INDIAN INITIATIVES IN THE REVIVAL OF

TRDITIONAL SYSTEMS OF MEDICINE: AN

OVERVIEW AND RECENT LEADS IN AYURVEDA
*CK Katiyar
Dabur Research and Development Centre
Sahibabad, Ghaziabad (UP), India

India has a rich cultural heritage and Ayurveda, the ancient medical wisdom, represents
one aspect that enjoys the same prestige today as in the past. Ayurveda, the ‘Science of
Life’, not only encompasses the preventive and curative aspects of diseases but also
provides a unique approach of health promotion, leading to a healthy, active and long
lifespan.

In its journey through the 20th Century, which has witnessed epoch-making
discoveries in science leading to inventions and a whole gamut of technological
advances, Ayurveda had to face several hurdles and challenges, and both cultural and
physical onslaughts from within and outside the country. But it has successfully
withstood all these due to its inherent strength, based on its own philosophy, science and
ethical values. More so, the popularity of Ayurveda has not only withstood the test of
times but has actually crossed the trans-national and cultural boundaries, and is being
incorporated as a mainstream medical field besides attaining a global status.

The journey from the Vedic era to the Genomic era has been engrossing because
of the concerted efforts and contributions of the leading Indian scientific institutions,
Indian scientists from varied disciplines, Ayurvedic practitioners, visionary leaders and
above all the faith and trust of the common man in Ayurveda, its principles, products and
the belief that it can do no harm but only good.

Over the last six decades, several developments have taken place in the fields of
infrastructure, education, research, regulatory controls, commerce and governance and
globalization which have profoundly helped Ayurveda in its rejuvenation (re-awakening).
__________________________
*E-mail: chandra.katiyar@dabur.com

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 Pt. Madan Mohan Malviya, a visionary and academician of high order started a
unique integrated course of Ayurveda and Modern Medicine, AMS at Banaras Hindu
University (BHU) in 1925. After few decades this became a center of excellence for
postgraduate education in Ayurveda in the 60s. Banaras Hindu University has
contributed a lot in development of Ayurveda. Later on Gujarat Ayurveda University,
Jamnagar also helped in carrying forward the mantle of Ayurveda. While BHU School
concentrated more on science and research oriented education, the Jamnagar School of
Ayurveda decided to focus more on puristic Ayurveda. Besides academic institutions,
private organizations like Arya Vaidyasala, Dabur and Zandu also made significant
contributions in popularizing Ayurvedic treatments like Pancha karma as well as
Ayurvedic products. Dabur’s major contribution is into converting an age-old
formulation of Chyawanprash into popular consumer health product among the Indian
masses. Therefore, directly or indirectly both public and private institutions contributed
to the growth of indigenous system of medicine in India over the decades.

Various government bodies such as the Indian Council of Medical Research

(ICMR); Department of Indian Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy (ISM&H),
presently renamed Department of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and
Homoeopathy (AYUSH); Central Council for Research in Indian Medicine &
Homoeopathy (CCRIMH), now segregated into four different councils, viz. CCRAS
(Ayurveda and Siddha), CCRUM (Unani Medicine), CCRH (Homoeopathy) and
CCRYN (Yoga and Naturopathy); Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR);
Department of Science and Technology (DST); Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and
other affiliated advanced centres are actively involved in the research and development of
Indian Systems of Medicine.

INFRASTRUCTURE
The emphasis of the Department of AYUSH is on implementing the schemes which
address the identified thrust areas such as upgradation of educational standards, quality
control and standardization of drugs, improving the availability of raw material, research
and development, and awareness generation about the efficacy of the systems in domestic

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 and international spheres. The system-wise infrastructure pertaining to Indian Systems of
Medicine as on April 1, 2007 is presented in Table 1.

Table 1 – System-wise AYUSH infrastructure available in India (as on 01.04.2007)

________________________________________________________________________

Sl.No. Facility Ayurveda Unani Siddha Yoga Naturopathy Homoeopath Amchi Total
y

1 Hospitals 2398 268 281 8 18 230 1 3204

2 Beds 42963 4489 2401 135 722 10851 22 61583
3 Dispensaries 13914 1010 464 71 56 5836 86 21437
4 Regd. practitioners 453661 46558 6381   888 217850   725338
  (a) Institutionally   324242 23982 2926   839 154240   506229
qualified
  (b) Non-institutionally   129419 22576 3455   49 63610   219109
qualified

5 AYUSH colleges 242 40 8   10 185   485

(UG &PG)

  (a) Admission capacity 12216 1817 460   385 14509   29387

6 Colleges (UG) 240 39 7   10 183   479

  (a) Admission capacity 11225 1750 350   385 13425   27135

7 Colleges (PG) 62 7 3     33   105

  (a) Admission capacity 991 67 110     1084   2252

8 Exclusive PG colleges 2 1 1     2   6

  (a) Admission capacity 40 28 30     99   197

9 Manufacturing units 7621 321 325     628   8895

UG – Undergraduate; and PG – Postgraduate

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 Statutory regulatory control pertaining to education and practice is taken care of
by the Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) which was established through an Act
of Parliament in 1970 while that pertaining to drug regulation is governed by the Drugs &
Cosmetics Act of 1940 and rules thereunder of 1945 amended from time to time. A few
colleges and universities have also started short-term courses on Ayurveda in Australia
and Europe.

