Home /
Issues /
Volume 01, Issue 01
Decipher Ayurveda | Volume 01| Issue 01| Jan to Jun 2025
7 articles · July 2025
Review article
Anshika Sharma, Parth Vashisht, Maneesh Kumar Singh
Glaucoma, a major cause of permanent blindness throughout the world, is characterized by increased intraocular pressure (IOP) and gradual degeneration of RGCs primarily. Traditional treatments, which involve medications and surgical approache s, are often limited due to drug toxicity, incomplete effectiveness and patient non - compliance. Therefore there is increased attention on the scientific study of herbal drugs with neuro - protective, anti - oxidant, anti - inflammatory and IOP lowering effects. In addition, their use in the treatment of ocular hypertension and stress - related ocular pathologies have been previously examined, in this complete review, the authors describe in detail Ginkgo biloba, Lycium barbarum, saffron (Crocus sativus), curcumin, Panax ginseng, Camellia sinensis (green tea), Coleus forskohlii, Cannabis sativa, Hesperidin, and Bilberry, as traditional and new herbal medicines for the treatment of those pathologies. These botanicals act through multi - targeted approaches, such as impr ovement of ocular blood flow, modulation of oxidative stress - antioxidant and inflammatory pathways, and prevention of apoptotic cascades in retinal neurons. Clinical and preclinical studies suggest that these herbal agents can be added in the glaucoma trea tment armamentarium as an adjunct with complementary potential however more robust clinical trials are required to confirm their safety and effectiveness.
Herbal-oculatonicPressureStressIOPGinkgo biloba
Review article
Nikita Sarkar, Anjul Rathi
Spinal cord injuries, ischemic ins ults or neurodegenerative diseases lead to paralysis, which is an enormous therapeutic challenge with very few restorative treatments available. Herbal medicines have multiple biological activities that have increased scientific interest in their neurother apeutic potential in recent years. Medicinal plants phytochemicals have been shown to have antioxidative, anti - inflammatory, neuroprotective and neuroregenerative actions in preclinical and early - phase clinical trials. This review is a synthesis of histori cal, pharmacological and mechanistic evidences to assess the role of herbal drugs in the treatment of paralysis. Special focus is on major botanical agents that include Withania somnifera, Curcuma longa, Panax ginseng, and Ginkgo biloba and how they work i n terms of neural repair, inflammation regulation, oxidative stress, and synaptic plasticity. We also point at the existing scenario of preclinical and clinical investigations, discuss the shortcoming of standardization and bioavailability, and provide the prospects such as nanotechnology - based delivery systems, omics - based integration, and individualized herbal medicine. These results highlight the importance of translational research to close the gap between the encouraging results in animal models and th eir clinical use in human paralysis.
HerbalNeurotherapeutic potentialParalysisWithania somniferaCurcuma longa
Review article
Abhijit Gupta, Ranjeeta Verma, Vijay Pratap
Vitiligo, characterized by the loss of functional melanocytes resulting in depigmented patches, has long been a subject of both clinical and experimental investigation. Conventional treatments including corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, and phototherapy often provide variable results and can be associated with side effects. Over recent decades, interest in alternative therapeutic strategies has grown, and herbal drugs have emerged as a promising avenue due to their multifaceted actions, including antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and melanogenic properties. This review critically evaluates the current literature on herbal drugs used for the treatment of white skin patches, exploring preclinical studies, clinical trials, and proposed mechanisms of action. Particular attention is given to agents such as Psoralea corylifolia (Babchi), Ginkgo biloba , curcumin, and others that have been traditionally employed or have recently been investigated in controlled settings. We discuss how these agents may modulate oxidative stress, promote melanocyte regeneration, and counteract autoimmune processes implicated in vitiligo pathogenesis. Furthermore, we consider challenges in standardization, quality control, and dosage determination that hinder the broader clinical application of phytotherapy in vitiligo. Finally, future research directions are proposed, emphasizing the need for well ‐ designed, randomized controlled trials and a deeper understanding of the pharmacodynamics of herbal extracts. Overall, the integration of herbal therapies into vitiligo management may offer a complementary or alternative strategy that is both cost ‐ effective and with a lower side ‐ effect profile compared to conventional therapies.
HerbalVitiligoAloe VeraTurmericCurcumin
Review article
Sumit Panwar, Sweta Goel
Ayurveda the ancient Indian system of medicine of fers a holistic framework for understanding mental health that integrates physical, emotional, and spiritual well ‐being. This review article synthesizes classical Ayurvedic texts with contemporary research to explore how Ayurvedic lifestyle practices including tailored diet, yoga, meditation, and herbal therapies can contribute to mental wellness. By examining the ph ilosophical underpinnings, historical evolution, and emerging empirical evidence supporting Ayurvedic approaches, we aim to illuminate pathways toward integrative mental health care. The article also discusses the relevance of Ayurvedic concepts such as th e balance of doshas (biological energies), the role of prakriti (individual constitution), and the mind body spirit interconnection in promoting resilience against modern stressors. In doing so, we present a detailed analysis of how these ancient practices can complement contemporary mental health interventions and provide strategies for reducing the global burden of mental disorders.
