Pharmacogenomic Study of Vata Shrunga (Ficus Benghalensis Linn. Leaf Primordium) with Pusavan Vidhi for X Inactivation.

A Clinical Study.

Vd. Jitendra Vasudeo Suralkar

B.A.M.S. (Ayurvedacharaya) Class : Reproductive Genetics, Department of Genetics, Immunology and Biochemistry, Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, Pune Regional Centre, 3rd Floor, ESIS Hospital Building, Aundh, Pune - 411 027, India. Contact no. 9867100797 / 8108015717. Email: jitendra.suralkar@hotmail.com

5th July 2011

Supervisors Dr. Mugdha Lele-Potnis, Ph.D. Dr. Pramila Menon, M.D. (Paeds)

Head of the Department Dr. Prakash Gambhir.

Background: Vata Shrunga i.e. leaf bud of a well known Indian tree Vata which is used in Pusavan Vidhi for the Prenatal Determination of Sex of the expected child. The leaf buds are also used for their property of Stambhana i.e. to stop bleeding disorders like Pradara (Excessive Menstrual Bleeding) in Females. Raktapitta (Hemorrhage), Vomiting, Diarrhea, Dysentery. It is also considered as well known aphrodisiac

and used for treatment of spermatorrhoea and gonorrhea. (Ref. Charak Samhita, Shushrut Samhita, Ashtang Sangraha, Ashtang Hridayam, Bhavprakash Nighantu, Manovanchit Santati.)

Pic. Vata (Ficus Benghanlensis)

Pic. Leaf buds of Vata

Scientific Logic: The dominancy of the chromosome X/Y is supposed to determine the sex of the expected child. The usage of this medicine is done in females only to suppress the X chromosome as the females are having both the sex chromosome as X - Chromosome there is very little chance of XX mating and hence the product of outcome is seen male child often. Research Work: The tree is acting systemically but also at the cellular level. Hence, here I wish to carry out the research of X - Inactivation by the usage of Vata Shrunga in Pusavan Vidhi in normal females and females with history of recurrent miscarriage, in Hemophillic female and also by the usage of the same by oral consumption in males.

Need of Research: y y y y y To get a good pharmaceutical drug into the market for the X Inactivation to stop and to avoid the X linked Disorders. To avoid the biopiracy of Vata Shrunga by patentizing it. To open a new chapter of pharmacogenomics to study the inactivations of chromosome/s and DNA study. Helping Hemophillic patients to continue with their pregnancy. To avoid new offspring from suffering of X linked disorders having 153 million base pairs with various disorders as comparable to Y linked having 50 million base pairs and very less number of disorders.

Line of Action: The research seems to be very useful but tedious, time consuming, and expensive to study. So, one has to make the proper timetable format to bind the project into limitations at an extent without compromising for the outcome. Duration: 2 years.

Searching of a subject/patient and to make the couple ready to participate in Research Work

Basic testing of couple for all anatomical, physiological, and mental disorders with accurate laboratory reports justifying them.

Patient Preparation for Pusavan Vidhi

1st Trimester with its complications especially in subjects of recurrent abortions / miscarriages

Monthly follow-up of patient with Screening of X Inactivation with determination of Sex of the expected neonate in 2nd trimester

Monitoring of the fetus for 3rd trimester complications occurring during pregnancy.

Delivery of child with Determination of X linked disease screening through DNA testing.

Data collection, analysis, Publication of Report.

Testing Methodology:      Group 1 : Normal Females. Group 2 : Couple having family history of X - link disorder. Group 3 : Females with history of recurrent abortion. Group 4 : Hemophillic Couple. Group 5 : Study on Males.

Direct Analysis: PCR across the CAG repeat of the androgen receptor (AR) gene both before and after digestion with methylation sensitive enzymes Hha I and Hpa II.

Test Limitation: This test will detect the methylation status of X-chromosomes, but will not determine if the X inactivation pattern is linked to any mutations in genes on the X chromosome. The test will also assess the X inactivation pattern in the sample type submitted; however X-chromosome patterns can differ in different tissues.

Period:     1st Trimester 2nd Trimester * 3rd Trimester On outcome of Child from various parts of Body *

Mandatory (*)

Sex Determination by USG in Second Trimester.(Morphological Confirmation)

Diagnosis: Clinical & Cytogenetic.

Status:  National: A Major work in Human Genetics to the branch of Pharmacogenomics, Epigenetics, Ayurgenomics. Cheaper Drug usage of the same drug could lead to its introduction in any of a national program like Cancer Prevention, Hemophillia etc.  International: Pride to the country with prevention of biopiracy of the drug being used since thousands of years by Indians. And a gateway to the research of X Inactivation dosage compensation in addition to drug.

Latest Research : Uptill yet there is no such a genetical study is being performed for the drug. The research made by various scholars w.r.t. the individual medicinal property are attached, which shows the immense need of such a kind of research.

Expected Results: 1. X Inactivation is possible by Vata Shruga through Pusavan Vidhi. 2. Usage of Vata Shrunga during pregnancy helps the Patients of recurrent abortions to bear the child. 3. Usage of Vata Shrunga reduces the complications in pregnancy of a Hemophillic Couple. 4. Usage of Vata Shrunga in males helps in X Inactivation of X chromosome donated by male partner while expecting for a female child. 5. Usage of Vata Shrunga reduces the other complications in pregnancy like DM, Fatigue, Dullness, Strength, Immunodeficiency, hyper emesis gravidarum, etc.