HISTOPATHOLOGICAL STUDIES OF THE EFFECT OF NAGA PARPAM, A ZINC BASED DRUG OF SIDDHA MEDICINE, IN RATS

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Journal of Cell and Tissue Research Vol. 9(2) 1869-1873 (2009)
ISSN: 0974- 0910 (Available online at www.tcrjournals.com) Original Article
HISTOPATHOLOGICAL STUDIES OF THE EFFECT OF NAGA
PARPAM, A ZINC BASED DRUG OF SIDDHA MEDICINE, IN RATS
ILANGO, B., DAWOOD SHARIEF, S., VINOTH KUMAR,K., RAJKUMAR, R.,
PRATHIBA, D.1 AND SUKUMAR,E.2
Received:May 17, 2009;Accepted: July 4, 2009
School of Environmental Sciences, Post Graduate and Research Department of Zoology, The New College, Chennai
– 600 014, 1Department of Pathology, Sri RamachandraMedical College and Research Institute, Sri
Ramachandra University, Porur, Chennai-600116, 2Department ofApplied Sciences, Higher College of
Technology, P.B.74,P.C.133,Muscat, Sultanate ofOman. E. mail: sdawoodsharief@yahoo.co.in
Abstract: Siddha medicine, one of the oldest traditional medical systems of India, uses metals
and minerals as drugs extensively in addition to plants and animal products to treat several
diseases. Naga Parpam (NP), a metallic preparation containing zinc as the major constituent
and used in treatment of piles, tuberculosis and dysentery, has been chosen for assessing its effect
on the tissues of vital organs in rats. The drug was administrated orally in doses of 5, 10, 20 and
40 mg/kg body weight to the animals for 15, 30 and 60 consecutive days. The results revealed
that in 15 day treatment, liver and kidney had normal histology with no marked changes in the
tissue architecture. In 30 day study, the kidney tissues remained normal while the liver tissues
exhibited a few apoptotic cells with mild focal and lobular inflammation. On 60 day treatment,
liver showed mild lobular inflammation and apoptotic cells were found in all doses. However
brain, kidney and testis remained normal even in higher doses. The results suggest that NP does
not show any toxicity in short term administration which is advocated in Siddha literature for all
metal based drugs.
Key words: Naga Parpam, Siddha medicine, Histopathology
?
INTRODUCTION
In India, the traditional medicines viz. Ayurveda,
Siddha and Unani are serving the people to a
considerable extent especially in rural areas and
places not served by allopathic medicine. In Siddha
medicine, a popular system practiced in South India,
metals such as copper, zinc, mercury, silver, gold etc.
are extensively employed in drug preparations that
are used to treat some baffling diseases [1]. These
metals, which exert toxic effects on living organisms
even in small doses, are purified using specialized
traditional techniques by repeatedly triturating with
herbal juices and ashing them in sealed earthenware
containers, to free them from toxicity. Further these
techniques also change their properties and render
them useful as therapeutically active products [2-4].
The present investigation has been undertaken to
examine the toxic effects of Naga parpam on liver
and kidney tissues in 15, 30 and 60 days treatment in
rat model.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Drug: Naga parpam prepared according to the
procedure mentioned in the traditional Siddha
literature [5] was procured from the Indian Medical
Practitioners’ Co-operative Pharmacy and Stores
(IMPCOPS), Chennai. Analysis of Naga parpam
by S4 pioneer wavelength dispersion X-ray
fluorescence spectrometer (WDXRFS, Bruker-AXS,
Germany) at SophisticatedAnalytical Instrumentation
Facility, IIT, Madras revealed 65.59% of zinc and
2.27% of iron.
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J. Cell Tissue Research
a1 a 2
a 3 a 4
Animals: Male albino rats of Wistar strain (180 –
200 g) obtained from the Tamil Nadu University of
Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Chennai and
maintained according to the guidelines of CPCSEA,
under the supervision of Animal Ethics Committee
were used for the experiment. They were acclimatized
to laboratory conditions prior to use and fed
with pelletted chow (supplied by Poultry Research
Station, Chennai) and water provided ad libitum.
The animals were divided into five groups each
containing 6 rats. Group I served as control and to
the other four groups, the drug NP was orally
administered in doses of 5, 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg body
weight, as a suspension in 1% carboxymethyl
cellulose by intubation for 15 consecutive days. To
find the effect of chronic administration on various
tissues, the drug was also administered to two other
sets of animals in the same manner respectively for
30 and 60 days. The doses for the studies were
chosen based on the preliminary toxicity screening
[6]. The animals were sacrificed by decapitation on
the 16th, 31st and 61st day and the vital organs such
as brain, liver, kidney and testis were removed in
control and drug treated animals, washed with 1%
ice cold saline and fixed in neutral buffered 10%
formalin. The tissues were trimmed and processed
as per the procedure of Pearse [7]. 3-5 μm paraffin
sections were stained with haematoxylin, eosin and
mounted. The slides were examined under light
microscope.
RESULTS
Liver and kidney were selected for evaluation as
they are sensitive to metal toxicity. In the 15 days
treatment set, the tissues of liver and kidney revealed
normal histology with all the doses of NP, and no
changes in the tissue architecture were observed. In
30 days set, the kidney tissues remained normal in all
the doses while liver tissues showed a few apoptotic
cells withmild focal, lobular inflammation in 5mg/kg
dose. With other doses therewas mild periportal inflammation,
lobular inflammation and fewapoptotic cells
(Figs. 1,2).
In 60 days study, NP showed marked changes in the
liver tissues (Fig 3). As the dosage increased from
5-40 mg/kg, mild periportal inflammation, lobular
inflammation, regeneration of hepatocytes and
apoptotic cells were found. However the tissues of
