Journal of Ayurveda and Holistic Medicine (JAHM)

Scientometric Analysis of Global and Indian Stroke Research with Focus on Contributions of Ayurveda: An Analytical Review

Kruti Raicha, Anup Thakar — Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Due to its rising prevalence, researchers and clinicians across the globe are focusing on its prevention and improving prognosis. This study presents the scientometric analysis of stroke research focusing on contributions of Ayurveda. Objectives: The objective of this study is to analyse research trends in Indian and global stroke literature, to identify major research domains and emerging themes and to evaluate the contribution of Ayurveda in stroke research. Materials and Methods: This is an analytical review done by using descriptive scientometric analysis technique. Science Direct, PubMed database, Google Scholar and AYUSH Research Portal were searched to collect publication data of last 10 years (2016-2025). The search results were analysed for indicators such as publication count, document type, subject areas, journal titles, publication trend and contributions of Ayurveda. Results: Total 32 Ayurveda publications on clinical research on stroke were retrieved. Among all stroke publications, majority were Research articles. In India, most of these publications appeared in “Materials Today: Proceedings” and in Ayurveda, “Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine” was the most productive journal for stroke research. There was a shift in stroke research trends form emergency management including anticoagulants and thrombectomy to long-term recovery, rehabilitation, and personalized care in the recent years. Ayurveda contributes to integrative stroke management, with evidence supporting role of Panchakarma and herbal formulations in post-stroke rehabilitation and functional recovery. Conclusion: The study depicts rising trends in stroke research globally and in India. Focusing on integrating conservative medicine with complementary medicine is need of an hour.

Therapeutic Potential of Ayurvedic and Herbal Interventions in Vaginitis: A Critical Narrative Review

Vaishnavi Kiran Jadhav, Subash Sahu, Trapti Agrawal, Monika Monika — Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction: Vaginitis is considered the most prevalent gynecological condition during the reproductive age of women, defined by the symptoms of vaginal discharge, burning sensation, malodor, pruritus, and inflammation. In Ayurveda it can be correlated with Yonivyapada or Shwetapradara. Objective: This narrative review aims to assess the effectiveness of Ayurvedic & herbal interventions for the treatment of vaginitis. Methods: This narrative review synthesizes total 22 studies and clinical evidences published between 2014 & 2025 from databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct to evaluate Ayurvedic management of vaginitis. The interventions included local, systemic, and also combined therapy for vaginitis and its different forms like vulvovaginal candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, leucorrhea, and nonspecific vaginitis. Results: The reviewed studies demonstrated significant improvement in symptoms (p<0.05) and recurrence rates. Several studies showed improvement in Nugent and Amsel scores, vaginal pH, normalized vaginal flora and demonstrated anti-fungal, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing activities. Mostly, local treatments like Yonipichu & Yoniprakshalana demonstrated clinically superior results. Conclusion: In current findings, Ayurvedic and herbal interventions reduce the symptoms of vaginitis comparable to conventional treatment but the results are constrained by heterogeneity in methods, varied treatment protocols, and small sample sizes. However, further well-designed, large-scale trials with standardized methodologies & longer follow-up should be designed to investigate the safety and efficacy of Ayurvedic treatment and strengthen its evidence in vaginitis management.

Authorship and Chronology of Vagbhata's Astangasamgraha and Astangahridayasamhita: A Critical Review

Bhawani Singh, Chandra Shekhar Pandey, Rani Singh — Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: The Astangasamgraha (AS) and the Astangahridayasamhita (AH) are jointly attributed to a physician named Vagbhata and are grouped, with the Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita, as the Brihat Trayi (greater triad) of classical Ayurveda. Whether the two texts were written by one author across a career, or by two individuals within a shared teaching lineage, has been contested for over a century.
Objective: This review re-examines the authorship and chronology (kala nirnaya) of the Vagbhata corpus through the primary philological record: the 1907 exchange between Jolly and Hoernle, Hoernle's 1909 Bower-manuscript study, Gode's 1944 analysis of Indu's commentary, Bhattacharyya's 1947 single-authorship defence, and a 1963 analytical article, read alongside secondary scholarship (Vogel, Wujastyk, Sharma, Meulenbeld).
Methods: Sources were identified through direct reading of primary journal literature and consultation of institutional digital archives. Claims are tiered throughout by how directly each was verified against its original source.
Results: Two defensible positions emerge. A two-author reading rests on stylistic, doctrinal, sectarian, and commentarial divergence, reinforced by Gode's finding that Indu cites the AH as a distinct authority in his own commentary on the AS. A single-author reading rests on the AH's own ‘nectar verse’ and on unity testimony from three eleventh- to twelfth-century commentators. However, the nectar verse's authenticity is independently questioned by two unrelated lines of textual criticism, weakening the single-author school's strongest evidence, while three independent citation chains converge on a terminus ante quem near 800 CE, against which Bhattacharyya's ninth-century chronology sits uneasily.
Conclusion: The cumulative evidence tilts, cautiously, toward two related authors rather than one, though the question remains open. Resolution most likely requires new manuscript evidence or stylometric analysis, for which India's expanding digital Ayurveda-text infrastructure now offers real opportunity.

