AN OPEN LABEL RANDOMIZED COMPARATIVE CLINICAL STUDY TO EVALUATE THE COMBINED EFFICACY OF MATRA BASTI AND SHAMANA SNEHAPANA WITH SARVAMAYANTAKA GHRITA OVER GUGGULUTIKTAKA GHRITA IN JANU SANDHIGATA VATA vis-á-vis KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS

Knee osteoarthritis, comparable to Janu Sandhigata Vata in Ayurveda, is a progressive degenerative joint disorder characterized by pain, swelling, crepitus, and restricted movement. Nearly 45 percent of individuals develop knee osteoarthritis during their lifetime, with over 365 million cases reported globally, making it a major cause of disability in older adults. Long-term dependence on NSAIDs for symptom relief leads to gastrointestinal, renal, and cardiovascular adverse effects, highlighting the need for safer long-term management options  .

Ayurveda considers Basti as the principal therapy for Vata disorders. Matra Basti is suitable for prolonged use and is indicated in Vata Vikara. Sarvamayantaka Ghrita, described in Sahasrayogam, is indicated in eighty types of Vata Roga and contains drugs with anti-inflammatory, analgesic, nourishing, and joint-stabilizing actions. Guggulutiktaka Ghrita, indicated in Sandhigata Vata, acts on pain, inflammation, Ama reduction, and tissue support.

This open-label randomized comparative clinical study evaluates and compares the combined efficacy of Matra Basti and Shamana Snehapana with Sarvamayantaka Ghrita over Guggulutiktaka Ghrita in the management of Janu Sandhigata Vata vis-à-vis knee osteoarthritis, with the aim of identifying an effective and safer Ayurvedic intervention for long-term disease management.