Medicinal importance of Papra ( Royle) in Unani System of Medicine.

Royle [= (Royle) T.S. Ying] is an important, endemic medicinal plant species of Himalaya.

Anti-quorum Sensing and Anti-biofilm Activity of Zinc Oxide Nanospikes.

This study evaluates the impact of two separate incubation periods (4 and 6 weeks) on the morphology of sol-gel-fabricated ZnO nanospikes (ZNs), that is, ZN1 and ZN2, respectively. We further analyzed the inhibitory effects of ZN1 and ZN2 on quorum sensing (QS) and biofilm formation in (PAO1) and (strains 12472 and CVO26). The size of the synthesized ZNs was in the range of 40-130 nm, and finer nanoparticles were synthesized after an incubation period of 6 weeks.

The deregulated immune reaction and cytokines release storm (CRS) in COVID-19 disease.

COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, accompanies an unprecedented spike in cytokines levels termed cytokines release syndrome (CRS), in critically ill patients. Clinicians claim that the surge demonstrates a deregulated immune defence in host, as infected cell expression analysis depicts a delay in type-I (interferon-I) and type-III IFNs expression, along with a limited Interferon-Stimulated Gene (ISG) response, which later resume and culminates in elicitation of several cytokines including- IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, TNFα, IL-17, MCP-1, IP-10 and IL-10 etc. Although cytokines are messenger molecules of the immune system, but their increased concentration results in inflammation, infiltration of macrophages, neutrophils and lung injury in patients.

Active Extracts Modulate Expression of Crucial Proinflammatory Mediators/Cytokines and NFκB Cascade in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Albino Wistar Rat Model.

Introduction: Chronic inflammation is implicated in a multitude of diseases, including arthritis, neurodegeneration, autoimmune myositis, type 2 diabetes, rheumatic disorders, spondylitis, and cancer. Therefore, strategies to explore potent anti-inflammatory regimens are pivotal from a human-health perspective. Medicinal plants represent a vast unexplored treasure trove of therapeutically active constituents with diverse pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory properties.

Concept of 'Ihtiraq' in Unani Medicine - A correlation with oxidative stress, and future prospects.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: In recent years, oxidative stress (OS) and the generation of ROS have been recognized as a fundamental pathology contributing, at least partially, to a number of important diseases. However, the therapeutic application has been simplistically limited to using antioxidants with little correction of diseases, and many biomarkers of OS, although confirming and quantifying the magnitude of this pathology, are not suggestive of the underlying causes behind generation of a large amount of free radicals. Unfortunately, research has not noted the multi-implication parallel phenomenon of Ihtiraq (Combustion) in Unani Medicine, which possesses much richer etiopathological sub-typing and much more variegated selective and specific treatments (and prophylactics) corresponding to each sub-type of Ihtiraq; the identification of each sub-type's molecular counterparts can be used to develop not only sub-types of OS pathologies and corresponding selective treatments/prophylactics but also non-biomolecular factors.

(regimenal therapy): a core mode of Unani treatment.

Since antiquity, the Unani system of medicine has been participating in health care system. Usually, four modes of treatment viz. regimenal therapy, dietotherapy, pharmacotherapy and surgery are applied for the treatment of diseases.

Lithotriptic effect of in patients of (Nephrolithiasis) - an open prospective clinical validation trial.

Background: (Nephrolithiasis) is one of the most common chronic conditions and has been known to the mankind since antiquity. The incidence is increasing globally with geographic, racial and gender variation in its occurrence. Medical management of Nephrolithiasis still poses a considerable challenge for modern medical practice.

Caffey Disease in Infancy: A diagnostic dilemma for primary care physicians.

Caffey disease is a rare and self-limiting condition characterised by cortical hyperostosis with inflammation of adjacent and muscles. It usually presents in infancy and clinical features include hyperirritability, acute inflammation with swelling of overlying soft tissues and subperiosteal new bone formation. Awareness of the existence of this rare condition and its typical clinical and radiological profile will avoid unnecessary investigations and treatment and help the physician to explain its good prognosis to parents of affected children.

Oxidative stress in Vitiligo patients and administration of Munzij and Mushil therapy, a poly herbal Unani formulation - hospital-based study.

Background Vitiligo, a skin disorder is viewed as a multifactorial process with major role of reactive oxygen species in concert to destroy or incapacitate melanocytes. In Unani system of medicine the treatment of Bars (Vitiligo) starts with removal of harmful materials from the body with Munzij and Mushil (MM), a poly herbal Unani formulation. Methods Herein, oxidative stress related parameters as MDA, SOD, GPx and CAT have been estimated in the 21 clinically diagnosed Vitiligo in-patients and subsequently these parameters were evaluated during and after administration of MM therapy and compared with 21 healthy subjects.

Hammam-i-Bukhari (Turkish bath): A promising regimenal mode of Unani treatment.

Hammam-i-Bukhari (Turkish bath) is one of the important regimens used for the prevention and cure of several bodily ailments in Unani system of medicine. This regimen is usually practiced in the Arab world. The classical Turkish bath is built in the form of cavernous structure with beautiful classy mosaics and fountains.

Molecular characterization of recombinant arginase of Leishmania donovani.

Arginase catalyzes the first committed step in the biosynthesis of polyamines that enable cell growth and hence potential drug target for the treatment of leishmaniasis. The arginase from Leishmania donovani (LdARG) was cloned, overexpressed and characterized. Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence of LdARG with homologous enzyme from other trypanosomatids arginases identified a non-conserved 12 residues long segment VWGLIERTFLSA from position 161-172.

Unani concept of drug substitution (therapeutic interchange) and its validation on scientific parameters.

