A Clinical Study to Evaluate the Effect of Eleg Fem Capsules (Asthishrinkhalaadi Yoga) in the Management of Osteoporosis

Abstract

Osteoporosis is an alarming issue in the society today. It is continuously increasing its signicance with increasing elderly population and is affecting both the sexes at different degrees. It is characterized by low bone mass with microarchitectural deterioration of bone leading to enhanced bone fragility, thus increasing the susceptibility to fracture. Taking into account the references available in various Ayurvedic classics it can be correlated to Asthikshaya. Asthikshaya occurs due to decrease in strength of Asthi Dhatu chiey due to Kala, Swabhava and Vata Prakopa. International Osteoporosis Foundation estimated that the annual direct cost of treating osteoporotic fractures has increased grossly. In India the general population is not much aware about the hazardous complications of osteoporosis. The modern pharmacological treatment is long and beyond the nancial reach of common people. Therefore the best way to deal with it is to prevent this as early as possible. To achieve this aim a clinical study was conducted to evaluate the effect of an Ayurvedic Formulation known as Eleg Fem capsules (Asthishrinkhalaadi Yoga) in osteoporotic patients. In the clinical trial 30 patients above the age of 40 years with low BMD T-Score were registered from OPD and IPD of Kayachikitsa department of Rajiv Gandhi Govt. Post Graduate Ayurvedic College and Hospital Paprola, Kangra. Out of 30 patients, 27 completed the trial and 3 patients were drop out. Criteria of assessment of patients was change in bone mineral density (BMD T- Score) and change in the score of Quality of Life Index Questionnaire for Osteoporosis (QUALEFFO-41). All the registered patients were given the formulation for 6 weeks. Improvement was observed with statistically signicant results on mean BMD TScore and moderately signicant result on Quality of Life Index scoring. The study revealed that the Eleg Fem capsules (Asthishrinkhalaadi Yoga) is a safe and effective therapy in the Osteoporotic patients.