Management of Non-Specific Hair Fall with Shwadamshtradi Churnam and Kaidarya Siddha Narikela Taila: A Case Series

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Non-specific hair fall (NSHF), classified as Khalitya (NAMC FA-3) in Ayurveda, is characterized by diffuse, non-patterned hair fall with no obvious etiology. Conventional management is associated with adverse effects. Objective: This case series documents the combined effect of Shwadamshtradi Churnam and Kaidarya Siddha Narikela Taila in eight patients of NSHF, assessed on the basis of Ayurvedic clinical and trichoscopic parameters. Clinical findings: Ayurvedic clinical parameters, were assessed at baseline, 30^th and 60^th day. Trichoscopic parameters , 60-second hair comb test and hair-specific Skindex-29 were noted on before and 60^th day.. Intervention: A combination of Shwadamshtradi Churnam (oral), 6g twice a day before food and Kaidarya Siddha Narikela Taila (topical) was administered for a period of 60 days. Outcomes: Trichoscopy evaluation showed that mean hair density changed from 195.00 to 217.29 hairs/cm², percentage of empty follicular units reduced from 42.34 to 33.96 and mean hair shaft diameter changed from 65.21 µm to 70.37 µm. Scaling score and scalp sensitivity resolved totally in 5 cases. The 60-second hair comb test showed a mean reduction from 60.63 hairs to 19.38 hairs, with a mean decrease of 41.25 hairs across all cases, with improved subjective parameters and quality of life. Conclusion: Patients showed improvement in clinical and trichoscopic parameters on administration of Shwadamshtradi Churnam internally with Kaidarya Siddha Narikela Taila externally over a period of 60 days, with follow-up extending 90 days. All patients exhibited improved quality of life as shown by hair-specific Skindex-29 without any adverse effects.

Multimodal Panchakarma management of chronic recurrent venous ulcers (Vatarakta) in a young male – A Case Report

M G Rajalaxmi , Manjunath kanthi, Bharadwaj Turlapati, Rabiya basari Khadri — Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Chronic Venous ulcers are conventionally disease of older adults, with venous hypertension secondary to valvular incompetence as primary mechanism. Recurrence following standard compression and wound-care therapy remains major clinical problem, and presentation in young adult without classical risk factors is comparatively uncommon. Clinical findings: This report describes 26-year-old male labourer with a 6year history of progressively worsening, recurrent, non-healing ulcers over left lower limb of 9cm × 7cm × 0.5 cm, which had previously been treated elsewhere but relapsed on resumption of occupational standing work. Colour Doppler confirmed superficial venous incompetence with multiple incompetent perforators, without deep venous thrombosis (CEAP-C2,3,4,6s; Ep; As,p; Pr). Based on Clinical examinations, patient was diagnosed with venous ulcer secondary to chronic venous insufficiency correlating to Vatarakta, Intervention: Patient underwent sequential courses of Panchakarma over eight months, comprising repeated Virechana (Purgation therapy), Jalaukavacharana (Leech therapy), Basti (Enema therapy) along with wound care and internal medications. Outcomes: Treatment yielded marked result both in terms of wound healing and resolution of symptoms assessed by VAS/Bates-Jensen/PUSH scores. Ulcers got completely healed leaving only minimal residual pigmentation without any complications. Follow-up was uneventful. Conclusion: This case suggests that sequential, multimodal Panchakarma and oral Shamana (palliative) therapy can achieve durable healing in a chronic, recurrent, multiple venous ulcers where Pain (VAS) fell from 9 to 0, itching (VAS) from 7 to 0, and PUSH tool total score from 16 to 0, with complete ulcer healing and leaving only residual pigmentation by the end of treatment. This case suggests the effectiveness of ayurvedic therapies and proper wound care in the management of long-standing venous ulcers. No recurrence was reported over an eight-month follow-up period, in contrast to his six-year history of repeated relapse under earlier treatment.

