Ayurveda - From Ancient science to Emerging science

1.From prakriti to Ayurgenomics.
2.From Nadi pariksha to Electro dosha graphy
3.From swasthavrittha to Epigenetics
4.From panchakarma to fight against environmental pollutants, chemicals and pesticides.
5.From rasa, guna, virya, vipaka to Reverse pharmacology
6.From organogenesis in classics to stem cell theory
7.From vaata to NO2.

NEEM AS BEST HERBAL CONTRACEPTIVE

Nimba (Azadirachta indica):

1.          Neem seed oil has been reported to possess strong spermicidal activity against rhesus monkey and human spermatozoa within 30 seconds of mixing with semen. (Sinha et al., 1984)^[29]
2.    Neem seed oil is found to be lethal to spermatozoa at 1000mg  and 250mg per 100 spermatozoa in 5 minutes and 30 minutes respectively (saxena et al., 1959)^[30]
3. An injection of neem oil into uterine horn created an immunological response and prevented pregnancy for 5 months. (Upadhyaya et al., 1990)^[31]
4. Ethanolic extract of bark reduces implantation sites in healthy uterus.^[32]
5. Bark extract when used arrested the growth of primary follicles, a fibrotic appearance was seen at the time of treatment.^[33]
6.   Significant reduction in sperm motility at cauda epidydymis is found after treatment with neem extract. It is the ultimate effect of inhibition of leydig cell function in males^[34]
7. Reduction in fertility was observed due to infiltration of leucocytes in uterus resulting in inhibition of implantation and blockage of pregnancy. 
8. Anti implantation activity has been reported to be due to histological changes produced by inhibition of estrogen induced changes in uterus.Implantation losses were due to steroidogenic depression evidenced by reduced plasma progesterone and LH levels or due to imbalance of progesterone estrogen ratio^[35]
9. Anti flagellate activity of neem extract helped for the spermistatic activity.^[36]

          

         Referances:

29. JLN Sastry, Iiustrated Dravya guna vijnana, Volume 2, Varanasi, choukhambha Orientalia, 2^nd Edition, 2005

30. JLN Sastry, Iiustrated Dravya guna vijnana, Volume 2, Varanasi, choukhambha Orientalia, 2^nd Edition, 2005

31. JLN Sastry, Iiustrated Dravya guna vijnana, Volume 2, Varanasi, choukhambha Orientalia, 2^nd Edition, 2005

32. Vaidya Mukund sabnis, Chemistry and pharmacology of Ayurvedic medicinal plants, Varanasi, Chaukhambha amarabharati prakasham, 1^st editin, 2006

33. Vaidya Mukund sabnis, Chemistry and pharmacology of Ayurvedic medicinal plants, Varanasi, Chaukhambha amarabharati prakasham, 1^st editin, 2006

34. Vaidya Mukund sabnis, Chemistry and pharmacology of Ayurvedic medicinal plants, Varanasi, Chaukhambha amarabharati prakasham, 1^st editin, 2006

35.Reshu Mandal & patwant kaur Dhaliwal, Antifertility effect of melia azedarch (dherak) seed extract in female albino rats. Indian journal of experimental biology, vol 45, october 2007, pp 853-860.

36.Available: http://www.neemfoundation.org/neem-articles/neem-in-health/neem-cures/birth-control.html

GOKSHURA - A MULTIFACETED DRUG OF AYURVEDIC GYNECOLOGY & OBSTESTRICS

                                    Gokshura, is given in mutravirechaniya, sotha hara, krimighna gana by charaka where majority of its indications fall. It is given in vidarigandadhi gana by vagbhata, in viratarvadi, vidarigandadi, laghupanchamoola ganas by susrutha. As per classics, its main actions are vata pitta hara, rakta pitta hara, anulomana, vrishya, mootradosha hara, mutra kricha hara, mootrala, sotha hara, garbhasthapaka, Ashmari hara etc. By this we can interpret that the main site of action is at the urogenital system. The less common indication of gokshura is that it is used also for kesa vardhana when used for external application, Arshas, hridroga, Swasa, Kasa.Its root and fruit being the parts used mainly, its theraupetic indications and preventive aspects are multifaceted especially in prasuti and stree roga (gyn obs).Gokshura (Tribulus terristris of zygophyllaceae) as said in the title is a multi faceted drug in gyn obs. The gokshura is of madhura rasa, guru snigdha guna, sheeta virya and madhura vipaka.The gynic indications include infertility, breast complaints, Vesico-vaginal infections etc. The obstetric indications include prevention of Eclampsia, management of mild to moderate hypertension(PIH), management of pedal odema etc.

                                           

Gokshura in Gynic perspective:

• With Gokshura in its gynic perspective, the most practical indications of gokshura include leucorrhoea where the gokshura tackles both gram negative, gram positive and fungal infections which take their origin at urinary track and spread to vagina or vice versa based on vasti sodhaka, mootrala, sotha hara properties.

• The other important thing is it is widely used in infertility practice where it improves the nuero-endocrinal hormonal axis. In this aspect, it has a very good role to play in both anatomical and physiological ways.

• It is also indicated in sexual dysfunction, both in male and female indicating its vrishya property.

• As a rasayana drug, which decreases the oxidative stress in the tissues, it is now widely used as anti carcinogenic drug, with its efficacy to Genito-urinary system.

• Apart from above said, this is used in Dysfunctional uterine bleeding, or bleeding conditions in peri menopausal women with hypertension as it is also rakta pitta hara. This is also a very good herb with good amount of natural calcium, making it a good menopausal drug.

Gokshura in obstetric perspectives:

• In the obs perspective, this is one of the most useful drug used as preventive, and in the management of garbhini sotha(Pedal odema), garbhini rakta chapa(PIH), yoshapasmara(PET).

• Again because of its mootrala property, with potassium sparing effect it is very good choice to prevent PIH in pregnancy and to manage mild to moderate PIH, thus preventing PET.

• Apart from this, because of its garbhasthapaka property it is the routinely prescribed drug in pregnancy from sixth month, without any doubt of contraindication.

• Also the 2^nd trimester complaints in pregnancy i.e PIH( Pregnancy induced HTN), PET pedal odema, false pain, Urinary track infections etc are taken care by gokshura alone.

Conclusion:

As the latest research work on the gokshura is also in support of its classical indications, it is one of the most reliable gyn obs drug from Ayurveda. Also it proves to be a multi faceted drug providing all the above results when given as a whole drug, and not in extract form. Even though the toxicity study and contraindications in usage of gokshura in pregnancy are not studied and published, it is one of the safest drugs which is being regularly and routinely used in ayurvedic prasuti stree roga departments.