Following is the history of reorganization of various administrative bodies dealing

with indigenous systems of traditional medicine.

The Department of AYUSH also finances CCRAS, CCRYN, CCRUM and

CCRH. CCRAS came into existence after the bifurcation of the erstwhile Central Council
for Research in Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy in the year 1978. CCRAS is an apex
body in India for the coordination, development and promotion of research on scientific
lines in fundamental and applied aspects of Ayurveda & Siddha systems of medicine. It
also promotes and assists institutions of research for the study of diseases, their
prevention and cure, especially with emphasis on covering the rural population of the
country. CCRAS has been executing its research programmes through 38 constituent
institutes/centres spread across India. However, the research carried out is limited and
often with unknown scientific output.

CCRYN was established in 1978 for providing better opportunity for all-round
development of Yoga and Naturopathy, independently according to their own doctrines
and fundamental principles. This Council also undertakes education, training, research
and other programmes in Yoga and Naturopathy and is also involved in initiating, aiding,
developing and coordinating scientific research in fundamental and applied aspects of
Yoga and Naturopathy.

CCRUM was established by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare,

Government of India, as an autonomous organization in 1979 to initiate, aid, develop and

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to coordinate scientific research in Unani system of medicine. The Council is engaged in
the multifaceted research activities in the field of Unani medicine. The Council’s research
programme comprises clinical research, drug standardization, survey and cultivation of
medicinal plants and literary research. These activities are being carried out through a
network of 22 institutes/units functioning in different parts of the country.

CCRH is fully funded by the Government of India and is engaged in research in

Homoeopathy. The Council functions through a network of 40 institutes/units located in
different parts of the country. These institutes/units are engaged in research in various
aspects of Homoeopathy such as clinical research; drug proving research (Homoeopathic
pathogenetic trial); clinical verification research; drug standardization; and survey,
collection and cultivation of medicinal plants.

National Institutions pertaining to individual system of traditional medicine have

also been set up. These include:
 National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur was established in 1976 by the
Government of India as an apex institute of Ayurveda in the country to develop
high standards of teaching, training and research in all aspects of Ayurvedic
system of medicine with a scientific approach. The Institute is engaged in
teaching, clinical evaluation, training and research at under-graduate, post-
graduate and Ph.D. levels. It also provides guidance for external Ph.D. scholars in
Ayurveda by affiliation with the Rajasthan Ayurved University.
 National Institute of Naturopathy, Pune was set up in 1986. This institute has a
Governing Body headed by the Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare as
its President.
 National Institute of Unani Medicine, Bangalore was started in 1984 as a
centre of excellence to develop and propagate Unani system of medicine. It is a
joint venture of the Government of India and the State Government of Karnataka.
It is affiliated with the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Science, Bengaluru.
 National Institute of Siddha, Chennai was founded in 2005 and is an
autonomous organization under the control of Department of AYUSH. The

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 Institute conducts post-graduate education for students of Siddha system, provides
medical care, conducts research, and develops, promotes and propagates Siddha
system of medicine.
 National Institute of Homoeopathy, Kolkata was established in 1975 as an
autonomous organization under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare,
Government of India. The Institute offers degree courses in Homoeopathy since
1987 and post-graduate courses since 1998-99. It was functioning under the
University of Calcutta up to 2003-04. From 2004-05 onwards, it has been
affiliated to the West Bengal University of Health Sciences. The Institute also
conducts regular orientation/training courses for teachers and physicians.

A National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) was set up under the Department of
AYUSH through a Government resolution in 2000. The Board is responsible for
coordination with Ministries/ Departments/ Organizations/ State and UT Governments
for sustainable development of medicinal plants in general and specifically for drawing
up policies and strategies for conservation, cost-effective cultivation, proper harvesting,
processing, research and development, and marketing of raw material in order to protect,
sustain and develop the medicinal plants sector.

RESEARCH
Sir Col. Ram Nath Chopra, also known as the father of Indian pharmacology, propagated
the integration of Indian Systems of Medicine to take care of the health of Indian
population in the first health policy document prepared after India won Independence. He
was also the founder Director of the Indian Drug Laboratory and later of the Regional
Research Laboratory, Jammu and started pharmacological research on Indian medicinal
plants.

