Despite recent advancements in medical science, the management of diabetic retinopathy still
poses several challenges that require special attention in order to explore new fields of medical
knowledge. While there is currently no cure for diabetic retinopathy, available treatments have proven
to be effective in preventing, delaying, or reducing vision loss. Early detection of the condition is
crucial for successful treatment and preservation of vision.
However, conventional treatments for diabetic retinopathy have certain limitations, prompting
researchers to explore options from alternative resources. Ayurveda, an ancient Indian system of
medicine, offers a comprehensive and safe approach to managing this condition. By developing a new
ayurvedic approach towards diabetic retinopathy, we hope to achieve promising results that can halt
the progression of the disease. This could potentially reduce the number of patients requiring invasive
procedures such as intravitreal injections and surgeries, which can be intimidating for individuals.
Exploring alternative therapies and adopting a comprehensive approach may prove fruitful in reducing
the risk of vision loss by facilitating prompt diagnosis and early treatment of vision-threatening
diabetic retinopathy. Hence, the current study has been planned with the aim of uncovering new
insights and potential solutions in the management of this condition.
Research Question- Is there any difference in the efficacy of Madhumehārī cūrṇa with or without
Triphalā-Ghṛta Akṣitarpaṇa for Non-Proliferative Diabetic-Retinopathy?
HYPOTHESIS
Null Hypothesis (Ho ) - There is no difference in the effect of Madhumehārī cūrṇa with or without
Triphalā-Ghṛta Akṣitarpaṇa in the management of NPDR.
Alternative Hypothesis (HA ) - There is difference in the effect of Madhumehārī cūrṇa with or
without Triphalā-Ghṛta Akṣitarpaṇa in the management of NPDR.
AIM
To compare the effects of Madhumehārī Cūrṇa with and without Triphalā-Ghṛta Akṣitarpaṇa in
managing Prameha Upadrava, with a particular focus on its impact on Non-Proliferative Diabetic-
Retinopathy.
OBJECTIVES
1. To validate ‘PraÌ„yaḥ PradhaÌ„naprasÌame PrasÌamo Bhavati’ in Prameha Upadrava with
special reference to Non-Proliferative Diabetic-Retinopathy.
2. To evaluate the efficacy of Madhumehārī Cūrṇa in Non-Proliferative Diabetic-Retinopathy.
3. To evaluate the efficacy of Madhumehārī Cūrṇa with Triphalā-Ghṛta Akṣitarpaṇa in Non-
Proliferative Diabetic-Retinopathy.
4. To compare the effect of Madhumehārī Cūrṇa with or without Triphalā-Ghṛta Akṣitarpaṇa in
prameha upadrva with special reference to Non-Proliferative Diabetic-Retinopathy.
PLAN OF STUDY
Material And Methods: Literary references will be collected from ayurveda classics, commentaries,
modern literature, research journals, Thesis &other related documents.
The whole study will be composed of following Three phases.
1. Preparation of Drug
2. Quality control analysis of Drug
3. Clinical study
1.Preparation of Drug- The Drugs Madhumehārī Cūrṇa and Triphalā-Ghṛta will be prepared in
GMP certified Pharmacy of NIA. by means of classical methods.
Composition Of Madhumehārī Cūrṇa
S.No. Drug Name Botanical Name Used Part Part Ratio
1. Jambū Syzygyum cumini Seed 1 Part
2 Amrasthī Mangifera indica Seed 1 Part
3 Karavallaka Momordia charantia Fruit 1 Part
4. Mesha shringī Gymnema sylvestra Leaves 1 Part
5. Methikā Trigonella foenum Seed 1 Part
6. Bilva Aegle marmelos Leaves 1 Part
7 Nimba Azadirachta Indica Dry Seed 1 Part
8. Svarna patri Cassia agustifolia Leaves 1 Part
9 Shatapushpa Foeniculum vulgare Seed 1 Part
10 Balā Sida cordifolia Seed 1 Part
11 Babbula Acacia arabica Fruit 1 Part
12 Shunthī Zingiber officinale rosc. Rhizome 1 Part
Route of administration - Orally
Dose - 6gm
Dose form - Cūrṇa
Anupana - Luke warm water
Time of administration - Twice in a day, Before meal
Total Duration of drug intake - 45 days
Method of preparation of Madhumehārī Cūrṇa: As per standard protocol in GMP certified NIA
pharmacy [Nageshwar Rasayanshala]. All 12 Medicines will be taken in 1 Part each. Then these
ingredients are grinded finely to prepare a powder.
