Impact of AYUSH 64 as an adjunctive to standard of care in mild COVID 19 - An open-label randomized controlled pilot study.

Background: Ayurveda herbal formulation AYUSH-64, proven to treat malaria and influenza-like illness in india was repurposed for COVID-19 patients considering preliminary evidances, however, scientific data was not available. Aim: To evaluate the preliminary efficacy and safety of AYUSH 64 as an add-on to standard of care in mild COVID19 patients. Materials and methods: A single centre, randomized, open-labeled, controlled, pilot study were conducted on mild COVID 19 confirmed patients. Patients allotted in interventional group (n = 41) recieved AYUSH 64, 3 gm per day in three divided dose for 14 days as an adjuvant to standard of care (SOC) whereas control group received SOC (n = 39) alone. Outcomes were reduction in WHO ordinal scale for clinical improvement, all-cause mortality, incidence of COVID19 symptoms among asymptomatic patients at baseline, use for oxygen therapy, use for a mechanical ventilator, the total duration of symptomatic phase and adverse events. Results: Mean score of WHO ordinal scale was reduced as time lapse in both the groups (f (1) = 20.5, p < 0.001) indicating clinical improvement among groups. There was no statistically significant difference in mean WHO ordinal scale between groups (f (1) = 0.98, p = 0.32). The proportion of asymptomatic patients progressing to the symptomatic stage is lower in AYUSH 64 group [OR, 0.68 (CI, 0.17-2.66)]. Mean days for the total duration of the symptomatic phase was also short in AYUSH 64 group (4.68 ± 3.29 days) compared to SOC group (5.81 ± 3.5 days). No incidence of the requirement of a mechanical ventilator, adverse drug reaction and death were observed in either of the groups. Conclusion: The findings of this pilot study show that an integrated approach of AYUSH 64 with SOC provide early trends of benefit by reduction in disease progression and in total symptom duration. However, its effects remains inconclusive on outcomes such as all cause mortality, use of oxygen therapy, invasive ventilator due to sparse outcomes.

Guduchi Ghanavati (Ayurveda medication) improves the perceived immunity in individuals at risk of SARS-CoV-2: A Multicentred, controlled, before-and-after study.

Introduction During the COVID-19 pandemic in India, Ayurvedic medication (Guduchi Ghanavati, GG) was prescribed by Ayurveda physicians for prevention and management. This study aimed to evaluate the prophylactic effect of GG in individuals with moderate to very high risk of SARS-CoV-2. Methods A multicenter, controlled, quasi-experimental, before-and-after study was conducted on individuals at moderate to very high risk of SARS-COV-2 exposure. In the intervention group (n = 15,992), participants received GG 1 g daily for 28 days in conjunction with standard preventive guidelines (SPG), while in the control group (n = 4953), participants were asked to follow SPG only. Outcomes were the incidence of COVID-19, perceived immune status, quality of life, and safety. The perceived immune status was assessed using a brief Likert-scale questionnaire having common immune-related complaints. Results Of the 20,945 enrolled, 20,574 completed the trial (intervention: 15,729, control: 4845). The percentage of participants who reported the incidence of COVID-19 was marginally lower in the GG+SPG group (41, 0.26%) than in the SPG group (16, 0.33%), leading to 21% (95% CI, -40% to 55%) efficacy of GG. However, the decrease in incidence percentage was statistically insignificant due to the trivial incidences reported. The scores of perceived immune status quality of life improved significantly from baseline in the GG+SPG group (p < 0.001) compared to the SPG group. Conclusion GG is safe and improves perception of immune status in individuals at risk of developing SRAS-CoV-2. However, these findings are inadequate to establish that GG lowers the incidence of COVID-19 necessitating to conduct RCTs in high-risk populations. Clinical Trial Registration CTRI/2020/06/025,525.

Add-on Ayurveda Treatment for Early Stage COVID-19: A Single Center Retrospective Cohort Study From Gujarat, India.

The retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of Ayurveda treatment exposure as an add-on to conventional care in early stage COVID-19 patients admitted at Samaras COVID care center, Ahmedabad, India. Conventional care included Vitamin-c, Azithromycin, and Paracetamol. Ayurveda formulations used as add-on were Dashamula and Pathyadi decoctions along with Trikatu powder, Sanshamani tablet, AYUSH-64 tablet AND Yastimadhu Ghana tablet for oral administration. Considering Add-on Ayurveda medicines as exposure of interest, patients who received Add-on Ayurveda medicines at least for 7 days were included in the exposed group while those who received only conventional care in unexposed group. Data was collected through record review and telephonic interviews. The outcomes of interest were the development of symptoms, duration of symptomatic phase in those progressing to symptomatic stage and mortality. Total 762 participants were included-[541 (71%) in the exposed group and 221 (29%) in the unexposed. Progression to symptomatic phase did not differ significantly between groups [27.6% in exposed, 24.6% in unexposed, adjusted RR 0.85; 95% CI 0.6-1.2]. The total duration of symptomatic phase among those progressing to the symptomatic stage was significantly decreased in the exposed group (x¯ = 3.66 ± 1.55 days in exposed (n = 133); x¯ = 5.34 ± 3.35 days in unexposed (n = 61), p < 0.001). No mortality was observed in either of the groups. Ayurveda Treatment as adjunctive to conventional care reduced the duration of symptomatic phase in early stage COVID-19 as compared to standalone conventional care. Add-on Ayurveda treatment has promising potential for management of early stage COVID-19.

A compendious review of Chitraka Haritaki Avaleha - A polyherbal Ayurveda formulation for bronchial asthma.

INTRODUCTION: Avaleha (confection) is an unique dosage form of Ayurvedic pharmaceutics, which is frequently prescribed in various disorders and especially in respiratory disorders. Chitraka Haritaki Avaleha (CHA) is one such formulation being used extensively by Ayurveda physicians for bronchial asthma, despite its classical use in various other disorders too. CHA was first time described by Vrindamadhava in the 9th century and had been amended for many times till today. Because of its demand, many pharmaceutical companies are also manufacturing it, and is freely available in the market. AIM: The aim is to screen and compile references pertaining to composition, method of preparation, therapeutic uses, organoleptic, and physico-chemical parameters of CHA from different classics and original research articles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Description of CHA was extensively reviewed from Vrindamadhava, Chakradatta, Vangasena, Gadanigraha, Yogatarangini, Bhaishjya Ratnavali and Yogaratnakara. Synonyms, Rasapanchaka (Ayurveda principles of drug action), and Dosha Karma (therapeutic attributes) of ingredients were compiled from Bhavaprakasha Nighantu. Organoleptic and physicochemical parameters were compiled from original research articles, searched from PubMed, Google Scholar, and Research Gate. RESULTS: Variations in formulation name, ingredients, method of preparation, therapeutic indications and Anupana (adjuvant) was observed in the classical texts. Value of water-soluble extracts and pH of analytical study was found different than Ayurveda Pharmacopeia of India standards. CONCLUSION: Screening through various texts revealed that CHA has been mentioned in seven classical treatises and two gazetted texts with amendments which indicate its high demand and clinical efficacy in bronchial asthma along with other diseases. Disparity found in analytical parameters indicates the need of standardization of pharmaceutical process.

A case study on the Ayurvedic management of cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the leading cause of childhood disability affecting function and development. CP is defined as a nonprogressive neuromotor disorder of cerebral origin. It cannot be correlated with any single disease or condition in Ayurveda, as it is a multi-factorial disease with clinical features of a wide variation. According to Vagbhata, it is classified in the disease categories of sahaja (hereditary) and garbhaja (congenital) and jataja (psychosomatic) type of diseases. Of the many types and subtypes of CP, none has any known "cure." Here, an effort was made to treat a 3-year-old male child with spastic type of CP using multiple Ayurveda treatment modalities. At the end of 94 days of treatment, Pañcakarma procedures along with internal medication resulted in 10-15% improvement in the overall effect of therapy.

Management of spastic cerebral palsy through multiple Ayurveda treatment modalities.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a leading cause of childhood disability affecting function and development. The global incidence of CP is 2:1000. It has been reported that children with CP and their caretaker have impaired health-related quality of life (QOL). Of the many types and subtypes of CP, none has any known cure. For a detailed description of the disease CP, though, there is no one to one correlation in Ayurvedic classics; it can be taken as Vata Vyadhi as far as its etiology and symptomatology are concerned. AIM: To assess the effect of certain Panchakarma procedures in the management of CP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total 8 patients were registered and treated with 5 days of Udvartana, 5 days of Abhyanga followed by Sarvanga Swedana and then 8 days of Yoga Basti. The same course of treatment has been repeated for 3 times with an interval of 14 days. Ashtanga Ghrita was given during whole procedures as internal medication. Results of treatment were assessed with anthropometrical measurement, developmental milestone, Modified Ashworth Scale, spasm scale, reflex scale, and muscle power grading. RESULT: This Ayurvedic management shows good result in CP patients, especially by improving growth (height, weight, chest circumference) and development (head holding and sitting), reducing spasticity of left upper limb and muscle spasm. CONCLUSION: Multisystem approach is needed to improve the condition of the patient. Panchakarma along with internal medication should be given to improve all the facets of spastic CP. Yoga Basti acts by their own mode of action and can be used freely for such disease conditions.