A comparative clinical study on the efficacy of Rasna Panchaka and Rasna Saptaka Kwatha with Murungadi Lepa (local application) in the management of Amavata (Rheumatoid Arthritis)

Abstract

Amavata is a chronic inflammatory disorder described in Ayurveda that causes significant impairment in daily functioning due to intense joint pain and stiffness. The present study aims to evaluate the efficacy of Rasna Panchaka Kwatha and Rasna Saptaka Kwatha with Murungadi Lepa in the management of Amavata. Based on the clinical characteristics, this disease can be correlated with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) as described in contemporary medicine. This study was conducted as a randomized, single-blind, parallel-group, comparative clinical trial on 60 patients diagnosed with Amavata, admitted to the Inpatient Department (IPD) of National Ayurveda Teaching Hospital, Borella. Assessment was done based on assessment criteria applied in the study (Sajjanar, 2018). The patients were randomly allocated into two groups of 30 each. Group A received Rasna Panchaka Kwatha (120 ml) and Group B received Rasna Saptaka Kwatha (120 mL), both along with topical application of Murungadi Lepa twice daily for 14 days. After the intervention, when comparing data of Group A with Group B it was observed that subjective parameters like Sandi shoola, Sandi shotha, Sandi sthabdata, Aruchi, Thrushna, and Jawara, were statistically highly significant (p<0.001) except Angamarda, Alasya, Apaka, Bahumutratatha, and Nidra Viparya, which were significant with p <0.05. Objective parameters observed that the improvement of the mean values of the Rh factor was highly significant (p<0.001). However, ESR, CRP, and Hb count were not significant (p>0.05). In the overall improvement of both Groups A and B, it was observed that the majority of the subjective parameters were markedly improved following the intervention of Rasnadi Sapthakaya along with Murungadi Lepa. The combination of Kwatha and Murungadi Lepa demonstrated promising results and may be integrated into the Amavata management protocol for better patient outcomes.