Abstract

A CLINICAL STUDY TO DETERMINE THE EFFICACY OF DRAKSHADI LEHA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF IRON DEFICIENCY ANAEMIA

Anukriti Guar*, Prashant Saini and Nisha Kumari Ojha

ABSTRACT

Background: Anaemia is a serious health problem causes general debility, lethargy, lassitude, poor work performance, mental retardation, poor intelligence and abnormal immune response. In 2015 WHO reported 24.8% of the world’s population is affected by anemia, 42% were pregnant women, 30% non-pregnant women and 47% were preschool children. The available treatment of IDA, are reported with unpleasant taste and gastrointestinal effects which leads to poor compliance in children. By looking at the magnitude of the problem in children, an Ayurvedic formulation Drakshadi Leha has been selected for the present study to evaluate the efficacy of this trial drug in iron deficiency anaemia. Study type: Randomized controlled trial. Age Group: Children of either sex 6-12 years of age were selected for the study. Material and methods: 60 subjects satisfying inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected and randomly divided in two groups. In group A, the trial drug Drakshadi Leha was administered and in group B, IFA tablets were given for two month of duration. Result: In group A trial drug (Drakshadi Leha) showed extremely significant improvement on all clinical parameters except for palpitation and ankle oedema in which very significant improvement were found. Significant improvement was found in loss of appetite. In group B, control drug showed extremely significant improvement in dyspnoea, weakness and pallor and very significant result was obtained in fatigue and vertigo. Significant improvement was found in loss of appetite and in rests of the clinical parameters not significant improvement was observed. Conclusion: The trial drug Drakshadi Leha is effective, safe and palatable for the management of iron deficiency anaemia in Children. No adverse effects and compliance were reported during entire period of study by any of the patients.

Keywords: Anaemia, Ayurveda, Drakshai Leha, Iron deficiency anaemia.