N J Patel’s scientific contributions

Hemidesmus indicus R.Br. is a treasure of the forest and herbal wealth. It is being used as folk medicines and as an ingredient in Ayurveda and Unani preparations against diseases of blood, inflammation, diarrhea, urinary disorders and rheumatism etc. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the role of natural nephroprotectant Hemidesmus indicus for the treatment of congestive heart failure. Hemidesmus indicus extracts were evaluated by using salt water induced left ventricular hypertrophy in Spargue dawley rat model. The property was evaluated using serum creatinine, urea, SGOT, SGPT and urine albumin, creatinine, Na+, K+ and Ca++ as biochemical parameters and histopathological changes including myocyte diameter, neutrophil infiltration and cardiac hypertrophy. Results obtained from the present study indicates that aqueous and methanolic extracts have more significant inhibitory effect on salt water feeding induced severity of microalbuminuria, serum urea and creatinine, myocyte diameter and retention of Na+ and water and increases the serum calcium level. We conclude from the present study that, potent natural nephroprotectant Hemidesmus indicus is also a potent cardioprotective.

The methanolic extract of Hemidesmus indicus Linn. (MEHI) roots were evaluated for its psychopharmacological activities in several experimental models using Swiss albino mice and Spargue dawley rats. The MEHI was found to cause significant reduction in spontaneous activity, and decreases in exploratory behavioral profiles by the Y-maze and head dip test. It also showed reduction in muscle relaxant activity by rotarod; 30° inclined screen and traction tests, as well as significantly potentiated the phenobarbitone sodium induced sleeping time in the doses examined (200, 400 and 600 mg/kg body wt.). All the results were compared with respective controls for the evaluation of significance. Introduction Hemidesmus indicus Linn. (Family: Asclepiadaceae) is a thin twisted creeper of length 1.5-3 mtrs. Roots and stem are red externally and white internally. Fresh roots have camphor like fragrance. (1) In Ayurveda and Siddha roots are used as aphrodisiac, antipyretic, alexeritic, antidiarrhoeal, astringent to the bowels, leprosy, leucoderma, itching, skin diseases, fevers, foul odour from the body, loss of appetite, bronchitis, tridosha, diseases of blood, for leucoderma, thirst, burning sensation; useful in piles, rat bite poisoning, eye troubles, epileptic fits and child's wasting diseases. (2) In Unani system of medicine the stems are used as diuretic, laxative and good for diseases of brain, liver and the kidney; useful in syphilis, uterine complaints, paralysis, cough, bronchial asthma, and good for toothache as a gargle. (3) The plant has been reported to be useful in the management of fever (4) and in the treatment of tumour. (5) It has come to our notice that the rural people of Saurashtra (Gujarat, India) use fresh juice of the roots of this plant are good to treat mental tension and mental disturbance. The present study was undertaken to evaluate various CNS activities of the methanolic extract of Hemidesmus indicus Linn. to substantiate the folklore claim.