An Advisory Committee on indigenous drugs constituted in 1963 for the unique

Composite Drug Research Scheme (CDRS) by the ICMR brought together, for the first
time, experts in the Ayurvedic system of medicine, modern medicine and scientists
(botanists and phytochemists) for selecting and screening of Indian medicinal plants for

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biological activity on the basis of their therapeutic claims. During 1964-70, ICMR,
through the Ministry of Health and in collaboration with the then CCAR and CSIR,
conceived, designed and technically implemented this scheme. From the Ayurvedic
fraternity, Dr C. Dwarakanath was instrumental in carrying forward this scheme and
subsequently the first group of 58 medicinal plants was subjected to investigation for
pharmacognostic, phytochemical and pharmacological aspects and some of these reached
an advanced stage of investigation. CDRS was the very first attempt at a
multidisciplinary, integrated, coordinated research on medicinal plants. Under this
scheme, Saptachakra (Salacia macrosperma and Salacia prinoides) showed promising
results for diabetes mellitus. In 1970, CDRS was transferred to the newly constituted
CCRIMH.

In 1983-84, ICMR initiated another project to review certain time-honoured

traditional therapies, aimed at validation of Ayurvedic products and practices through
product standardization and clinical validation. For this, the concept of reverse
pharmacology was applied and goal oriented projects were formulated on traditional
remedies for anal fistula, diabetes mellitus, viral hepatitis, bronchial asthma, urolithiasis,
filariasis, Kala-azar and wound healing. Among these, ‘Kshaara Sutra’, a medicated
thread used for anal fistula was found to be safe, ambulatory and cost-effective
alternative to surgery. Further- more, pharmacopoeial standards pertaining to ‘Kshaara
Sutra’ were also delineated, depicting proper quality control during production of the
same. It was Prof P.J. Deshpande of Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, who had done
extensive research and had provided a scientific and standard method for the preparation
of ‘Kshaara Sutra’. ‘Kshaara Sutra’ is a special surgical procedure using medicated
thread to treat fistula-in-ano. ‘Kshaara Sutra’ has been standardized by ICMR and
includes dipping of standardized size linen thread in latex of Euphorbia neriifolia with
turmeric powder, dried and rolled in ash of Achyranthes aspera. Presently, ‘Kshaara
Sutra’ therapy is a very viable alternative even in refractory and relapsed cases of anal
fistula. Another breakthrough was achieved with the plant Kutaki (Picrorhiza kurroa) as
source of a hepatoprotective drug at Central Drug Research Laboratory (CDRI),
Lucknow. In diabetes, the plant Vijaysara (Pterocarpus marsupium) gave consistently

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promising results. To promote research on traditional remedies, two advanced research
centres — one for drug standardization at the Department of Pharmacognosy, University
Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Punjab University, Chandigarh, later shifted to
Regional Research Laboratory (presently Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine),
Jammu, and one for clinical pharmacology at KEM Hospital, Mumbai, were set up.
Recently, two advanced centres — one for pharmacokinetics, bioavailability and herb-
drug interaction studies at BYL Nair Hospital, Mumbai and one for standardization and
quality control of selected herbal remedies/natural products at the National Institute of
Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Chandigarh, have been organized.

Indian systems of medicine have also contributed in the field of therapeutics and
certain therapeutic regimen and therapeutic modalities have resulted in enormous utility
in chronic degenerative disorders, neuro-degenerative disorders and auto-immune
disorders. The modalities which have been used are Panch-karma, Shiro-dhara, Jalauka
(Leech therapy) & Ashtanga Yoga. Another significant contribution of Ayurveda is the
unique way of classifying human population based on individual constitution or
‘Prakriti’. Ayurveda identifies principles of motion (Vata), metabolism (Pittha) and
structure (Kapha) as discrete phenotypic groupings, elements of which may be found in
all people, but which predominate in sufficiently differing degrees in individuals to form
a three-fold body typology. This concept of ‘Prakriti’ based on ‘Tridosha Theory’ allows
for individually suited treatment and lifestyle recommendations. This concept has
recently been validated through genomic studies and has been published in the Journal of
Translational Medicine (2008).

Efficacy of Ayurveda and Siddha drug formulations have been proven for the
treatment of various diseases such as bronchial asthma, epilepsy, malaria and peptic
ulcer. Some of the formulations developed and researched by CCRAS that have been
clinically validated are AYUSH-64 for malaria, AYUSH-56 for epilepsy, AYUSH-82 for
diabetes mellitus and 777 oil for psoriasis. Ayurveda has also been streamlined with
Reproductive & Child Healthcare (RCH), programme and various Ayurvedic regimens
have been included and propagated through various national campaigns. A few areas

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related to RCH, namely antenatal care, complications of pregnancy, postnatal care, care
of the new born, infantile and childhood diseases and gynaecological disorders, have
been identified for intervention. Five states, namely Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan,
Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu (Tamil Nadu for Siddha intervention and other
States for Ayurveda) have been selected for this project on the basis of availability of
Indian systems of medicine infrastructure. CCRAS has taken up the development and
standardization activity of 16 drugs each of Ayurveda and Siddha systems to be used in
the RCH programme.