brain, kidney, testis remained normal (Figs. 4-6].
DISCUSSION
Zinc is an essential element and nontoxic in minute
doses [8]. It plays an essential role in cell membrane
integrity and is a component ofmore than 300 different
enzymes of cellular metabolism, involving proteins,
lipids and carbohydrates [9]. The metal has been
reported to interact with cell membranes to stabilize
them against various damaging effects, including
oxidative injuries [10].
Fig. a1: T. S. of liver demonstrating normal
lobules in control rat.
Fig. a2: T. S. of kidney demonstrating
normal structure in control rat.
Fig. a3: T. S. of brain demonstrating normal
structure in control rat.
Fig. a4: T. S. of testis demonstrating
normal structure in control rat.
Abbreviations used in figures: AC – Apoptotic cells, BC – Binucleated cells, CV – Central vein, HC – Hepatic cords, LI –
Lobular inflammation, PI – Periportal inflammation, SN – Sinusoids, CT – Collecting Tubules, BC – Bowman’s Capsule, G –
Glomeruli, CT – Collecting Tubules, DE – Ductus Epididymis, GM – Grey Matter, GL – Granular Layer, PC – Purkinje Cells,
WM –White Matter, AC – Apoptotic Cells, HC – Hepatic Cells, RH – Regenerating Hepatocyte, LI – Lobular Inflammation
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Fig.1 Fig. 2
Fig. 1(f-i): T.S. of liver of rat treated with Naga parpam tract
for 15 days. x 100 (Figs.1 b-e) and 30 days. x 200
b & f - Naga parpam treated with 10mg/kg body weight;
c & g - Naga parpam treated with 20mg/kg body weight;
d & h - Naga parpam treated with 30mg/kg body weight;
e & i - Naga parpam treated with 40mg/kg body weight.
Fig. 2(f-i): T.S. of kidney of rat treated with Naga parpam
tract for 15 days. x 100 (Figs. b-e) and 30 days. x 200
b & f - Naga parpam treated with 10mg/kg body weight;
c & g - Naga parpam treated with 20mg/kg body weight;
d & h - Naga parpam treated with 30mg/kg body weight;
e & i - Naga parpam treated with 40mg/kg body weight
Ilango et al.
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J. Cell Tissue Research
Fig.3 Fig.4 Fig.5 Fig.6
Histology of rat liver (Fig. 3), kidney (Fig. 4), brain (Fig. 5) and testis (Fig. 6) treated with Naga Parpam for 60 days
b - Naga parpam treated with 10mg/kg body weight
c - Naga parpam treated with 20mg/kg body weight;
d - Naga parpam treated with 30mg/kg body weight;
e - Naga parpam treated with 40mg/kg body weight.
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In the present investigation NP in short term
administration did not affect the liver and kidney
tissues as they showed normal histology with no
obvious changes in their tissue architecture. However,
in the 30 days treatment, the liver tissues of animals
treated with 5 mg/kg dose of NP exhibited a few
apoptotic cells with mild focal and lobular inflammation.
In higher doses (10-40 mg/kg), there was
mild periportal and lobular inflammation. These
observations indicated that continuous administration
of NP in high doses may affect the functioning of
vital organs such as liver and kidney.Allen et al. [11]
reported the hepatic lesion formation in tissues of
zinc sulphate treated sheep for 13 days. Fatty
infiltration of liver and nephrosis were reported in 21
day treatment with zinc by Straube et al. [12].
In long termstudies with NP, toxic symptoms of mild
periportal inflammation, lobular inflammation, regeneration
of hepatocytes and apoptotic cells were
observed in the tissues of liver while in rest of organs
there were no appreciable changes. In the earlier
studies by Allen et al. [11] hepatic lesions were
observed in sheep treated with zinc for 72 days.
Similarly histopathological lesions accompanied by
increased liver, kidney and brain weights were
observed in rats on 13 week treatment [13].
The present observations also reinforce the importance
of strict adherence to the prescriptions of
traditional medical practitioners in dosage as well as
duration while using these metallic preparations.Any
over usage or self medication may invariably lead to
adverse reactions as mentioned in the age old
literature.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors thank the Head, Post Graduate and
Research Department of Zoology, Principal and the
Management of The New College, Chennai, India
for providing the necessary facilities and encouragement.
REFERENCES
[1] Subbarayappa, B.V.: Lancet. 350, 1841-1844 (1997).
[2] Said, M. In: Hamdard Pharmacopoeia of Eastern
Medicine. Hamdard Foundation, Karachi, Pakistan,
pp. 233-234 (1969).
[3] Chopra, R.N., Chopra, I.C., Handa., K L., and Kapur,
L.D.. In: Chopra’s Indigenous Drugs of India.
(Chopra, R.N. ed) Academic Publishers, Calcutta,
India, pp 461- 464 (1982).
[4]Vohara, S.B., Kim, H.S., Ganotra, K.B.,Mishra, G.V.,
Ayesha, Bajaj, S. and Athar, M.: Investigations on
the use of Arsenic, Lead, Mercury, Gold and Silver
in Indian Medicines. Abstract. 2nd National
Conference and Workshop of Ethanopharmacology
on 2nd- 4th October at JSS College of Pharmacy,
Mysore, India. (1997).
[5] Anonymous, Formulary of Siddha Medicines, The
IndianMedical Practitioners Co-operative Pharmacy
and Stores Ltd. (IMCOPS),Madras. 12-13: 26-55; 155-
172 (1972).
[6] Ilango, B., Biochemical and Toxicological Evaluation
of Some Metallic Drugs in Siddha Medicine. PhD
Thesis, University ofMadras, India, pp. 57-58 (2007).
[7] Pearse, A.G. Histochemistry: Theoretical and applied,
Vol 1 and 2, (4th edn.), Churchill Livingstone,
Edinburgh (1985).
[8] Bertholf, R.L.. Zinc. In: Handbook on Toxicity of
Inorganic Compounds (Sigel, H. and Seiler, H.G. eds),
Marcel Dekker, Inc., NewYork. pp. 787-800 (1988).
[9] Parkin, G.: Science 305, 1117-1118 (2004).
[10]Bettger,W.J. andO’Dell, B.L.: Life Sci., 28: 1425-1438
(1981).
[11]Allen, J.G.,Master,H.G. and Peet,R.L.: J.Comp.Pathol.
93:363-377 (1983).
[12] Straube,E.F.; Schuster,N.H. andSinclair,A.J.: J.Comp.
Pathol. 90: 355-361 (1980).
[13] Bai, K.M., Krishnakumari,M.K. and Ramesh, H.P.:
Indian J. Exptl.Biol. 18: 854-857 (1980
Ilango et al.

