A Clinical Evaluation of Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) and Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra) as Chemopreventive Agent in Cancer Treatment

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers ex Hook.f. and Thomas) and Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn.) are the medicinal plants traditionally used for various properties such as rasayana, ayushprada, vayah-sthapana, cakshuya, varnya, keshya, vatapittajit, raktaprasadana, varnahar, shothhar, vishghan, and chhardighan in Ayurveda. Modern studies also have explicitly revealed a wide range of pharmacological effects of both drugs such as antioxidant, immunomodulator, brain tonic and memory enhancer, gastroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer and wound healing, and antibacterial properties. On the other hand, cancer and various side effects of its treatment with chemotherapy/radiotherapy have emerged as a major public health concern all over the world including India. Aim The main objective of this study was to observe the clinical efficacy of guduchi and yashtimadhu against the adverse effects of chemotherapy. Study Design A clinical research, prospective in style, wherein a hypothesis was based on previous study on the various effects of T. cordifolia and G. glabra, was made to assess its effects on side effects of chemotherapy in cancer patient. Materials and Methods Randomly selected (n = 38) cancer patients, receiving chemotherapy and divided into four groups as A, B, C, D, were administered trial drugs as 1 g guduchi ghan tablet to group B, 1 g yashtimadhu ghan wati to group C and 1 g of guduchi and yashtimadhu ghan tablet both were given to group D thrice a day with water for 90 days. Group A was control group and no drug was given. A follow-up was done on every 15 days for 3 months. Clinical assessment of the study was based on before therapy ( BT) and after therapy (AT) effects of guduchi yashtimadhu in all adjuvant groups on the parameters namely subjective parameters, that is, side effects of chemotherapy and objective on hemoglobin (Hb) gm%, total leucocytes count (TLC), platelet count (PC), B. urea and S. creatinine level. For statistical analysis in both parameters paired t-test was used, and for comparison between all groups ANOVA test was used with corresponding p-values. Results The overall outcome shows, except alopecia (khalitya) in all other adverse symptoms of chemotherapy, p-value was either <0.05 or <0.001 that was considered to be highly significant. Guduchi and yashtimadhu were used as combined adjuvant therapy in group D, and the result was highly significant. In objective parameters, the outcome of p-values (i.e., p ≤ 0.05–0.01) showed the effects of guduchi yashtimadhu on Hb, TLC, PC, which was found to be significant. Conclusion The findings suggest that that there is a marked difference between BT and AT effect of guduchi yashtimadhu on the symptoms of chemotherapy and on Hb, TLC, PC level. Integration of Ayurveda in all adjuvant therapy groups showed significant results at 1% level of significance, against the side effects of chemotherapy in cancer patients.