Pippalyadi Yoga, a formulation for oral contraception, has been extensively

studied by the Council in fertile female volunteers in the last two decades. Presently, this
has been taken up by the Department of Family Welfare, Ministry of Health & Family
Welfare, to evaluate its anti-fertility potential for inclusion in the National Population
Control Programme. Phase-II multicentric clinical trials on ‘Pippalyadi Yoga’ are being
conducted at AIIMS, New Delhi; PGI, Chandigarh; JIPMER, Pondicherry and KEM
Hospital, Mumbai. A water soluble fraction of neem seed (Azadirachta indica)
containing sodium nimbinate had shown spermicidal activity in human sperms in an in
vitro study. The efficacy of Neem Oil as a spermicidal agent has been taken up by the
Council in fertile female volunteers at Central Research Institute in New Delhi.

CCRUM has a clinical research programme which is aimed at a critical appraisal

of the theory of pathogenesis, symptomatology, clinical methods of diagnosis and
prognosis, principles, lines and methods of treatment enunciated in the classical texts of
Unani system of medicine. The diseases on which clinical trials have been undertaken
include vitiligo, eczema, psoriasis, chronic urticaria, infective hepatitis, urolithiasis,
duodenal ulcer, chronic diarrhoea, infantile diarrhoea, helminthiasis, malaria, amoebic
dysentery, kala-azar, filariasis, diabetes mellitus, essential hypertension, obesity,
rheumatoid arthritis, sinusitis, bronchial asthma, gingivitis, dental plaque, pyorrhea,
menstrual disorders, leucorrhoea, hyperlipidemia and chronic stable angina. The Council
has developed potential drugs for the treatment of some common diseases having national
priority such as malaria, filariasis, infective hepatitis and infantile diarrhoea.

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 CCRH has developed a plan and protocol based on Double Blind Technique in
Drug Proving. Proving of a drug substance is a process unique to Homoeopathy. Unlike
conventional medicine where animal experimentation forms the basis of evaluation of
drug pathogenesis, homoeopathic medicines are proved on healthy human volunteers,
including controls, from both sexes. The entire process takes about 12-24 months and has
to be repeated more than once at different places and in different settings. The Council
has undertaken drug proving programme on a priority. The main objective of the Council
is to find out the proving symptoms of indigenous and partially proved homoeopathic
drugs on healthy human volunteers. The Council has completed proving the efficacy of
76 drugs, out of which 35 are indigenous. The data on 62 drugs has been published by the
Council so far and it is planned to report data on eight drugs shortly. Proving data of 6
drugs is under compilation. Apart from the above, clinical verification of 11 plants, viz.
Achyranthes aspera, Aegle marmelos, Boerhavia diffusa, Caesalpinia bonducella, Carica
papaya, Embelia ribes, Centella asiatica, Asteracantha longifolia, Nyctanthes arbor-
tristis, Saraca indica and Terminalia chebula has been done by the Council.

REGULATIONS
In an effort to globalize the system and its products, the Department of AYUSH has
strictly focussed its attention on standardization and quality control of drugs. Further,
displaying on the label of the container or package of Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani
preparations, the true list of ingredients (official and botanical names) used in the
manufacture of the preparation, together with the quantity of each of the ingredients
incorporated therein, has been made mandatory. Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
have been notified under ‘Schedule T’ of the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules, 1945 and testing
for heavy metals, viz. mercury, arsenic, lead and cadmium, in all purely herbal
Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani drugs has been made mandatory for export purposes with
effect from January 1, 2006. All these measures have been introduced to give greater
impetus to consumer awareness, consumer and doctor benefit, acceptance in the

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globalized markets and to ensure safety which is of utmost concern while using
Ayurveda, Siddha or Unani medicines.

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia Committee (APC) was constituted in 1962 with

the aim of preparing the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India on single and compound
drugs and to prescribe the working standards for compound Ayurvedic formulations
including tests for identity, purity and quality so as to ensure uniformity of the finished
formulations. So far, six volumes of Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India covering 519
plants, have been published, each in the form of a monograph dealing with single drugs.
Table 2 provides the break-up of the plants covered in individual volumes of Ayurvedic
Pharmacopoeia of India.

Table 2 — Main content of Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

________________________________________________________________________
Volume Year of No. of plants
No. publication covered

I 1990 78
II 1999 80
III 2001 100
IV 2004 68
V 2006 92
VI 2008 101

________________________________________________________________________

The Council has also published ‘Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India’

(Formulations; Part–2) covering 50 formulations. To bring uniformity among the
manufacturers and to follow the same formula of ingredients in the same proportion, two
parts of Ayurvedic Formulary of India (covering 635 formulations) have been published
in Hindi and English separately and a third part covering 500 formulations is under
preparation. 

