Background: The burden of iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) remains persistently high in India due to the poor tolerability of oral iron supplementation. Therefore, more focus is required to explore traditional medicine for safe and effective options for managing IDA. Aim: To assess the clinical safety and efficacy of Dhatri Lauha in patients with IDA. Materials and methods: An open-label, prospective, single-arm, multi-center trial was conducted at 12 centers with a sample size of 40 participants per study site. Patients with IDA aged 18-60 years with hemoglobin levels in the range of 6-10gm/dl, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) <80 fl, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) <34 μg/dl, serum ferritin <30 μg/dl and serum iron <50 μg/dl were included in the study. Dhatri Lauha 500 mg capsule was administered twice daily with lukewarm water after meals for 45 days. The primary outcome measure was the change in hemoglobin (Hb%) level from baseline to day 45. Secondary outcome measures included the change in MCV, MCHC, serum iron and ferritin levels, incidence of adverse events, and change in safety parameters (liver and kidney function tests). The mean (statistical) change in outcome measures from baseline to day 45 was compared using a paired sample t-test. Results: Out of 458 participants enrolled in the study, 400 contributed to the final analysis. A significant difference was observed in the outcome parameters such as Hb%, MCV, MCHC, serum ferritin, and serum iron levels (P < 0.001) after 45 days of treatment. Mean Hb% changed from 8.46 ± 1.14 g/dl at baseline to 9.18 ± 1.61 g/dl on day 45 (P < 0.001). LFT and KFT were within the normal limits after the study period. No participant withdrew from the study due to adverse events. Conclusions:Dhatri Lauha is a safe intervention and can be expected to improve hemoglobin levels, red blood cell parameters, and iron stores in patients with IDA. Future RCTs with a larger sample size, standard care as control and a longer follow-up may produce more accurate and reliable results.

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Introduction: Rasamanikya (RM) and Guduchi Ghana (GG) are well-known formulations for treating skin disorders in Ayurveda. The drug RM is prepared from Shuddha Haratala (processed orpiment) as a single ingredient. In the present study, RM was prepared from the Haratala, which was Shodhita, with two different media, viz., Kushmanda Swarasa and Churnodaka. In the classics, the preparation of RM is mentioned in the Kushmanda Shodhita Haratala. However, the availability and cost of Kushmanda are the main points of concern in the present era. Shodhana of Haratala by Churnodaka is more cost-effective than Kushmanda Swarasa. Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the comparative efficacy of RM prepared by Churnodaka Shodhita Haratala (CSHRM) and RM prepared by Kushmanda Shodhita Haratala (KSHRM) with GG in Ekakustha (psoriasis). Materials and methods: The study was a randomized double-blind study involving 76 patients with Ekakushtha that were randomly divided into two groups. Patients registered in group A (n = 37) were treated with CSHRM with GG (125 mg + 375 mg) and group B (n = 36) with KSHRM with GG (125 mg + 375 mg) for 8 weeks. The Wilcoxon signed rank test and paired t-test were applied to evaluate the effect of therapy in the individual group for subjective criteria like the PASI score, Matsyashakalopamam (looks like the scales of a fish), Rukshata (dryness), Aswedanam (anhydrosis), Daha (burning), Strava (discharge), Unnati (raised patches), Kandu (itching), Mahavastu (broad-based), and Vaivarnya (discoloration), while the comparison of results between the groups for the same was done by applying the Coefficient of Variation (CV). Result: CSHRM with GG showed better results in all signs and symptoms except Matsyaskalopamam, Aswedanam, Strava, Mahavastu, Nindra and DLQI in terms of the coefficient of variation. In both groups, statistically highly significant (P > 0.001) improvement was found in the signs and symptoms of Ekakushtha. However, the difference between the groups was statistically nonsignificant. Conclusion: Rasamanikya prepared with both media Shodhita Haratala along with Guduchi Ghana was discovered to be a safe and effective psoriasis treatment.

