EFFICACY OF TWO AYURVEDA REGIMEN IN MILD SCORPION STING: AN OPEN-LABEL, TWO-ARM, CLINICAL TRIAL

Background: Scorpionism is an endemic and highly prevalent public health predicament causing severe cardio or neurotoxic effect. Ayurveda proposes a range of medicinal preparations (internal & external) in the management of Vrishchika Damsha (Scorpion sting). Among them, Hingwadi and Jeerakadi lepa are topical anti-inflammatory medications, and Bilwadi Gutika is a potent vishahara medicine (Alexeterics). Aims: To evaluate the comparative effect of Hingwadi Lepa against Jeerakadi Lepa with Bilwadi Gutika pana in the management of manda vrishchika damsha (mild scorpion sting). Methods: The present study adopted an open labelled two armed clinical trial of before and after the pilot study. It was conducted at a tertiary Ayurveda center with 30 subjects satisfying inclusion and diagnostic criteria. They were selected by convenience sampling method and divided randomly into two groups. Group I received Hingwadi lepa, and Group II was given Jeerakadi Lepa twice daily & Bilwadi Gutika pana (1gm) t.i.d. was administered orally in both groups for 7 days. Standard scoring of cardinal symptoms was used to measure the efficacy of treatment before and after treatment. Statistical analysis was done within the group by using student’s paired t-test and in between the groups by using an unpaired t-test. Results: The study showed highly significant improvement within the group in reducing the three cardinal symptoms with P<0.001. A significant result was obtained between the group with P<0.05. Conclusion: Hingwadi lepa is more effective when compared to Jeerakadi Lepa along with Bilwadi Gutika pana in mild scorpion sting.