Traditional Medicine in Asia

ushna (hot) or sita (cold) and the patients,
depending on their Prakriti, are advised to
take or avoid one or the other. Sarkar, et al
(1996), have reported on the clastogenic
and non-clastogenic effects of Indian
spinach. 36 Momordica charantia, 36 edible
oils, 37,38 Curcuma longa, 39 Fenugreek, 40,41
and Mentha spicata. 42
Anti-peptic Ulcer Activity
Acid peptic disease is treated with remedies
which restore equilibrium of humors in the
body. There is, therefore, no appropriate
test model to assess the activity of herbal
medicines in this disease complex.
However, commonly used models to test
antipeptic ulcer activity are experimentally
produced ulcers in rats by pyloric ligation,
or immobilization, and prednisolone or
histamine-induced ulcers in guineapigs.
Herbal drugs proposed for this condition
are:
� Tectona grandis;
� Andrographis paniculata.
Ethanol extract of the bark of Tectona
grandis was studied by Pandey, et al (1982),
and showed anti-ulcer activity in rats and
guineapigs. 43 Vishwanathan, et al (1981),
reported a similar activity of a flavone
isolated from Andrographis paniculata. 44
Several such plants used in combination by
traditional practitioners in gastric disorders
should provide leads from animal experimental
studies for clinical evaluation.
Hepatoprotective
Modern medicine does not offer any
specific hepatoprotective drugs. Viral
hepatitis or liver cirrhosis is treated symptomatically
and by diet rather than drugs.
Traditional medicine, in particular
Ayurveda, offers several medicinal plants
with possible hepatoprotective activity.
Experimental test models which are
Research, drug development and manufacture of herbal drugs
commonly used include hepatic damage
induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats,
both as acute and chronic hepatic injury.
Alcohol, isoniazide, pyrazinamide or
paracetamol-induced hepatic injury in rats
has also been used to produce hepatic
injury. However, there is no animal model
to simulate chronic progressive hepatitis or
cirrhosis.
The following are commonly used herbal
medicines as hepatoprotectives:
� Tinospora cordifolia;
� Acacia catechu;
� Piper longum;
� Phyllanthus niruri;
� Eclipta alba;
� Picrorhiza kurroa.
Rege, et al (1984b), have reported that
chronic liver damage was prevented by
Tinospora cordifolia. 45 Similarly, Acacia
catechu prevented chronic damage of liver
but not the acute variety. Piper longum is a
drug most commonly advocated in Ayurveda
for the treatment of liver disorders. However,
in studies by Rege, et al (1984c), it only
seems to restrict fibrosis. 45 Picrorhiza kurroa
and Eclipta alba have been extensively
investigated for hepatoprotective activities
(Pilankar, Ph.D thesis submitted to Mumbai
University). 46 These drugs form important
ingredients of Ayurvedic preparations such
as Liv 52 or Liv 100 marketed in India for
liver disorders. Vaidya, et al (1996), have
reviewed experimental and clinical research
relating to the hepatoprotective effects of
Ayurvedic formulations. 47 Saraswathi, et al
(1998), have reported on the hepatoprotective
activities of Liv 52 and Liv 100,
which are mixtures of herbal drugs
extensively used in liver disorders such as
progressive hepatitis, and cirrhosis. 48 It was
shown that hepatic enzyme activity was
protected by these preparations.
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