Clinical pilot study on vasambu chooranam for the management of kuruthi azhal noi (primary hypertension)

Siddha is a complete holistic medical system that has been widely practiced in India and Sri Lanka. Hypertension is the most common cardiovascular disease and is a major public health issue in developed as well as developing countries. Approximately 20% of the world’s adults are estimated to have hypertension. In siddha medicine, symptoms of “Raththa kothippu noi” comes under the “Kuruthi azhal noi” is resembles as hypertension. In Siddha text many herbs or Herbal formulation has been mentioned to treat the Kuruthi azhal noi (Hypertension). In this view, the Vasambu chooranam is also indicated for Kuruthi azhal noi. The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of “Vasambu chooranam” on Kuruthi azhal noi. This study was conducted at the OPD of Ayothidoss Pandithar Hospital, National Institute of Siddha, Tambaram Sanatorium, Chennai-47on 20 patients with Kuruthi azhal noi (Primary hypertension) who were satisfied the inclusion criteria. The dose of the Vasambu Chooranam was 1g with warm water, twice a day, before meals for 4 weeks. Blood pressure was monitored on subsequent following visit at 7th 14th 21st and 28 days respectively. End of the of drug treatment data analysis was carried out using Bonferroni post Hoc test by GraphPad Prism 5.0. At the first visit the mean baseline systolic blood pressure, the mean diastolic blood pressure and the mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) were 150.00 mmHg, 93.80 mmHg and 113 mmHg respectively. The mean value of these parameters SBP, DBP and MAP decreased to 135 mmHg, 86.40mmHg and 103 mmHg respectively at end of study. There was significant reduction in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial blood pressure (P value < 0.0001). “Vasambu Chooranam” is effective in treating the mild to moderate Kuruthi azhal noi (Hypertension) swith positive outcome on the quality of life.