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AI-Generated response:

Has ayurvedic medicine been studied for anything besides type 2 diabetes?

Answer generated on June 4, 2024

The AI-generated responses are for illustration purposes only and should not be used for medical purposes.

Yes, Ayurvedic medicine has been studied for conditions other than type 2 diabetes, including its potential antiviral properties against SARS-CoV-2 and its use in traditional treatments for respiratory conditions.

  • Ayurvedic medicinal plants have been investigated for their potential to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 associated target proteins, suggesting a possible role in managing COVID-19.[1]

  • Historical use of Ayurvedic plants includes treatments for cold, cough, asthma, bronchitis, and severe acute respiratory syndrome, indicating a broad application in respiratory health.[1]

  • The study on Ayurvedic principles against SARS-CoV-2 included molecular docking and dynamics to assess the interaction of plant-derived compounds with viral proteins, highlighting a scientific approach to validating traditional medicine.[1]

  • Curcumin, a compound found in turmeric (used in Ayurveda), has been noted for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which may contribute to its therapeutic potential in various conditions.[2]

  • It is important to note that while there is growing research, the evidence base for many Ayurvedic treatments remains limited, and their use should be considered with caution due to potential purity and safety concerns.[2]

Additional info

The exploration of Ayurvedic medicine in modern healthcare extends beyond traditional uses, as seen in the scientific investigation of its components against contemporary health challenges like COVID-19. This integration of traditional knowledge with modern research methodologies could pave the way for new therapeutic discoveries. However, the effectiveness and safety of these treatments must be rigorously established through continued research and clinical trials. Physicians should remain cautious and consult current guidelines and evidence when considering Ayurvedic treatments for their patients, especially given the regulatory challenges and potential adverse effects associated with dietary supplements and non-prescription health products.[2]

References

Reference 1

1.

Kumar Verma A, Kumar V, Singh S, et al. Repurposing Potential of Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants Derived Active Principles Against SARS-CoV-2 Associated Target Proteins Revealed by Molecular Docking, Molecular Dynamics and MM-PBSA Studies. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & Pharmacotherapie. 2021;137:111356. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111356. Publish date: May 6, 2021

All the plants and their secondary metabolites used in the present study were obtained from Ayurveda, with historical roots in the Indian subcontinent. The selected secondary metabolites have been experimentally validated and reported as potent antiviral agents against genetically-close human viruses. The plants have also been used as a folk medicine to treat cold, cough, asthma, bronchitis, and severe acute respiratory syndrome in India and across the globe since time immemorial. The present study aimed to assess the repurposing possibility of potent antiviral compounds with SARS-CoV-2 target proteins and also with host-specific receptor and activator protease that facilitates the viral entry into the host body. Molecular docking (MDc) was performed to study molecular affinities of antiviral compounds with aforesaid target proteins. The top-scoring conformations identified through docking analysis were further validated by 100 ns molecular dynamic (MD) simulation run. The stability of the conformation was studied in detail by investigating the binding free energy using MM-PBSA method. Finally, the binding affinities of all the compounds were also compared with a reference ligand, remdesivir, against the target protein RdRp. Additionally, pharmacophore features, 3D structure alignment of potent compounds and Bayesian machine learning model were also used to support the MDc and MD simulation. Overall, the study emphasized that curcumin possesses a strong binding ability with host-specific receptors, furin and ACE2.

Reference 2

2.

Hecht, Frederick M. (2024). Complementary and Integrative Medicine. In Goldman-Cecil Medicine (pp. 153). DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-323-93038-3.00030-7

Natural products encompass vitamins, minerals, herbs (also known as botanicals), and probiotics, all of which are often sold as dietary supplements. Although many of these products have anecdotal support, evidence of efficacy is limited for most of them.Under the 1994 Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, dietary supplements are considered to be food, so manufacturers are not required to obtain Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval before marketing any supplement that was already available before 1994 (“grandfathered status”). By comparison, new dietary ingredients introduced after 1994 require reasonable evidence of safety, which must be reviewed before marketing. Some dietary supplements can cause severe adverse effects, in part due to impurities or excessive levels of certain active ingredients,and in aggregate they represent the second most common cause of drug-induced liver disease (Chapter 136). The Dietary Supplement and Nonprescription Drug Consumer Protection Act of 2006 requires that physicians in hospitals report any serious adverse event associated with a dietary supplement (using a form available on the FDA website: MedWatch Form 3500A). The updated status of different natural products is available on the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health website (https://nccih.nih.gov/health/herbsataglance.htm), and the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements has additional information on the current status of different dietary supplements (https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/list-all/). Although rigorous research has not found evidence that clearly supports the use of many nutritional supplements, intriguing exceptions exist. An example is turmeric (a traditional medicine from the Indian subcontinent), which is high in curcumin, a curcuminoid that has substantial anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Data suggest that a curcuminoid preparation may be more effective than placebo for decreasing pain and improving postexercise recovery.

Acupuncture,which has been practiced in China for thousands of years, involves placing thin needles in specific sites, or acupuncture points, which are often stimulated in a variety of ways, such as by spinning the needle. Controversy exists as to whether the benefits of acupuncture are due to a placebo effect versus actual effects of the needle insertion. Data from meta-analysis suggest that about 50% of its benefits are consistent with a placebo effect, but it still improves pain compared with sham treatment, such as stimulation of an acupuncture point without a needle penetrating the skin.,Substantial evidence also indicates that acupuncture can decrease the duration of postoperative ileus,as well as nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy or surgery. Other components of traditional Chinese medicine include an assessment of potential imbalances or blockages in the circulation ofqi, or vital energy, through the body; the use of herbal medicine; and recommendations for diet and exercise (including qigong). Evidence for these broader elements of traditional Chinese medicine is still limited, but one randomized trial suggested that a traditional Chinese medicine compound might improve outcomes after an ST-elevation myocardial infarction.Data are also limited for the true benefit of Ayurveda (traditional medicine from the Indian subcontinent), which includes some elements of yoga along with components parallel to traditional Chinese medicine.

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