Holistic mental healthAyurvedalifestyle practicesdoshasintegrative medicine
Review article
Sumanshi, Arun Kumar
Herbal drugs and medicines have been integral to healthcare systems for millennia, serving as primary therapeutic agents in traditional practices across diverse cultures. In recent decades, increasing global interest in natural remedies has prompted an urgent need for rigorous standardization to ensure safety, efficacy, and q uality. This review provides an in‐depth exploration of the evolution, current methodologies, challenges, and future directions in the standardization of herbal drugs and medicines. It examines historical perspectives from ancient pharmacopeias to modern r egulatory frameworks illustrates the advances in analytical techniques (such as chromatographic, spectroscopic, and bioassay methods), and discusses the integration of traditional knowledge with contemporary scientific approaches. Special emphasis is place d on quality control measures, the role of pharmacognosy, and the application of good manufacturing practices (GMP) and regulatory guidelines. Through a systematic analysis of the literature and case studies from multiple geographical regions, this review highlights critical issues, including variability in raw material quality, challenges in active constituent identification, and the need for harmonized international standards. The discussion further addresses emerging trends such as metabolomics, chemomet rics, and nanotechnology - based delivery systems that promise to revolutionize herbal drug standardization.
Herbal drugsStandardizationMedicinesPharmacopoeiaAnalytical techniques
Research article
Anurag Sharma, Ravi Gautam, Amber Mishra, Neelanchal Trivedi
Crinum asiaticum (Amaryllidaceae) and Linum usitatissimum (Linaceae) possess complementary anti - inflammatory chemistries Amaryllidaceae alkaloids (e.g., lycorine) and phenolic/flavonoid pools yet standardized synergy a cross cellular and in vivo models remains underexplored. S tandardize leaf extracts, quantify fixed ratio interactions, and evaluate mechanistic and translational correlates in macrophage and acute edema models. CAE ( Crinum asiaticum ethanolic leaf extract) (95% ethanolic extract) was standardized to lycorine (HPLC) and phenolics; LUE ( Linum usitatissimum hydroalcoholic leaf extract) (70% ethanolic extract) to phenolics/flavonoids, guided by recent profiling literature. Antiinflammatory activity was assessed in LP stimulated RAW 264.7 cells (NO by Griess; TNFα/PGE2 by EL=SA; MTT), with cytokine/signaling exploration (=L6, MCP1; iNOS/COX2; NF κB p65) and Chou Talalay combination indices (CI) at 50%/75% effect for CAE:LUE ratios (1:1, 2:3, 3:2). In vivo efficacy was examined in carrageenan paw edema (vehicle, diclofenac 10 mg/kg, CAE 120 mg/kg, LUE 180 mg/kg, & combinations totaling 300 mg/kg), with AUC, tissue biomarkers (MPO, MDA, nitrite, H2O2, GSH, catalase), and blinded histology; a CAE:LUE 2:3 hydrogel (1% w /w) was evaluated for localized edema and ex vivo release (Higuchi kinetics). Standardization yielded CAE lycorine 2.78% w/w and LUE phenolics/flavonoids 24.9/10.1 mg/g; viability was ≥90% to 60 μg/mL. Single agent =C50 (μg/mL): CAE NO 22.7, TNFα 31.4, PGE2 >120; LUE NO 36.1, TNFα 49.6, PGE2 76.8. The 2:3 ratio enhanced potency (=C5 0: NO 11.3; TNFα 18.2; PGE2 54.7) with C= indicating synergy strengthening at higher effects (NO 0.64→0.51; TNFα 0.71→0.59). =n vivo, 2:3 inhibited edema 61.9% at 4 h (diclofenac 66.7%), reduced AUC 36.4%, improved biomarkers, and lowered histology scor es; the hydrogel achieved 41.5% inhibition and 52.3% release at 8 h. A CAE:LUE 2:3 combination exhibits synergistic, multi - pathway anti - inflammatory efficacy with oral and topical promise.
Crinum asiaticumLinum usitatissimumLycorinePhenolicsSynergistic effects
Research article
Vidhi Varshney, Bhuvnesh Kumar Singh
This study outlines the development and validation of a straightforward, precise, and stability - indicating reverse phase high - performance liquid chromatographic (RP - HPLC) method for quantifying venlafaxine hydrochloride in capsule formulations. Forced degradation tests were conducted under ICH - recommended settings, encompassing acid, base, oxidative, hydrolytic, thermal, and photolytic stress to evaluate the drug's stabili ty profile. Chromatographic separation was accomplished utilizing a Hypersil BDS C8 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 µm) with a mobile phase comprising acetonitrile and phosphate buffer (pH 3.2) in a 55:45 v/v ratio. The detection wavelength was established at 2 28 nm. The retention time of venlafaxine was determined to be 4.25 minutes. The method was validated in accordance with ICH requirements concerning specificity, linearity, precision, accuracy, robustness, and ruggedness. The approach demonstrated exception al linearity within the concentration range of 5 – 60 µg/mL, with a correlation coefficient (r²) of 0.999. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantitation (LOQ) were established at 0.52 µg/mL and 1.58 µg/mL, respectively. Forced degradation experiments demons trated substantial disintegration under acidic (12.8%), basic (65.4%), and oxidative (20.7%) conditions, but photolytic and thermal stress resulted in minimal degradation (<10%). The established approach demonstrated precision, accuracy, robustness, and st ability - indicating properties, rendering it appropriate for regular quality control and stability assessment of venlafaxine in pharmaceutical formulations.
Venlafaxine hydrochlorideRP-HPLCstability-indicating methodICH guidelines
