It is always essential to ascertain the botanical identity of raw drugs to differentiate the authentic forms from their unauthentic forms which include the substitutes and adulterants, in order to ensure the quality of a drug formulation. This is one of the key concerns in the sector, which is quite a well known phenomenon in which are seen various different kinds of botanical entities being used as substitutes and adulterants. Whether advertent or inadvertent, this phenomenon affects the quality and efficacy of the drug formulations. Thus, in order to address the issues of controversy about the authenticity of medicinal raw drugs used in Traditional Medicine, the Centre has carried out inter-cultural and multi-disciplinary research on select raw drugs which witness the controversy: Vidari, Goksura and Daruharidra.

At least four different medicinal plant species are traded under each of the above three raw drugs. To begin with, etymological analysis of the Ayurvedic names of these raw drugs was taken up, by consulting the classical texts of Ayurveda for correlating to appropriate botanical names. Relevant information pertaining to Ayurveda, Trade, Natural distribution and Macroscopy of the Rawdrug was used to arrive at the best correlated botanical species. Further, appropriate protocols, profiles and chemical standards were developed using the techniques of macroscopy, microscopy, physicochemical tests, phytochemical assays, HPTLC (High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography), HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) and molecular studies (RAPD-PCR) that would help in distinguishing the authentic ones from the substitutes and adulterants. 

In the Context of the chosen species for the study, the best correlated species of Vidari according to Ayurveda, is Pueraria tuberosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) DC. The pharmacognostical and pharmacological studies on the four different species which are used as Vidari (Pueraria tuberosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) DC., Ipomoea mauritiana Jacq., Adenia hondala (Gaertn.) de Wilde and Cycas circinalis L.) indicated the similarities pertaining to the phyto-constituents and bioactivity, between Pueraria tuberosa and Ipomoea mauritiana, thereby making the latter a good substitute of the former. The study of the Ayurvedic texts also suggested that Kshiravidari (Ipomoea mauritiana) can be used as a substitute for Vidari (Pueraria tuberosa).

In the case of Daruharidra, the best correlated species, according to Ayurveda is Berberis spp. The chemical studies using HPTLC/HPLC conducted at the Centre, on the stems of five species traded as Daruharidra, (Berberis aristata DC., Berberis asiatica Roxb., Berberis lycium Royle, Coscinium fenestratum (Gaertn.) Colebr. and Morinda umbellata L.) revealed that Berberine, an active phyto-chemical marker, was present to greater or lesser extent in all the five species except Morinda umbellata.

Investigation of microscopical, chemical and biological differences between mature and immature tubers of Ipomoea mauritiana

Ipomoea mauritiana Jacq. is generally recognized as Vidari and is used in many Ayurvedic formulations such as Vidaryadikvatha Curna, Vidaryadi Ghrta etc. As per the living traditions of Kerala, mature tubers of Ipomoea mauritiana as opposed to the immature ones are preferred for use in the formulations. In our study on the tubers of different maturity stages, we found the differences pertaining to the chemical properties and the bioactivity. At least two maturity-related putative chemical compounds were purified. These compounds require identification, chemical and biological characterization for confirmation. The microscopic studies revealed that maturity in the tubers begins with the onset and activity of the second ring of cambium (cork cambial activity). Abundant starch grains and Calcium oxalate crystals were found in the mature tubers. 

Comparative Pharmacognostic and Biological Evaluation for the use of Dhataki as a substitute for Yashtimadhu in Gastric Ulcer In the Ayurvedic parlance, a drug which is not easily available or commonly found is referred to as Abhava Dravya. Similarly, a drug which is indicated by the Ayurvedic literature, which is freely available and can be used as a substitute for the abhava dravya is called the Abhava Pratinidhi Dravya. There is an acute need to establish the substitutes for many plant drugs. Yogaratnakara, an authoritative summary of the principles and practices of Ayurveda, recommends the substitution of stems of Yastimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) with the flowers of Dhataki (Woodfordia fruticosa (Linn.) Kurz.).  It is also known that both the drugs are commonly used to treat gastro-intestinal ailments and are reported to provide protection against gastric ulcers either alone or in formulations with other drugs.  Taking cues from this fact, the Centre conducted a comparative pharmacognostic and biological evaluation of Glycyrrhiza glabra & Woodfordia fruticosa for their anti-ulcer properties.

The proximate analysis, qualitative phytochemical screening, quantification of the phyto-constituents followed by comparative HPTLC & HPLC profiling of the two drugs were carried out. Even though 1-2 phyto-constituents may be common in both species, as revealed by the phyto-chemical studies, there was no similarity in the main compounds and the chemical fingerprints of the two species, thereby leaving behind us to wonder about their similar actions. Both the species showed potent anti-ulcer activity in rats. The studies continued further to understand the logic of Abhava Dravya and Abhava Prathinidhi Dravya

Sensory Analysis is a scientific method to evoke, measure, analyse and interpret those responses to products as perceived through the senses”.

