The effect of a polyherbal oral formulation in the management of essential hypertension: an open label, pilot clinical study

Background: Effective control of blood pressure in patients with hypertension decreases cardiovascular mortality. However, many hypertensives are unresponsive to standard antihypertensive treatment. Research has found anti-hypertensive potential in the Ayurvedic drugs Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) and Shunthi (Zingiber officinale). Hence, a pilot study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Capsule Artyl (the oral formulation of Brahmi and Shunthi) as a treatment option in hypertensive subjects.Methods: There were 30 hypertensive subjects attending out-patient departments of clinics in Maharashtra, India were enrolled in this four-week, open label, single arm study. All subjects received capsule Artyl (500mg) twice a day orally daily. The mean systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) on days 1 and 28 of the study were compared along with the mean arterial pressure (MAP).Results: The mean SBP was significantly lesser on day 28 (141.86±12.54mm Hg) as compared to the mean SBP recorded on day 1 (155.48±19.37mm Hg) (p0.05). There was a significant decrease in the mean value of MAP on day 28 (107.06±7.03mm Hg) as compared to that on day 1 (112.06±10.75mm Hg) (p<0.01).Conclusions: Capsule Artyl significantly decreased the BP in hypertensive patients, without any adverse effects. Controlled trials are needed to confirm the positive outcome of this promising herbal formulation in hypertensive patients

Role of ayurveda detoxification and dietary modification on restoration of euglycemia in T2DM patients

Background: The current study sought to assess restoration of carbohydrate metabolism in known type 2 diabetes patients to achieve good glycemic control without dependency on oral antihyperglycemic agents by implementing the comprehensive diabetes control (CDC) program. Methods: A retrospective, single-centre observational study was conducted from April 2021 to April 2022. Patients who were known cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus aged 18 years and above who underwent at least 6 sessions of the CDC program were included in this study. Patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus were excluded from the study. Follow-up was conducted after 90 days. Baseline data was compared with follow-up data. Results: A total of 69 patients were assessed in this study. Of the patients, testing was performed on 95.8% patients, of which. 92.8% patients were found to have negative glucose tolerance and 7.3% were found to have impaired glucose tolerance. Conclusions: The CDC program can be useful to restore euglycemia in know type 2 diabetic patients by reducing insulin resistance caused by central obesity

Role of Ayurveda based non-invasive intervention in management of ischemic heart disease patient of diabetes

Background: The aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of IRP therapy in patients of myocardial ischemia attending Madhavbaug clinics in Vidarbha region, Maharashtra.Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted from June 2019 to December 2019, wherein we identified the data of patients suffering from IHD (positive for inducible ischemia from stress test) of either gender or any age, and who had attended the Out-patient departments (OPDs) of Madhavbaug clinics across India. The data of patients who had been administered IRP with minimum 7 sittings over a span of 12 weeks were considered for the study.Results: In the present study, medical records of 50 patients of IHD were analyzed.  At the end of IRP therapy there was statistically significant reduction in weight, BMI, SBP, and DBP. VO2 peak was improved at the end of therapy i.e. 26.51±5.93 ml/kg/min as compared to baseline i.e.; 15.62±5.36 ml/kg/min and the difference was highly statistically significant (p<0.001). DTS improved from -2.93±5.88 at baseline to 3.21±6.03 at week 12 of IRP therapy and the difference was highly statistically significant (p<0.0001).Conclusions: Findings of present study suggest that IRP can serve as effective therapeutic option for the management of myocardial ischemia

Role of Aahar and Panchakarma on restoration of euglycemia in known type II diabetes mellitus

Background: Diabetes mellitus, in particular, has emerged as a significant health concern, affecting millions of individuals and placing a considerable strain on the healthcare system. Promoting remission of diabetes, wherein patients achieve a state of sustained blood sugar control without the need for ongoing medication or with a reduced reliance on medication, can yield remarkable benefits. This study sought to understand the role of Aahar and Panchakarma on restoration of euglycemia in known type 2 diabetes patients. Methods: A retrospective, observational, cohort study was conducted at Madhavbaug Cardiac Care Clinic between April 2021 and April 2022 in Maharashtra, India. Patients aged 18 years and older with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus with glycated haemoglobin level (HbA1c) &gt;7% and had participated in the Comprehensive Diabetes Care (CDC) program were included in this study. Parameters such as HbA1c, body weight, body mass index (BMI), and dependence on conventional allopathic medication were assessed at the end of the CDC program. Follow-up was conducted at 90 days. Day 1 and day 90 data were compared. Results: Of the 45 patients, 17 (40.5%) patients had a negative glucose tolerance and 14 (33.3%) patients had impaired glucose tolerance. HbA1c, body weight, and BMI improved at the end of CDC program. Dependency on conventional allopathic medications was also reduced. Conclusions: Restoration of euglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus is possible, however, further studies to understand the affecting factors are warranted

