KING EDWARD MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

Background History

Ayurveda Research Center

Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital

In mid seventies of last century, Dr. SA Dahanukar, a pharmacologist by training and also by profession, perplexed with wealth in our ancient medical system, Ayurved started exploring the immense treasures of Ayurveda by people scientific research, especially for those diseases for which modern medicine cannot offer any curative measures. In the year 1980, Dr. RD Bapat, an eminent gastroenterology surgeon of institution, who had the similar inclination, decided to be associated with her in endeavor to generate clinical evidence to substantiate its potential. In 1989, because of the persistent efforts of both of them, Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai granted permission to establish the Ayurveda Research Centre as a wing of Department of Pharmacology& Therapeutics. This is the first center in India to be established in the teaching institute of modern medicine with following objectives:

1. To validate claims put forth in Ayurveda for activities of plants and other therapeutic procedures by conducting experimental and clinical studies
2. To evaluate the concepts in Ayurveda in terms of contemporary science
3. To interpret Ayurvedic text which is in sutra form and establishing research methodologies
4. To train Ayurvedic physicians and students in research methodology.
5. To increase public awareness about the use and misuse of Ayurvedic therapies

This centre attracts funds from MCGM under separate head in its annual budget. Besides, corporation also bears the establishment expenditure of employing the staff required for growth of the Centre.
For the last 23 years, we at Ayurveda Research Centre are actively engaged in the research activities pertaining to our Traditional System of Medicine – Ayurveda. We too, like our founders and teachers, believe that there is a tremendous therapeutic wealth in the Indian system, which is based on sound principles of science. The need today is to validate the claims using modern scientific research methodology so that the evidence generated would be acceptable at global level. At the same time, it is also necessary to develop modern correlates for quality control criteria for the Ayurvedic drugs, detect adulteration, document adverse drug reactions and drug interactions with the modern drugs.

Sections Units Branches

Unit

The unit of Ayurveda Research Center is under the supervision of Dr. N.N. Rege and assisted by Dr.Raakhi Tripathi. The OPD timings are from 1.30 pm – 3.30 pm every Friday. The location is on the first floor of the multi-storey building.

Staff

1. Administrative responsibilities

Dr. N.N. Rege, Professor & Head, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics Assistance by: 1. Dr. Tejal Patel and 2. Dr. Raakhi Tripathi, Associate Professors. Other department members associate in the research activities as per their interest.

2. Staff of ARC appointed by MCGM for research activities :

Sr.No	Name	Designation
1	Dr.Dinesh A. Uchil	Research officer
2	Vd.Sudhir Juvekar	Junior Scientific officer
3	Vd. Somnath Gore	Registrar
4	Vd. Namrata Vichare	House Officer
5	Mr.Lavu Gogale	Technician
6	Mrs. Chitra Athavale	Technician

3. Additional staff: /li>
   Ayurvedic doctors, technicians and research assistants are appointed by both the departments for various activities based on the individual project.

Facilities, Equipments & Special services

Facilities:

1. Ward and OPD

There is a facility of 10-bedded ward for ARC wherein patients who need inpatient treatment or volunteers enrolled in the clinical research are routinely admitted. However, when needed facilities of Department of Clinical Pharmacology or CDRI are used (bed strength 10 each). In addition, patients are also admitted in other wards of collaborating units in the hospital. There are two Ayurvedic physicians who are employed by MCGM. We have appointed additional Ayurvedic physicians through our research grants. The Ayurveda OPD is run once a week, on Friday afternoon. Both, the Ayurvedic physicians as well as staff members of the department manage the OPD.

2. Laboratories

   1. Clinical chemistry laboratory for routine organ function tests (Liver and renal function tests, blood glucose and lipid profile). We have received a certificate for “Outstanding Quality” by an external evaluator.
   2. Hematology laboratory for hemogram as well as other specialized investigations (like fibrinogen, FDP activity, prothrombin and activated partial prothrombin time studies).
   3. Immunoassay laboratory with facilities of ELISA.
   4. Host defense laboratory wherein immunological functions are studied.
   5. Cellular function laboratories: for platelet, PMN and monocyte studies
   6. Tissue Culture Laboratory wherein effects of drug on primary cell culture/cell lines are studied.
   7. Biochemistry laboratory wherein specialized biochemical tests like lipoperoxide, anti-oxidant, DNA, hydroxyproline levels, and the tests used for assessing functional capacity of different organs are done.

