DESLOUGHING AND WOUND HEALING ACTION OF APAMARGA KSHARA TAILA IN THE MANAGEMENT OF DUSHTAVRANA: A PILOT CLINICAL STUDY

Background: Dushtavrana (chronic non-healing wounds) are characterized by slough, discharge, foul odour, and delayed healing. Effective management requires proper Shodhana (desloughing) followed by Ropana (healing). Apamarga Kshara Taila, described in Ayurvedic texts, possesses Lekhana (scraping), Shodhana (cleansing), Krimighna (antimicrobial), and Ropana (healing) properties, making it a potential agent for comprehensive wound management. Aim: To evaluate the desloughing and wound healing activity of Apamarga Kshara Taila in the management of Dushtavrana. Materials and Methods: A single-arm pilot clinical study was conducted on 10 patients diagnosed with Dushtavrana. Wounds were cleaned with normal saline and dressed with Apamarga Kshara Taila once daily under aseptic precautions till the slough get disappear and formation of healthy new granulation tissue. Assessment was done on Day 1, 7, 14, and 21 based on pain (VAS), discharge, odour, wound surface area, and granulation tissue formation. Statistical analysis was carried out using paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: Significant improvement was observed in all parameters. Pain was reduced by 86.36%, discharge by 83.33%, and odour was completely eliminated (100%). Wound surface area was reduced by 74.35%, and granulation tissue formation was improved by 100%, indicating effective desloughing and accelerated wound healing activity of Apamarga Kshar Taila. Conclusion: Apamarga Kshara Taila demonstrated significant desloughing as well as wound healing activity in Dushtavrana and can be considered a safe and effective modality for both Shodhana and Ropana Karma.