Metals

The potentially toxic metals content was determined in selected plants, used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (Angelica sinensis, Bacopa monnieri, Bupleurum sinensis, Curcuma longa, Cola accuminata, Emblica officinalis, Garcinia cambogia, Mucuna pruriens, Ocimum sanctum, Panax ginseng, Pueraria lobata, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Schisandra sinensis, Scutellaria baicalensis, Siraitia grosvenorii, Terminalia arjuna and Terminalia chebula), and some European herbs (Echinacea purpurea, Hypericum perforatum, Vitis vinifera).

The use of metal implants in dental and orthopedic surgery is continuously expanding and highly successful. While today longevity and load-bearing capacity of the implants fulfill the expectations of the patients, acceleration of osseointegration would be of particular benefit to shorten the period of convalescence. To further clarify the options to accelerate the kinetics of osseointegration, within this study, the osteogenic properties of structurally identical surfaces with different metal coatings were investigated.

Although philosophers and scientists have long been interested in the aging process, general interest in this fascinating and highly important topic was minimal before the 1960s. In recent decades, however, interest in aging has greatly accelerated, not only since the elderly form an ever-increasing percentage of the population, but because they utilize a significant proportion of the national expenditures. In addition, many people have come to the realization that one can now lead a very happy, active, and productive life well beyond the usual retirement age.

It is well known that the end of the nineteenth century represented a 'golden age' of hysteria and hypnosis research under Jean-Martin Charcot in Paris, but the extent to which metals and magnets figured in this strange and provocative world has been very incompletely told. This paper offers itself as a first corrective to this neglect. In 1876 a certain elderly physician and mesmerist, Victor Burq, asked the Parisian Société de Biologie formally to establish the validity of his so-called 'metallotherapy' (later 'metalloscopy') treatment for hysteria.

Artemisinin, a sesquiterpene with endoperoxide bond, possesses potent antimalarial activity against the ring and late stage of chloroqine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria both in vitro and in vivo. The mode of antimalarial activity of artemisinin is iron-dependent. The aim of this study was to investigate the reactions of artemisinin with ferrous and ferric ions in aqueous buffer. Artemisinin generated a cycle of iron oxidation and reduction.

BACKGROUND: Concern has recently emerged regarding the safety of natural health products (NHPs)-therapies that are increasingly recommended by various health providers, including conventional physicians. Recognizing that most individuals in the Western world now consume vitamins and many take herbal agents, this study endeavored to determine levels of toxic element contamination within a range of NHPs.

Herbs and minerals are the integral parts of traditional systems of medicine in many countries. Kushta is a form of herbo-mineral preparations used in traditional systems of medicine (Unani and Ayurvedic) of Indo-Pak subcontinent. These preparations have long been used and claimed to be the most effective and potent dosage form. However, there are only few scientific studies carried out on these products because of several reasons mainly being the lack of communication among traditional healers, physicians and scientists.

Ayurvedic herbal formulations are a good source of several nutrient elements essential for metabolic processes. Pragya-peya, a herbal drink and its 12 herbal constituents have been analyzed for 7 minor (Al, Ca, Cl, Mg, Na, K, P) and 15 trace (Ba, Br, Co, Cr, Cs, Fe, Hg, La, Mn, Rb, Sc, Se, Th, V, Zn) elements by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The method involves thermal neutron irradiation in a reactor followed by counting at several intervals. Also Cd, Cu, Ni and Pb contents were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS).

Bhasmas are unique Ayurvedic metallic preparations with herbal juices/fruits, known in the Indian subcontinent since the seventh century BC and widely recommended for treatment of a variety of chronic ailments. Twenty bhasmas based on calcium, iron, zinc, mercury, silver, potassium, arsenic, copper, tin, and gemstones were analyzed for up to 18 elements by instrumental neutron activation analysis, including their C, H, N, and S contents.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Arogyavardhini vati, an Ayurvedic polyherbal formulation has been used for liver and skin disorders in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. However, toxicity due to the presence of heavy metals in this traditional medicine is a matter of concern. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the safety of Arogyavardhini vati on brain, liver and kidney in rats.