Sri Lanka Journal of Indigenous Medicine (SLJIM)

Systematic review of the traditional medicine-based clinical trials for osteoarthritis

2025-01-29

There are uprising trends to use traditional medicinal interventions in treating chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis. Therefore, this study aimed to systematically review the scientific literature on different Traditional Medicine interventions for osteoarthritis. This systematic review was conducted by searching PubMed, Scopus and Science for published studies reporting the Traditional Medicine treatment methods for osteoarthritis from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2020. The following keywords were searched: “Traditional Medicine Treatment” and “Osteoarthritis”. The study followed the standard PRISMA method to systematically review the selected literature and adhere to the PICO format. Data were analyzed for the Traditional Medicine and country with trial registration, details of trials: randomization and blinding, phases, testing hypothesis and placebo control, trial design, number of arms, and trial outcomes. Traditional Chinese medicine interventions were recorded as the highest, 84% of research studies have clinical trial registration. 42% of research studies followed simple randomization methods and 42% of research studies followed the doubled-blind method. 32% of research studies were placebo–controlled and 60% of research studies were recorded as two-arm studies. In 26% of research studies sample size calculations were not available and 72% of the studies calculated the sample size based on previous studies of 30 to 80 years old participants. 64% of research studies used the American College of Rheumatology Criteria and 64% of research studies outcome measures were done by the WOMAC scale. 92% of research studies showed evaluation as a single intervention. 34% of clinical trials were conducted for nonpharmacological therapies. However, limited Traditional Medicine treatment clinical trials were conducted to support its application for osteoarthritis. Therefore, it is recommended to conduct research in the future by adopting modern parameters with standard designs intervening in treatment protocol trials considering various aspects of prevention and treatment of osteoarthritis.

A literary review on Urolithiasis and its treatment procedures in the perspective of Unani system of medicine

2025-01-29

Urolithiasis is crystallization of particles within the kidneys which is also known as kidney stones. Development of renal calculi is a complex process which is a state of disturbed equilibrium in the kidney between the promoters and inhibitors. The etiology is multifactorial, but strongly related to dietary habits and lifestyle. This is mainly made up due to presence of high crystals in urine like calcium, oxalates, uricacid and low citrates. Unani healing system approaches the literature of renal calculi in classical texts as Hasat e Kulliyah (kidney stone), Hasate Masana (bladder stone) and Hasate Kulliya wa Masana (kidney and bladder stone). As it is an increasing urological disorder among population, this literary research is aimed to target about the remedial measures in Unani medicine. Therefore, systematic literature review has been carried out to gather information on renal calculi and its remedial measures from Unani classical text and pharmacopeias, ethno-botanical literatures, scientific journals and data bases. The gathered data was analyzed and the results showed that according to Unani philosophers’ factors responsible for urolithiasis are weakness of kidney, thick and viscous humor, concentrated and sticky fluid, Su-e-Mizaj Kulyah (weakened temperament of kidney), Warm-eKulliyah (nephritis), Qurooh-e-Kulliyah (kidney ulcer), Quwwat-e-Dafiyah (weakness of expulsive power) and high virulent temperature. The calculi are treated mainly by dietary and lifestyle modification, as well as Mufattite Hasat (lithotriptic) and Mudir (diuretic) drugs, regimental therapies and surgical procedures. It will be treated with single or either compound drugs such as Habbul Qilt, Duqu, Khare Khasak, Jawakhar, Hajrul Yahood, Aqrab Sokhta, Annanas, Aloobaloo, Majoon Hajrul Yahood, Qurs Kushta Hajrul Yahood, Majoon Aqrab, Sharbat Mudir, Habbe Mudir, Sharbat Ananas etc.

Heavy metal and HPTLC fingerprint analysis of Siddha drug, Pun podi prepared from Datura metel

2025-01-29

Pun podi, a potent tropical combination used in Siddha medicine, contains sulfur and Datura metel fruit. Despite its importance, research into the various compositions of Pun podi due to diverse preparation methods and seasonal variations remains lacking. To achieve the above objective, the present study was conducted. The Pun podi was prepared in three ways by using Datura metel fruit, collected in three different seasons. The different methods used to prepare three Pun podi and named that different Pun podi as Pun podi 1, 2, and 3. Heavy metal analysis was performed by using Bruker S8-Tiger WD-XRF analyzer. High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography was used to analyze fingerprints on three different samples. The data was then analyzed using a standard statistical approach SPSS to identify significant differences between the samples throughout different seasons. SO₃, K₂O, P₂O₅, Ca, Na2O, SiO₂Cl, MoO₃showed significant differences (p <0.05) between the Pun podi prepared by different methods while MgO, PbO, TiO₂, Al2O₃, and Fe₂O₃did not show significant differences (p >0.05) among Pun podi. Statistically significant disparities were observed in the oxide form of microelements present in Pun podi, derived from Datura metel fruit collected during different seasons (p < 0.05). Specifically, other microelements except Fe₂O₃, PbO, and TiO₂in Pun podi showed notable discrepancies (p < 0.05) linked to seasonal variations. Furthermore, Mg, Ca, Si, Pb, Ti, Mo, and Fe demonstrated insignificant differences among Pun podi prepared through various methods (p > 0.05). However, excluding these microelements, significant distinctions were noted across other elements in Pun podi derived from different preparation methods (p < 0.05). Beside P, Fe, Mo and other microelements showed significant differences with respect to seasons (p < 0.05). Pun podi 2 notably contained a higher concentration of both oxidized and elemental microelements compared to other Pun podi variants. Evidently, both seasonal factors and preparation methods exerted discernible influences on the microelement composition of Pun podi. HPTLC results showed, 04 spots in Pun podi 2, 2 spots in Pun podi 1, and one spot in Pun podi 3, at 254 nm. The values obtained from these tests were less than one.

Awareness and perception on COVID-19 among patients visiting to Out Patient Department of Rural Ayurveda Hospital, Kesbewa: A survey study

2025-01-29

Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) is an infectious respiratory condition caused by the SARS CoV-2 virus, declared a pandemic due to its significant global health impact. Initially presenting with mild to moderate respiratory symptoms, the disease can become severe in later stages. To control transmission, preventive measures such as maskwearing, hand hygiene, and physical distancing were widely adopted. Additionally, practices from alternative medical systems like Ayurveda gained popularity for prevention. The primary objective of this study was to assess awareness and usage of Ayurvedic preventive measures against respiratory infections like Covid-19 among patients attending the Outpatient Department of the Rural Ayurveda Hospital in Kesbewa. Data were collected through interviewer administered questionnaires and analyzed using MS Excel and SPSS. Among the 385 participants, over 60% were well aware of Covid-19 and adhered to recommended precautions alongside Ayurvedic methods. All respondents reported using multiple preventive approaches, such as herbal remedies, steaming, and topical oil applications, to boost immunity. Commonly used preparations included liquid formulations with Coriander, Ginger, and Tree Turmeric (Wenivelgata), as well as herbal steam inhalations with Lime and Maduruthala leaves. In addition to traditional methods, vaccination was widely adopted. Future research is recommended to evaluate the efficacy of these alternative practices through controlled clinical trials and biochemical analyses to confirm their antiviral and immuneboosting properties. Additionally, observational studies could explore the long-term safety and preventive benefits of these Ayurvedic practices, potentially integrating them into broader public health strategies for future pandemics.