Division of Siddha

Overview

About the Department

Division of Siddha was a part of Center for Integrative Medicine and Research, established during December 2015. It involves in clinical services, preclinical and clinical researches, and academic activities.

About Siddha

Traditional Siddha Medicine is one of the Indian AYUSH medical systems, where S stands for Siddha. There were 18 ancient Indian Yogis (Siddhas) such as Agastya Maharishi, Patanjali, Thirumoolar, Bogar, etc. who developed this medical system. They documented 6000 medical manuscripts in the palm manuscripts. They have classified disease into 4448 based on clinical features and specific herbal remedies are described for each one. The patient is diagnosed based on naadi (pulse), neikkuri (oil on urine examination), manikkadai nool (wrist thread measurement), abnormality in saram (nasal cycle), etc. With these detailed clinical as well as Siddha examinations, we could diagnose and manage challengeable diseases such as AIDS, cancers, dengue, COVID, etc.

Siddha advices dietary and life style modifications, home remedies, Siddha yoga practices and herbal remedies. Varmam (trigger point manipulation therapy), kaayakalpam (anti-ageing therapy), 32 types of external therapies, 32 types of oral formulations and broad spectrum drugs are the unique therapies in Siddha. Simplified cleansing (detoxification therapy), balancing thridhoshas, correcting 10 naadis/vaayus are the special methods for preventive care.

Every year, the birthday of Agastya Maharishi on the aayilya natkashra is celebrated as World Siddha Day.

Clinical Services Offered

· Psoriasis and eczema

· Warts, skin tags

· Fungal skin infection

· Chronic skin diseases

· Sinusitis

· Renal stone

· Male and female infertility

· Women health

· Cancers

· Joint, muscle and bone diseases

· Autoimmune diseases

· Spine diseases including disc diseases

Our clinicians are well trained in integrative approach, hence provide best care from Siddha without compromising the active conventional treatment.

Research:

The department actively encourages students in research activities providing guidance and support to interested students including presentation in CMEs/Conferences. There are limitless opportunities for postgraduate trainees, Ph.D. candidates and faculty to pursue research projects in the areas of their interest.

We have MoU with the following Institutions for research activities:

· Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS – Ministry of AYUSH) - https://siddhacouncil.com

· Global Center for Siddha Medicine and Research (North Carolina, USA) - https://globalcenterforsiddha.org/

Completed Research:

· Anthropometrical Proportion Based on Index Finger Breadth among Student Population

· Effect of different edible oils on serum lipid profile in rats

· Physiochemical assessment of mineral based Siddha nano-formulations for their bio efficacy

· Effect of Kadukkai Mathirai (Siddha herbal preparation) in experimentally induced liver disease in rats

· Effect of Serankottai nei (Siddha drug) on induced endometriosis in rats

Ongoing Research:

· A study to evaluate and compare efficacy of Vetpalai thailam and Sivanar vembu kuzhi thailam in mouse model of psoriasis like inflammation

· Molecular mechanism of antipsoriatic drugs, vetpalai thailam and sivanar vembu kuzhi thailam and influence of certain dietary factors on the development of psoriasis using imiquimod induced inflammatory mice model

· Discovery of natural special stains for diagnosis of pathological lesions.

· Preparation and physico-chemical analysis of red Rasamani (solidified mercury-copper alloy), a unique traditional Siddha metal drug

· Clinical and patient-reported outcomes in patients receiving Siddha standard of care and allopathic standard of care for psoriasis: A prospective cohort study.

Grants and funds:

· “Discovery of natural special stains for diagnosis of pathological lesions” (Rs.2 Lakhs) from Health India Foundation, Chennai (2019-2023)

· Global Center for Siddha Medicine and Research (North Carolina, USA) sanctioned INR 2.2 crores for the research on Siddha, Varmam and Integrative Medicine (2022 – 2026)

· Individuals and companies (under Corporate Social Responsibility) have donated funds for the research activity

Publications:

1. Amuthan A, Dhas SI, Bhandarkar AP, Devi V. The cost effective cure without scar: three cases of warts successfully treated with Kaalaani Kalimpu (a Traditional Siddha drug). International Research Journal of Pharmacy 20156:294-8.