Eucalyptol- from Amukkara choornam- Siddha formulation-HPTLC

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http://scholarsresearchlibrary.com/DPL-vol2-iss6/DPL-2010-2-6-316-320.pdf

Pitta sura kudineer -A Siddha formulation Pharmacological activity

p[ls follow the link to read full article
http://iajpr.com/index.php/en/faq/32-uncategorised/104-27balachandarabstract,

Abstract

Preliminary phytochemical screening, acute toxicity study and anti-inflammatory activity of Pitta sura kudineer
S. Balachandar*1, R. Nandini1, V. Rajalakshimi1, J. Esther Jayasheela1, P. Sathiyarajeswaran2
1Institute of Pharmacology, Madras Medical College, Chennai, TN, India
2Central Research Institute for Siddha, Chennai, TN, India
Abstract
The ethanolic extract of the aerial parts and roots of Pitta sura kudineer formulation was subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening, acute toxicity and anti-inflammatory studies. Phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, steroids, gums, and reducing sugars. Acute toxicity study is carried out according to Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development guideline-423 (OECD) for 14 days. The result of acute toxicity studies (2000 mg/kg b.w.) showed no alteration in the general behavior of animals and showed no mortality and found to be safe. Based on the acute toxicity study, two doses were fixed to be 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg b.w. and used for further studies. Anti-inflammatory study of ethanolic extract was investigated at doses 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg b.w. by using carrageenan-induced paw edema in vivo screening method. Oral administration of ethanolic extract produced significant (P<0.01) decrease in paw edema volume induced by carrageenan. The present study highlighted the anti-inflammatory activity and demonstrated that Pitta sura kudineer has significant anti-inflammatory activity, and also it justifies the traditional use of this formulation in the treatment of various types of pain and inflammation.
Keywords: Pitta sura kudineer, phytochemical screening, acute toxicity, carrageenan and anti-inflammatory activity

Child care in siddha- An overview
Sathiya rajeswaran.P1, Kiruthiga.G2. , Patturayan.R3& Anandan.T4.

