Sri Lanka Journal of Indigenous Medicine (SLJIM)

A review on the therapeutic potential of Madhukadi charmalepa in managing hyperandrogenism-associated dermatological manifestations of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

2026-07-13T05:32:55+0530

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a metabolic, reproductive, and psychological disorder affecting 6– 20% of reproductive-age women world wide. Hirsutism, Acne, and Acanthosis nigricans are common hyperandrogenism features in PCOS that significantly impact the mental health and well-being of young women. In Ayurveda, this condition correlates with Arthava kshaya according to Susrutha Acharya and Pushpagni Jathaharani according to Kasyapa Samhitha. This comprehensive review analyzes the pharmacological properties of the ingredients in Madhukadi charmalepa, a traditional Ayurvedic formulation used at the National Ayurveda Hospital, Borella, to treat the hyperandrogenic features of PCOS. The components of Madhukadi charmalepa include Nelumbo nucifera, Terminalia chebula, Santalum album, Coscinium fenestratum, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Curcuma zedoaria and bee honey. Relevant literature was sourced from PubMed, Google Scholar, and classical Ayurvedic texts, with inclusion criteria focusing on research published between 2015 to June 2025.The findings indicate that these ingredients exhibit potent pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-acne, antiandrogenic, and skin rejuvenating effects. Specific biological actions such as estrogenic and androgensuppressing properties, wound healing, collagenenhancement, and antimicrobial activity contribute to alleviating PCOS related dermatological symptoms.

Ayurvedic attributes such as Tridoshaghna, Kustaghna, Varnya, and Rasayana further support the formulation's efficacy. The review concludes that the ingredients of Madhukadi charmalepa possess the potential to counteract facial hyperandrogenism in PCOS patients. A clinical study is recommended to scientifically validate these findings.

Majoon-e-Baladur in the therapeutic management of Falij (paralysis): A review integrating Unani medicine and modern pharmacology

2026-07-13T05:45:20+0530

Falij (paralysis) is a debilitating neurological disorder characterized by loss of motor and sensory functions and represents a major global health burden. In Unani medicine, Falij is primarily attributed to Balghami Ghair-Taba‘i Madda, leading to obstruction (Sudda) in neural pathways and impairment of Rooh-e-Muharrik and Rooh-eHassas. Majoon-e-Baladur, a classical polyherbal formulation, is traditionally used to restore nerve function, purify the brain, reduce inflammation, and enhance neuromuscular activity. This review aims to evaluate the therapeutic management of Falij using the classical Unani formulation Majoon-e-Baladur by integrating traditional concepts with modern pharmacological evidence.

This narrative review analyzed classical Unani texts and contemporary scientific literature retrieved from PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar between 2000 and 2025 combining terms such as "Majoon-e-Baladur," "Falij," "paralysis," and individual herb names. Key ingredients, including Semecarpus anacardium, Withania somnifera, Anacyclus pyrethrum, Sesamum indicum, Zingiber officinale, Prunus amygdalus, and Crocus sativus, demonstrated multi-target pharmacological actions. The findings indicate that Majoon-eBaladur possesses neuroprotective, antioxidant, antiinflammatory, nervine tonic, circulatory enhancing, and immunomodulatory properties. These actions collectively address the underlying pathophysiology of Falij as described in Unani medicine. The review concludes that Majoon-e-Baladur represents a rational, multi-targeted therapeutic option for paralysis, warranting further experimental and clinical validation.

Retrospective case management of Thunmamisa kaddi (soft tissue lesion) of the foot using Siddha herbo-mineral regimens

2026-07-13T05:16:43+0530

Soft tissue lesions, encompassing both benign and malignant neoplasms, may arise from fibrous connective tissue, adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, or vascular structures. In the Siddha system of medicine, such conditions may be correlated with "Thunmamisa kaddi" as per the Tamil-English dictionary. This case reports on a 9-year-old female admitted to the Inpatient Division, Siddha Teaching Hospital, Kaithady, with a soft tissue lesion on the dorsum of the left foot, located between the 4^thand 5^thmetatarsal bones. The lesion was hard, fixed, and tender, measuring 31.2 × 19.9 mm, and had caused difficulty in walking for the past one and half year. The patient underwent a combined internal and external Siddha treatment protocol for four weeks. Internal medicines included Kazharchi chooranam, Parangipattai chooranam, Ganthaga rasayanam, and Serankottai nei. Externally, after cleansing with saline water, an Uppu seelai (salt-soaked gauze) was applied for two hours daily, followed by Kazharchi pattru for three weeks and a herbo-mineral Pattru in the final week. Progress was evaluated using the Soft Tissue Tenderness Grading Scheme (STTGS) and digital Vernier scale measurements. The lesion size reduced significantly to 15.5 × 12.3 mm, and the STTGS improved from 4 to 1. Pain subsided, and mobility improved markedly. The treatment was noninvasive, safe, and well-tolerated, with high patient satisfaction and no adverse effects. This case underscores the potential of Siddha therapies in managing soft tissue lesions, encouraging further scientific validation in larger populations.

Antibacterial activity of a traditional Ayurvedic polyherbal decoction against selected diarrheagenic and non-Diarrheagenic bacterial strains: An in vitro study

2026-07-13T05:27:44+0530

Diarrhea and dysentery remain major public health concerns worldwide, particularly in developing countries. Increasing antimicrobial resistance among enteric pathogens has reduced the effectiveness of conventional antibiotics and necessitated exploration of alternative therapeutic options. Traditional Ayurvedic polyherbal decoctions (Kashaya) are widely used in the management of gastrointestinal infections; however, scientific validation of their combined antibacterial efficacy remains limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activity of a traditional Ayurvedic decoction containing Plectranthus zeylanicus, Zingiber officinale, Piper longum, Syzygium aromaticum, and Trachyspermum ammi against selected diarrheagenic, dysentery, and nondiarrheagenic bacterial strains. A freshly prepared decoction was evaluated against ten bacterial strains (five diarrheagenic and five non-diarrheagenic) using the agar well diffusion method on Mueller–Hinton agar. Bacterial inocula were standardized to 0.5 McFarland turbidity. Plates were incubated at 37°C for 24 hours, and antibacterial activity was assessed by measuring zones of inhibition. The results revealed that the decoction exhibited antibacterial activity against eight of the ten tested organisms. Shigella sonnei, Shigella flexneri, Salmonella typhimurium, enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus saprophyticus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae were sensitive. Staphylococcus aureus and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli showed resistant. No zones of inhibition were observed in control plates. The findings provide scientific evidence supporting the traditional use of this Ayurvedic decoction in the management of diarrhea and dysentery. Further quantitative and in vivo studies are recommended to determine its clinical applicability.