Clinical Efficacy of Ayurvedic formulations, Kanakasava and Trivrit Churna, in the Management of Bronchial Asthma

Abstract

Background: Bronchial asthma is a respiratory disorder characterized by chronic airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness leading to symptoms such as wheezing, cough, and dyspnea. While exploring Ayurveda classics, the disease Tamaka Shwasa mentioned in Ayurveda is comparable to the symptomatology of bronchial asthma. Objectives: To assess the clinical efficacy and safety of Kanakasava and Trivrit Churna in the management of bronchial asthma. Materials and methods: A prospective, open-label multicentric, single-arm study was carried out in three peripheral institutes of Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS). A total 210 participants diagnosed with bronchial asthma (Tamaka Shwasa) and fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled. Each participant was administered with Kanakasava 20 mL twice daily with equal amount of water after meals and Trivrit Churna 3 g once at bed time with lukewarm water for 12 weeks. Follow-up for additional 2 weeks without any medication after the completion of the trial was done. Parameters such as changes in peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1%), Asthma Control Questionnaire Score, and St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ-C) were assessed. The statistical analysis (paired t-test) was done to find out the efficacy of the trial drugs before and after intervention. Results: Statistically significant changes were found in PEFR and FEV1 values: PEFR value had improved from 357.637 (107.56) to 394.708 (108.36), and FEV1 value improved from 84.25 (5.45) to 89.48 (10.74) at the end of follow-up. Similarly significant changes were found in Asthma Control Questionnaire (p value < 0.001) and all the four domains of St. George Respiratory Questionnaire when compared to the baseline data. Conclusion: Kanakasava and Trivrit Churna were found to be effective in providing symptomatic relief to the patients with bronchial asthma.