Siddha system, being the oldest traditional ways of maintaining a healthy life style is still prevalent and emphasizes the importance of physical, emotional, psychological, social well being. Siddha system describes about cycles of birth, death and the need to maintain one’s harmony within which has been later described as motcham or Eternal Bliss.

Healthy seeds yield healthy Generation. Pediatrics being one of the fine focus of Siddhars, they saw the perspective of a healthy seed for an entire life within the child hence meticulously brought out steps to nurture it right from the beginning.

An ancient epic brings out how the children were seen as demy-gods rather than off-springs. There were ceremonies that marked for
1. Birth (Information of Birth and registering in Community)
2. Introduction of Seinei/Urai marunthu by Maternal uncle to Develop Immunity (Sei Nei- consisting of juice of 54 herbs mixed with ricinolic oil administered in drops right from first day of birth. This is referred to as senai vaithal. Urai mathirai- prepared from herbs that are rich in polyphenolic compounds and tannins.)
3. Naming (Authenticating Gene Carriers with surname )
4. Ear-Boring (First Injury to develop Innate Immunity)
5. First solid feeding – Rice Introduction (To Introduce Macro and Micro nutrients)
6. Induction of Knowledge (To develop Cognitive parameters)
Which were celebrated in order to develop Natural immunity, social maturity, emotional bonding, and Social security


Siddha system has classified pediatric illnesses as
1. Agakaarana noigal-due to the deeds of parents-develops congenitally
2. Purakaarana noigal-due to change in environment after birth-is acquired

Detailed description has been given on
Thodam: Thodam speaks about diseases caused due to Improper handling which means infections caused due to external factors such as Zoophilic, Vectors, and Human interventions. Treatment guidelines ranges from tying of Wrist bands made of herbs (Roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra, Acorus calamus) , Fumigations by herbs and resins(Benzoin)and Internal Medications. Ethno practices such as tying ropes from Mosques, Temples and using certain signatures (As in Reiki), chanting Mantras, Tying certain roots as necklaces are the practices documented 3- 4 decades ago. Even though all these claims are roofed under unscientific and unsafe practices still people try these along with proper medication as most of these practices are twined with religious aspects and scientific claims occupy a back seat in accordance with a child’s health. Almost all the thodam have dysentery and Diarrhoea as a common symptoms thodam may be equated to dysentery and Diarrhoea (of viral origin) with dehydrating symptoms
Mantham: Mantham is a group of Gastro intestinal disturbances in which Enzymatic insufficiencies like lactose intolerance (Paal Mantham) and upto Gluten enteropathy is discussed. Mantham is a group of Digestive disorders which leads improper assimilation and Absorption .This in turn leads to Loss of Micro and Macro nutrients. Immunity and normal physiology is questioned.
Around 53 types of Mantham have been explained almost all are comparable with Gastro-intestinal disturbances that can lead to Nervous debility like Janni, valippu (Epilepsy) in children if untreated or inadequately treated leading retardation of mental and physical growth. This hypothesis of relationship between Mantham and Neurological diseases is evident from even recent theories of Gutty leak syndrome and Autism. Symptoms of Mantham vary from indigestion, regurgitation, constipation to diarrhea, vomiting, anorexia, dehydration, febrile conditions and convulsions. Mantham is usually treated with pungent decoctions and drugs which will lead to a proper digestion and reduce the dominating Iyam (Kapham) and deranged Vatham.

Kanam: Kanam represents a group of respiratory illnesses which are classified into 16 types. Mantham precipitates Kanam. As described earlier Loss of Micro and Macro nutrients Leads to Kanam. Mostly occurs from 3 to 7 years of age. Symptoms ranges from soreness of tongue, cough, discoloration of tongue, fever, change in the structure of rib cage (Suggestive of PC /Rickettia rosary), Diarrhoea etc. Lipid based medicines (Ghee) are prescribed in Kanam as they are nutritive and therapeutically encounter microbes. Lipid based drugs also crosses blood brain barriers which will also diminish the neurological symptoms.

Kaamalai (Jaundice), Paandu (Anemia),Acharam(Glossitis/Apthousulcers),Kirumi(Worm Infestation), Valippu (Epilepsy), Karappan (Eczema) are some of the diseases which are given special importance in Siddha. Balavagadam Speaks of infectious diseases in general but not in depth.