Composition Of Triphalā-Ghṛta
Sr. No. Name of Drugs Botanical Name Useful Part Part ratio
1 Haritakī Terminalia Chebula Geartn. Fruit 1 Part
2 Vibhitakī Terminalia Bellirica Geartn. Fruit 1 Part
3 Amalakī Emblica Officinalis linn. Fruit 1 Part
‘Route of administration-Local Application
Dose –2oml in each affected eye
Dose form-Ghá¹›ita kalp
Time of administration -Morning time Between 10AM-12AM
Total Duration – 20 day with gap of 10 days in each sitting
Method of preparation of Triphalā Ghṛta
As per standard protocol in GMP certified NIA pharmacy [Nageshwar Rasayanshala]. Triphalā (fruits
of HariÌ„takiÌ„,VibhiÌ„takiÌ„ And AÌ„malakiÌ„) are taken in amount of 32 tolaÌ„ cooked with 1 AÌ„á¸aka Jala , boil it
and reduce it till ¼ water remains and filter it. Take 1 Prastha cow milk, 1 Pala Triphalā kalka, ½
Prastha cow ghee and cooked it.
when ready, filter it.
2.Quality control analysis of Drug -Colour, Odor, Rancidity, Specific Gravity, pH Value ,Loss on
drying at 105 Celsius, Refractive index , Viscosity , Iodine Value ,Saponification Value , Unsaponified
matter , Acid Value ,Peroxide Value Free Fatty acid , Total fatty matter , High-Performance Thin-
Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) ,Test for heavy /Toxic metals , Microbial Contamination , Specific
Pathogen Testing, Shelf-Life Assessment .
3.Clinical Study
Following material &method will be employed for conducting the present research work. The study
will be conducted under a strict protocol to prevent bias and to reduce the source of error in the study.
A) Case Selection:
40 registered Clinically Diagnosed patients of Non proliferative diabetic retinopathy grade I &
fulfilling the inclusion criteria will be randomly selected from OPD and IPD of Dept. of
Shalakya and Madhumeha unit of Samhita dept of NIA Jaipur, Rajasthan. Patients will be
selected irrespective of caste, religion, nationality, socioeconomic status.
Age group: Patients in the age group of 35-70years will be selected for the study.
Number of Cases: 40 patients (20 in each group).
B) Calculation of sample size
Selection of study sample will be based on specific inclusion criteria. The initial sample size was
calculated using Open EPI software. However, due to budget constraints, conducting the study with
the originally calculated large sample size is not feasible. Therefore, the study will proceed with a
smaller sample size of 40 participants, evenly divided into two groups, with 20 patients in each group.
C) Inclusion Criteria:
Patients of either sex in the age group of above 35 years and below 70 years irrespective of
sex, race, religion, and socio-economic status.
Patient suffering from Diabetic retinopathy with the clinical feature of Non proliferative
diabetic retinopathy (Mild to moderate).
HbA1c Levels: Patients with a known diagnosis of Type II diabetes mellitus and HbA1C levels
6.5- 8 %
Visual Acuity: Visual acuity should range from 6/60 to 6/9.
Central Retinal Thickness (CRT) at OCT: Must be greater than 400 microns and less than 600
microns.
Ocular Condition: Clear ocular media and sufficient pupillary dilatation to enable fundus
imaging.
Diabetic Macular Oedema (DME): Clinically significant DME with a duration of less than 12
months.
D) Exclusion Criteria:
Patient received anti-VEGF treatment within the previous 12 months.
Patients with visual impairments like Macular degenerations, Retinitis Pigmentosa.
Patients with, Mature Cataract, post Cataract surgeries, Glaucoma etc.
Patient suffering systemic illness which may cause visual impairment.
Patients with known allergies to any components of the proposed treatment should be
excluded.
Known Drug Interactions: Patients taking medications with known interactions with the
proposed treatment should not be included.
Participation in Other Clinical Trials: Patients who are currently participating in other clinical
trials should be excluded to avoid potential confounding factors.
Cognitive Impairment: Patients with severe cognitive impairments that hinder their ability to
understand and follow the treatment plan should be excluded.
E) Patient Grouping:
In the present study 40 clinically diagnosed patients of Non proliferative diabetic retinopathy
(Pramehajanya Timira) will be selected and randomly divided into two groups (20 patients in each
group):
Posology -
Group A – All 20 patients advised to take 6 gm Madhumehārī Cūrṇa twice a day for 45 days
regimen.
Group B – 20 patients have been advised to follow the following treatment regimen for a total
duration of 45 days:
Step 1: For the first 3 days, undergo Dipana Pācana with citrakādi vati.
Step 2: For the next 3 days, Anulomana with Eraṇá¸a bhá¹›sta haritaki powder.
Step 3: In the subsequent 3 days, perform Nasya with Anu tail.
Step 4: After completing the Nasya with anu taila,patient undergo Akṣitarpaṇa with Triphalā
ghá¹›ta. This will be done in three sittings, each lasting for 5 days, with a 10 day interval
between each sitting. This comprehensive treatment plan spans a total of 45 days and aims to
address the health concerns of the patients.
Along with this regime take 6 gm Madhumehārī Cūrṇa .
Follow Up Period:
Follow up will be done on 15 th day & 30 th day..
F) Study Design:
Study Type : Randomized Clinical study, Interventional
Purpose : Treatment
Masking : Open label (No blinding /No masking)
Timing : Prospective
No. of Groups : 2 Groups
No. of patients : 40
Duration of therapy : 45 days
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA FOR DIABETIC RETINOPATHY:
A. Subjective Parameters for Vision Assessment:
Vihwala Drishti (Blurred vision)
Makshika Mashaka Kesha Jaala Pashyati (Floaters)
Nasa Akshi Yuktani Vipritani Vikshate (Metamorphopsia - Distorted images)
Tamasa Darshanam (Perception of black spots/Scotoma) etc.