Author: Please give here cover page of Volume-VI of Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of

India. - Attached

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Some of the other projects undertaken by APC are:
 Development of standard operating procedures.
 Development of pharmacopoeial standards.
 Assigning of shelf life to formulations.
 Chemo-profiling and bio-efficacy evaluation of Ayurvedic herbal drugs and
formulations.
 Effect of treatment of herbs by gamma radiation for the prevention of microbial
growth on drying or storage.
 Development of standard operating procedures and pharmacopoeial standard for
extracts of Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani (ASU) medicinal plants.
 Standardization of genuine/authentic samples of metals and minerals used as raw
material for production of Ayurvedic drugs.
 Estimation of heavy metals, microbial load and pesticide residues in single drugs
of plant origin.
 Publication of an Extra Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (Namatah / Anuyukta
Dravyas). There are certain single plant drugs which are being used in traditional
practices of health care but do not find mention in the 56 authoritative textbooks
of Ayurveda as mentioned in the First Schedule of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act,
1945. These plant drugs have been selected for inclusion in the Extra Ayurvedic
Pharmacopoeia of India.

On the recommendation of APC a notification for protection of ASU drugs and

formulations from microbial contamination by gamma radiation has been issued by the
Government of India and a dosage of 5-10 Gy has been recommended.

RECENT LEADS FROM AYURVEDIC MEDICINAL

PLANTS

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There has been a significant contribution of India with reference to research-based plant
drugs in the past 50 years. Some of the well researched plants have even made entry into
the international markets and are selling in significant quantities. Some of the important
plants that have been studied at various Indian research institutions are mentioned below:

Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall. ex Nees

It is commonly known as Kalamegha or The Creat. It is also known as the ‘King of
Bitters’ and is advocated in liver disorders. It has been shown to protect liver cells from a
wide variety of insults including ethanol, carbon tetrachloride, galactosamine,
acetaminophen, tert-butyl hydroperoxide and hexachlorocyclohexane. It induces toxin
metabolizing enzymes thereby showing protective effect against toxin-induced liver
damage and provides specific and non-specific immuno-stimulation by enhancing
phagocytosis and antibody formation.

Bacopa monnieri (Linn) Wettst

It is an aquatic or paludal herb, commonly known as Brahmi or Thyme Leaved Gratiola.
Researches show that Brahmi given along with scopolamine significantly reverses
the scopolamine-induced impairment and improvement in both acquisition and
retention of memory. The chemical constituents responsible for this effect have been
identified as a mixture of two saponins, designated as Bacosides A and B, which
significantly improve the acquisition, consolidation and retention in the shock-motivated
brightness discrimination response and active conditioned avoidance response, and
produce a dose- dependent facilitation of discretion between an aversive and palatable
fluid in the conditioned taste aversion response.

Boswellia serrata Roxb

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A medium-sized tree, it is commonly known as Shallaki, Luban or Salai Guggul. The
oleo-gum-resin exuded from the trunk is used as an incense and in varnishes. It has
become the most popular and sought after plant drug in the United States of America and
Malaysia for rheumatic disorders and wound healing. Researches carried out on Shallaki
and its constituent (acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid) has provided a probable
mechanism of action which includes leukotriene inhibition and inhibition of nuclear
factor kappa-b activation.

Commiphora wightii (Arn) Bhandari (syn C. mukul Hook ex Stocks)

It is commonly known as Guggulu or Indian Bdellium. Sushruta had prescribed it for
medoroga or obesity. Extensive work carried out on Guggulu in India on the
hypocholesterolemic, hypolipaedemic and anti-arthritic effects in laboratory animals and
the interest evoked on the same has led researchers round the globe to study its Chemistry
and probable mechanism of action. Subsequently, it has been proved that Guggulu and its
constituents (E&Z guggulesterones) lower cholesterol by acting as an antagonistic ligand
for farnesoid X receptor (FXR).

Curcuma longa (Linn.)

It is a very well known herb, rhizome of which is used in India as one of the essential
spices while cooking the foods. Decades ago its active principle was identified as
Curcumin. In the last few decades several studies have been conducted on both Curcuma
as well as Curcumin. Curcuma created a controversy when its wound healing properties
was granted patent in US and was later revoked after prolonged legal battle by
Government of India. The credit of creating awareness of IPR on traditional medicines in
India goes to CSIR for fighting this patent. Curcumin has been thoroughly researched
and has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant as well as caner prevention
properties. Several books and reviews have been published on Curcumin. Its scientific
potential, however, is yet to be fully exploited in India.

Crataeva magna (Syn….)