Growth and development -Siddha concept:
Growth and development is an important aspect in pediatrics. It says about the motor and cognitive maturity of a child in accordance with its chronologicalage.Pillaitamil describes about the Growth and development of a children from a social spectacle .It extends upto fifth decade of Human race. It also describes the development of both the genders by the way of their culture and social setup.
Kappu, Chenkeerai, Thalam, Sappani, Mutham, Varugai, Ambuli, Chitril, Siruparai and Siru thaer are the paruvangal mentioned for a male child.
Kappu, Chenkeerai, Thalam, Sappani, Mutham, Varugai, Ambuli, Ammanai, Neeradal, and Oosal are the paruvangal mentioned for a female child.

Each and every paruvam is mentioned by the motor activity of a child in response with its chronological age. Kappu and Chenkeerai describe about care of the child and cognitive development at this stage is very little.
Thaalam is a word Meaning tongue. In this age the child makes a lot of sound with tongue and protrudes the tongue on command. Sappani is clapping of Hands by a child on command .Mutham describes about dispersal of flying kiss by a child on command. Varugai says about Movement of a child towards a person on command.chitril says about construction of Sand house by a child. Siruparai explains about usage of small musical drums by a male child and Siru thaer describes about Pulling of a small cart by children.
Ammanai, neeradal and Oosal are a game of a female child.Allthe above said paruvangal explains about Motor/Cognitive Development of A child in accordance with its chronological age.
Reproductive and Child health care in Siddha
Mother and child care even though is primitive still holds a lot of importance as it Focuses on a healthy nation. Rural population is still vulnerable in mother and child care.
Unhygienic environments, Poor Ante natal follow-ups, Malnutrition including Iron deficiency, improper child care and lack of frequent health supervisions take them under vulnerable population. The national projects if addressed properly will reduce the burden faced by the Rural as well as semi urban population which occupies the major population in India.
Ante natal care
The death rate of Indians during Natal period is still a worrying number in under developed states. Siddhars have mentioned proper life style measure to pregnant women
and ante natal care drugs in each and every month. If these drugs are regularly taken along with the herbal based Iron supplements and Folic acid and proper life style if adopted knifeless painless delivery will be possible.




Post natal care
Post natal care deals with effective Lochia removal, Bringing back uterus to its normal shape and size, toning the physiological functions of the delivered mother and enhancing breast milk secretion. Health foods and drug prescriptions like Sowbhagyachunti holds a lot of Medical benefit in post natal area

Breast feeding
Character of Breast milk is highlighted in Gunapaadam –Jeeva vaguppu (Siddha materia medica-Animal kingdom). They have also discussed about substitutions for breast milk. Donkey’s milk is recommended by Siddhars which is further substantiated in scientific studies. Siddhars have also mentioned a fund of Galactogogues which enhances milk secretion.

Weaning
Weaning foods are recommended from Fourth month and lot of prescriptions have been mentioned in Bala vagadam.Folk lore knowledge in Pediatrics add up usage of Kokkattan in the sixth to seven months to satisfy the dentition itch of the children.
Pharmaceutics in Siddha pediatrics:
1. Herbal drugs occupy a larger space (90%).Very less usage of Mineral drugs.
2. Most of The medicines are administered in Breast milk up to 1 yr.
3. Honey is completely avoided up to 1 yr.
4. Medicines for Dysentery and Diarrhoea are safe and will not precipitate Gastritis.
5. Anti emetics are safe and they do not precipitate extra pyramidal symptoms.
Common Pediatric prescriptions for child health care
1. Urai mathirai Immune booster
2. Korochani mathirai Effective in Combating fever
3. Bala sanjeevi mathirai Effective in Combating URTI/LRTI
4. Bhavana kadukkai Effective in Anaemia
5. Vasambu karukku Effective in Dysentry,Diarrhoea
6. Sangu Parpam tablet Tonsilitis, Gastritis,Resp.Infections
7. Vallarai tablet Calms ADHD and Sharpens Memory
8. Anmaiodu parpam Dysentry,Diarrhoea and in Lactose intolerance
9. Asta chooranam Increases appetite
10. Thetran kottai lehyam Tonic for children
11. Vallarai nei Kanam
12. Chundai vatral chooranam Effective Anthelminthic

National projects in Mother and child care including ASHA - Through SIDDHA

National projects in Mother and child care including ASHA.

Sathiya rajeswaran.P.

Objective

The Growing importance of AYUSH Systems Domestic as well as Global areas is evident from various statistics generated in yester years. Inclusion of AYUSH Systems in national/ State/ District/ Taluk level is mandatory in Public Health and proper understanding of national health programmes and preparedness in Inclusive health care delivery is the need of the hour. In listening / Reading these lines will give you a message and prepare the faculties for their inclusiveness in National projects.

Mother and Child care

Mother and child care even though is primitive still holds a lot of importance as it Focuses on a healthy nation. Rural population is still vulnerable in mother and child care.