B. Objective Parameters for:
Detecting microaneurysms
Identifying hard and soft exudates
Assessing haemorrhages
Measuring visual acuity / best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA)
Macular thickness measurement
Vihwala Drishti(Blurred vision)
Grade 0 No blurred Vision
Grade 1 Blurred vision but without imitating (inhibiting) Activities
Grade 2 Sometime difficulty in performing routine work
Grade 3 Unable to go out independently
Makshika Mashaka Kesha Jaala Pashyati(Floaters)
Grade 0 No perception of floaters
Grade 1 Occasionally interfering with routine work.
Grade 2 Regularly interfering with routine work.
Grade 3 Can’t perform routine work
Nasa Akshi Yuktani Vipritani Vikshate (Metamorphopsia - Distorted images)
Grade 0 No perception of distorted images
Grade 1 Occasionally interfering with routine work
Grade 2 Regular interference with routine work
Grade 3 Unable to perform routine work
Tamasa Darshanam (Perception of black spots/Scotoma)
Grade 0 No perception of black spot
Grade 1 Occasionally interfering with routine work
Grade 2 Regular interference with routine work
Grade 3 Unable to perform routine work
Microaneurysm Detection
Grade 0 No microaneurysms detected
Grade 1 Microaneurysms present in 1 Quadrant.
Grade 2 Microaneurysms present in 2 Quadrant.
Grade 3 Microaneurysms present in 3 Quadrant
Identification of Hard Exudates
Grade 0 No hard and soft exudates present
Grade 1 A few hard and soft exudates present in any of the quadrants
Grade 2 A few hard and soft exudates present in two quadrants.
Grade 3 A few hard and soft exudates present in 3 quadrants
Intraretinal Hemorrhage Assessment
Grade 0 Absent Bleeding
Grade 1 Hemorrhage present in 1 Quadrant
Grade 2 Hemorrhage present in 2 Quadrants
Grade 3 Hemorrhage present in 3 Quadrants
Visual Acuity / Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA)
Visual acuity is graded using the Logarithm of the Minimum Angle of Resolution (Log MAR) scale
for analysis purposes. On the Log MAR scale, better visual acuity is represented by lower values, and
worse visual acuity is represented by higher values.
Snellen’s test type:
Distant vision chart testing Log MAR value
6/60 1.0
6/36 0.778
6/24 0.602
6/18 0.477
6/12 0.401
6/9 0.176
6/6 0
Near vision and best corrected visual acuity were tested by using Jaeger’s Chart.
Near vision chart testing Log MAR value
N/5 0
N/6 0.097
N/8 0.176
N/10 0.401
N/12 0.398
N/14 0.477
N/18 0.602
N/24 0.699
N/36 1
Central macular thickness measured by 3D-Macula OCT Topcon.
Grade 0 Central macular thickness less than 400 μm
Grade 1 Central macular thickness between 400 μm - 400 μm
Grade 2 Central macular thickness between 400 μm - 500 μm
Grade 3 Central macular thickness between 500 μm - 600 μm
Investigations-
FBS, PPBS, HbA1c, LFT, KFT, Urine R&M, OCT, Fundus image.
Investigation will be carried out before and after treatment for the purpose of assessing the effect of
therapy, general condition of the patients and to exclude other pathology.
CRITERIA FOR WITHDRAWAL:
1. During trial if any serious condition or any serious adverse effect occurs that requires urgent
treatment.
2. Patient himself wants to withdraw from the clinical trial.
ADVERSE DRUG REACTION: Any adverse effect of trial drug is not anticipated but if any
harmful, unintended effect of medication occurs, the patient will be assisted and managed with the
help of Allopathic Physicians appointed in NIA, Primary Health Care Unit.
OUTCOMES AND MEASUREMENTS WITH DURATION:
(Time frame baseline to end of 45th day)
Primary outcome: Changes in Features of Non proliferative diabetic retinopathy in ETDRS Score.
Secondary outcome: Changes in the clinical symptoms of Non proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS:
Results of the treatment will be recorded, tabulated and analysed statistically with relevant tests and
level of significance will be reported. Drawn conclusions and will be submitted in the form of
dissertation.
For subjective parameters:
a. Intragroup: Wilcoxon paired signed rank test.
b. Inter group: Mann Whitney ‘U’ test and
For objective parameters
a. Intragroup: Student paired ‘t’ test
b. Inter group: Unpaired ‘t’ test
ETHICS
Informed consent:
Prior to all trial-related procedures, including physical examination, screening, and laboratory studies,
each participant will provide informed written consent. Participants will receive comprehensive
information about the study, including a description of any potential risks and discomforts that may be
foreseen. Additionally, they will be made aware of their right to withdraw from the study at any time
without the obligation to provide reasons.