Clinical Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Maharasnadi Kvatha, Trayodashanga Guggulu, and Brihatsaindhavadya Taila in the Management of Knee Osteoarthritis (Janugata Sandhivata

Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the progressive musculoskeletal disorder that characterized by the gradual and persistent degradation of cartilage tissue within joints due to bone friction. The risk factors associated with the development of OA include the female gender, advanced age (geriatric population), elevated body weight or obesity, and a history of a prior knee injury. Ayurveda therapy has great potential in the management of OA and its progression. Aim: This clinical study aims to assess the effect of selected Ayurveda formulations in the management of knee OA. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, single - center, open - label study carried out on 60 participants with primary OA of the knee. Inclusion criteria encompassed individuals aged between 35 and 65 years, meeting the diagnostic criteria outlined by the American College of Rheumatology, and with radiographic abnormalities characteristic of OA. Therapeutic interventions in the study comprised Maharasnadi Kvatha (MK) (50?mL twice a day in an empty stomach), Trayodashanga Guggulu (TG) (1500?mg twice daily), and Brihatsaindhavadya Taila (BST) (for local fomentation twice daily) for the duration of 84 days. The primary outcome of the study was change in the Indian Western Ontario and McMaster Universities arthritis index (WOMAC) score. Results: Out of 60 participants, 58 subjects completed the study, while one subject dropped out and one was withdrawn. The analysis yielded statistically significant results (P < 0.001) in the Indian WOMAC (modified?clinical research data (CRD) Pune version) score and clinical symptoms and improvement in the quality of life (P < 0.001). X - ray assessments revealed the disappearance of osteophytes in knee joints in 8.62% of cases. A change in the mean pain score as assessed by the visual analog scale was also noticed with P < 0.001. Conclusion: The Ayurvedic interventions demonstrated significant effects in mitigating symptoms of knee OA, with no reported adverse events. This study substantiates the effectiveness of Ayurvedic management in alleviating symptoms of knee OA such as bony tenderness of joints, difficulty of physical function of knee joints, crepitus, and improvement in quality - of - life parameters.