Anti – tumour activity of an ayurvedic oil preparation
Journal name: Ancient Science of Life
Original article title: Anti – tumour activity of an ayurvedic oil preparation
The ANSCI is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal focused on Ayurveda and traditional medicines. It publishes original research, reviews, and literary studies linking traditional knowledge with modern science, covering disciplines like botany, ethnomedicine, pharmacology, and clinical research.
This page presents a generated summary with additional references; See source (below) for actual content.
Original source:
This page is merely a summary which is automatically generated hence you should visit the source to read the original article which includes the author, publication date, notes and references.
K. R. Panikar, P. Bhanumathy, P. N. Raghunath
Ancient Science of Life:
(A quarterly multi-disciplinary scientific research journal in Ayurveda)
Full text available for: Anti – tumour activity of an ayurvedic oil preparation
Year: 1986
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA
Download the PDF file of the original publication
Summary of article contents:
Introduction
The study investigated the anti-tumour activity of an Ayurvedic oil preparation containing ixora coccinea and cortus sativum in a controlled animal experiment. Conducted at the Amala Cancer Research Centre in Kerala, India, the research aimed to assess the oil's efficacy in preventing and managing Dalton’s lymphoma, a form of cancer, in mice. Despite the absence of definitive cures for cancer in modern medicine, the use of medicinal plants in Ayurvedic treatments has garnered interest, prompting this investigation into a novel therapeutic approach.
Tumour Growth Retardation
The experimental results highlighted that the application of the Ayurvedic oil preparation significantly retarded the growth of solid tumours. Mice in Group A, which received the oil treatment starting from the second day after cancer cell injection, showed a tumor volume of 1.27 ml, markedly less than the 2.55 ml observed in the untreated Group C. This suggests that the oil may contain effective ingredients that are able to penetrate the skin and exhibit anti-cancer properties. Additionally, Group B, which started treatment from the 9th day, also displayed a significant reduction in tumour growth, supporting the notion that the oil could potentially halt the progression of already established tumours.
Conclusion
The findings from this preliminary investigation suggest that the Ayurvedic oil preparation holds promise in retarding the growth of solid tumours associated with Dalton's lymphoma. While it could not demonstrate the ability to reduce the size of pre-existing tumours in a significant manner, the results indicate that specific components in the oil may be effective in delaying tumour development. Further research is warranted to explore the active ingredients within the preparation and their mechanisms of action, which could pave the way for novel anticancer therapies derived from traditional medicinal practices.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What was the purpose of the animal experiment with ayurvedic oil?
The experiment aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an ayurvedic oil preparation in preventing and retarding the growth of Dalton’s lymphoma, a type of cancer, in mice.
What components were used in the ayurvedic oil preparation?
The ayurvedic oil preparation included flowers of Ixora coccinea and Cortus sativum, which are believed to possess therapeutic properties potentially useful in treating cancer.
How was the effectiveness of the oil measured during the study?
Effectiveness was measured by comparing the size of tumors in treated and untreated groups of mice, specifically calculating the tumor volume using established measurement formulas.
What were the main findings of the study regarding tumor growth?
The study found that the oil preparation significantly retarded tumor growth in treated mice compared to untreated controls, suggesting potential therapeutic effects in cancer treatment.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Anti – tumour activity of an ayurvedic oil preparation”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Medicine:
The term 'Medicine' refers to the Ayurvedic oil preparation tested in the study for its potential anti-tumor properties. It emphasizes the relevance of traditional healing practices and natural ingredients—specifically ixora coccinea and cortus sativus—in cancer treatment, highlighting the blend of ancient wisdom with modern scientific inquiry for therapeutic advancements.
2) Cancer:
Cancer denotes the malignant disease indicated in the study, specifically Dalton's lymphoma, used as a model for testing the Ayurvedic oil. This emphasizes the need for effective treatment options for this devastating condition, underscoring the ongoing challenge in oncology to find alternative therapies from natural sources, which may complement existing treatments.
3) Drug:
The term 'Drug' pertains to the Ayurvedic oil as a therapeutic agent being investigated for its anticancer effects. This highlights the concept of drugs deriving from natural ingredients, paving the way for recognition of Ayurvedic formulations in modern pharmacotherapy and the search for more accessible and less toxic cancer treatments.
4) Amala (Amalā):
Amala represents the institution, Amala Cancer Research Centre, where the study was conducted. It signifies the role of dedicated research facilities in exploring novel treatments and validating traditional practices through scientific experimentation, thus promoting the integration of ancient medicine within contemporary health sciences and cancer research frameworks.
5) Discussion:
Discussion refers to the analytical part of the research where results are interpreted. It plays a critical role in evaluating the efficiency of the Ayurvedic oil in tumor growth retardation, encouraging dialogue about traditional treatments' efficacy and implications for clinical applications, and fostering further research into their active components.
6) Mutation:
Mutation relates to changes in cell behavior caused by cancer. Although not directly addressed in the study, understanding mutations is vital in cancer research. Exploration into how Ayurvedic treatments may affect cellular integrity emphasizes the importance of studying genetic factors and therapeutics aimed at inhibiting harmful cellular transformations associated with tumor growth.
7) Activity:
Activity highlights the effectiveness of the Ayurvedic oil preparation in reducing tumor size and growth rate. It underscores the importance of assessing biological responses in therapeutic contexts, framing the oil’s mechanism of action in terms of enhancing immune response or inhibiting cancer cell proliferation—core concepts in pharmacodynamics and therapeutic development.
8) Science (Scientific):
Science reflects the systematic methodology applied in the study, encompassing experimental design, observation, and analysis. It embodies the validation of traditional medicine through empirical research, bridging the gap between ancient and modern medicine, and fostering an evidence-based approach to understanding and applying herbal treatments in contemporary clinical settings.
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Anti – tumour activity of an ayurvedic oil preparation’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
External application, Control group, Animal experimentation, Skin absorption, Tumour volume.