Unhygienic environments, Poor Ante natal follow-ups, Malnutrition including Iron deficiency, improper child care and lack of frequent health supervisions take them under vulnerable population. The national projects if addressed properly will reduce the burden faced by the Rural as well as semi urban population which occupies the major population in India.

Accredited social health activist (ASHA)

Accredited social health activist play a very important role in NRHM as they access the rural population easily and they are Change agent on health .The first port of call for any health related demands of deprived sections of the population, especially women and children

Roles and Responsibilities

• Create awareness on

Nutrition

Basic sanitation

Hygienic practices.

Healthy living

• counsel on

Birth preparedness,

Importance of safe delivery,

Breastfeeding

Complementary feeding,

Immunization,

Contraception

Prevention of common infections including reproductive Tract Infection /Sexually Transmitted Infection (RTIs/STIs) and care of the young child.

Mobilize the community and facilitate them in accessing health

Services available at the village

Sub-center

Primary health centers

Immunization,

Ante Natal Check-up (ANC)

Post Natal Check-up (PNC),

ICDS and Sanitation.

Primary care by ASHA Activist

1. Diarrhoea
2. Fevers
3. First aid for minor injuries.

ASHA Will Provide Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS) under Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme.

ASHA as medical depots

• Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORS)

• Iron Folic Acid Tablet (IFA)

• chloroquine

• Disposable Delivery Kits (DDK)

• Oral Pills & Condoms etc.

• A Drug Kit will be provided to each ASHA

AYUSH ASHA ROLE

• Combating malnutrition with Siddha drugs/ nutrition advices

• Ensuring basic hygiene and train to make use of home garden herbs and home remedies

• Teaching Siddha life style/ yoga for kids

AYUSH KIT WITH ASHA - WILL HAVE

• RCH KIT - Reproductive and Child health Kit

• General KIT - Siddha First Aid Kit.

• Information materials

• Referral addresses

• Wound healing drugs

• Tonic for women

ROLE AND INTEGRATION WITH ANGANWADI

ASHA will integrate with existing Anganwadi workers to

• Organizing Health Day once/twice a month.

• On health day, the women, adolescent girls and children from the village will be mobilized for orientation on health related issues such as importance of nutritious food, personal hygiene, care during pregnancy, importance of antenatal check up and institutional delivery, home remedies for minor ailment and importance of immunization etc

ASHA – PROFILE

• One ASHA per 1000 population.

• Primarily a woman resident of the village - ‘Married/Widow/Divorced’.

• Literate woman with formal education up to Eighth Class

• Effective communication skills, leadership qualities.

Training needs for AYUSH ASHA

• Providing newborn care and management of a range of common ailments particularly childhood illnesses

• Inform about births and deaths any unusual health problems/disease outbreaks in the community to the Sub-Centers/Primary Health Centre.

• Promote construction of household toilets under Total Sanitation Campaign

• Identification of birth defect children and referrals

• YOGA / Day care – Seasonal care and Personal care mentioned in Siddha

• Nutritious Foods and Home remedies in Siddha and Immunization medicines like Urai Mathirai and Sei Nei in Siddha.

SCHOOL HEALTH SCHEME

Sathiya rajeswaran.P.

OBJECTIVE:

The objective of including AYUSH Physicians is to inculcate the Principles of Healthy living from their teen age and to teach children healthy food and healthy practices. Promotion of positive health (Health Education), Prevention of diseases (Including Immunization), early detection, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, referral services to higher Health Centers are the Outcomes expected. There is a constant increase in the number of students over the years without corresponding increases in the School Health clinics after its inception in 1979. 50% of the students are having one or more health problems at any given point of time emphasizing need for an annual checkup. Screening of these students will considerably reduce the burden on secondary (dispensaries) & tertiary (hospitals) health care outlets.

Need of screening is to make the child independent and socially productive

PROCEDURES

• Routine complete physical health checkup of each student
• Curative services through OPD services.
• Immunization against tetanus at the age of 10 and 16 years.
• Referral of students who require attention of a specialist, to referral centers and subsequent follow up of these cases.
• Health Education and Counseling.
• Advising the school authorities for maintenance of healthy and safe environment.

Mass Deworming Programme

A large number of students have hidden burden of worm infestation leading to anemia and growth failure. Therefore the mass deworming of children with a single dose Deworming tab/churnam will give benefit in this programme.

Screening for cardiac diseases

Children and adults have to be watchful when they get a throat infection and attend to it immediately. "If it is a bacterial infection, it causes severe pain of the joints and slowly leads to heart failure," school children have to be screened for a healthy heart. The other ways of preventing heart diseases is by avoiding consanguineous marriages. The identified Children should be referred for higher cardiac centers.