1. Small animal experimentation laboratories wherein models of various diseases are established and CNS, CVS, Urinary and GI functions are monitored. Here facilities to carry out safety pharmacology studies are available.
2. Animal house
3. The animal house functions according to guidelines laid down by the CPCSEA. Here, we house and breed small animals such as rats, mice, guinea pigs and rabbits.

Special Services :

1. Providing expert opinion on Octroi classification to the octroi department
2. Receiving and analyzing ayurvedic drug samples for steroid and heavy metal contamination

For Students

Research activities

A. We have received grants from various departments of Govt. of India to evaluate plant drugs and validate claims put forth in Ayurveda
I CDRI: 1. Picroliv for alcoholic cirrhosis
II DST: 1. Evaluation of single plant formulations for GI disorder and cardiac diseases 2. Evaluation of herbo-minerals for immunomodulatory activity
III Department of AYUSH: 1. Plant drugs for hyperlipidaemia
IV CSIR: 1. Development of multi-ingredient plant formulation as a Hepatoprotective 2. Proof of safety and efficacy studies on selected plant based positive health promoters

B. Projects sponsored by the pharmaceutical industry

1. Study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of standardized Withania somnifera extract in chronically stressed subjects
2. Study to compare the efficacy and safety of SHL Piles Kit in the treatment of internal hemorrhoids with Standard treatment of 2% lignocaine gel in combination with Ispaghula powder
3. Effects of Indian medicinal plants on hair growth
4. Effect of Extrammune Tablet and Extrammune Syrup on phagocytosis and chemotaxis, by polymorphonuclear cells (in vitro study).
5. A prospective, controlled, randomized, comparative study to evaluate the glycemic index of rice (food) productsin healthy volunteers.

C. Academic projects completed / undertaken in the year 2011-12
Completed Projects
1. Evaluation of effects of Indian medicinal plants on coagulase negative Staphylococci and Staphylococcus aureus in biofilm state: An in vitro study.
2. To study the effects of Indian medicinal plants on intestinal mucosal barrier in experimentally produced gastrointestinal dysfunction in animals.
3. Evaluation of antidepressant activity of Indian medicinal plants in experimental models of behavioral despair
4. Evaluation of analgesic activity of dashamula using thermal, chemical & mechanical models in rats and mice.
5. Evaluation of protective effects of Indian medicinal plants on cardiovascular system using in vivo & in vitro experimental models.
6. Evaluation of effect of Mandurabhasma on structural and functional integrity of small intestine in comparison with ferrous sulphate using an experimental model of iron deficiency anemia.
7. Effect of Putranjiva roxburghii and Curculigo orchioides on phagocytosis and chemotaxis by polymorphonuclear cells (in vitro study)
8. Biological confirmation of the HPTLC results of steroidal adulteration in
Ayurvedic drug sample.

Ongoing Projects
1. Hepatoprotective observational study to determine the presence of any association between different “prakritis” as described in Ayurveda and disease severity, subtypes and quality of life in patients of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
2. Exploratory study of healthy volunteers for the assessment of Dhatusarata.
3. Evaluation of effect of Boerhhavia diffusa on gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Training

Training (in research methodologies required to evaluate traditional medicine)

A. Postgraduate students of Pharmacology of Maharashtra as well as other states (Pharmatech course): was started from 1996 by Dept. of Pharmacology and Therapeutics and conducted every 3 yearly. A session on research in traditional medicine is conducted by ARC.

B. As an ARC activity, training is imparted to Postgraduates students of Ayurveda in research methodology. Workshops are conducted to discuss and improve their dissertation plans.

C. A summer training course was conducted in the month of May 2006 for science students on research methodologies. They were provided with hands on experience in the laboratories of ARC. They were also exposed to concepts of Ayurveda and research activities of ARC.

For Patient

Objectives of the Ayurveda Research Centre:

1. Providing therapies to patients who seek treatment based on Ayurvedic approach
2. Evaluation of therapies (herbal, herbomineral, therapeutic procedures etc. individually or in combination as described in Ayurveda) using modern scientific research methodologies
3. Providing basis for their use based on the contemporary scientific knowledge
4. Dissemination of information related to Ayurvedic drugs, to both patients and physicians of modern medicine
5. Formulating Standard treatment guidelines and developing Essential Drug List (EDL) of ayurvedic medicines
6. Monitoring of adverse drug reactions, and
7. Exploration of fundamental concepts and principles in Ayurveda

Other