Study of efficacy of ischemia reversal program (IRP) in ischemic heart disease (IHD) patients with VO2max and Duke’s treadmill score

Background: Number of people dying from IHD has increased from 0.61 million in 1990 to 1.13 million in 2010, which is a disturbing fact. According to report by World Health Organization, India would be spending a whopping 237 billion US dollars, owing to direct spending on health care and indirectly due to loss of productivity due to IHD. Ischemia Reversal Program (IRP) is a combination of Panchakarma and allied therapy. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of IRP on VO2max, Duke’s treadmill score, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and dependency on conventional therapy in IHD patients.Methods: This observational study was conducted in January 2017, wherein the data of IHD patients (inducible ischemia on stress testing) who attended out-patient departments (OPDs) at Madhavbaug clinics in Maharashtra, India were identified. Data of patients who were administered IRP (60-75 minutes) with minimum 7 sittings over 90 days (±15 days) were considered. Variables were compared between day 1 and day 90 of the IRP.Results: Out of 38 enrolled patients, 25 were males while 13 females. There was significant improvement in Duke’s score with  subjects at moderate (50%) and high (31.6%) risk at baseline were significantly decreased to low (52.6%) and moderate (47.4%) after the 90th day of therapy.  IRP also showed significant improvement in VO2max by 9.11 (from 20.29±6.72 to 29.40±6.71; p<0.001), SBP by 5.78 (from 128.78±17.40 to 123±12.23, p<0.03), DBP by 4.76 (from 80.53±8.10 to 75.76±6.85, p<0.005). Dependency on concomitant medicines was reduced.Conclusions: IRP was effective in IHD; it had dual benefits, i.e. anti-ischemic effect, as well as reducing the dependency on allopathic medicines

TO STUDY EFFICACY OF COMPREHENSIVE DIABETES CARE (CDC) MANAGEMENT PROGRAM IN TYPE II DIABETIC OBESE PATIENTS: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Context: Diabetes mellitus (DM) contributes to a major chunk of morbidity, mortality, and healthcare cost on a global level. The prevalence of DM is rising alarmingly, worldwide and India. Comprehensive Diabetes Care (CDC) is a combination of Panchakarma and diet management.Aims: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of CDC on Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body mass index (BMI), body weight, abdominal girth and dependency on conventional therapy in DM Patients.Setting and Design: This observational study was conducted in July 2017, wherein the data of obese Type II DM patients (HbA1c &gt;6.5%) who attended out-patient departments (OPDs) at Madhavbaug clinics in Maharashtra, India were identified.Materials and Methods: Data of patients who were administered CDC (60-75 minutes) with minimum 6 sittings over 90 days (± 15 days) were considered. Variables were compared between day 1 and day 90 of CDC.Results: Out of 27 patients, 22 were included for analysis, out of which 10 were males while 12 females. CDC showed significant improvement in HbA1c 1.1% (from 8.80 ± 0.93 to 6.98 ± 1.73; p&lt;0.001), BMI by 2.66 (from 33.79 ± 3.80 to 31.13 ± 3.91, p&lt; 0.001), weight by 6.56 kg (from 83.67 ± 11.28 to 77.11 ± 12.27, p&lt;0.001). Abdominal girth (from 104.34 ± 9.74 to 96.97 ± 11.93; p&lt;0.001), also showed significant reduction. Dependency on concomitant medicines was reduced, with the number of patients on no concomitant medicines increasing from 27% to 41%.Conclusion: Comprehensive Diabetes Care Management Program found to be efficacious; by reducing HbA1c, as well as reducing dependency on allopathic medications

Role of comprehensive diabetes care in known diabetes patients from western Mumbai region: an observational study

Background: The occurrence of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) has been creating a havoc since past few decades on a global platform. As per available literature, prevalence of DM in Mumbai is around 10%. Comprehensive Diabetes Care (CDC) is a form of Ayurvedic therapy which combines panchkarma and diet management. The present study was planned to evaluate the effectiveness of CDC in patients of DM by analysing changes in body mass index (BMI), body weight, OGTT, HbA1c, etc.Methods: The present study was of retrospective design, conducted at Madhavbaug clinics in western Mumbai. The duration of study was of one year, conducted from October 2018 to September 2019. It included patients diagnosed with type 2 DM i.e. HbA1c>6.5%, who were given CDC therapy.Results: In the present study, out of 183 type 2 diabetic patients, 99 were males (52%), while 84 were females (48%), thus male: female ratio was 1.17:1. On analysing the results of HbA1c in patients who had completed 12 weeks of CDC therapy, it was found that controlled DM status was seen in 109 patients (59%), while uncontrolled DM status was noted in 33 patients (19%) as compared to 102 patients (58%) at baseline.Conclusions: From the findings of the present study, it is clear that CDC is effective in the form of increasing number of euglycemic patients at the end of study period, as well as reduction in all glycaemic and anthropometric parameters, and reducing dependency on conventional medicines

