fraternus Webster) BINAY SEN *
Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi- 5 (U. P.). ABSTRACT : Tamakashvâsa as described in Âyurveda is a disease of Prânavaha Srotas (Respiratory system) involving multiple etiopathogenesis. The clinical features are nearly similar to that of Bronchial asthma described in Modern medicine. This study was designed to explore the therapeutic effect and synergistic action (if any) of a plant Tâmalakî (Phyllanthus fraternus Webster). Tâmalakî is included in Shvâsahara and Kâsahara groups, used in many formulations prescribed in Shvâsaroga in Âyurveda. Research works suggest its antihistaminic property in experimental model and effective in non bacterial upper respiratory disorders. The present study comprises 3 groups (each 10 patients). Group A was treated with trial drug Ghanasattva of P. fraternus Webster, 500mg, thrice daily, orally; while Group B was treated with modern standard drugs (a) Tab. Theo-asthalin, thrice daily, orally and (b) Asthalin inhaler, SOS and Group C as combination of both therapies. Total duration of treatment was 45 days. The observations reveal that, Group A has much better improvement in increasing Jaranashakti (t=7.57; p<0.001) and Ruchi (t=9.86; p<0.001) in comparison to Group B and Group C. Moreover, Group C was found more effective in reducing majority of sign-symptoms as such Breathlessness (t=9.00; p<0.001), Cough (t=6.47; p<0.001), Expectoration (t=9.00; p<0.001) Wheezing (t=7.96; p<0.001), Rhonchi (t=7.96; p<0.001), Jaranashakti (t=4.71; p<0.01) and Ruchi (t=6.68; p<0.001). Key words : Tâmalakî, Phyllanthus fraternus Webster, Ghanasattva, Tamaka Shvâsa, Bronchial asthma, Breathlessness, Jaranashakti. INTRODUCTION
tracheobronchial tree to a multiplicity of stimuli. It ismanifested physiologically by a widespread narrowing
‘Bhûmyâmalakî’. In Âyurvedic literatures Tâmalakî
spontaneously or a result of therapy, and clinically by
is included in many formulations used for the treatment
paroxysms of dyspnoea, cough, and wheezing11. In
of respiratory diseases1, 2, 3, 4. It is bitter, astringent,
modern medicine, being affords by all means in the
sweet, stomachic, febrifuge and antiseptic. It pacifies
treatment of Bronchial asthma no satisfactory result
Pitta -Kapha - Rakta Dosas and is indicated in
is achieved till date. Prolonged use of agonists, steroids
diseases like Shvâsa, Kâsa, Hikkâ, Kshata, Kshaya,
etc. cause the side effects like hypertension, diabetes
Meha, Mûtraroga etc 5, 6, 7. In practice, many species
mellitus, immunosuppression and toxic effects to
of Phyllanthus are used with the name Tâmalakî.
In this study Phyllanthus fraternus Webster (syn. Phyllanthus niruri Linn.) of family Euphorbiaceae is
In this study, an effort is made to treat the
considered as the source plant of Tâmalakî. It is
bronchial asthma with an attempt to minimize side
found to have antihistaminic property in experimental
effects and toxic effects of modern drugs, and to
model 8 and effective in non bacterial upper
increase the therapeutic efficacy of trial drug in
respiratory disorders9. Out of 5 types of Shvâsa,
Tamaka Shvâsa requires treatment irrespective of
MATERIALS AND METHODS
etiopathogenesis, clinical manifestations, types and
Preparation and Dose of trial drug :
treatment modalities were described separately10. It
Fresh plants were collected from the surrounding
simulates with the bronchial asthma. It is defined as
of B.H.U. campus in the months of September -October
a chronic inflammatory disease of airways that is
and were identified by the experts of Department of
characterized by increased responsiveness of the
Dravyaguna and Department of Botany, B.H.U.,Varanasi. Then the plant material was cleaned and dried
* Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Dravyaguna.
well in shadow, then crushed into yavakûta chûrna and
** Professor, Department of Dravyaguna.
collected into a vessel. Four times water was added &
*** Professor, Department of Medicinal Chemistry.
kept for overnight. Next day morning the content was
**** Professor, Department of Medicine.
heated slowly till total quantity of content reduced up to
Shvâsahara Karma of Tâmalakî (Phyllanthus fraternus Webster) Sen B. et. al.
