Application of Zebrafish Model in the Suppression of Drug-Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy by Traditional Indian Medicine Yogendra Ras
Authors: Anurag Varshney
Kunal Bhattacharya
Yashika Rustagi
Acharya Balkrishna
Journal: Biomolecules (2020)
Discipline: BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
Keywords: Ayurveda; H9C2; Yogendra Ras; biomarkers; cardiac hypertrophy
Affiliations: Drug Discovery and Development Division, Patanjali Research Institute, Haridwar 249 401, India., Department of Allied and Applied Sciences, University of Patanjali, Patanjali Yog Peeth, Haridwar 249 401, India.

Abstract:  Zebrafish is an elegant vertebrate employed to model the pathological etiologies of human maladies such as cardiac diseases. Persistent physiological stresses can induce abnormalities in heart functions such as cardiac hypertrophy (CH), which can lead to morbidity and mortality. In the present study, using zebrafish as a study model, efficacy of the traditional Indian Ayurveda medicine "Yogendra Ras" (YDR) was validated in ameliorating drug-induced cardiac hypertrophy. YDR was prepared using traditionally described methods and composed of nano- and micron-sized metal particles. Elemental composition analysis of YDR showed the presence of mainly Au, Sn, and Hg. Cardiac hypertrophy was induced in the zebrafish following a pretreatment with erythromycin (ERY), and the onset and reconciliation of disease by YDR were determined using a treadmill electrocardiogram, heart anatomy analysis, C-reactive protein release, and platelet aggregation time-analysis. YDR treatment of CH-induced zebrafish showed comparable results with the Standard-of-care drug, verapamil, tested in parallel. Under in-vitro conditions, treatment of isoproterenol (ISP)-stimulated murine cardiomyocytes (H9C2) with YDR resulted in the suppression of drug-stimulated biomarkers of oxidative stress: COX-2, NOX-2, NOX-4, ANF, troponin-I, -T, and cardiolipin. Taken together, zebrafish showed a strong disposition as a model for studying the efficacy of Ayurvedic medicines towards drug-induced cardiopathies. YDR provided strong evidence for its capability in modulating drug-induced CH through the restoration of redox homeostasis and exhibited potential as a viable complementary therapy. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 I have a concern about an apparent reuse of an image represented as something else: (iv) medium dose (4 u00b5g kg of YDR) vs. (iii) standard drug (4 u00b5g kg of verapamil). The authors and journal editors may also wish to closely examine the ECG charts as some appear similar to my eye. Brought to my attention by another reader. *** ![file] *** Showing location ![file] , 
 Could the authors please explain the nature of the association between the identified funder (Patanjali Research Foundation Trust), the authorsu2019 employer (Patanjali Research Institute) and Param Shradhey Swami Ramdev Ji (also acknowledged in this paper as providing financial support), who is the apparent founder of a company (Patanjali Divya Pharmacy) that sells the formula YDR studied in this paper? If I have these associations correct there would seem there may be a conflict that should be disclosed, in that the funding is provided by a company or person who may appear to benefit from the conclusions reached in this paper. Sources: https: en.m.wikipedia.org wiki Ramdev https: www.patanjaliayurved.net product ayurvedic-medicine parpati-ras yogender-ras 218 (link sometimes slow) *** ![file] , 
 Is the first author here (Acharya Balkrishna) any relation to the Acharya Balkrishna who is co-founder and CEO of Patanjali Ayurved, Ramdev s consumer goods herbal medicine company? https: www.patanjaliresearchinstitute.com about_acharya_ji.php , 
 The question on Conflict of Interest needs to redefined. The authors are the employees of the university (university of patanjali) set up by the person you are talking about. In this case, agreed that the authors do not need to acknowledge the founder instead they should have acknowledge  foundation which funded the research. For example, if a faculty member works in a university and the research is funded by the university itself, does this considered as  Conflict of Interest ? later on the faculty member starts a start-up company to produce a machine or a compound invented this particular faculty member - According to concept highlighted in the above comment, this should be  conflict of interest . My intention here is not to justify the above paper but questioning the idea of conflict of interest mentioned above. Hope this does t get moderated as this is a genuine question. , 
 #4 *The authors are the employees of the university (university of patanjali) set up by the person you are talking about.* I think the first author is the **joint owner** of the University of Patanjali.  University of Patanjali (UOP) is a manifestation of the divine vision of His Holiness Swami Ramdev and Revered Acharya Balkrishna to establish a center for an integral education blending all spectrums of oriental wisdom and scientific knowledge.  http: universityofpatanjali.com The University of Patanjali, Patanjali Research Institute, the funding body (Patanjali Research Foundation Trust) and the distributors of the product (Patanjali Divya Pharmacy Ayurved) all appear to be co-owned by His Holiness Ramdev and Revered first author Acharya Balkrishna. , 
 #4 I donu2019t want to start a side discussion on your hypothetical scenario (researcher later starts a company). My concerns stem in part from the author statement, u201cWe are indebted to Param Shradhey Swami Ramdev Ji for his institutional and financial supports to accomplish this research project.u201d Swami Ramdev appears to be the founder of a for-profit business that sells the product (and has posted this research on the company website to support their sales). The authors also state, u201cThe authors declare that this research was conducted in the absence of any other commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.u201d These two statements seem in conflict to me, and I am asking the authors for clarification, not making an accusation. The journal guidance for authors says, u201cAny facts that might be perceived as a possible conflict of interest of the author(s) must be disclosed in the paper prior to submission.u201d , 
 #4 In this case, the start-up was formed, the product was sold for many years and then the research was done to test its efficacy. Yogendra Ras, the herbal formulation in question, has been marketed and sold by Patanjali since 2013 (at least). This paper about Yogendra Ras was published in April 2020. https: web.archive.org web 20200626002841 https: www.bimbima.com ayurveda details-of-ayurvedic-medicine-yogendra-ras 1335 , 
 https: twitter.com thatsregrettab1 status 1365003657742196736?s=21 ,