Effectiveness of Vadavanala Vati as an adjunct in the Management of Hypothyroidism: An Open Label, Single Arm Clinical Study

Abstract

Background and objectives: Hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid disorder, with a prevalence of 4-5 % in developed countries and 10.5% in India. In Ayurveda, the disease can be understood in the light of dosha (humors), dushya (bodily constituents), agni (digestive fire) and srotas (channels). The signs and symptoms match with the description of agnimandya (suboptimal digestive fire) at the level of koshta (alimentary tract) and dhatus (tissues). Hence treatment could be focused on agni deepana (improving the digestive fire) at the level of koshta and dhatu especially rasa dhatu. For this purpose, Vadavanala vati is selected, which contains ingredients such as saindhava (rock salt), pippali (Piper longum L.), pippali moola (root of Piper longum L), chavya (Piper chaba Hunter), chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica L.), nagara (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) and haritaki (Terminalia chebula Retz.), which have agni dipana (improving the digestive fire), ama pachana (detoxification) and vatanulomana (balancing of vata) properties. Methods: An open label, single arm study, with convenience sampling technique was conducted in adult patients with Primary Hypothyroidism (n = 19), out of which 16 completed the treatment. They were administered Vadavanala vati 2 tablets thrice daily before food with ushnodaka (warm water) as anupana (vehicle) for 45 days. For statistical analysis subjective parameters were assessed with Cochran Q test with McNemar test with Bonferroni correction as post hoc test and objective parameters including biomedical parameters were assessed with paired t test. Results: There was a statistically significant improvement in both primary and secondary outcome measures. Changes in Serum TSH, T4, and clinical symptoms like diminished sweating, dry skin, constipation, and weight were particularly notable. Interpretation and conclusion: Vadavanala vati appears to be an effective formulation in the management of Hypothyroidism.