2. Mekala, Sathish, Amuthan A. Physico-Chemical Evaluation of Pavalasilasathu Parpam, a Marine based Traditional Siddha Drug used in Leucoderma and Infectious Conditions . Int J Pharmacol and Clin Sci. 2015;4(3):44-47.

3. Bhat V, Amuthan A, Rosli BBM, Khairuddin NAB, Md. Isa FSB. Effect of Kungiliya vennai and Kalchunnam thailam on excision wound healing in albino Wistar rats. Int J Pharmacol and Clin Sci. 2015;4(3):52-57.

4. Senthilvel G, Amuthan A, Kumar KNS. Phytochemical Standardization of Serankottainei (a Siddha drug from milk extract of Semecarpus Anacardium nuts) and its in-vitro antitubercular activity against H37Rv strain. Int J Pharmacol and Clin Sci. 2016;5(1):17-24.

5. Senthilvel G, Amuthan A, Jasphin S. Pediatric liver diseases and its management by herbals: A Traditional Siddha Medicine treatise. Int J Pharmacol and Clin Sci. 2016;5(1):32-40.

6. Amirthalingam M, Kasinathan N, Amuthan A, Mutalik S, Reddy MS, Nayanabhirama U. Bioactive PLGA - curcumin microparticle-embedded chitosan scaffold: in vitro and in vivo evaluation. Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine, and Biotechnology. 2017;45(2):233-241.

7. Amuthan A, Devi V, Shreedhara CS, Rao V, Puri K, Jasphin S. Vernonia Cinerea (Neichitti Keerai) Regenerates Proximal Tubules In Cisplatin induced Renal Damage In Mice. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Clinical Research. 2019;12(1):332-5.

8. Amuthan A, Devi V, Shreedhara CS, Rao V, Lobo R. Cytoprotective Activity of Neichitti (Vernonia cinerea) in Human Embryonic Kidney (HEK293) Normal Cells and Human Cervix Epitheloid Carcinoma (HeLa) Cells against Cisplatin Induced Toxicity: A Comparative Study. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. 2019;13(2): KC01-KC06.

9. Amuthan A, Santhi M. Cost effective management of chronic psoriasis using safe Siddha herbal drugs – a case report. Journal of Ayurvedic and Herbal Medicine. 2020:6(1):9-11.

10. 36. Amuthan A, Santhi M. A Case Report on removal of Filiform Warts using Siddha Kaalaani Kalimpu. Journal of Ayurvedic and Herbal Medicine. 2020:6(1):12-14.

11. Ramachandran J, Amuthan A. Neerizhivu kudineer (a traditional siddha polyherbal antidiabetic medicine) inhibits α- amylase enzyme and α-glucosidase enzyme. Journal of Ayurvedic and Herbal Medicine. 2020:6(1):21-25.

12. Shajahan S, Amuthan A. Comparative in-vitro anticancer activity of thanga parpam (siddha gold drug) in breast, liver, prostate and lung cancer cell lines. Int J Research in Ayurveda and Pharmacy. 2021;12(1):64-67.

13. Amuthan A, Devi V, Shreedhara CS, Rao V, Jasphin S, Kumar N. Vernonia cinerea regenerates tubular epithelial cells in cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity in cancer bearing mice without affecting antitumor activity. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine. 2021(11):279-286.

14. Shiva S, Mari S, Amuthan A, Shanmugam. Repurposing Siddha mercurial drug for mild to moderate COVID-19 - Case series and exploration of its chemical profile. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine. 2022:13(2).100469.

15. Chockalingam A, Kumar S, Ferrer MS, Gajagowni S, Isaac M, Karuparthi P, Aggarwal K, Shunmugam S, Amuthan A, Aggarwale A, Hans CP, Krishnaswamy K, Dorairajan S, Liu Z, Flaker G. Siddha fasting in obese acute decompensated heart failure may improve hospital outcomes through empowerment and natural ketosis. Explore 2022: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2021.12.003.