EFFECT OF RASAPRAVICHARANA CIKITSA (TASTE SPECIFIC DRUG THERAPY) IN KAPHA DOMINANCE OF TAMAKA SWASA (ASTHMA) - A CASE SERIES

Rasapravicharana cikitsa is the administration of drugs in accordance with the Rasam (taste) after assessing the Doshic imbalance in diseases. The basic approach of Ayurveda is to normalize the Doshas in aggravated or depleted conditions occurred in the manifestation of disease. The objective of the study was to assess the effect of Rasapravicharana cikitsa (taste specific drug therapy) in aggravated Kapha dosha of Kapha dominant Tamaka swasa (asthma). The study was conducted on 10 patients between the age group 16 to 70 yrs of both the sexes. The patients were administered with Katu (pungent) rasa drug ie, powder of the dried fruit of Maricham (Piper nigrum Linn) at the dose of 500 mg, Tikta (bitter) rasa drug i.e., dried Vasa leaf powder (Adhatoda vasica Nees) at the dose of 3gm, and Kashaya (astringent) rasa drug i.e., powder of the dried fruit pericarp of Haritaki (Terminalia chebula (Gaertn.) Retz.) at the dose of 3gm, 8 AM and 8 PM after food daily in luke warm water respectively for a period of two weeks each. The Katu rasa drug administered for 14 days produced highly significant reduction in dyspnoea, cough bout frequency, wheeze, expectoration of sputum and quantity of sputum, and significant improvement in PEFRate. But no significant improvement was observed in PEF%. The administration of Tikta rasa drug in the next 14 days resulted in highly significant reduction in cough bout frequency and expectoration of sputum and significant reduction in dyspnoea. The reduction was maintained in other signs and symptoms. The Kashaya rasa drug used in the last 14 days significantly improved PEFRate. Reduction in other signs and symptoms was maintained. The management according to Rasapravicharana cikitsa has a significant role in the pacification of Doshas involved in the manifestation of diseases. &nbsp

PHARMCOLOGICAL POTENTIAL OF GUDUCHYADI KWATHAM IN COMBATING COVID-19

Guduchyadi kwatham is a renowned Ayurvedic formulation used by Ayurvedic physicians all over India against influenza attacks and viral diseases. It is indicated for Pitta and Kapha aggravated conditions, Jwaram (Fever) and diseases of gastrointestinal system in classical Ayurvedic literature. Indications and pharmacological activities of the ingredients in respiratory diseases and Rakta (Blood) vitiated conditions suggest the use of this formulation in viral diseases that mainly involve respiratory system. In order to assess the pharmacological potential, Ayurvedic literature of the formulation and the pharmacological evaluations conducted with the part used and phytoconstituents of individual drugs were collected. Informations about the pathogenesis and symptomatology of COVID-19 were gathered from the recent research publications which were available online. Common symptoms of Coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are fever, cough, sputum production, fatigue, headache, haemoptysis, diarrhoea, dyspnoea, and lymphopenia. When the disease progresses clinical conditions like Pneumonia, RNAaemia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, etc that lead to may develop death. Significantly increased level of leukocytes, pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in plasma are seen during pathogenesis. The manifestation of systemic inflammatory response along with respiratory symptoms reveals that the main Doshas involved in this viral infection are Pitta and Kapha. The formulation possesses Pittakapha samana action and the ingredients are beneficial in diseases of Pranavahasrotas, Annavahasrotas, Rasavahasrotas and Raktavahasrotas. Pharmacological screening of drugs demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antiviral, antibacterial, anti allergic, antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects. Ayurvedic literature and findings of various phytochemical and pharmacological researches validate the use of Guduchyadi kwatham in the prevention and mitigation of this viral disease

THE ROLE OF AIRWAY MUCUS HYPER SECRETION DUE TO KAPHA VITIATION IN TAMAKA SVASA (ASTHMA): PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND PHARMACOTHERAPEUTIC APPROACH

Tamakasvasa (asthma) is a mucous hypersecretory respiratory disease. The inspissated mucus produced by vitiated Kapha obstructs the bronchi and other small air passages in the pathological development of the disease. Physiologically Kapha dosa provides strength (Bala) to the body due to the intrinsic qualities unctuousness (Snigda), coldness (Sita), heaviness (Guru), slowness (Manda), smoothness (Slasna), softness (Mrisna), stability (Sthira) etc. Being an organ in the specific site of Kapha dosha i.e., thorax (Uras), production of mucus in lungs is normal. Etiological factors that irritate respiratory tract stimulate inflammatory process and due to this, mucus is produced in excess. Due to the excessive vitiation of qualities of Kapha the mucus turns highly viscous and the normal clearance of mucus by airflow and ciliary function is hampered. Thus gelatinous mucus plugs tend to develop in the airways. The gel-forming MUC genes MUC2, MUC5AC and MUC5B commonly seen in respiratory secretions and stomach, duodenum, gall bladder etc have major role in the formation of airway mucus. Due to the ingestion of unwholesome food stomach (Amasaya) where Kapha reside, act as the organ of origin of the disease. The main pharmacotherapeutic objective in the management of Tamakasvasa is reduction of airway obstruction and airflow limitation by enhancing mucus clearance. This can be achieved by altering the rheological properties of bronchial mucus and inhibition of mucus hyper secretion and airway hyper responsiveness by procedure based therapies and pharmacological methods of Sleshmavilayana, Srotomardavakarana and rationale use of taste specific drug therapy (Rasapravicarana chikitsa)