Efficacy of heart failure reversal treatment in patients with low ejection fraction

Background: Heart failure reversal therapy (HFRT) is designed to enhance cardiorespiratory fitness of chronic heart failure (CHF) patients. Objective(s): The present study was designed to evaluate efficacy of HFRT that uses herbal procedure (panchakarma) and allied therapies, in CHF patients with low ejection fraction. Methods: This efficacy study was conducted in CHF patients (aged: 25–65 years, ejection fraction (EF) 10–30%) wherein HFRT (60–75 min) consisting of snehana (external oleation), swedana (passive heat therapy), hrudaydhara (concoction dripping treatment) and basti (enema) was administered twice daily for 7 days. During this therapy and next 30 days, patients followed the study dinarcharya and were prescribed ARJ kadha in addition to their conventional treatment. The primary endpoint of this study was evaluation of maximum aerobic capacity uptake (MAC) as assessed by 6 min walk distance (6MWD) using Cahalins equation from baseline, at the end of 7 day treatment, follow-up after 30 days and 90 days. EF was assessed by 2D Echo at baseline and after 30 days of follow-up. Results: Fifty-two CHF patients with 10–30% EF (mean [SD] age: 58.8 [10.8], 85% men) were enrolled in the study. There was a 100% compliance to study therapy. A significant improvement was observed in MAC levels (7.11%, p = 0.029), at the end of 7 day therapy as compared to baseline. This improvement was maintained at two follow-up visits. Moreover ejection fraction was observed to be increased by 6.38%, p = 0.012 as compared to baseline at day 7 of the therapy. Conclusion: This 90 day follow up study highlights the benefit of HFRT, as a part of maintenance treatment for CHF patients with reduced ejection fraction. Keywords: Chronic heart failure, Heart failure reversal therapy, Oxygen uptake, Functional capacity, Panchakarm

Role of Ayurveda, Lifestyle Modification, and Panchakarma Therapy on Stabilization of Atherosclerotic Plaque in Known Coronary Artery Disease Patient

Atherosclerois is a major health concern in India and imposes a significant burden on the population. The prevalence of risk factors such as hypertension, obesity, smoking and high cholesterol levels contribute to the rising incidence of atherosclerosis in the country. A 57-year-old male presented with primary complaints of chest pain and heaviness, left arm pain, upper back pain, jaw pain, dyspnea on exertion grade I, flatulence, gaseous distension, cervical pain, scapular region pain, shoulder pain, constipation, and insomnia. He also complained of postprandial angina New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III. The patient was a photographer by profession and had a history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease. On 29th February 2020, he underwent computed tomography (CT) coronary angiography at another clinic which revealed stenosis of the 3 main coronary arteries – more than 90% stenosis in mid left anterior descending artery (LAD), 80–90% stenosis in proximal left circumflex artery (LCx), and 80–90% stenosis in proximal right coronary artery (RCA). The patient was advised an Ayurveda-based low-carbohydrate high antioxidant diet of 1,000 calories daily for the first 12 weeks. This case report supports the relationship between an Ayurveda-based low-carbohydrate high antioxidant diet and atheroma regression in a high-risk coronary artery disease patient

Study of the Efficacy of Ischemia Reversal Program along with Restricted Diet in an Elderly Myocardial Ischemic Patient with a Known History of Hypertension - A Case Study

The biggest global cause of morbidity and mortality, according to the World Health Organization, are cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Consequently, there is a need for new therapeutic modalities that will complement current CVD care tools. To evaluate the effectiveness of the Ischemia Reversal Program along with a restricted diet in an elderly myocardial ischemic patient with other comorbidities like Hypertension (HTN) and Hypokinesia.&nbsp; 60-year-old male had a myocardial ischemia episode in April 2020 and received standard allopathic medical care. The patient had a history of HTN. This patient opted for Ischemia Reversal Program (IRP) and dietary modification with Ayurveda-based medicines as an add-on complementary treatment to accelerate the healing process. The patient had elevated HTN (SBP/DBP: 123/74) according to the ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABMP) report which was reduced post-intervention (SBP/DBP: 109/66). The patient also showed hypokinetic anterior wall LV according to the 2D ECHO report while the post-intervention 2D ECHO report showed no regional wall motion abnormality. Findings of our study suggest that IRP which includes Ayurveda-based Panchakarma therapy along with dietary modifications can serve as treatment for patients with myocardial ischemia and other comorbidities like HTN, and hypokinesia