A small tree that bears white flowers, it is commonly known as Varuna or Barna (The
three-leaved caper). Its bark extract is useful in the treatment of urinary tract disorders,

14
especially urolithiasis. Researches have shown that lupeol, a pentacyclic triterpene,
present in the bark extract reduces the urinary excretion of oxalate and also reduces the
extent of renal tubular damage.

Phyllanthus amarus Schum & Thonn

It is commonly known as Bhomyamalaki or Black Catnip and is used since the time of
Charaka for a variety of ailments. It is a well-researched herb in the treatment of liver
diseases. Data advocate its medicinal use in hepatitis B virus infection as it has been
shown to inhibit the HBV DNA polymerase. It has also been shown to have liver cell
regenerative effect by inducing DNA synthesis via induction of synthesizing nucleic acid
enzymes in alcohol-induced liver cell injury.
Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth
It is commonly known as Kutaki. Picrorhiza has been shown to protect liver cells from a
wide variety of insults including poisoning by Amanita mushroom, carbon tetrachloride,
galactosamine, ethanol, aflatoxin B1, acetaminophen, thioacetamide, oxytetracyline and
monocrotaline. Results show that administration of Kutaki leads to stimulation of nucleic
acid and protein synthesis, resulting in repair of hepatocytes, and helps in preserving the
hepatocyte glycogen, thereby enhancing the hepatic cell viability and capability.
Piper longum Linn
It is a shrub of the evergreen forests producing long spikes that turn black with maturity
of embedded fruits. Commonly known as Pippali or Indian Long Pepper, it is used as a
digestive, appetizer and in disorders of the spleen. Research carried out on the active
constituent piperine and piperlongumine have shown their bio-availability
enhancing properties when used with Rifampicin, an anti-tubercular drug.
Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb
It is commonly known as Vijayasara, Beejaka, Bijasal or the Indian Kino Tree. It is one
of the most useful timber-yielding tree that yields Kino used for dyeing, tanning and
printing. It is a well-researched plant, especially for its role in the management of Type II
diabetes. Aqueous extract of the heartwood of Vijayasara, which contains phenolic
constituents pterostilbene and marsupsin, has been shown to reduce glucose absorption

15
from the gastro-intestinal tract and also to improve insulin and pro-insulin levels in
humans.
Terminalia arjuna Wight & Arn
A lofty tree often planted along avenues whose leaves are fed to tropical tassar silkworm
larvae, it is locally called arjuna. Vagbhatta had mentioned its use for heart diseases
as early as 6th century AD. Experimental data have proved that the leaf extract/powder
possesses anti-ischemic and cardio-protective properties, enhances the synthesis of
apolipoprotein B and also suppresses the hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis.
Tinospora cordifolia (Willd) Miers
A robust, climbing dioecious (male and female plants are different) plant, it is commonly
known as guduchi or gulancha. Researches have shown that the plant has significant
immunomodulatory and anti-oxidant activity as it improves phagocytic function,
enhances humoral and cell mediated immunity, inhibits the lipid peroxidation and
superoxide and hydroxyl radicals. Hepatoprotective property has also been attributed to
guduchi.

Withania somnifera Dunal

Familiarly known as Ashwagandha or Winter Cherry, it is being perceived as good as
Ginseng (Panax ginseng) as far as adaptogenic activity is concerned. The credit for
establishing this property goes to Prof S. K. Bhattacharya from Banaras Hindu
University, Varanasi who conducted extensive pharmacological work. Ashwagandha is a
reputed immunomodulator and has proven anti-anxiety effects. It is known to ameliorate
myelosuppression induced by Paclitaxel chemotherapy.

Zingiber officinale Roscoe

Popularly called Sunthi, adarak or ginger, the whole underground stem (rhizome) is
reported to be used in a variety of ailments such as arthritis, and as anti-emetic, digestive
and stimulant to a gastro-intestinal tract. Data suggest that [6]-gingerol from ginger
inhibits TPA-induced COX-2 expression by blocking the p38 MAP kinase-NF-kappaB

16
signaling pathway. The acetone and 50% ethanolic extracts of ginger have been shown to
possess anti-emetic activity against cisplatin-induced emesis.

Other research leads from traditional Indian medicinal plants are given in Table 3.

Table 3 — Other research leads from traditional Indian medicinal plants

________________________________________________________________________
Activity Common name Latin name
Anti-arthritic Nirgundi Vitex negundo
Shigru Moringa oleifera

Anti-diabetic Gudmaar Gymnema sylvestre

Saptachakra Salacia prinoides
Karela Momordica charantia
Methi Trigonella foenum-graecum
Jamun Syzygium cumini
Neem Azadirachta indica

Hepatoprotective Punarnava Boerhavia diffusa

Wound Healing Ratanjot Arnebia euchroma

Mandukaparni Centella asiatica
Haldi, Turmeric Curcuma longa

Bronchial Asthma Shirish Albizzia lebbeck

Shati Hedychium spicatum

Cardioprotective Pushkarmula Inula racemosa

Peptic Ulcer Kadali Musa sp.

