were registered during the study duration. Urban patients were older and had better literacy and socioeconomic levels, while rural patients had higher odds of having unskilled or semi-skilled professions. Diagnostic and clinical confirmation for cancer was significantly higher in urban patients, while verbal autopsy-based confirmation was higher in rural patients. Rural patients were more likely to receive palliative or alternative systems of medicine, and urban patients had higher chances of treatment completion. Significantly higher incidence and mortality were observed for oral cancer among urban men and for cervical cancer among rural women. Despite the higher incidence of breast cancer in urban women, significantly higher mortality was observed in rural women.ConclusionsLow- and middle-income countries are facing dual challenges for cancer control and prevention. Their urban populations experience unhealthy lifestyles, while their rural populations lack healthcare accessibility. The distinctness in cancer burden and pattern calls for a re-evaluation of cancer control strategies that are tailor-made with an understanding of urban-rural disparities. Context-specific interventional programmes targeting risk-factor modifications, cancer awareness, early detection, and accessibility to diagnosis and care are essential.

Complementary and alternative system of medicine for type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications: A scoping review

Background This review aims to map the evidence on the effectiveness of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and its associated complications and identify research gaps in key outcomes and CAMs. Methods Our scoping review was informed by Johanna Briggs Institute guidelines. We searched electronic databases from inception to March 2020 and references of included studies. The experimental and non-randomized studies with intervention and control arm were mapped based on the effectiveness of various CAM (Yoga, Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Siddha, Naturopathy, Unani, and Sowa-rigpa) on outcomes among individuals with prediabetes or metabolic syndrome, and T2DM. Results A total of 249 studies were included after screening 3798 citations. Most of the included studies were conducted in India (30.52 %) and Iran (28.51 %). Of the 249 studies, 21 were efficacy, feasibility or pilot interventional studies. Most frequently studied CAM interventions include Ayurveda, and herbal products (58.63 %) followed by Yoga (20.88%). Unani medicines (n = 2 studies), Sowa-Rigpa (n = 1) and Homeopathy (n = 1) were the least studied modalities. With regards to population, 15 studies recruited newly diagnosed T2DM and 59 studies had included T2DM with comorbidity. Sixteen studies included population with mean ages 45-years or younger. Twenty-eight studies included pre-diabetic or metabolic syndrome, 46 studies included T2DM with no oral glycemic drugs, and 116 included T2DM with oral drugs. Blood sugars (fasting and postprandial) were the most measured outcomes. Outcomes such as HbA1c, lipid profiles, anthropometric measures, adverse effects were also assessed. Among complications, ulcer healing in diabetic foot ulcers was a commonly reported. Conclusion Future investments for research in CAM may focus on assessing the quality of existing trials and finding out an optimal dose, frequency, and duration of CAM that is beneficial, both as an alternative and complementary approach (or not) by carrying out a systematic review.

Pharmacological Investigation of Anticonvulsant Effect of Artemisia Vulgaris on Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Epileptic Seizures in Zebrafish Experimental Model

Background:: Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder, characterized by abnormal, unpredictable, and recurrent seizures. In the alternative medicine system, Artemisia vulgaris has been used to treat epileptic symptoms since its inception. However, scientific evidence concerning its effect on the treatment of epileptic seizures is not available. Objective:: The objective of the study is to evaluate the anti-convulsant potential of Artemisia vulgaris in zebrafish experimental models. Methods:: Zebrafish larvae and adult zebrafish were used as experimental models. Briefly, larvae and adult zebrafish were exposed to 0.5% of the test medicine Artemisia vulgaris mother tincture (ϕ) and its potencies (6CH, 30CH), and valproic acid for 1 hour. After 1 hour of exposure, they were exposed to pentylenetetrazole to record different seizure scores from 1 to 5 using ANY maze video tracking software. Results:: Artemisia vulgaris 30CH in zebrafish larvae and Artemisia vulgaris 6CH and 30CH in adult zebrafish delayed the latency score from score 1 to score 5 and were found effective against PTZinduced locomotor activity and seizure duration and intensity. Conclusion:: In conclusion, Artemisia vulgaris (6CH and 30CH) has the potential to be a novel treatment for symptomatic epileptic seizures and could be a potential alternative drug candidate for symptomatic treatment of epilepsy.

Determining Perception and Predilection for Ayurveda versus Allopathy amongst Educated Individuals Studying and Practising Allopathy at Different Levels

