Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medical Research

Cancer is a complex and serious illness. The modern treatment and techniques treat succeed on many types of diseases unfortunately there is no appropriate medicine for every types of Cancer. The Siddha Medical System correlates the diseases like Puttru Noi, Vipprudhi, Kandankirandhi, Kaddi, Raajapilavai, Thurmaangisam, Maamisa makotharam, Sathai adaippu and Silandhi with the signs and symptoms of Cancer under the Modern Medical Systems. In Siddha Medicine, medicinal plants play an important role in treating many diseases, though animal products and minerals also used in drugs.  Rasa Ganthi Meluku, Nanthimai, Rasaparpam, Vangaparpam, Senkoddai ghee, Sengoddai illagam etc are some of the important medicine mentioned in the Siddha Medical texts to treat Cancer. In this research we identify and discuss the raw materials which are used to cure the diseases related to Cancer in modern medicine. Sesame seed is mostly noted (3.15%) in the above important medicines. Longer pepper used in 2.36%, Garlic, Ginger, Chebulic myrobalan and Black cummin used in 2.10% of important medicines. Mercury is mostly noted (12.77%) in the above important medicines. Sulphur used in 10.64%, Arithaaram and Inthuppu used in 7.45% of important medicines. Ghee is mostly noted (40.91%) in the above important medicines. Cow milk used in 27.27%, and goat milk used in 9.09% of important medicines.

Aim: This study was designed to determine the knowledge and utilization of traditional medicine for Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM) among residents of Pakuri (St. Cuthbert’s Mission) in Guyana. Since treatment for T2DM is expensive with multiple side effects, it has become necessary to explore the use of plant-base medicine.

Methodology: The study utilized a descriptive cross sectional design. Systematic random sampling procedures were done to identify study population. Prior informed consent from the village council, the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and individual participants were sought before the commencement of the study. The study was conducted over a four- week period.

Results: Three hundred and eighteen (318) participants were recruited for the study. The mean (±SD) knowledge score was 85.1 ± 16.8 with 50.9% of the study participants having good knowledge in traditional medicine for diabetes. T2DM affected 40.3% of the study participants; of this population and more than half of the participants used traditional medicine to control their symptoms. Significant association was seen with age, gender, education and marital status among participants using traditional medicine for diabetes.

Conclusion: It is concluded that the use of traditional medicine is becoming increasingly popular and as such, efforts need to be made to revive and coordinate the use of medicinal plants/herbs by the Ministry of Public Health and Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affair including the native flora of the local ecosystems. In addition, conclusive evidence on the contribution of the traditional medicine on the final outcome of management of T2DM could not be reach since the study was not controlled.

Aim: The aim of the study was to carry out a comparative analysis of the phytochemical composition of the leaves of four selected tropical medicinal plants namely: Ocimum gratissimum, Piper guineense, Gongronema latifolium and Vernonia amygdalina.

Methodology: The phytochemicals in the plant leaves were extracted by cold maceration in ethanol and subjected to both qualitative and quantitative analysis of the phytochemicals.

Results: The qualitative and quantitative analysis revealed the presence of the bioactive compounds alkaloids, Saponins, flavonoids, steroids, glycosides, terpenoids, polyphenols, specific cardiac glycosides, tannins, phytates and reducing compound in the leaves of each plant at varying quantities. Resins were only detected in O. gratissimum. From the quantitative analysis, Gongronema latifolium had the highest percentage content of alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, tannins and reducing sugars. Ocimum gratissimum had the highest flavonoid content.

Conclusion: Taken together, G. latifolium on balance had a higher phytochemical content than the other three plants and thus should be more versatile in the treatment of a whole range of diseases. This was followed by V. amygdalina, O. gratissimum and P. guineense in that order. The fact that most of these phytochemicals have antioxidant activity may be responsible for their antidiabetic activities and use in treatment of other free radical prone diseases.

Objective: One of the sequelae of diabetes mellitus is chronic foot ulcer. This study investigated wound healing propensity of the pulp and rind of Ananas comosus (a widely cultivated fruit with many health benefits) in diabetic wistar rats.

Methods: The excisional wounds of twenty four adult wistar rats with induced diabetes in four groups of six each were dressed with the pulp powder (PPD), pulp extract (PED), rind powder (RPD) and rind extract (RED) of A. comosus daily till healed. Also the mean wound contraction rates were calculated from the wound areas every three days. Granulation tissue was biopsied from an animal per group on day 3, 6 and 9 for histopathological evaluation. Each of these groups had a corresponding equal number control group with similar procedures performed.

Results: The mean wound contraction rates of the rind pulp diabetic (RPD) and rind extract diabetic (RED) groups paralleled those of their respective control group (RPC, REC) as they were not significantly different. Also amongst the diabetic groups, the rind of A. comosus demonstrated greater wound healing capability over the respective pulp counterpart (PPD, PED) as evidenced by significantly higher mean wound contraction rates. Histopathologic features of the granulation tissues and scars of the diabetic groups were similar to those of the control groups.

Conclusion: Although, both the rind and pulp of unripe A. comosus either in extract or powder formulation were shown in this study to possess excellent healing potentials in diabetic wounds, the rind appeared to be better off and may be a viable alternative to the wound dressing materials currently in use in the management of diabetic wounds / ulcers.

The present review determines the potentiality of therapeutic activity of Trinapanchamool, a group of five native grasses namely- kush, kaas, nala, darbha, ikshu; all belonging to family Poaceae which is an important therapeutic formulation widely used in Ayurveda. The Grasses are underestimated medicinal repository. A large number of Grasses have been indicated for the treatment of various ailments in classics. Which are least affected by the climatic change and natural calamities. These herbs have been used in social rituals in day today life, meditation purposes and in therapeutics. In spite of environmental changes this group of herbs remain unaffected where as various other herbs have entered in to Red Data Book due to environmental adversity and other exploitation. Herbs under study possess diversified therapeutic potential which is time tested right from the dawn of human civilization. Therapeutic potential of these herbs discussed in ancient Ayurveda classics have been experimentally and clinically verified in modern era. In spite of well established therapeutic potential and easy availability, this group of herbs has least therapeutic application in modern Ayurveda. From the study it may be concluded that Trinapanchamool is important group of therapeutically potential herbs. There is need towards judicious use of these herbs in therapeutics for the well-being of ailing humanity.