Jyoti Kaushik, Ph.D Scholar of Amity Institute of Biotechnology, AUUP, Noida was awarded with AYUSH Award of Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) 2018, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India under category 'Best Research Paper Award in Drug Research'.
Her research paper entitled-“Response surface methodology based extraction of Tribulus terrestris leads to an upsurge of antilithiatic potential by inhibition of calcium oxalate crystallization processes.” Kaushik J, Tandon S, Gupta V, Nayyar J, Singla SK, Tandon C” was published in a highly reputed journal PLOS ONE, 12 (8): 1–28, in August 28, 2017.
This study would provide an impetus for the development of clinically effective single plant based antilithiatic herbal drug for kidney stones, a drug that prevents the formation and provides effective treatment of kidney stones. “The novelty of the drug is that it is single-plant based having defined scientific contributions for the effective treatment of kidney stones, a first in the country. The previous drugs were polyherbal compositions that did not have exact and defined scientific contributions of individual herbs,” shared Jyoti Kaushik.
This award was given by Sh. Shripad Naik, Minister of State (IC) for AYUSH & Minister of State for Defence, Dr Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary AYUSH, Mr Pramod Kumar Pathak, Addl Secretary, AYUSH and Dr K S Dhiman, DG, CCRAS, Ministry of AYUSH in New Delhi.
Highlights of the study
The study was carried out to optimize antilithiatic potential of a medicinal plant -Tribulus terrestris. Aqueous extraction process was optimized statistically through Response surface methodology (RSM) to attain the maximum anticalcifying and cytoprotective ability of T. terrestris. Morphology modulation potency of statistically optimized aqueous extracts was evaluated through polarization and scanning electron microscopy. Evaluation of programmed cell death signals by AO/EB staining proved that the apoptosis, necrosis and oxidative stress induced by oxalate injury to renal cells were reduced by the aqueous extract of T. terrestris. Analysis of the bioactive components present in AE1 was done by FTIR and GC-MS study which indicates the presence of diuretics, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory components.