Background: Unani concept of therapeutic interchange, despite having immense practical aspect, has not been touched upon in a coherent way by most of the Unani scholars except Razi (Rhazes 865-925 AD), who took the concept plausibly and framed rules for alternate drug prescription at the time of unavailability of the drugs of choice.

Objective: The Unani concept of therapeutic interchange is based on similarity in action, temperament and physical properties of drugs mainly botanicals, which are already established and need no further discussion; however, phytochemistry has not been considered a basis for substitution. Therefore, objective of this study was evaluation of the concept on phytochemical parameters as actions of most drugs are due to phytoconstituents.

Cabazitaxel and silibinin co-encapsulated cationic liposomes for CD44 targeted delivery: A new insight into nanomedicine based combinational chemotherapy for prostate cancer.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are the promising targets for cancer chemotherapy that cannot be eliminated by conventional chemotherapy. In this study cationic liposomes of cabazitaxel (CBX) and silibinin (SIL) were prepared with an aim to kill cancer cells and CSCs for prostate cancer. CBX act as cancer cell inhibitor and SIL as CSC inhibitor.

Genetic variations in key inflammatory cytokines exacerbates the risk of diabetic nephropathy by influencing the gene expression.

Background: Diabetic nephropathy is the single strongest predictor of mortality in patients with diabetes. The development of overt nephropathy involves important inter-individual variations, even after adjusting for potential confounding influences of modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. Genome-wide transcriptome studies have reported the activation of inflammatory signaling pathways and there is mounting indication of the role of genetic factors.

Antimicrobial and wound healing potential of Marham-e-Aatshak (A Herb-o-Mineral formulation).

Marham-e-Aatshak (MA) is a Unani ointment, with wide use for treating chronic and infectious wounds since long time. This study was designed to screen the antimicrobial and wound healing potential of MA to validate the ethno-therapeutic claims. The agar diffusion method was used to study the antimicrobial action of MA as well as for all of its ingredients.

Chemical composition and pharmacological potential of aromatic water from Salix caprea inflorescence.

Objective: To evaluate the chemical composition and pharmacological potential of hydro distillate from Salix caprea inflorescence.

Methods: Fresh flowers were subjected to conventional hydrodistillation. Antioxidant activity was assessed as free radical scavenging capacity (RSC) towards 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) radicals.

Compensation to clinical trial participants in India: A gap analysis.

The recent amendments notified by the Government of India, for conducting clinical trial, is greatly appreciable as promoting safety and well-being of human subjects. These rules clearly state that medical management of injuries in clinical trials is mandatory, and clinical trial-related injury or death needs to be compensated over and above the medical management. These rules need to be reconsidered for simplification and better understanding of issues regarding compensation.

Teachers' and Parents' Perspectives on a Curricular Subject of "Religion and Spirituality" for Indian Schools: A Pilot Study Toward School Mental Health Program.

Religious-spiritual (R/S) education helps medical students cope with caregiving stress and gain skills in interpersonal empathy needed for clinical care. Such R/S education has been introduced into K-12 and college curricula in some developed nations and has been found to positively impact student's mental health. Such a move has not yet been seen in the Indian education system.

Liposphere mediated topical delivery of thymoquinone in the treatment of psoriasis.

Thymoquinone (TMQ) is reported with good anti-psoriatic activity; however, the hydrophobicity, poor aqueous solubility, light and pH sensitive nature of TMQ hinder its delivery to target site. To address these delivery challenges of TMQ, lipospheres were explored. The topical use of lipospheres offers an effective mean of penetration along with stability and scalability.

Insights into the Targeting Potential of Thymoquinone for Therapeutic Intervention Against Triple-negative Breast Cancer.

Background: Thymoquinone (TQ) is a bioactive phytoconstituent obtained from Nigella sativa (black seeds). It has promising potential in cancer prevention.

Objective: Previous studies have shown that TQ can modulate signaling pathways responsible for cancer progression, thus enhancing the efficacy and improving the safety profile of clinically used anticancer drugs.

Comparative toxicity study on classical and modified version of Jawarish Jalinoos (a traditional Unani formulation) in rats.

Background: Jawarish Jalinoos (JJ) is a classical semisolid traditional Unani formulation clinically used for the treatment of weakness of vital organs, liver, and stomach. Although JJ has been widely used clinically for several decades, no scientific report is available for its safety.

Methods: JJ and its sugar-free tablet version (SFJJ; formulated to target diabetic population) were assessed for safety in rats.

Anti-inflammatory and immuno-modulatory studies on LC-MS characterised methanol extract of Gentiana kurroo Royle.

Background: In ayurvedic traditional medicine Gentiana kurroo Royle (family; Gentianaceae) is used to treat several metabolic diseases. This plant is rich in various compounds belonging to flavonoids and glycosides. Till now little work has been carried out on immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory potential of this plant.

Analysis of anti-bacterial and anti oxidative activity of bark using various solvents extracts.

Herbal medications have been used for relief of symptoms of disease. Regardless of the great advances observed in current medicine in recent decades, plants still make a significant contribution to health care. An alarming increase in bacterial strains resistant to a number of antimicrobial agents demands that a renewed effort be made to seek antibacterial agents effective against pathogenic bacteria resistant to or less sensitive to current antibiotics.

Co-delivery of rapamycin- and piperine-loaded polymeric nanoparticles for breast cancer treatment.

P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux is the major cause of multidrug resistance (MDR) in tumors when using anticancer drugs, moreover, poor bioavailability of few drugs is also due to P-gp efflux in the gut. Rapamycin (RPM) is in the clinical trials for breast cancer treatment, but its P-gp substrate property leads to poor oral bioavailability and efficacy. The objective of this study is to formulate and evaluate nanoparticles of RPM, along with a chemosensitizer (piperine, PIP) for improved oral bioavailability and efficacy.