A clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of Ayurvedic interventions in the management of Pinasa (chronic rhinosinusitis)

Abstract

Abstract BACKGROUND: The disease “Pinasa” is a chronic nasal disease affecting the nasal canal and paranasal sinuses and can be correlated with chronic rhinosinusitis in contemporary science. Given the literary indication, the present work evaluated the clinical efficacy and safety of Chitrak Haritaki Avaleha (CHA) and Shadbindu Taila (SBT) in the management of chronic rhinosinusitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted as an open-label, multi-centre, prospective clinical study and executed at two institutes of the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences at New Delhi and Patiala. In total, 120 participants aged between 18 and 60 years, suffering from chronic rhinosinusitis, were enrolled in the study. The interventions were Chitraka Haritaki (CHA) (06 g) in the form of Avaleha twice a day after food and Nasya with Shadbindu Taila (SBT) in the dose of 06 Bindu (drops) for 7 days for three consecutive cycles with intervals of 7 days. The participants were assessed every 14 days. The total duration of treatment was 42 days, followed by a follow-up of 28 days. The primary outcome was assessed as the change in the Rhino Sinusitis Disability Index (RSDI) score, and the secondary outcomes were change in the Sino Nasal Outcome Score (SNOT) 20 score and change in Lund–Mackay scores of CT scan para nasal sinus. RESULTS: A total of 120 participants were enrolled in the study (60 in each center). Among them, data of 115 participants who completed the study were used for analysis. The mean RSDI and SNOT 20 scores were observed to undergo gradual reduction from baseline to the 14th, 28th, and 42nd days. A significant improvement in the mean total RSDI score and SNOT 20 (P < 0.001) was observed after the 42nd day of treatment and also at the end of the 70th day in comparison to baseline (# Compared using paired sample t-test). CONCLUSION: The Ayurvedic formulations, SBT Nasya and CHA administration, are safe and significantly reduce the symptoms such as Mucopurulent drainage (anterior, posterior, or both), nasal obstruction (congestion), facial pain-pressure-fullness, and decreased sense of smell.