Abstract

BIOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF ANTI-OXIDATION EFFECT OF LEECH THERAPY IN THE PATIENTS OF OSTEO-ARTHRITIS

Pawan Kumar Chaubey, Akhilesh Kumar Singh*, S. P. Mishra, O. P. Singh

ABSTRACT

An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other chemicals. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions that damage cells. Antioxidants terminate these chain reactions by removing free radical intermediates, and inhibit other oxidation reactions. They do this by being oxidized themselves, so antioxidants are often reducing agents such as thiols, ascorbic acid or polyphenols.[1]Although oxidation reactions are crucial for life, they can also be damaging; hence, plants and animals maintain complex systems of multiple types of antioxidants, such as glutathione, vitamin C, and vitamin E as well as enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase and various peroxidases. Low levels of antioxidants, or inhibition of the antioxidant enzymes, cause oxidative stress and may damage or kill cells.As oxidative stress might be an important part of many human diseases, the use of antioxidants in pharmacology is intensively studied. Jalaukavacharan (Leech Therapy) is a method of Raktamokshan. This is the mildest of all the methods used for blood-letting. For this reason it is called the best (Paramsukumarupaya; Su. S. 13/3) method of Raktamokshan. Jalaukavacharanaor leech therapy has gained greater attention globally, because of its medicinal values. The saliva of leech contains numerous biologically active substances, which have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anaesthetic properties as well as probable antioxidant effect. Keeping this view in mind we have started leech therapy in the patients of osteoarthritis and found encouraging results.

Keywords: Jalaukavacharana, leech therapy, osteoarthritis, sandhivata,antioxidant.