Macrofilaricidal Shakhotak Streblus asper

Psoriasis Indrayav Wrightia tinctoria
777 Oil

Immunomodulator Tulasi Ocimum sanctum

(Adaptogen)

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 Rasayana Bala Sida cordifolia
Shatavari Asparagus racemosus
Vacha Acorus calamus

Anti-oxidant Amla Emblica officinalis

Anti-Parkinsonism Kaunch Mucuna pruriens

Anxiolytic Jatamansi Nardostachys jatamansi

Memory/Learning Mandukparni Centella asiatica

Shankhapushpi Convolvulus pluricaulis*
Jyotishmati Celastrus paniculatus

______________________________________________________________________________________

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA INITIATIVES

National
In the X five year plan, proposals have been put forward for validation of traditional
knowledge pertaining to Shakhotak (Streblus asper) for wucherarian and bancroftian
filariasis, Varuna (Crataeva magna) for benign hypertrophy of prostate and a compound
formulation for cancer.

CSIR has contributed significantly in providing a visionary leadership to the

cause of Indian Systems of Medicine. Several laboratories of CSIR have been conducting
research on Indian medicinal plants and traditional medicines under a co-ordinated New
Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (NMITLI) which is a public-private
partnership effort within the R&D domain in the country. It looks beyond today’s
technology and thus seeks to build, capture and retain for India a leadership position by
synergizing the best competencies of publicly-funded R&D institutions, academia and
private industry. The strategy adopted for NMITLI is to obtain an inverse risk-investment
profile i.e. low investment – high risk technology areas with investments increasing as

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developments take place and the projects move up on the innovation curve with reduction
in risks. Subsequently, with reference to Indian Systems of Medicine, the NMITLI
project was aimed at developing herbal preparations on the concept of reverse
pharmacology for global positioning for degenerative disorders, diabetes mellitus type II
(NIDDM), osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and common hepatic disorders with
emphasis on hepatocellular protection. Various CSIR laboratories were involved in
developing standardized herb-based Ayurvedic products and multicentric clinical trials
along with safety studies have been conducted to ascertain the efficacy and safety of the
formulations. Other NMITLI projects that are underway are development of an oral
herbal formulation for the treatment of psoriasis and pharmacological and genomic
investigations on Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera).

CSIR has just released a new book (After the monograph of Dr Sushil Kumar) –
Could not be confirmed

The Golden Triangle Partnership (GTP) concept emerged in a National Workshop

on Ayurveda Research organized at Chitrakoot in May 2003 when it was decided to set
up an integrated technology mission for the development of Ayurveda and traditional
medical knowledge based on synchronized working of modern medicine, traditional
medicine and modern science with special budgetary support. Subsequently in July 2004,
the Department of AYUSH, CSIR and ICMR decided to work together under a tripartite
agreement to achieve safe, effective and standardized classical Ayurvedic products for
the identified disease conditions and to develop new Ayurvedic and herbal products
effective in disease conditions of national/global importance. It was also decided to
utilize appropriate technologies to develop single, poly-herbal and herbo-mineral
products and to develop products which have IPR potentials. The individual roles have
been defined — the Department of AYUSH would be giving the technical guidance
regarding formulations to be used, CSIR will carry out the standardization and pre-
clinical studies and ICMR would be conducting the clinical trials. At the time of
inception of GTP Scheme, the number of identified disease conditions were 12 which
have now been increased to 28 in the revised scheme. The proposed disease conditions

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are attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) in children, anxiety neurosis,
oligospermia, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, immunomodulation for
HIV/AIDS, menopausal manifestations, premenstrual tension, allergic bronchial asthma,
male infertility, female infertility, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, stress-induced chronic
insomnia, psoriasis, irritable bowel syndrome, senile macular degeneration, retinopathy,
malaria, urolithiasis, benign prostrate hypertrophy, early chronic renal failure, filariasis,
leishmaniasis, diabetes mellitus, obesity and certain identified cancer conditions. In
addition to this, standardization, safety and toxicity studies of eight commonly used Rasa
Yogas (herbo-mineral/metallic preparations) are being identified for standardization.

The Department of Science & Technology initiated the Drugs & Pharmaceuticals
Research Programme (DPRP) in 1994-95 for promoting industry-institutional
collaboration in the drugs and pharmaceuticals sector. This programme aims at enhancing
capabilities of institutions and the Indian drugs & pharmaceuticals industry towards
development of new drugs in all systems of medicine. Emphasis has been laid on Indian
Systems of Medicine and some of the areas that have been identified are: development of
herbal drugs as adaptogens/immunomodulators, process validation and biological
evaluation of Asava and Arishtas with special reference to inoculum bearing herbs, bio-
efficacy and analytical evaluation of herbal active molecules, development of
standardized single plant formulations for commonly encountered diseases associated
with high morbidity and mortality, viz. diarrhoea, pancreatitis, gastritis and ischaemic
heart disease, and development of standardized metallic and herbo-mineral formulations
based on toxicological, pharmacological and process chemistry investigations.

Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council (Pharmexcil) with an aim to prepare a

road map for AYUSH industry has formed an exclusive cell for export promotion of
AYUSH products. Subsequent to this, Pharmexcil has constituted a National Committee
in the field of Ayurvedic medicines to guide the industry to march ahead with the basic
objective of promoting exports to developed countries.

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 The Department of AYUSH is actively pursuing the proposal for establishing an
All India Institute of Ayurveda in New Delhi, which would be an apex Ayurveda institute
for postgraduate education, research and healthcare.

Global Arena
An Indo-US forum has been created for exchange of ideas and proposals for exploring
the opportunities of collaborative projects. As a follow-up to this and also as a success
measure to this forum, Mayo Clinic has expressed interest in doing research on
Ayurvedic products. The Government of India is also promoting Ayurveda through
Embassies, particularly in Europe, and has organized exhibitions and promotive lectures
on Ayurveda. CSIR has gone ahead by setting up a Translational Collaborative Research
Programme with the University of Mississippi. Collaboration of Indian Pharmacopoeia
Commission and Pharmexcil is being set up with the United States Pharmacopoeia
Committee for preparation of quality standards on some Indian medicinal plants. Similar
collaborative alliances with the British Pharmacopoeia Commission are also underway
for preparing monographs on Indian medicinal plants for inclusion in the British
Pharmacopoeia.

SOME PUBLICATIONS ON INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS

It is important to state that several Indian medicinal plants were listed in the Indian
Pharmacopoeia of 1966, but were gradually omitted due to lack of assays to ensure
reproducibility. Now with the involvement of various private R&D institutions, the
quality parameters and standardization assays have been developed for around 20 Indian
medicinal plants and these have been incorporated in the Addendum to the Indian
Pharmacopoeia since 2005. Some more exhaustive monographs on Indian medicinal
plants that encompass various aspects such as Ayurvedic description, macroscopic and
microscopic features, geographical distribution, phytochemistry, pharmacology,
toxicology and clinical studies have been prepared by a number of institutions. These
include: Reviews on Indian Medicinal Plants (6 Volumes) by ICMR, covering 1120 plant
species under alphabets A to C with 16,333 citations. It is an ongoing activity to prepare
further monographs on Indian medicinal plants under alphabets D to Z. ICMR had

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published Medicinal Plants of India Vols 1 & 2 in 1976 and 1987 respectively and
CCRAS had published a database on Research on Medicinal Plants of India (5 Volumes).
ICMR has also brought out 6 volumes of Quality Standards of Indian Medicinal Plants
whose standards are set as per guidelines of the World Health Organization wherein
conventional and modern scientific approaches have been followed and their standards
have been developed at various established and reputed laboratories in the country.
ICMR has plans to develop medicinal plants monographs on diseases of public health
importance, viz. filariasis, malaria, kala-azar, liver disorders, diabetes mellitus,
inflammation and immunomodulation, and at the backdrop of this, a book on liver
disorders titled ‘Perspectives of Indian Medicinal Plants in the Management of Liver
Disorders’ has been published in 2008.

SUMMARY
Ayurveda, though being considered to be an experiential science, has evolved through the
realms of metaphysics and has withstood the tests and rigors of the 21 st century. Though
ancient classical scriptures had depicted Ayurveda as a complete system of medicine
having a wholistic approach, until around three decades ago it was basically known to be
a rural man’s medicine and was even considered in a disparaging manner. Of late, a good
deal of research has been done to prove the concepts, therapeutic regimens, therapies and
other modalities pertaining to Ayurveda and a good deal of support has been provided by
the Government of India. Scientists, academicians and researchers from allied disciplines
have started to work independently and in collaboration to seek more knowledge from the
Ayurvedic medicinal plants and concepts in a strategic manner. As a result, certain
excellent leads have emerged which include Guggulu for hypercholesterolemia,
Boswellia for inflammatory disorders, Arjuna for cardioprotection, turmeric for wound
healing and antioxidant and anticancer properties, Kutaki for hepatoprotection, Kshaara-
Sutra for ano-rectal disorders, and Panch-karma for neurodegenerative disorders. Interest
has been generated not only in India but also at the global level and certain universities
and institutes in India as well as abroad have started relevant research activities. It can be
said that the revival of a glorified age old scientific wisdom i.e. Ayurveda has taken place
but has still to go a long way to be treaded so that the leads that are available today can be

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utilized by the populations across geographies for the betterment of the health of the
humans.

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