Issue 12 - amam-ayurveda.org

Observational Clinical Study On Basant Kusumarkar Ras
In Diabetes & Diabetic Neuropathy
INVESTIGATORS:
Dr. Ashok Kumar Jain,
Head, Department of Ayurveda, Panchkarma & Yoga
and
Dr. T. K. Das,
Chief Neurologist,
at
SVS Marwari Hospital, Kolkata
1. INTRODUCTION:
Diabetes mellitus – generally termed as Madhumeha in Ayurvedic
terminology, is a frequent clinical problem. The incidence of Diabetes has
been on a constant rise during last few decades more in particular, in the
developing countries like India. Insulin is a hormone produced by β islets
of Langerhan’s cells in pancreas and this hormone is implicated to play a
vital role in the metabolism of carbohydrates and utilization of glucose.
Diabetes is characterized by a defective synthesis of insulin.
Based on the mode of onset and the extent of damage to the insulin
producing cells, diabetes is clinically classified into two types. The first
type is termed as insulin dependent Diabetes mellitus [IDDM] and other is
termed as Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus [NIDDM]. Modern
therapeutic approaches have been fairly successful to handle the primary
sequel of the problem, the hyperglycaemia. In case of IDDM, direct
administration of Insulin and in case of NIDDM, hypoglycaemic agents
have been successfully employed.
Notwithstanding these developments, there are two major areas of
concern. The first one being the incidence and distribution of diabetes.
Of an estimated 80 million of diabetics, over 50m. belong to heavily
populated, developing countries like India. The incidence also leans
primarily, towards urban population. About 1.5% of urban population
is diabetics as against a 0.8% rural population. There are countries/
communities with over 35% population being diabetics. Going by the
upward trends in diabetic population the incidence appears to reach a
phenomenally complex stage.
The second important issue is the secondary sequel to diabetes. Many
internal organs are likely to be effected due to a paradoxical glucose
metabolism. Of all the diabetic maladies, diabetic neuropathy affects
almost 30% cases in maturity on-set diabetes. In fact, the on-set of diabetes
is often manifested by early changes of neuropathy like, tingling sensations
in soles and palms, muscular pain in lower extremities, claudication etc.
Thus, neuropathy is essentially identified together with diabetes mellitus.
Unfortunately, the sequel of diabetes is mostly irreversible and there
appears no practical approach to address them.
On the other hand, Ayurveda has laid down a range of therapeutic measure
to address various issues linked to diabetes or madhumeha. Many studies
were conducted on a number of herbs mentioned in Ayurvedic literature
with an objective to develop natural hypoglycaemic agents. The success
in this direction has been very little for, most of the herbs failed to reduce
blood sugar levels in the desired manner. The altered approach of these
investigations was found to more effective, where, an ayurvedic medicinal
plant is used as an adjuvant therapy to overcome drug resistance in
diabetes. However, the efficacy of Ayurvedic drugs or formulations in
different complications of diabetes was sparingly reported.
Basant Kusumakar Ras in Diabetes:
Basant Kusumakar Ras is a generic Ayurvedic, herbo-mineral formulation
info Ayurveda, Volume 1, No.12, April-June’ 2012
described in ancient Ayurvedic texts. As per Rasendrasar Sangraha,
it contains Swarna Bhasma, Rajata Bhasma, Vanga Bhasma, Naga
Bhasma, Kantaloha Bhasma, Abhraka Bhasma, Pravala Bhasma, and
Mukta Bhasma. The blend is further processed in the extracts of 9 herbal
ingredients and flavoured with Musk.
Basant Kusumakar Ras is primarily, a Rasayana formulation but the
text enumerates diabetes as one of its main therapeutic indication. The
formulation is acclaimed to strengthen physiology as whole, to prevent
loss of hair, premature graying of hair, to promote memory and fertility.
Considering these descriptions, Ayurvedic physicians often recommend
Basant Kusumakar Ras to improve/maintain the quality of life in diabetic
patients. However, there have been no scientific reports to validate the
acclaimed clinical usage of this formulation.
Dabur Research centre have concluded experimental studies in
collaboration with Department of Pharmacology, AIIMS – where Basant
Kusumakar Ras was found to be having some improvement in blood sugar
in Alloxan induced diabetic rats. This study thus succeeded to shed a little
light on the role of formulation in diabetes mellitus. However, the role
of Basant Kusumakar Ras in improving the quality of life during diabetic
phase remains to be addressed. It is with this viewpoint; this observational
clinical study was conducted at SVS Marwari Hospital, Kolkota from
August 1998 to September. 2000
2. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:
2.1. To ascertain the clinical efficacy of Basant Kusumakar Ras in
controlling blood sugar as an adjuvant.
2.2. To evaluate the role of Basant Kusumakar Ras in diabetic
neuropathy.
3. MATERIAL & METHODS:
3.1. Inclusion Criteria:
• Patients of both genders, suffering from clinically established diabetes
for a period not less than 5 years duration and with a basal blood sugar
levels of not less than 170 mg/dl were included in the study.
• Both Insulin dependent [IDDM] and non-Insulin dependent [NIDDM]
types of diabetics were included in the study.
• Only those patients suffering from a marked degree of polyneuritis
were included.
3.2. Exclusion Criteria:
• Pregnant women were excluded from the scope of this study.
• Patients having renal impairment, hypertension and other forms of
cardiovascular problems, liver afflictions were also excluded for the
purpose of the study.
3.3. Study Design:
Open label prospective study
3.4. Enrollment & Method of Study:
The study was conducted at the SVS Marwari Hospital of Calcutta in
11