ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT) or concurrent chemo-radiation (CCRT) for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) often suffer from side effects such as mucositis, xerostomia, pharyngitis, laryngitis, and pain, which are being managed symptomatically by alcohol-based mouthwashes. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness of Ayurvedic mouthwash "Draksha Guduchyadi Kashaya" in reducing the severity of oral side effects of chemo-radiation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This concurrent parallel randomized controlled study was conducted at Sir Sunderlal Hospital, BHU, on 70 HNSCC patients scheduled to undergo RT/CCRT. Patients who met the inclusion-exclusion criteria were enrolled, and 35 were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (Ayurveda) or the control group using a simple random technique (lottery method). Blinding was not implemented in this study. Patients in the intervention group (Ayurveda) were instructed to perform kavala with 50 ml of "Draksha Guduchyadi Kashaya" for 2 min, ten times daily, while the control group performed 2-min gargling with soda-salt mouthwash ten times daily. RESULTS: Out of the 70 patients enrolled, data from 60 patients were analyzed, revealing statistically significant differences in the onset of mucositis (p = 0.049), pharyngitis (p = 0.034), laryngitis (p = 0.009) and intensity of variables such as mucositis (p = 0.000), xerostomia (p = 0.046), pharyngitis (p = 0.002), laryngitis (p = 0.035), and pain (p = 0.000). These findings indicate that Ayurvedic mouthwash may be beneficial in managing the oral side effects of chemo-radiation in HNSCC. CONCLUSION: This AYUSH financially supported trial (Reg No: CTRI/2020/04/024672) demonstrates promise as a safe and cost-effective alternative for managing oral complications of RT/CCRT, offering complementary treatment for comprehensive cancer care.
ABSTRACT
Sars Cov-2 has emerged as a global threat worldwide. At present, India is the second worsely-hit nation by COVID-19. Since it is a novel virus, there is no specific treatment strategy available at present. A mild symptomatic case of COVID-19 was managed through Ayurvedic intervention involving a personalized approach based on his Prakruti. He was prescribed Vamana Karma followed by Vyaghryadi Kashaya as an oral drug for fifteen days. The patient recovered well clinically, the disease progression to a more severe stage was not observed and the patient tested negative for COVID on the 17th day. In this report, the patient was of Kapha predominant Prakruti and his strength was good so he was prescribed Vamana Karma. Ayurveda advocates patient management by incorporating personal physical and mental attributes classified as Doshas. The promising results in the present case study indicate that a personalized approach involving Ayurveda in such cases can be helpful for a better prognosis.
ABSTRACT
Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is the pancreatic manifestation of a systemic fibro-inflammatory disorder. AIP is a unique form of pancreatitis in which autoimmune mechanisms are suspected to be involved in the pathogenesis. AIP is a rare disorder, its exact cause is unknown, but it is thought to be caused by the body's immune system attacking the pancreas and it responds to steroid therapy only. In Ayurveda, although there is no synonym for AIP, but has a resemblance in clinical features of Grahani Dosha (derangement of duodenum and intestine). The cause of Grahani Dosha is Mandagni (hypofunctioning of Agni) and Panchakarma therapy increases Agni. As per Charaka Samhita, treatment for Grahani Dosha amongst the Panchakarma therapy is Virechana (therapeutic purgation) and Basti (medicated enema). The present case report is of a 30-year-old female, diagnosed as case of AIP with multisystem involvement with increased level of immunoglobulin G (IgG), glycosylated heamoglobin (HbA1c), cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and body mass index (BMI). The patient was on anticholinergic agents, antacids, levothyroxine, multivitamin along with iron and antihistamine drugs since 1 year, but with not much relief. Patient was treated with classical Virechana and Madhutailika Basti. It was observed after the completion of therapy, that there was decrease in IgG, HbA1c, S. cholesterol, S. triglyceride, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and body mass index (BMI). This shows that Virechana and Basti play a significant role in patient with AIP associated with other disorders.
