A clinical study of sickle cell anemia and its management through Kiratatikta (Swertia chirayata) Ghanvati and Guduchi (Tinospora Cordifolia) Ghanvati

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a genetic condition of mutation of beta globin chain and has been acknowledged to have a global public health impact. This disease is very common among many tribal and backward populations in India. In the central part of India its prevalence varies from 10-40% and in western area of Odisha varying from 10-17%. It can be classified as two types of homozygous sickle cell disease and heterozygous sickle cell trait. In Classical Ayurveda texts word to word correlation with SCA is not found. Clinical features of SCA correspond and are in line with Sannipataja Pandu Roga as described in classical texts. In the present work, a scientific effort was made for management of sickle cell disease through Ayurvedic interventions.
 
 Materials and Methods: A prospective clinical study was carried out in a total of thirty (30) patients of both sexes and randomly registered according to the clinical features of SCA from OPD and IPD of Government Ayurvedic College hospital, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh. After assessment of subjective and objective criteria Kiratatikta Ghanvati and Guduchi Ghanvati were given 500 mg. each drug after meal with suitable fluid twice a day for a period of two months. Efficacy of therapy was inferred in 15 days interval and evaluated statistically by student’s paired ‘t’ test.
 
 Results: The overall improvement was assessed after study. The mean score before treatment was 3.53 while the mean score after treatment was 1.52. The statistical evaluation revealed that the mean difference was ± 2.01, SD±0.85, SE± 0.22 and t value 8.803. Trial medications were statistically highly significant with p<0.001.
 
 Conclusion: From the present study, it can be concluded that the trial drugs are very effective in the management of SCA; they reduce the subjective and objective parameters and its complications.