There are certain sensory parameters used by the traditional practitioners to interpret the quality of medicines, such as Paka of Taila and Avaleha (eg., Kara, Mrudu, Madhyama paka for Taila, Tantumat etc for Avaleha). Moreover, according to Ayurveda, the action of a material is directly related to the properties including Rasa and Guna, many of which may be assessed through sensory perceptions. Modern science uses sensory analysis for quality assessment of food products, beverages and cosmetics (as seen in the wine and tea industries). The dosage forms of several of the traditional medicines (e.g. Avaleha and Arishta) are similar to the food and beverages. However, till date there is no instrument that can assess the fine sensory functions simultaneously as do the human sensory organs (It may be recalled here that, the human nose is capable of detecting 10,000 varieties of odorants at concentrations as low as a few parts per billion.). However, by appropriate mixing of modern and traditional knowledge about the sensory analysis, it is possible to develop a technique of Sensory evaluation of the formulations of traditional medicine. FRLHT has developed methodology, parameters and standards based on sensory evaluation for select ayurvedic formulations such as Kshirabala taila and Nishamalaki churna.  The wok is continued to develop the standards for other formulations too.

Communicable diseases in India, to the tune of 21% are due to unsafe drinking water (www.water.org).

The findings also say that, Household water treatment reduces the diarrhoeal morbidity by 39 %( UNICEF). A simple cost-effective intervention can avoid the morbidity of approximately 4 billion people per year who are mostly children.

A simple and cost –

effective intervention in this context by FRLHT holds promise. The Centre developed a copper device to treat the drinking water. This device and the traditional Copper vessel were tested against the pathogenic strains of Salmonella typhi (S.typhi ST/40/05), Vibrio cholerae (V.cholerae ST/60/06) and Enteropathogenic strain of E.coli (EPEC- E2347) all of which are known to cause diarrhoea in children and E.coli NCIM 2065. It was found that the Bacteria in the water kept in the copper vessel and which was treated by the device, were killed after overnight (16 h) exposure, The specially made copper device costs less than Rs.100 for a lifetime usage, does not need fuel, power, electricity, easy to use, clean and reusable and is rugged.

The copper vessel and the copper device were tested on Rotavirus -

a major cause for childhood diarrhoea. The preliminary findings using the Real-Time PCR suggest that copper might play a role in inhibiting the replication of the virus. The RT-PCR work was done by collaborating with Dr. G. Kang, Dept. of Gastro-intestinal Sciences, CMC, Vellore.

The device was also tested on different samples of water

( such as river water, borewell water and brackish water, collected from various parts of South India).

The Copper device was found to be active against E.coli present in all types of water which were varying in pH (7.5 – 9.5) Hardness (35 -400 mg/L), Alkalinity (165- 600 mg/L) and Total Dissolved Solids (265- 2000ppm). The mode of action studies of copper on yeast (as a model)) were conducted and it was found that copper probably exhibits antimicrobial activity by rupturing the cell- membrane of the microbes.

Iron Deficiency Anaemia is the most common form of malnutrition in the world and is the leading cause of disease in girls and women in the developing countries.  It increases the maternal morbidity, fetal and neonatal mortality and morbidity significantly. Ayurvedic texts and the Local Health Traditions mention 141 formulations for General Anemia while about 34 formulations for Pregnancy Anemia. 

Ingredient, Process and Organoleptic Standardization of two products for General Anemia & Pregnancy Anemia were completed during this year. Pilot scale preparation and stability testing of the products were continued.

Testing:During the year the Centre tested 58 customer samples addressing r their diverse customer needs such as Physicochemical, HPTLC, HPLC, Microscopy and Microbial Quality testing.

Consultancy:During the year the Centre developed an Eye care product ‘Kajal’ based on Traditional Knowledge for Ayurnet Healthcare Private Limited.

Training and awareness:A team of 16 people,comprising of researchers,students, staff of industries, was trained in Quality Control and Quality Standards, Brine Shrimp Bioassays, Microscopy,Molecular Biology techniques. Another team comprising the students of Pharmacy and Biotechnology worked as interns with FRLHT’s projects for 3 –6 months duration while some were the summer students.  Besides, around 40 students were given demonstration on HPTLC & HPLC techniques.

All the staff had an orientation on "Statistical techniques".

All the staff obtained a training on "Water quality" testing too.

Selected staff underwent training in Isolation and Extraction of RNA from Rotavirus, RT-PCR at CMC, Vellore.

Others updated their skills in HPTLC techniques of Chromatography of herbal products at ‘ANCHROM’, Mumbai and on the Usage of Camera Lucida to observe and record plant anatomy and powder microscopic features of Medicinal Plants.