Ayurvedic Add-on Therapy for β-Thalassemia Major Cases on Quality of Life

Abstract

Blood transfusions which were suggested as treatment for beta thalassemia major cases brought down the quality of life by several means like splenomegaly, growth retardation, poor appetite, low hemoglobin (Hb), increased serum ferritin level, etc. In present study the group of 79 patients which were selected were having such symptoms arouse due to repeated conventional blood transfusion. the patient was given Amlavetas (Garcinia pedunculata Roxb. ex Buch. Ham) dry fruit pulp (5 g) once daily in the early morning on an empty stomach regularly for 6 months without imposing any restriction to their regular food and other medicines for his existing comorbidities. Objective parameters such as Hb (g%), body weight (Kg), loss of appetite serum ferritin (ng/dl), and frequency of blood transfusion were assessed which ultimately help to understand the QoL of the subjects. The Hb percentage after 3rd month and 6th month was 6.94 ± 1.57 g% and 6.99 ± 1.52 g% which were significant when compared with baseline values (6.42 ± 1.37 g%, P < 0.001). The serum ferritin was significantly increased (P < 0.005) in the follow up visits when compared with baseline value 3112.13 ± 2801.20 ng/dl. The gain in body weight, increase in appetite and reduced blood transfusion rate indicates the quality of life, revealed by the improvement of his blood parameters including the serum ferritin level. Amlavetas fruit pulps can be a potential iron chelating as well as erythropoiesis Ayurvedic intervention to normalize iron metabolism, relieve thalassemia symptoms, and increase BT intervals with better life expectancy.