Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Navayasa Churna in the Management of Iron Deficiency Anemia

Introduction: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a condition where deficiency of iron in the body leads to reduction in the number of red blood cells (RBC). Even though IDA is an easily manageable condition with excellent outcome, it is observed that modern iron preparation often irritates gastric mucosa and causes adverse effects. In Ayurveda, IDA can be correlated with pandu based on symptomatic similarity. Navayasa Churna is an iron containing herbomineral preparation used for the management of Pandu. In this study, clinical efficacy and safety of Navayasa Churna has been evaluated in IDA. Aims and objectives: To evaluate clinical efficacy and safety of Navayasa Churna in IDA. Materials and methods: An open-labeled multicenter prospective clinical trial was conducted at Ayurveda Regional Research Institute, Mandi; M.S. Regional Ayurveda Central Research Institute, Jaipur; and the National Institute of Ayurvedic Pharmaceutical Research, Patiala. Patients with IDA (n = 150) belonging to either sex, with hemoglobin in the range of 8 to 10%, aged between 18 and 50 years and with serum ferritin <30 mg/dL, and blood smear depicting microcytic, hypochromic state were selected. Navayasa Churna was given 1 gm (2 capsules of 500 mg each) twice daily with water for 90 days with a follow-up period of 1 month without drug. Assessment was done based on the relief in clinical symptoms of IDA and hematological parameters. Safety assessment was done through analysis RESEARCH ARTICLE 1,3,4,6,8,11-13Research Officer (Ayurveda), 9Statistical Officer (Statistics), 2,5,7,14Assistant Director (Ayurveda), 10Senior Statistical Assistant (Statistics), 15Deputy Director General (Ayurveda) 1Ministry of AYUSH, New Delhi, India 2,5Regional Ayurveda Research Institute for Nutritional Disorders, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India 4,7,9-15Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, New Delhi, India 3Central Ayurveda Research Institute for Respiratory Disorders Patiala, Punjab, India 6M.S. Regional Ayurveda Research Institute for Nutritional Disorders, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India 8Central Ayurveda Research Institute for Hepatobiliary Disorders, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, India Corresponding Author: Babita Yadav, Research Officer (Ayurveda), Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, New Delhi, India, Phone: +911128080453, e-mail: drbabitayadav@gmail.com of liver function tests (LFTs) and kidney function tests (KFTs) before and after the trial period. Results: The formulation showed significant relief in cardinal symptoms of anemia and also in hemoglobin level. No adverse events/effects were was noted during trial period. The values of LFT and KFT were observed to be within limits during the entire period. Conclusion: Navayasa Churna in the above-mentioned dose and duration was found effective and safe in patients suffering from IDA.