Title : Combined effect of guduchi satva and triphala choorna with dashamoola bala guduchi siddha ksheeradhara as tertiary prevention in cancer patients with chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy
Abstract:
Cancer ranks as the second leading cause of death worldwide, with over 1300 Indians succumbing to it daily. Chemotherapy serves as a critical component in cancer management, either as a primary modality or as an adjunct to surgery and radiation. However, alongside its therapeutic effects, chemotherapy also poses several adverse effects, one of the most distressing being Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN). CIPN affects up to 48% of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and, in many cases, persists for months or even years after completion of treatment. It has a profound negative impact on patients’ functional abilities and long-term quality of life. Despite its prevalence, CIPN remains underdiagnosed and inadequately treated in clinical settings. Conventional pharmacological interventions offer limited relief and are often associated with additional side effects. Patients experiencing CIPN also showed increased incidences of depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, falls, and reduced physical activity. This study was conducted with the aim of evaluating an Ayurvedic approach to tertiary prevention of CIPN and improving patients’ quality of life. Ayurveda, with its rich pharmacological heritage, offered numerous herbal formulations known to nourish the nervous system, reduce inflammation, and promote systemic balance. A pre-post interventional study was carried out on 32 cancer patients, aged between 40 and 65 years, suffering from CIPN. The participants were selected from the Oncology outpatient department of Arya Vaidya Sala, Charitable Hospital, Kottakkal, based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria.
The intervention included:
- Internal medications: Guduchi Satva 500 mg with 50 ml of milk, and Triphala Choorna 3 gm with warm water, administered twice daily after meals for 30 days.
- External therapy: Dashamoola Bala Guduchi Siddha Ksheeradhara for 14 consecutive days.
The presentation discusses the clinical background of CIPN and the challenges associated with its management in conventional medicine. It elaborates on the pharmacodynamics of the Ayurvedic formulations used highlighting their neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, rejuvenative and adaptogenic properties. The methodology adopted for the study, including selection criteria, mode of administration, and symptom evaluation, is presented in detail. Outcome measures were assessed through patient-reported symptom relief, changes in functional activity, and overall improvement in quality of life. Statistical analysis was carried out using a paired t-test to evaluate the significance of changes observed before and after the intervention. The results of the study suggested that the combined Ayurvedic protocol effectively reduced the symptoms of CIPN and enhanced the overall well-being of the participants. No adverse effects were reported during or after the treatment period, indicating the safety and tolerability of the intervention. This study concluded that Ayurvedic formulations could play a promising role as a complementary approach in the tertiary prevention of CIPN, potentially integrating with modern oncology practices to improve survivorship outcomes.
