Ayurvedic Shodhana Processing of Aconite

Coauthors: Mr. Umang H. Gajjar, Assistant Professor of Pharmacognosy is actively engaged in teaching, research and service to his profession. Ms. Jignasa C. Donga, a Young Researcher obtained her M.Pharm. degree in Pharmacology from Gujarat Technological University, Ahmedabad in 2012. This book consists of research work duly carried out by Ms. Jignasa C. Donga at Babaria Institute of Pharmacy, Vadodara. A study was carried out to compare the pro-arrhythmic and antihypertensive effects of powdered aconite root purified by Shodhana Processing (Avurvedic way) with that of unpurified form of aconite roots. This study provided a strong evidence that the purification of aconite root by shodhana processing retains its antihypertensive activity and is devoid of pro-arrhythmic activity. The probable mechanism of antihypertensive activity of aconite root can be attributed to decrease in plasma renin activity, decrease in oxidative stress and increase in NO levels.