Fungi from crude drugs
Journal name: Ancient Science of Life
Original article title: Fungi from crude drugs
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.
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Original source:
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R. K. Pathak, S. N. Khan, Saravesh Sachan
Ancient Science of Life:
(A quarterly multi-disciplinary scientific research journal in Ayurveda)
Full text available for: Fungi from crude drugs
Year: 1991
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
The study conducted by Pathak, Khan, and Sachan focuses on the isolation of fungal species from the ayurvedic crude drug, Jusanda, which is known for its medicinal properties in treating cold and cough. The crude medicine is composed of eleven ingredients, primarily plant parts such as leaves, stems, and fruits. During the processes of collection and drying, these ingredients can become contaminated with various fungi. This contamination can adversely affect the medicinal value of the drug and potentially introduce harmful toxins to consumers. Hence, the researchers aimed to document the occurrence of fungal species associated with Jusanda to better understand the risks involved with its medicinal use.
Fungal Contamination of Jusanda
The research isolated a total of nineteen different fungal species from the ingredients of Jusanda, highlighting the extent of fungal contamination. The study identified which ingredients were most significantly affected, with seeds of Bidana, leaves of Sanai, stems of Mulhatti, and fruits of Unnab and Banafsa showing the highest levels of fungal infection, each harboring multiple fungal species. Notably, common fungi such as Mammoniella sp., Penicillium purpurogenum, and Aspergillus species were prevalent across several ingredients, while others like Rhizopus oryzae were observed less frequently, impacting only one or two ingredients. This finding raises concerns regarding the microbiological safety of crude medicines, suggesting that improper storage may exacerbate fungal growth, potentially diminishing the intended therapeutic effects and posing risks to consumers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the isolation of nineteen fungal species from the ingredients of Jusanda poses significant implications for the quality and safety of this traditional medicine. The variations in fungal prevalence depending on the ingredient underscore the necessity for rigorous examination and careful storage practices of ayurvedic drugs to minimize contamination risks. The researchers advocate for further studies to explore the effects of the microflora present in crude medicines and to implement proper storage conditions that inhibit fungal growth. Overall, such measures are critical for ensuring the efficacy and safety of ayurvedic treatments for consumers.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is Jusanda used for in traditional medicine?
Jusanda is a crude medicine valued for treating cold and cough, containing eleven ingredients such as leaves, stems, and fruits. Its medicinal value may be compromised by fungal infections during collection and drying.
How many fungal species were isolated from Jusanda's ingredients?
A total of nineteen fungal species were isolated from the ingredients of Jusanda, indicating a significant presence of fungi that could affect the medicinal properties of the crude drug.
What ingredients are included in Jusanda?
Jusanda contains various ingredients, including seeds of Khaksi, Bidana, fruits of Unnab, Banafsa, and leaves of Geuzban, among others, all of which were examined for fungal contamination during the study.
What feedback was suggested for the storage of Jusanda's ingredients?
It is recommended that the ingredients of Jusanda be stored under conditions that are unfavorable for fungal growth, to minimize contamination and retain their medicinal efficacy.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Fungi from crude drugs”. 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:
Medicine refers to substances used for treating illnesses or injuries. In the context of the research, Jusanda is considered a crude medicine for cold and cough, highlighting the importance of understanding its ingredients, potential fungal contamination, and their effects on efficacy and safety for consumers.
2) Sanai (Sanaī, Sanāi, Shanai):
Sanai is one of the ingredients mentioned in the study of Jusanda. Identifying Sanai's role in the mix is crucial, as the research found that it had a low incidence of fungal infection, indicating it may maintain its medicinal properties better than other ingredients subjected to contamination.
3) Drug:
Drug, in this context, refers to the components of Ayurvedic formulations, such as Jusanda. Understanding the quality and integrity of these crude drugs is vital for ensuring their therapeutic effects, as contamination by fungi can diminish efficacy and introduce toxins that pose risks to consumers.
4) Glycyrrhiza glabra:
Glycyrrhiza glabra, known as Licorice, is one of the constituents of Jusanda studied for fungal contamination. As an ingredient, its medicinal attributes could be compromised by fungal growth, making it important to monitor for microbial presence to preserve its therapeutic benefits.
5) Terminalia chebula:
Terminalia chebula is cited as another medicinal plant from which fungi were isolated in previous studies. This reference underscores the broader issue of fungal contamination in traditional medicines, reinforcing the necessity for ongoing research into the preservation and safety of similar crude drugs in health applications.
6) Discussion:
Discussion is a component of the research paper where the implications of the findings are examined. It emphasizes the impact of fungal infestation on health, the necessity for proper storage of medicinal ingredients, and the call for further investigations into the microbiological quality of Ayurvedic drugs.
7) Science (Scientific):
Science refers to the systematic study and investigation of phenomena. The study of fungi in Ayurvedic medicine exemplifies scientific inquiry into traditional practices, aiming to bridge the gap between ancient remedies and modern standards of safety and efficacy regarding medicinal components and their microbial composition.
8) Mishra (Miśra):
Mishra is mentioned as a reference in the paper, highlighting prior research related to fungal isolation from traditional medicines. This inclusion signifies the relevance of collaborative knowledge in the scientific community, reinforcing the importance of building upon past studies to address contemporary issues in herbal medicine.
9) Botany:
Botany is the scientific study of plants, crucial to understanding the biological and medicinal properties of plant-based ingredients like those found in Jusanda. The authors' affiliation with the Department of Botany indicates their expertise in plant sciences, underpinning the research's focus on plant-derived medicines.
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Fungi from crude drugs’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Medicinal value, Fungal species, Storage condition, Crude medicine, Petri plate.
Concepts being referred in other categories, contexts and sources.