¼th quantity. The water extract was filtered with cloth
in each group were compared. Based on random
for 3 times and then boiled again slowly till it's consistency
distribution 30 patients were divided into 3 groups as
became similar to honey. At this stage vessel was taken
out from fire, content was collected into a tray and
dispersed uniformly and dried in sunlight for 10 days to
get the Ghanasattva. During preparation approximately
500gm of Ghanasattva was obtained from 5kg of crudedried sample. Hence, it can be calculated as:
After that capsules were filled in a dose of 500
mg. We have recommended dose of the drug Ghanasattva
as 1500 mg per day into three divided doses, which was
administered after food with water for a period of 45
Parameters for assessment of the drugs response : Selection of cases :
Subjective and objective parameters were taken
The patient of Tamakashvâsa of either sex and
into consideration for assessment of drug response in
different age groups were selected according to
each follow up of 15 days. The mean scores obtained at
diagnostic, inclusion and exclusion criteria from O.P.D.
the end of 3rd follow up was considered as scores of
& I.P.D., Department of Dravyaguna, O.P.D.of
after treatment (AT), which were compared statistically
Department of Medicine, Sir Sundar Lal Hospital, IMS,
with scores of before treatment (BT).
BHU, Varanasi. Follow-up of the patients was done in
Subjective parameters : Breathlessness, Cough,
Wheezing, Expectoration, Rhonchi, Jaranashakti and
Inclusion criteria :
Age : Patients in between 12-70 years. Objective parameters : Forced Expiratory Volume in1st second (FEV ), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Peak
Patient suffering from mild to moderate degree of
Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR), Differential Leucocyte
Count for Eosinophil and Absolute Eosinophil Count
Exclusion criteria :
Patients of age below 12 and above 70 years. OBSERVATION AND RESULTS Therapeutic response on Symptomatic profile :
Severely malnourished / debilitated patients.
In group A, statistically highly significant results
Restrictive lung diseases (neuronal and skeletal
were found in the symptoms of Breathlessness (t=4.13;
p<0.01), Cough (t=9.00; p<0.001), Expectoration (t=4.58;
Acute severe asthma (status asthmaticus).
p<0.01), Rhonchi (t=6.13; p<0.001), Jaranashakti (t=7.57;p<0.001) and Ruchi (t=9.86; p<0.001). But statistically
Cardiac, renal and other type of breathlessness.
significant result was observed in Wheezing (t=3.21;
Patients having diabetes mellitus, hypertension,
tuberculosis, heart diseases, immuno-suppressive
In group B patient also showed, statistically
highly significant results in Breathlessness (t=8.57;p<0.001), Cough (t=4.74; p<0.01), Rhonchi (t=9.00;
Grouping of patients :
p<0.001), Wheezing (t=5.01; p<0.01), Jaranashakti
Based on random distribution, 42 patientss were
(t=3.87; p<0.01) and Ruchi (t=4.74; p<0.01). Statistically
registered. Out of them, 34 patients have came for regular
non-significant result was observed in Expectoration
follow-up. To prepare the accurate data only 10 patients
In group C, patient showed statistically highly
effective in reducing AEC. The other profiles showed
signi fi cant r esul ts in r educi ng al most al l the
statistically non-significant (p>0.05). Group B vs. Group
symptomatic profiles. The mean score recorded as
C showed statistically highly significant in Eosinophil
Breathlessness (t=9.00; p<0.001), Cough (t=6.47;
(t=3.88; p<0.01) and AEC (t=10.27; p<0.001). By
p<0.001), Expectoration (t=9.00; p<0.001), Wheezing
observing the differences of mean (BT-AT), Group C
(t=7.96; p<0.001), Rhonchi (t=7.96; p<0.001),
was found more effective in both the profiles. FVC
Jaranashakti (t=4.71; p<0.01) and Ruchi (t=6.68;
(t=2.87; p<0.02) was found statistically significant and
the rest are non-significant (p>0.05). Group A vs. Group C were found statistically non - significant
In intergroup comparision of A vs B showed
(p>0.05) in all profiles. The differences of mean (BT-
statistically highly significant results in improving
AT) imply that group C imparts better improvement.
Jaranashakti (t=3.09; p<0.01) and Ruchi (t=5.55;p<0.001), and all other profiles were found non-
DISCUSSION
significant (p>0.05). Group B vs Group C, showed
In the demographic profile, majority of the
statistically highly significant result in Cough (t=3.28;
patients were in age group of 51-60 yrs, male (66.64%),
p<0.01), Rhonchi (t=3.39; p<0.01) and Ruchi (t=2.91;
were registered in winter season (46.66%), which shows
p<0.01), significant in Breathlessness (t=2.46; p<0.05),
its aggravation during this period. The 33.33% had
Expectoration (t=2.33; p<0.05), Wheezing (t=2.87;
addiction of smoking and allergic tendency towards dust,
p<0.02) and non-significant in Jaranashakti (t=1.41;
gave the information as one of the causative factors.
p>0.05). Group C vs Group A showed statistically
The 53.33% had chronicity of the disease between 1-5
significant effect in Breathlessness (t=2.41; p<0.05),
Cough (t=2.21; p<0.05) Expectoration (t=2.47;p<0.05), Wheezing (t=2.74; p<0.02), Rhonchi (t=2.15;
p<0.05), and Ruchi (t=2.25; p<0.05) and non -
subjective and objective parameters. From the
significant in Jaranashakti (t=1.34; p>0.05).
observations and results, the trial drug in combinationwith modern drugs was found more effective in
The statistical data (BT-AT) obtained from the
reducing majority of sign-symptoms. The trial drug
intragroup and intergroup analysis, revealed that trial
alone showed better improvement in Jaranashakti and
drug imparts better improvement in symptoms of
Ruchi in comparison to other groups. On this basis the
Jaranashakti and Ruchi than the standard and
mode of action may be postulated as, in combination
combination groups. Whereas, the combined group
they exert synergistic action. The trial drug is Tikta in
showed better results in all profiles.
