TITLE-AN OPEN LABELLED SINGLE-ARM PROSPECTIVE CLINICAL TRIAL TO EVALUATE THE EFFICACY OF ARKA TAILA ALONG WITH NAVKARSHIKA KWATHA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF VICHARCHIKA W.S.R. TO ECZEMA

AIM AND OBJECTIVES:

AIM: To assess the efficacy of arka oil along with navkarshika kwatha in the management of vicharchika.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the clinical efficacy of the external application of Arka Taila along with the oral administration of Navkarshika Kwatha in relieving various symptoms of Vicharchika. To elaborate on the conceptual details of Vicharchika as per Ayurvedic classics & correlate it with Eczema.

INTRODUCTION—Kustha is a disease of skin and so to understand the total etiopathogenesis of the disease, the normal structure of the skin should be considered. Tvacha is a sthana of Sparshanendriya. "Tvacha" and "Charma" are the words used for the skin in all Ayurvedic classics. According to Charak, the features of Vicharchika are Kandu, Pidika, Shyvta, and Vahushrava skin ailments, wherein eruptions over the skin appear with dark pigmentation, itching, and a profuse discharge. Skin is the largest sense organ of the human body, which even covers the other sense organs. It is a very sensitive part of the human body. Any pathological change in the external or internal environmental factor shows a great effect on skin which leads to improper functioning. In Ayurveda, all skin diseases are explained under a single heading of Kushtha. All Kushtha occur due to the aggravation of Tridoshas. Vicharchika is a type of Kshudra Kustha occurring mainly due to the imbalance of Kapha doshas. According to Charak, Acharya Sushrut mentioned it is mainly due to the imbalance of pitta.

NEED OF THE STUDY: Being skin manifestations, psychological distress can lead to significant depression and social isolation, and it affects the personal, social, and economic life of a person. According to WHO, the most common skin diseases are dermatitis (24.2%), as well as chronic dermatitis (16.9%), allergic contact dermatitis (3.5%), irritant contact dermatitis (1.2%), seborrheic dermatitis (1.2%), and stasis dermatitis (1.5%), then fungal infections (17.6%). The prevalence of contact dermatitis was 4.38% among the dermatology OPD attendees. Contact dermatitis was common in the age group of 41 to 50 years. In urban areas, females were more affected than those in rural areas. Steroid creams, vitamin D3 cream, PUVA, and immune system-suppressing medications such as methotrexate (antimetabolite) are the mainstay of treatment of eczema. These modern treatment modalities are not devoid from grave complications, mainly in long-term use. Owing to these reasons, there is a need for treatment having good efficacy and no toxicity profile. This study will therefore, help in filling the gap by establishing the role of arka oil along with navkarshika kwatha described in Ayurveda in the management of vicharchika. STUDY DESIGN: Study Type: Interventional, Purpose: Treatment, Masking: Open Labelled, Clinical trial, Direction: Prospective, End point: Efficacy, No. of Groups: Single Group, Sample size: 40 Patients

DRUG DETAILS: 1. Navkarshik Kwatha—Triphala, Manjistha, Nimba, Vacha, Katurohini, Daruharidra, Vatsadani. 2. Arka Taila: Haridra Kalka, Shasarpa Taila, Arka Taila. Probable Mode of Action ofDrugs: 1. Navkarshik Kwatha-katu, tikta kashaya rasa pradhana, with laghu & ruksha guna predominance and six content have ushna vveerya, and fivecontents have katu vipaka. Katu and tikta rasa of Navkarhika kwatha katu & tikta rasa act on kapha dosha; laghu & ruksha gunas are kaphashamaka and have deepana and pachana karma that help to improve metabolism by the property of Amapachana. Ushna veerya of Navkarshika kawtha act as stroto shodhand kledaleda shoshaka; eliminate morbid doshas accumulated in the body. In addition, laghu and ruksha guna act as kleda shoshaka, mala of kapha dosh. 2. Arka Taila: Vicharchika is caused by the vitiation of Tridoshas. Thedushyasare aree Twak, Rakta, Mansa & Lasika. It is caused in Bahya Rogamarga. The mode of entry for this condition is Bahya Rogamrga. The three components of Arka taila are Arka patra, Haridra, and Sarshapa taila. Vishaghna and Kusthaghna are active in Arka Patra. In action, Haridra is Kuthagna, Vishagan, and Varnya. In action, Sarshapa taila is kandughna and kushtagha. Arka Taila helps to minimize discharge by Tikshna, Ushna Guna of Arka,Haridra, and Sarshapa on a local level. Katu Vipaka, Vranashodana, and Vranaropana are attributes of Haridra and SarshapaTaila.