Urolithiasis is one such disease that after extensive research in the field of urology has remained incurable in allopathy. It is a process of stone formation which occurs either in the kidney (commonly known as nephrolithiasis) and or in any part of the urinary tract, including the ureters (known as ureteral stone) and bladder (bladder stone). Urolithiasis has an important effect on the health care system with a prevalence of >10% and an expected recurrence rate of ∼50%.Siddha system of medicine is a source of treatment for many ailments. Some medicinal plants and proprietary composite herbal preparations are reported to be effective in the treatment as well as prevention of recurrence of renal calculi with minimal side effects. In Indian indigenous system of medicine, several formulations including Seenakara parpam are (SKP) claimed to be useful for the renal calculi but needs scientific documentation. The present investigation was aimed at evaluating the anti-urolithiatic activity of Seenakara parpam (SKP) on zinc disc implantation induced experimental urolithiasis on wistar albino rats. Implantation was carried out by a surgical procedure followed by the recovery period of three days. Soon after recovery animals were treated with SKP at the dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg b.wt, p.o. Animals belonging to standard group received cystone 500 mg/kg, p.o. for a period of 7 days. Parameters such as urine volume, urinary calcium output and calculi weight were measured at the end of the study. Treatment with SKP and cystone significantly reduced the excretion of calcium further the volume of urine output increased in treatment group when compared to that of the disc implanted group rats. Weight of the calculi is considered to be one of the important parameter in evaluating the efficacy of the drug. The results of the study clearly reflects that treatment with SKP at the dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg and standard drug cystone 500 mg/kg shown significant decrease in the weight of calculi from 113.5 mg to 10.5 mg. In conclusion formulations like SKP may be considered as a potential lead for the clinical management of urolithiasis.

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Silk and lyocell textiles are categorized as protein and cellulose polymer products of natural fibers. They have their unique uses in the textile, apparel and garment fields. Polyester (PET) is one of the most important synthetic textiles with very good resistance towards chemical and microbial attacks. The presence of PET in mixed silk fabric provides added value. In this study, a saree is developed with silk as the warp and lyocell and PET as the weft. The product is compared with a 100% silk saree with respect to tensile strength, elongation, drapeability, stiffness and antimicrobial activity. The developed saree gives good results that are close to that of the 100% silk saree, and the cost of the developed saree is less than half of that of 100% silk.

Objective: To evaluate the liver protective effect of Pancha Lavana Dravagam (PLD) against Paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in wistar albino rat models. Methods: The hepatoprotective activity of PLD was evaluated using paracetamol induced liver damage in rats. Wistar albino rats were divided into five groups of six animals each. Paracetamol 1gm/kg bw, p.o. was given to produce liver toxicity. The normal control was given the vehicle (water 1ml/kg bw, p.o). Two test groups with PLD 1ml/kg, 2ml/kg bw, p.o. were tested for hepatoprotective potential. Silymarin 50mg/kg bw, p.o. was given as standard drug. All these drugs were administered for 7 days. On 8th day, the animals were sacrificed and blood was collected from retro-orbital plexus and analyzed for serum enzymes like Serum Glutamate Pyruvate Transaminase (SGPT), Serum Glutamate Oxaloacetate Transaminase (SGOT), Serum Alanine Phosphate (ALP), Total Bilirubin, Total Proteins and liver was excised for histopathological analysis. Results: In toxicant control group, paracetamol produced liver toxicity due to decrease in glutathione (GSH) by oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction of hepatic cells. It resulted in an increase of serum liver enzymes like SGPT, SGOT, ALP and Total Bilirubin. This increased serum liver enzymes were reduced significantly in the test drug PLD treated groups and Standard group. The histology of liver tissues was also improved in PLD treated groups when compared to the toxicant group. Conclusion: Since, no scientific evidence is available to claim the hepatoprotective effect of PLD, in vivo studies were conducted. It demonstrated that it has a potent hepatoprotective effect against the paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity by suppression of the reactive oxygen species and increasing the anti-oxidant glutathione in liver cells.