Acute Oral Toxicity Evaluation of Vangadi Yoga, a Classical Herbo-Metallic Formulation in Wistar Albino Rats Conducted According to OECD Test Guideline 423.

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background:

Vanga Bhasma, is known to be effective in disorders related to Shukra is used either singularly or with multiple ingredients. Among them, Vangadi Yoga containing Vanga Bhasma, Shilajitu, Apamarga Panchanga Churna processed with Shalmali Moola Twak Kwatha, was tested for its acute toxicity in Wistar Albino rats.

Aims: The article focuses on acute toxic effects of Vangadi Yoga as per OECD test guideline 423.

Methods and Materials:

Acute toxicity study was carried out in accordance with OECD Test Guideline 423 using nine healthy adult male Wistar Albino rats (8-10 weeks old) divided into three experimental groups (n = 3 rats/group). Vangadi Yoga was given orally as a single dose in two groups of animals using the sequential dose levels of 300 mg/kg (intermediate dose) and 2000 mg/kg (limit test dose) dissolved in 0.5% CMC solution. In vehicle control group, only 0.5% CMC solution was administered.

Results:

After 14 days of observation, no mortality or major signs of clinical toxicity were found following administration of Vangadi Yoga at either 300 mg/kg or 2000 mg/kg. Body weight increased normally throughout the study. Gross pathological examination revealed no treatment-related abnormalities. However, few histopathological changes were observed, including focal tubular necrosis in the kidney, focal gliosis in the brain, mucosal gland hypertrophy in the stomach, and coronary congestion without ischemic changes in a few animals at limit dose.

Conclusion:

Vangadi Yoga demonstrated low acute oral toxicity, with LD50 value greater than 2000 mg/kg body weight according to OECD Test Guideline 423. Although no mortality or severe clinical toxicity was observed, minimal-to-mild microscopic lesions were identified in selected organs at the limit dose. These findings indicate a preliminary favorable acute safety profile, while highlighting the need for repeated-dose toxicity studies incorporating biochemical and hematological assessments to comprehensively establish the safety of the formulation.

Phytochemical Characterization and In vitro Evaluation of the Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, and Antidiabetic Activities of Pennisetum glaucum (Pearl Millet) Ethanolic Seed Extract

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Pennisetum glaucum is a rich source of nutrients that is valued due to the presence of various phytochemicals with health promoting effects. Nevertheless, a complete study involving phytochemical characterization together with several in vitro biological activities remains scarce. Objective: In this study, we conducted a characterization of phytochemical constituents in the ethanolic seed extract of Pennisetum glaucum as well as its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic enzyme inhibitory activities. Methods: Ethanolic seed extract was extracted via Soxhlet extraction method. Phytochemical analysis of the plant extract was carried out by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Anti-inflammatory activity was studied in terms of bovine serum albumin denaturation assay, egg albumin denaturation and human red blood cells membrane stabilization assay. Antioxidant activity was studied using DPPH, hydrogen peroxide, FRAP, ABTS and nitric oxide scavenging assays. Antidiabetic activity was measured in terms of α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitions. One-way ANOVA was used for data analysis and differences were considered to be statistically significant at P < 0.05. Results: Along with several bioactive phytoconstituents discovered by GC-MS analysis, the FTIR study identified particular functional groups including hydroxyl, carbonyl, aromatic, and aliphatic that are connected to phenolic and flavonoid compounds. 16.2 μg/mL (BSA), 10.0 μg/mL (egg albumin), 7.5 μg/mL (membrane stabilization), 5.5 μg/mL (DPPH), 10.8 μg/mL (H2O₂), 5.8 μg/mL (ABTS), 6.2 μg/mL (nitric oxide), 11.7 μg/mL (α-amylase) inhibitory activity. Conclusion: The results indicated that the ethanolic extract of P. glaucum seeds possesses concentration-dependent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic enzyme inhibitory activity in vitro experiments. These results may serve as the basis for further quantitative phytochemical and in vivo studies.