Background: Ayurveda is an alternative medicine system with historical roots in the Indian subcontinent. Ayurvedic preparations are typically based on complex herbal compounds, minerals, and metal substances. Up to 80% people in India use Ayurveda exclusively or combined with conventional Western medicine. The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is a recent global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). On 5th May 2023, WHO declared end of COVID-19 as PHEIC. As of 24th May 2023, the pandemic had caused more than 766 million confirmed cases and over 6.9 million deaths globally, making it one of the deadliest in history. It is necessary that the scientific community must draw on pluralistic knowledge systems available globally to strengthen the immune system and reduce dependence on any one system of medicine. It is time for us to strengthen our trust and belief in our age-old tradition and knowledge of Ayurveda. This study was planned to determine use of Ayurvedic medicines and associated beliefs of educated individuals studying and practicing allopathy at different levels. Materials and Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study amongst students pursuing a Bachelor of Pharmacy and Medical and Paramedical staff using an online questionnaire created using Google Forms. A total 229 respondent data were included in the study. The obtained information was summarised using Microsoft Excel and presented as percentages. The parameters that were studied were gender and age distribution of study subjects; preferred system of medicine for major ailments; reason for preferring allopathic medicine over ayurvedic medicine, rationale for rising credence of Ayurveda in COVID and post-COVID era; common perceptions regarding Ayurvedic medicines.Results: Most of our subjects were 18 to 35 years of age (176, 76.9%). One-third of the study subjects (77, 33.6%) preferred Ayurveda as the science for medical treatment. Ayurvedic treatment was preferred for gastro-intestinal and liver diseases. The rationale sought by study subjects for rising credence of Ayurveda during the COVID and post-COVID era were fewer side effects, ease of availability, and cost-effectiveness. Conclusion: COVID-19 has rekindled the belief and knowledge of people in Ayurveda. Predilection is to use ayurvedic and allopathic medicines together rather than Ayurveda alone and still people resort to allopathy to tide over acute conditions and immediate crisis.

Ayurvedic management of Alcohol Use Disorder

Substance use disorders are chronic relapsing disorders, leading to significant impairment in psychosocial functioning. Nicotine and alcohol are most widely consumed psychotropic drugs worldwide. The common use of both increases the risk of noncommunicable diseases to many folds. Conventional therapies have not been able to alter the outcome of these disorders significantly and frequent relapses continue to occur. Hence there is a need to look at complementary and alternate systems of medicine. Ayurveda remains one of the most ancient and yet living traditions practiced widely in India and has a sound philosophical and experiential basis. The planning of an effective adequate management of alcohol use disorder in Ayurveda with the aid of Ahara, Vihara, Achara and Aushadhi depends upon the strength of the disease (Roga) and the stamina of the patient (Rogi). Here is an attempt made to explain a case study of alcohol use disorder with holistic Ayurvedic management.

Prevalence and correlates of multimorbidity among patients attending AYUSH primary care settings in Delhi-National Capital Region, India

IntroductionIndia has a multifaceted healthcare system and recognizes complementary and alternative systems of medicine (AYUSH) that cater to the healthcare needs of people. Multimorbidity requires frequent visits to physicians and long-term use of medications, due to which people tend to prefer AYUSH systems as they provide holistic patient-centered treatment. Hence, we aimed to estimate the prevalence of multimorbidity and assess its correlates among patients attending AYUSH primary care clinics in Delhi.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 943 patients aged ≥ 18 years attending various AYUSH primary care clinics in Delhi from September 2021 to February 2022, employing a stratified random sampling technique. Descriptive statistics such as frequency and proportion were used to report the prevalence of multimorbidity (two or more chronic conditions in an individual out of the 33 conditions listed as per the Multimorbidity Assessment Questionnaire for Primary Care). A multivariable logistic regression assessed the association between various socio-demographic characteristics and multimorbidity, presented as an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI).ResultsThe prevalence of diabetes (14.7%) was found to be the highest (out of all included chronic conditions) among the patients attending various AYUSH primary care settings. The overall prevalence of multimorbidity was observed to be around 39.4%. We observed a higher likelihood of having multimorbidity among participants aged ≥ 70 years [AOR: 9.19 (95% CI: 3.75–22.54)], females [AOR: 1.57 (95% CI: 1.04–2.37)], and middle class [AOR: 2.23 (95% CI: 1.45–3.43)].ConclusionMultimorbidity was evidently prevalent across AYUSH primary care settings, which cannot be overlooked. The results suggest behavioral change communication may be aimed at older individuals, females, and the middle class.

Complementary and alternative system of medicine for type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications: A scoping review

Background This review aims to map the evidence on the effectiveness of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and its associated complications and identify research gaps in key outcomes and CAMs. Methods Our scoping review was informed by Johanna Briggs Institute guidelines. We searched electronic databases from inception to March 2020 and references of included studies. The experimental and non-randomized studies with intervention and control arm were mapped based on the effectiveness of various CAM (Yoga, Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Siddha, Naturopathy, Unani, and Sowa-rigpa) on outcomes among individuals with prediabetes or metabolic syndrome, and T2DM. Results A total of 249 studies were included after screening 3798 citations. Most of the included studies were conducted in India and Iran. Of the 249 studies, 21 were efficacy, feasibility or pilot interventional studies. Most frequently studied CAM interventions include Ayurveda, and herbal products (58.63 %) followed by Yoga (20.88%). Unani medicines (n = 2 studies), Sowa-Rigpa (n = 1) and Homeopathy (n = 1) were the least studied modalities. With regards to population, 15 studies recruited newly diagnosed T2DM and 59 studies had included T2DM with comorbidity. Sixteen studies included population with mean ages 45-years or younger. Twenty-eight studies included pre-diabetic or metabolic syndrome, 46 studies included T2DM with no oral glycemic drugs, and 116 included T2DM with oral drugs. Blood sugars (fasting and postprandial) were the most measured outcomes. Outcomes such as HbA1c, lipid profiles, anthropometric measures, adverse effects were also assessed. Among complications, ulcer healing in diabetic foot ulcers was a commonly reported. Conclusion Future investments for research in CAM may focus on assessing the quality of existing trials and finding out an optimal dose, frequency, and duration of CAM, both as an alternative and complementary approach.