Ashwini Fulzele

Gridhrasi(Sciatica) is one of the Vatavyadhi caused by aggravated Vatadoshas. This disease is characterised by cardinal symptom i.e. Radiating pain (Ruja), which makes the patient difficult to walk; hampering the daily routine of the individual. No specific remedy is given in modern medical science, patients depends on painkillers which has temporary action. Agnikarma is the procedure indicated by Aacharya in Vatavyadhi. Sushrut mentions Agnikarma as superior most than other therapeutic procedures as it gives instant relief in pain. Thus the objective of present study was to evaluate the efficacy of Agnikarma in case of Gridhrasi & thus improve the daily routine of affected individual. Open study was performed in NIA, Jaipur at OPD & IPD level, patient were registered for study after taking written informed consent. 30 cases present with classical features of Gridhrasi as given in text were selected from OPD & IPD of NIA, Jaipur & management by procedure of Agnikarma was conducted. Data was collected &  observation were made before treatment, on 7thday, on 14thday, & 21stday of treatment  There was a highly significant reduction in the parameters like pain, walking distance, stiffness, SLR test seen in the study gp. Visual Pain Analogue Scale was used for analysis of overall effect of treatment. Management of Gridhrasi by Agnikarma gives instant relief in pain but oral Shaman medicine has to use to break the Samprapti of the disease & to check the recurrence.

Alzheimer disease (AD) is a progressive dementia affecting a large proportion of the aging population, which is characterized by memory impairment, cognitive dysfunction, behavioral disturbances, and deficits in activities of daily living. Multiple lines of evidence demonstrate that oxidative stress is an early event in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), occurring prior to cytopathology, and therefore may play a key pathogenic role in AD. Cure of cognitive disorders such as amnesia, attention deficit and Alzheimer’s disease is still a nightmare in the field of medicine and several nootropic agents are being used to improve memory, mood and behavior, but the resulting side effects associated with these agents have made their use limited. Indian system of medicine emphasizes use of herbs, nutraceuticals and life style changes for age related neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease. In Ayurveda, Medhya herbs such as Centella asiatica, Bacopa monnieri, Acorus calamus and several others are beneficial in cognitive disorders including Alzheimer’s disease and if their scientific evidences and proofs are taken into consideration they make themselves a reasonably good target in finding a cure for memory and intellectual disorders.  Current review sums up the plants that have shown the beneficial and encouraging results in treating ailments like Alzheimer’s disease having antioxidant properties which play an important role in pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease.