Clinical Efficacy of Standardized Palash Kshar and Nirdaha Rasa in Coronary Artery Disease

Abstract

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) remains a leading cause of death globally, resulting from the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to atherosclerotic plaque buildup. Modern medicine offers limited and often irreversible treatment for CAD. This study investigated the clinical efficacy of standardized Palash Kshar and Palash Nirdaha Rasa in treating human subjects with CAD. Both preparations were manufactured and standardized using traditional and modern analytical methods, including pharmacognostic evaluation, pH/temperature monitoring, and elemental analysis via Atomic Absorption Emission Spectrometry (AAES) and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES). The clinical efficacy was assessed in a 60-day placebo-controlled comparative study involving 30 subjects with multiple blocks. Results indicated that Palash Kshar, particularly that prepared from Jangal Desh root bark using the Shushrut Samhita method, provided maximum elemental concentration and showed significant clinical benefits, including relief in cardinal symptoms in all patients, re-canalization of arteries, and reduction of plaque. Palash Kshar, rich in potassium and high pH (13-14), is postulated to work through its hydroxyl compounds, aiding in endothelial cell re-growth, chelation of calcium deposits, and increasing HDL.