Rasa predominantly (Tikta is said to have Dîpanîya
Response on objective parameters :
and Pâchanîya property), so acts at Agni level andstimulates the digestive power and increases the
Group A showed statistically results in FEV1
appetite. It pacifies the degree of Breathlessness,
(t=5.13; p<0.01), FVC (t=5.11; p<0.01), Eosinophil
Rhonchi, Wheezing, Expectoration, probably due to
(t=3.66; p<0.01) and AEC (t=7.94; p<0.001), whereas
Ruksha guna (Ruksha guna possesses the best drying
PEFR (t=2.03; p>0.05) was found non-significant.
up property). It has also antihistaminic property, thus
In Group B, statistically highly significant
proved effective in reducing Eosinophil and AEC.
results were observed in FEV (t=19.73; p<0.001),
CONCLUSION
FVC (t=12.66; p<0.001) and AEC (t=4.36; p<0.01),whereas significant in Eosinophil (t=2.60; p<0.05) and
The effect of therapy after completion of 45 days
PEFR (t=1.10; p>0.05) was found non-significant.
duration was encouraging. The trial drug alone showedmuch better result especially in improving Jaranashakti
Group C showed statistically highly significant
(t=7.57; p<0.001) and Ruchi (t=9.86; p<0.001). In
result in all profiles. FEV (t=13.09; p<0.001), FVC
combination, it was observed statistically highly
(t=11.81; p<0.001), PEFR (t=4.04; p<0.01), Eosinophil
significant in reducing Breathlessness (t=9.00;
(t=9.12; p<0.001) and AEC (t=18.25; p<0.001).
p<0.001), Cough (t=6.47; p<0.001), Expectoration
Intergroup comparision of Group A with Group
(t=9.00; p<0.001) Wheezing (t=7.96; p<0.001), Rhonchi
B, showed statistically highly significant in AEC
(t=7.96; p<0.001), Jaranashakti (t=4.71; p<0.01) and
(t=5.01; p<0.001). The difference of mean (BT-AT)
Ruchi (t=6.68; p<0.001), which shows the synergistic
was highest in Group A, signified trial drug more
Shvâsahara Karma of Tâmalakî (Phyllanthus fraternus Webster) Sen B. et. al.Scale of Asthmatic sign-symptoms : Sign-symptoms Grading criteria
Absent on normal breathing, but few on forced breathing
Few scattered bilateral on normal deep breathing
In between Score 1 and Score 3 on normal breathing
Innumerable high pitched bilateral on normal breathing
Equally willing towards all the Âhâra Rasas
Willing towards some specific Âhâra Rasas
Willing towards only one Âhâra RasaAcknowledgement :
3. Sharma S.P., Ashtâñga Samgraha of Vrddha Vâgbhata, (with
‘Úasilekhâ’ commentary by Indu), Chowkhamba Sanskrit
The authors wish to pay special regards and
Series Office, Varanasi, 2006, Sûtra-Sthâna 15/7; Chikitsâ-
thanks to Lt. Prof P. V. Sharma for his inestimable
suggestions and valuable references provided during the
4. Paradakar H.S., Astâñga Hrdayam of Vâgbhata, (with
commentaries ‘Sarvâñgasundarâ’ of Arunadatta &
course of study. They also extend thanks to Prof. V. K.
‘Âyurvedarasâyana’ of Hemâdri), Chaukhamba Orientalia,
Joshi, Prof. K. N. Dwivedi and Dr. A. K. Singh
Varanasi, 2005, Chikitsâ-Sthâna 3/95; 4 /44, 46, 53; 5/17.
Department of Dravyaguna, IMS, BHU for their valuable
5. Sharma P. V. & Sharma G. P., Kaiyadeva Nighantu of Kaiyadeva,
concerns. They are also thankful to all the patients and
Chaukhambha Orientalia, Varanasi, 1979, Aushadhi Varga /247-
other members related to this study.
6. Bhattacharya A. & Bhattacharya N., Râja Nighantu of Pt
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Treatment Options for Anxiety and Depression: A Review of the LiteratureHPRO 536 Program Planning and DevelopmentTreatment Options for Anxiety and Depression: A Review of the Literature About 14% of the global burden of disease has been attributed to neuropsychiatric disorders (Prince et al., 2007). This burden is likely to be underestimated because the link between physical health and mental