Effect of Selenium-Enriched Azolla on Biochemical, Antioxidant, Immune, and Reproductive Responses in Japanese Quail Breeders

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Poultry diets with inorganic selenium supplementation have been controversial, as any imbalances in its normal levels may lead to health problems in quails. Objective: There is ample evidence showing the feasibility of enriching eggs using organic selenium. The current study was designed to assess the effect of dietary organic selenium (Se) supplementation on biochemical and reproductive performance in Japanese quail breeders. Methodology: A total of 525 quails aged 10 weeks were used for experimental purposes. They were divided into 7 treatments, each treatment with 75 quails, among 75 quails 50 females and 25 male birds. In each treatment, 75 quails were divided into 5 replicates. Each replicate was provided with a common feeder and water ad libitum. This trial continued for 4 periods, each period containing 28 days with a 16:8-hour light and dark cycle. Results: Feed intake, feed conversion rate, serum biochemical parameters, antioxidant enzyme activity, egg production and hatchability were recorded during the study. Dietary organic selenium significantly improved serum biochemical indices, antioxidant enzyme activities, egg production, and hatchability compared to inorganic selenium. Conclusions: Supplementing 0.2 ppm selenium-enriched azolla feeds is suggested to produce Japanese quail breeders with better reproductive performance and an enhanced immune system against diseases.

A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Breakfast Frequency, Perceived Stress and Gastrointestinal Quality of Life among University Students Aged 20–30 Years in Pune

Nirjara Bankar, Anil Bukya — Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction: Regular breakfast consumption has been associated with improved nutritional status and overall health; however, its relationship with perceived stress and digestive quality of life among university students remains insufficiently understood, particularly in the Indian context. Objective: To examine the association between breakfast frequency and perceived stress among university students and to evaluate its relationship with digestive quality of life and body mass index (BMI). Methods: This cross-sectional study included 103 undergraduate and postgraduate students recruited by convenience sampling. Data on breakfast frequency, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), the Digestive Quality of Life Questionnaire (DQLQ) and BMI were collected using a structured online questionnaire. Spearman’s correlation and multivariable linear regression were performed. Results: Breakfast frequency was not significantly associated with perceived stress, digestive quality of life, or BMI after adjustment for covariates. Perceived stress was also not significantly predicted by the multivariable model (F (5,97) = 1.297, p = 0.272, adjusted R² = 0.014). Conclusion: Breakfast frequency was not independently associated with perceived stress, digestive quality of life, or BMI in this sample. Longitudinal studies with larger, multicentre samples are warranted.

Prevalence, Drinking Patterns and Self-reported Alcohol-Related Harms in a Semi-Urban Indian Community: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Prasanna Narasimha Rao, Shailaja U, MB Kavita, H P Savitha, Koni Nithin Kumar — Sun, 20 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background and Aims: Alcohol use and its psycho-social and functional complications pose a major global public health challenge. This Public Health Initiative, sponsored by the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, surveyed the prevalence of alcohol use, drinking patterns, self-reported harms and indicators of problematic use in a semi-urban Indian community.

Materials and Methods: A community-based, cross-sectional, door-to-door survey was conducted among residents aged 10–90 years over 10 days. Of 32,568 eligible individuals, 20,000 were interviewed (response rate 61.4%) by 61 trained interviewers. Consecutive household enumeration was used, with no sampling frame, random starting point or probability-based selection. Of the 20,000 participants, 1,946 reported lifetime alcohol use. Data were collected using a custom composite questionnaire adapted from MAST and AUDIT together with study-specific questions. The instrument was reviewed by experts for clarity and content validity but was not formally validated, and standard scoring systems and cut-off values were not applied. Interviews were face-to-face in the local language. Missing data were handled by complete-case analysis, and prevalence is reported with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results: Of the 20,000 respondents, 1,946 (9.7%, 95% CI 9.3–10.2) reported lifetime alcohol use and 974 (4.9%, 95% CI 4.6–5.2) reported consumption in the last week. Among lifetime consumers, 36.3% (95% CI 34.2–38.5) drank regularly and 63.7% (95% CI 61.5–65.8) occasionally; binge drinking occurred in 13.0% (95% CI 11.6–14.6). Health issues, psychological guilt, financial distress and interpersonal violence were reported by 19.3% (95% CI 17.6–21.1), 18.6% (95% CI 16.9–20.4), 15.8% (95% CI 14.3–17.5) and 15.9% (95% CI 14.3–17.6), respectively. Self-reported dependence-like behavior was observed in 67.9% (95% CI 65.8–69.9), whereas only 15.7% (95% CI 14.2–17.4) had sought professional help to quit.

Conclusion: These findings highlight the need for accessible, non-stigmatizing community-level screening and de-addiction services.