Role of Kalmegha (Andrographis paniculata (Burm.F.) Wall. Ex Nees) in treating Vatarakta (Gout)

Abstract

Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. Ex. Nees (A. Paniculata), i.e. Kalmegha is a medicinal plant traditionally used for various diseases such as fever, diarrhea, worm infestation, hepatic and skin diseases. Modern studies have also explicitly revealed that A. Paniculata has a wide range of pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-diarrhoeal, anti-viral, anti-malarial, hepato-protective, anti-cancer, anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and also work as an immune stimulator. On the other hand, Gout (Vatarakta) is one common metabolic disorder which affects over 1% of the world’s adult population. Objective: To assess the clinical efficacy of A.Paniculata in Gouty Arthritis. Study Design: A clinical research, prospective in style, wherein a hypothesis, based on the previous studies on the various effects of A. Paniculata, was made; to assess its efficacy in treating Gout. Methodology: Randomly selected patients (n = 31) were administered powder of A. Paniculata, 2 gms thrice daily with water, for 45 days with a follow-up in every 15 days for one month. Assessment of the treatment was based on before treatment (BT) and after treatment (AT) effects of A. Paniculata on the parameters namely; subjective, i.e. the symptoms of Gout and objective, i.e. the levels of Serum Uric Acid. Results: In subjective parameters, Wilcoxon non-parametric test was used. The outcome shows that except the symptom i.e. Pallor (shwetata), in all other symptoms of Gout, p value was either < 0.05 or < 0.01, which is considered to be significant to highly significant. In objective parameter, Z test was used, in which the outcome of p value was < 0.01, which indicates that the effect of A.Paniculata on Serum Uric Acid is highly significant. Keywords: Kalmegha, Andrographis paniculata, Gout, Vatarakta, Serum Uric Acid, Clinical Studies