Evaluation of Guduchi Yoga in the Management of Vatarakta (Gouty Arthritis): A Clinical Study

Abstract

Vatarakta is one of the main articular diseases, which is characterized by severe pain, tenderness, inflammation and burning sensation in the affected joints. It is a tridoshaja vyadhi, with vata pradhanyata and rakta as main dushya. Sedentary lifestyle is one of the etiological factors of Vatarakta. The etiology and symptomatology of Gout is very much similar to that of Vatarakta. Gout is a pathological reaction of joint or periarticular tissues which results from deposition of monosodium urate monohydrate crystals in joints and tissues. In Ayurvedic classics, although we find plenty of dravyas for joint disorders, the area of joint diseases management still remains to be elusive. Hence the present clinical study aims to evaluate the efficacy of combined effect of 'Guduchi extract and cucumber juice extract' in the management of Vatarakta (Gouty arthritis). In the present study, 20 patients fulfilling the diagnostic criteria of Vatarakta and who met the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for acute Gouty arthritis were selected. Detailed profile which incorporated relevant data like symptomatology, physical signs and investigation reports were considered for assessment criteria. The ‘Guduchi Yoga’ (Aqueous extract of Guduchi and Trapusha) was administered to patients of either sex in the dosage of 1 g BID with lukewarm water after food for 12 weeks (3 months). After the course of therapy for 12 weeks, symptomatic improvement was observed with statistically significant results (P < 0.001) along with attainment of normal serum uric acid levels followed by feeling of general wellbeing. From the present study it can be concluded that the combined effect of Guduchi and Trapusha extracts showed promising results in the management of vatarakta

Implication of herbal medicines for curing arthritis in Central Western Ghats of Karnataka

“…In ayurveda, Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers is used for Vataraktha (Gouty arthritis) (Huded et al 2013) and also its usage mentioned in Nighantu of Sri Bhavamisra for Vataraktha (Pandey & Bhavaprakasha, 2006). The plant Vitex negundo L is first described in Charaka Samhita which is an oldest and most authentic text of Ayurveda and successful analgesic activity is reported in several studies and databases (Sharma et al, 2005;Telang et al, 1999)…”

A Review on Rasna Saptak Kwath: An Ayurvedic Polyherbal Formulation for Arthritis

“…When C3 convertase is inhibited, pro inflammatory anaphylactic peptides are not released with the result that no inflammation is observed. In one of the study Guduchi Yoga had shown significant reduction in serum uric acid levels 23 …”

Tinospora Cordifolia (Willd.) Miers.: Nutritional, Ethnomedical and Therapeutic Utility

“…It is a Rasayana as mentioned in Ayurveda which speaks of its in-toto action. It has been proved to possess Anti inflammatory 17 , antioxidant 18 , anti cancerous 19 , cognition and memory enhancing 20 , aphrodisiac 21 , immunomodulatory 22 and management of vatarakta (Gouty arthritis) 23 effects.…”

“…Ayurveda mentions the utility of guduchi in Hruddourbalya-as it enhances cardiac wellness. Guduchi also provides sufficient iron and calcium in accordance with the daily requirement thus preventing conditions such as Iron deficiency anaemia, dizziness, weakness, fatigue, dyspnoea and neuropsychiatric manifestations of chronic hypocalcaemia [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] . The neurological manifestations are clubbed under the name of Vatavyadhis (Diseases caused due to vitiated Vata) in Ayurveda and the authors have clearly stated about the properties of Guduchi shaka which can pacify vata 3,4 and hence prevent occurrence of the Vatavyadhis.…”