Health Education

Prevention is better than cure. Trained teachers will be giving health education to all the students round the year on common topics like hygiene, environmental sanitation, food hygiene, hand washing, balanced diet and iodine deficiency disorders.

Session of Yoga and Sex Education for classes ten and above should be conducted. AIDS awareness sessions will be conducted for children above 15.

More emphasis will be given on Demographic based and seasonal oriented Indigenous diet.

RECORDS TO BE MAINTAINED

u Cumulative Health Record

u Medical Register

u Referral and Follow-up Register

u Deworming and Immunization register.

u Health Education Register

u OPD Register

u Monthly Report

u Annual Report

u Monthly Schedule Report

u Indent Book

u Main Stock Register

u Sub – Stock Register

u Expiry Register

u Daily Consumption and Balance Register.

CONCLUSION

Strength of Country is the percentage of Younger age group and contrarily there is also increasing statistics of Mortality rate between 3 rd and 4 th decade. Its the need of the hour to identify, Educate and Protect the Mother and Child Sector who will contribute much towards healthy India.

PHARMACOVIGILANCE AN OVERVIEW

PHARMACOVIGILANCE AN OVERVIEW

Dr. M. Kannan¹, Dr. P. Sathiyarajeswaran², Dr. S.Natarajan³

Introduction:

Medicines cannot be claimed as absolutely safe for all people, in all places & at all times.Adverse drug reactions are one of he major cause of death in a hospital. Clinical Research without ensuring patient safety is unethical. Various studies suggest that irrational use of traditional medicines and procedures may lead to negative or dangerous effects.

The drugs were studied in ancient days according to their Properties, Uses, Dose, Drug Reactions / Side Effects, their Management, Compatibilities & Incompatibilities; Interactions etc.The Pharmacovigilance system is prevalent from ancient days. Validation with suitable documentation is the need of the hour. Adverse Drug Reactions are the integral part of drug Pharmacology.

Traditional Medicine is presumed to be Natural, Safe even in Long term usage..Pharmacovigilance includes drug and Therapeutic procedures (Varmam & Thokkanam, Karanool, Detoxification procedures in Siddha).

What is Pharmacovigilance?

Pharmakon (Greek) = drug Vigilare(Latin) = to keep watch; awake, alert; watchfulness in respect of care,danger, caution, circumspection; process of paying close and continuous attention.

Pharmacovigilance is defined as the science and activities concerned with thedetection, assessment, understanding and prevention of adverse reactions to medicines (i.e. adverse drug reactions or ADRs). Pharmacovigilance system is in infant stage in India The ultimate goal of this activity is to improve the safe and rational use of medicines, thereby improving patient care and public health.

Aim:

a. Early detection of Unknown Adverse reactions & Interactions

b. Detection of increases in frequency of Adverse reaction

c. Identification of risk factors and possible mechanisms underlying Adverse reaction

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1 & 2 Research Officer, 3 Senior Research Fellow Siddha Central Research Institute (CCRS), Arumbakkam, Chennai - 60006

d. Estimation of quantitative aspects of benefits / Risk analysis and dissemination of information needed to improve drug prescribing regulation

e. Preventing patients from being affected unnecessarily

Why is Pharmacovigilance important?

A medicine is released into the market after rigorous procedures pertaining to standardisation and safety of the product. Once marketed the medicines are used by patients who have multiple morbidities, and may using several drugs which have different characters do’s and don’ts which may influence the efficacy and safety of a medicine. Different brands of medicines may differ in the SOP’S .The adverse drug reactions and poisonings associated with traditional and herbal remedies are to be monitored in every country. The information we receive on the adverse effects of drugs in one country may not be relevant or applicable to citizens of other countries. In some cases, adverse effects to certain drugs may occur only in certain races .In order to prevent unnecessary suffering by patients and to decrease the economic burden sustained by the patient due to the inappropriate or unsafe use of medicines, it is essential that a monitoring system for the safety of medicine supported by doctors, pharmacists, nurses and other health professionals in thecountry.NPC is improving drug safety through adverse drug reactions ,monitoring adverse reactions should be reported on a dailybasis.Differences in drug use, genetics, diet, tradition of people and excipients etc.

Who should report Adverse Drug Reactions?

All health care workers, including doctors, pharmacists, nurses and other health care professionals are requested to report all suspected adverse reactions to drugs (including vaccines, X-ray contrast media, traditional and herbal remedies),especially when the reaction is unusual, potentially serious or clinically significant. It is vital to report an adverse drug reaction to the nearest and appropriate Pharmacovigilance centre even if you do not have all the facts or are uncertain about the medicine and the ADR reported.

Will reporting have any negative consequences on the health worker or the Patient?

