ABSTRACT
Ayurveda is one of the oldest systems of traditional medicine that provides treatments for a wide range of acute and chronic health problems. It is a common myth amongst people that Ayurvedic drugs have no side effects, whereas the fact is that these drugs can cause adverse effects. Despite their wide use, the safety data of many Ayurvedic formulations are still unavailable. Tapyadi loha is an Ayurvedic formulation traditionally claimed for iron deficiency anemia in pregnant and non-pregnant patients. However, no scientific study has been conducted to evaluate its oral toxicity. Hence, the present study evaluated the acute and subacute oral toxicity of the Tapyadi loha according to the OECD test guidelines 425 and 407, respectively. Tapyadi loha did not cause mortality nor any signs of toxicity when given once orally at a dose of 2000 mg/kg. Subacute toxicity study showed no mortality as well as no behavioral, hematological, biochemical and histopathological abnormalities in rats treated with Tapyadi loha formulation at 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg for 28 days. It is concluded that the Tapyadi loha is safe at a single dose of 2000 mg/kg and 28 days repeated dose of 1000 mg/kg by oral route in rats.
ABSTRACT
Malignant spindle cell melanoma is a rare cancer with a questionable prognosis because of limited published case reports. This article discusses a male patient with a history of Spindle cell melanoma tumor, Rt heel, Grade 3 (Gr 3) Stage 2 (St 2) seen in our OPD treated with supporting herbo-mineral combination of Ayurvedic medicine. Such types of cancers are of concern and can be more troublesome to the patient. The initial chief complaint of the patient was a palpable corn-like growth in the right heel, which was surgically removed at that time. When it recurred after one year, it was investigated thoroughly and it was found malignant, and then operated again. The patient came to us after his second operation. After appropriate analysis based on Ayurvedic and modern parameters, the patient was treated with Ayurved treatment. As there was no other treatment suggested by oncologists, he was on supportive Ayurvedic treatment only. Ayurvedic treatment continued for 2 years afterwards. The treatment module showed complete relief in the symptoms (100%), by the end of treatment. Follow-up PET scans showed further improvement and a complete reversal of residual disease was observed. The last PET scan did not show any evidence of abnormality. To date, there has been no recurrence and the patient has been living completely normally for the last almost 5 years (karnofsky score 90/100). It can be concluded that the addition of Ayurvedic treatment might have helped this patient of malignant spindle cell melanoma for regression of residual disease, prevention of metastasis to date, and a good quality of life. We have observed 5+ years of disease-free survival and near-normal quality of life for this patient, and still ongoing.
ABSTRACT
Breast cancer shows high mortality, especially in women worldwide. This report discusses a case of female patient with a history of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC) Rt Breast, ER, PR negative, Grade 3 (Gr3) Stage 3 (St3) seen in our OPD treated with supporting herbo-mineral-metallic combination of Ayurveda medicines. Generally, breast cancers of such subtype and that too in Lower Outer Quadrant (LOQ) are always of a concern and can be more troublesome to the patient. When the patient came for the first time, her chief complaint was palpable lump in her right breast for previous three months. We advised her to undergo relevant investigations and, it was found to be malignant. She underwent surgery, Modified Radical Mastectomy,(MRM), followed by chemotherapy. During chemotherapy, which was Adriamycin + Cyclophosphamide (AC) protocol 4 cycles, followed by Docetaxel 4 cycles, every 21 days. After 2 cycles, she started complaints of pain in both calf regions, numbness in fingers of hand and foot, severe generalized skin rash with itching, hyperacidity and constipation. She visited our clinic again for the same, and Ayurveda treatment was started to her at this point. So, at the time of commencement of treatment, the diagnosis was "IDC Rt Breast, LOQ, Gr3 St3, ER, PR negative HER2Neu positive, post op, on chemo". After appropriate analysis based on Ayurvedic and modern parameters, she was diagnosed to have vitiation of Rakta and Pitta (Dushti avastha), due to cyto-toxic nature of (Visha exposure) chemotherapy and medication was planned accordingly, along with chemotherapy protocol. The Ayurveda treatment showed significant relief in the chemotoxicity symptoms, within one month and she could tolerate further chemotherapy cycles very conveniently. On completion of chemotherapy, she was diagnosed to have need of good immunity (Vyadhi-Kshamatva). Based on this diagnosis, Ayurveda treatment protocol was changed and this new regimen continued for almost 6 years afterwards. Laboratory and imaging investigations performed periodically showed marked improvement, and even currently not showing any abnormality. Till date, there is no recurrence and patient is living completely normally for last 11 years. As all the symptoms and investigations showed near complete improvement; it may be concluded that probably add on Ayurveda treatment (Integrative approach) proved effective in this patient of IDC. We have observed 11 years of disease-free survival and excellent quality of life in this patient and still ongoing.