Results of Research Studies  (Updated in June 2004)


In accordance with the aims and objectives of the Trust, certain ayurvedic medicinal practices given in the ancient texts (Shastras) were identified and chosen for testing and validation. It is known that various ayurvedic preparations have been found to be effective in different ailments since ancient times. The ayurvedic system has been accepted, based more on experience than on systematic studies. It was thought worthwhile to conduct socio-medicinal research studies with the help of scientific method and statistical reasoning. 

The following studies were taken up:

1 Effect of Yogaraja Guggulu on Sandhigata Vata (Osteoarthritis)- A Comparative Study

2  Effect of Kamadudha Rasa on Amlapitta (Hyperacidity)

3  Effect of Haridrakhand on Allergic Dermatitis and Acne

4  Effect of Arshoghni Vati on Piles & Fissure-in-ano in Ano-Rectal Conditions

 

The results of the above studies are reported

1 Effect of Yogaraja Guggulu on Sandhigata Vata (Osteoarthritis)
 

The study was conducted in the Trust to compare the effect of Yogaraja Guggulu prepared in the Trust, following 'Good Manufacturing Practices', on patients (Group – I) of Sandhigata Vata (SGV) vis-à-vis Yogaraja Guggulu, procured from a commercial source, on patients (Group – II) of SGV. A total of 73 patients formed the sample for the study based on ‘purposive sampling’, meeting some criteria including compliance to intake of the prescribed medicine for a minimum period of two months.  Data were gathered with the help of an ‘Interview Schedule’. The individual ‘prakruti’ (constitution) of each patient was taken into consideration.

Analysis showed  that  there  was  highly  significant (p = 0.000) difference  between overall scores of symptoms ‘before’ and ‘after’ the treatment in  the  both  the groups. Of the 37 patients of Group – I, those who were in 'mild' (21% of patients), 'moderate' (49%)  and 'severe' (30%) levels 'before' treatment got distributed  in ‘very mild’(19% of patients), ‘mild’(39%), ‘moderate’ (21%) and ‘severe’(13%)  levels  'after’ treatment.  Eight  percent of  the patients  were  free  from  the  illness.

Of  the 36  patients  in  Group – II, those who  were  in ‘mild’ (17% of patients), ‘moderate’ (39%) and ‘severe’ (44%) levels of   illness  ‘before’  treatment   got distributed   in ‘very mild’ (11%), ‘mild’ (50%), ‘moderate’ (25%) and ‘severe’ (14%) levels ‘after’ treatment. There was  no  patient  in ‘absent’ category  with  respect  to severity of illness.

 A comparison shows that treatment of Sandhigata Vata with Yogaraja Guggulu prepared in the Trust provided relatively  higher levels of relief than that procured from   a commercial source. Both products were found to be 'safe' after administration for two months, from an assessment of biochemical parameters.

 

2  Effect of Kamadudha Rasa on Amlapitta (Hyperacidity)

The study was an attempt to probe the efficacy, quality and safety of Kamadhudha Rasa, prepared in the Trust following 'Good Manufacturing Practices', prescribed to ‘hyperacidity’ patients who visited the Trust. The patients were selected through ‘purposive sampling’. A group of 26 patients, meeting certain criteria including compliance to intake of  the medicine for a minimum period of 20 days, was chosen for the study. Data were gathered with the help of an ‘Interview Schedule’. The individual ‘prakruti’ (constitution) of each patient was taken into consideration.

 On analysis, it was found that there was highly significant (p=0.000) difference between overall scores of symptoms ‘before’ and ‘after’ treatment. Medicinal trials revealed that the 26 patients in ‘very mild’ (23% of patients) to ‘mild’(58%) to ‘moderate’(19%) levels of illness ‘before’ treatment were found to have got distributed as 20 (77% of  patients) in ‘very mild’ level, five (19%) in ‘mild’ level and only one (4%) patient in ‘moderate’ level ‘after’ treatment. The medicine Kamadudha Rasa  was found to be 'safe' after administration for twenty days, from an assessment of biochemical parameters.

 

3 Effect of  Haridrakhand on Allergic Dermatitis and Acne

This study was an attempt to probe the efficacy, quality and safety of Haridrakhand, prepared in the Trust following 'Good Manufacturing Practices', prescribed to ‘allergic dermatitis’ and ‘acne’ patients who visited the Trust. The patients were selected through ‘purposive sampling’. A group of 12 patients with allergic dermatitis and six with acne, meeting some criteria including compliance to intake of the medicine for a minimum period of one month, was chosen for the study. Data were gathered with the help of an ‘Interview Schedule’. The individual ‘prakruti’ (constitution) of each patient was taken into consideration.

 On analysis, it was found that there was highly significant (p=0.000) difference between overall scores of symptoms ‘before’ and ‘after’ treatment. Medicinal trials revealed that the 12 patients with allergic dermatitis with ‘mild’(8% of patients) to ‘moderate’(84%) to ‘severe’ (8%) levels of illness ‘before’ treatment were found to be in ‘mild’ (58%) and ‘moderate’ (42%) levels of illness ‘after’ treatment and none at ‘severe’ level.

 Medicinal trials revealed that the six patients with acne with ‘mild’ and ‘moderate’ levels of illness ‘before’ treatment were found to be in ‘mild’ level of illness ‘after’ treatment. There was significant (p=0.002) difference between overall scores of symptoms ‘before’ and ‘after’ treatment. The medicine Haridrakhand  was found to be 'safe' after administration for one month, from an assessment of biochemical parameters.

 

4  Effect of Arshoghni Vati  on Piles & Fissure-in-ano in Ano-Rectal Conditions 

This study was an attempt to probe the efficacy, quality and safety of Arshoghni Vati, prepared in the Trust following 'Good Manufacturing Practices', prescribed to patients with ‘piles’ and ‘fissure-in-ano’ who visited the Trust. The patients were selected through ‘purposive sampling’. A group of 15 patients with piles and fissure-in-ano, meeting certain  criteria including compliance to intake of  the medicine for a minimum period of 40 days, was chosen for the study. Data were gathered with the help of an ‘Interview Schedule’. The individual ‘prakruti’ (constitution) of each patient was taken into consideration.

 On analysis, it was found that there was highly significant (p=0.000) difference between overall scores of symptoms ‘before’ and ‘after’ treatment. Medicinal trials revealed that the 15 patients with ‘mild’ (33% of patients) to ‘moderate’(67%) levels of illness ‘before’ treatment were found to be in ‘mild’ level (14 patients, 93%) and ‘absent’ category (one patient, 7%) ‘after forty days’ treatment. The medicine Haridrakhand was found to be 'safe' after administration for forty days, from an assessment of biochemical parameters.