CORRELATION OF ELEMENTAL PROFILE BY ICP-OES WITH OSWESTRY DISABILITY INDEX IN LUMBAR SPONDYLOSIS PATIENTS TREATED WITH KOMOOTHIRA SILASATHU CHOORANAM

Background: Lumbar spondylosis is a degenerative spine disorder causing chronic low back pain and functional impairment. Komoothira Silasathu Chooranam (KSC), a traditional Siddha mineral formulation, is reputed for managing musculoskeletal conditions. This study aimed to analyze the elemental composition of KSC using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and evaluate its clinical efficacy in lumbar spondylosis patients by measuring changes in Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores. Materials and Methods: KSC samples were procured and authenticated according to Siddha pharmacopeial standards. Elemental profiling was conducted at IIT Madras using ICP-OES. Forty patients diagnosed with lumbar spondylosis were treated orally with standardized KSC doses combined with cardamom decoction over 48 days. Disability was assessed using the ODI questionnaire pre- and post-treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25 and paired t-tests are used to compare ODI scores. Results: ICP-OES revealed significant concentrations of carbon, Sulfur, and phosphorus, with no detectable toxic heavy metals. The paired t-test demonstrated a highly significant reduction in ODI scores post-treatment (t = 24.50, p < 0.0001). Most patients improved from severe to moderate disability or moderate to mild disability categories. Due to the single-batch nature of elemental data, direct statistical correlation between elemental levels and individual patient outcomes was not possible. Conclusion: The significant clinical improvement alongside the identified elemental profile of KSC suggests that mineral constituents such as calcium, phosphorus, and sulphur may contribute to its therapeutic efficacy in lumbar spondylosis. These elements potentially mediate anti-inflammatory, tissue repair, and bone mineralization processes. Further studies incorporating patient-specific elemental analyses and controlled trials are recommended to elucidate mechanisms and validate clinical benefits.