This adverse drug reaction report does not constitute an admission that you or any other health professional contributed to the event in any way. The outcome of the report, together with any important or relevant information relating to the reaction you have reported, will be sent back to you as appropriate. The details of your report will be stored in a confidential database. The names of the reporter or any other health professionals named on a report and the patient will be removed before any details about a specific adverse drug reaction are used or communicated to others. The information obtained from your report will not be used for commercial purposes. The information is only meant to improve our understanding of the medicines we use in the country.

How to avoid ADR’s?

• Medicines of good quality (GMP) and safety .
• Doctors, pharmacists, nurses got good basic education in pharmacotherapy (Good Academic Knowledge & Experience).
• Doctors prescribe sensibly (GPP) Populations knew rational use of medicines.
• Appropriate nosology
• Selection of Adjuvant / Vehicle
• Pathiyam
• Food & drug interaction awareness
• Drug & Drug interaction awareness and Seasonal awareness

What to report?

All adverse reactions / interactions suspected to have been caused by ASU drugs alone or along with any other drugs, any untoward medical occurrence that at any dose Results in death, requires hospitalization or Prolongation of existing hospitalization, Results in persistent significant disability or incapacity.

Where to report?

The reporting on prescribed format will be done to any of the Pharmacovigilance centres. (Visit www.crisiddha.tn.nic.in)

What happens to the ADR’s submitted?

The information in the form shall be handled in confidentiality. Peripheral Pharmacovigilance centres shall forward the form to the respective Regional Pharmacovigilance centres that will carry out the causality analysis. This information shall be forwarded to National Pharmacovigilance Resource centre. The data will be statistically analysed and forwarded to the Dept. of AYUSH, Govt. of India.

Adverse event:

Any untoward medical occurrence that may present during treatment with a pharmaceutical product but which does not necessarily have a causal relationship with this treatment

Adverse Drug reaction (ADR):

A reaction which is noxious and unintended, and which occurs at doses normally used in man for the prophylaxis, diagnosis or therapy of disease, or for the modification of physiological function

Signals:

Signals are Reported information on a possible causal relationship between an adverse event and drug, the relationship being unknown or incompletely documented previously. Usually more than a single report is required to generate a signal, depending upon the seriousness of the event and the quality of the information.

Spontaneous Reporting:

It is a System where case reports of adverse drug events are voluntarily submitted from health professionals and pharmaceutical manufacturers to the national regulatory authority.

Vigibase:

Vigi base is WHO international ADR database.

Vigiflow:

Vigiflow (formerly called Vigibase online) is sophisticated case report management system created by the UMC (UPPSALA Monitoring Committee, Sweden)

Vigi search:

This is custom search service offered by the UMC to third –party inquirers for several types of standard presentations are available.

Vigi med:

E-mail conferencing facility exclusive to member countries of the WHO programme for International Drug Monitoring.

swot analysis of siddha

SWOT analysis of Siddha medicine

Sathiya rajeswaran. P, Kannan.M, & Natarjan.S.

Strength of Siddha Medicine

1. Treatment cost is affordable
2. Treatment is Patient friendly
3. Possess traditional wisdom
4. Physicians are easily approachable
5. Reduces panic of Surgery
6. Empirical and Hear say evidenced
7. Varmam can be applied with no time
8. Emergencies are handled well
9. Confidence level of pts increases Multifold

If treated satisfyingly

10. Treatment duration is lesser

Weakness of Siddha medicine

1. Claimed to be Non Scientific.

2. Lack of Proper training to peers.

3. High rate of Iatrogenic Complications due to non referral.

4. Tall claims lead to PVR’S.

5. Poor Hospital Infection Control

6. Unavailability of Pain Management Drugs

7. Ethical issues go unanswered.

8. Techniques are Transferred only to generations

9. Considered as a native Knowledge than Medical Profession.

10. Equated With a magic remedy and not Validated .

Opportunities

1. Establishment of Departments

2. Availability of Trainers

3. Charisma towards Herbal remedies .

4. Potential to develop as health tourism sector.

5. Paradigm shift of Health scenario.

6. Hear say evidence is mass communicated

7. Institutionalization and Established research.

8. Involvement of Policy makers and Govt.itself

9. CCIM Approval for revised and upgraded curriculum

10. Publications of Literatures by Peers.

Threats to Siddha medicine

1. Budding of Quackery

2. Poor Involvement of Academicians

3. No Insurance for of AYUSH Treatments

4. Non up gradation in Educational policy.

5. No legal protection for Qualified practitioners .

6. Not Permitted to maintain RTA/MLC Cases registry

7. Minimal hospital Standards are not Followed

8. Therapist Unavailability

9. Portrayed as Magical Remedy by Fellow members of Allopathy.

Commercially Non Viable for the