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Background: Hanshia dabar or hathkan is one of the folklore plant of Odisha, the botanical source of which is Leea macrophylla Roxb. ex Hornem., family Vitaceae. Its root and leaves are eaten as vegetables, and used for Rasayana purpose (tonic and alterative properties). Aim: The aim is to assess the nutritive value and antioxidant potential of the root and leaves of L. macrophylla with compound leaf. Materials and methods: Nutritional parameters such as energy value, carbohydrate, protein, true protein, fat, mineral contents, and Vitamin A, Vitamin C of the root and leaves of the plant were evaluated with standard procedures. The in vitro antioxidant properties of the root and leaf of L. macrophylla were screened through 1,1diphenyl2picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, and phosphomolybdenum assay. Results: Root is having higher energy value (391.87 Kcal/100 g) as compared to leaf (353.62 Kcal/100 g). L. macrophylla root and leaf showed the presence of carbohydrates (30.65% and 21.72%), protein (8.78% and 9.37%), true protein (6.85% and 7.23%), fat (0.77% and 1.89%), iron (723.80 ppm and 285.07 ppm), zinc (26.51 ppm and 13.75 ppm), manganese (44.88 ppm and 35.00 ppm), phosphorous (0.07 ppm and 0.03 ppm), calcium (7806.90 ppm and 3862.80 ppm), Vitamin A (3.63 mg/g and 2.47 mg/g), and Vitamin C (8.49 mg/g and 6.7 mg/g), respectively. Percentage scavenging of DPPH radical was found to rise with an increase in concentration. IC50 values of root and leaf, by DPPH assay, were 66.46 and 110.68 μg/ml, respectively. In the FRAP assay, the antioxidant activity of the methanolic extract of leaf (507.06 μmol/l) was found to be more than root (455.93 μmol/l). The total antioxidant capacity of root and leaf were 20.15 and 17.90 mg, equivalent to ascorbic acid on a dry weight basis, respectively. Conclusion: Root and leaf of L. macrophylla has the highest energy value, contains carbohydrate, protein, fat, iron, zinc, manganese, phosphorous, calcium, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C, and possesses antioxidant capacity.

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Background: Achillea millefolium L. is traditionally important medicinal herb used for the treatment of various ailments from the centuries. Recent studies showed its biological activities on hay fever, hepato-biliary disorders, and as appetite enhancing drug. It is also reported to be used for the treatments of skin inflammations, wounds, cuts, and abrasions. Aim: To investigate preliminary pharmacognostical, phytochemical, and molecular parameters of aerial parts of the drug. Materials and methods: A. millefolium was identified and collected from the Himalaya region. The material is properly dried, macro-and microscopic evaluation, phytochemical and molecular studies as per the standard quality control and WHO guidelines. Results: The leaves are pinnately lobed, inflorescence compound corymbose. Nonglandular trichomes are uni-seriate, multicellular, and smooth walled; glandular trichomes are bicellular, present throughout the aerial parts. The endodermis is evident in the stem and leaf mesophyll is equifacial. The partial genome sequence analysis showed similarity toward studied species, which can clearly distinguish it from other species of the genus Achillea. The best chromatographic separation was observed with ascentis express C18, 2.7 μm, 100 mm × 4.6 mm. The flavonoids and phenolic acids have shown maximum absorbance at 330 nm. The system suitability parameters such as theoretical plate, tailing factor, and resolution met the acceptance criteria with United States pharmacopeia (USP). Conclusion: The findings of this study will be helpful for the precise identification of the raw drug of A. millefolium from its closely allied species.

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Background: Punarnavadi Mandura, a compound Ayurvedic formulation, is one of the most commonly used medicine in the treatment of anemia (Pandu) in Ayurveda. The safety profile of this formulation is well established; however, no pharmacological study has been reported to provide the scientific basis for its use in the treatment of anemia. Aim: To evaluate the hematinic effect of Punarnavadi Mandura against mercuric chloride-induced anemia in albino rats. Materials and methods: The test drug (Punarnavadi Mandura) was suspended in distilled water and administered orally in a dose of 450 mg/kg for 30 days in rats. Anemia was induced by simultaneous administration of mercuric chloride (9 mg/kg) for 30 consecutive days. Body weight was noted for each animals. At the end, haematological parameters, anaemia markers like serum iron, ferritin, and total iron binding capacity (TIBC), as well as relative weight of organs and histopathology investigation, were examined. Results: Exposure of mercuric chloride to rats for 30 days resulted in a significant decrease of body weight, an increase in the weight of the liver and kidney and a decrease in hemoglobin content. It also decreased serum ferritin to a significant extent and increased serum TIBC. Histopathology of the liver shows macro fatty changes, vacuolization, marked necrosis, and severe degenerative changes, while the kidney shows cell infiltration. All these changes were significantly attenuated by the administration of Punarnavadi Mandura. Conclusion: The present data indicate that Punarnavadi Mandura has possessing marked cytoprotective activity, significantly attenuated the HgCl₂-induced adverse changes on red blood cell related parameters, and showing hematinic activity in albino rats.

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