Evaluation of Hypoglycemic activity (invitro) and clinical efficacy of Panchtikta Churna in Madhumeha (type 2 Diabetes Mellitus): A Preliminary Study

Increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) has become alarming, burdening health care systems throughout the world. According to international diabetes federation in 2005 confirmed that diabetes is one of the most common non- communicable disease globally and constitutes the 4 th or 5th leading cause of death in most developed as well as many developing countries. In India number of estimated cases of diabetes will be 79.4 million by 2030 as compared to 31.7 million in 2000. India is deemed as the world’s capital of diabetes.In Priya Nighantu(Haritakyadi varga) acharya describes Panchtikta churna is a combination of five medicinal plants having tikta rasa predominately named Saptaparna (Alstonia scholaris bark), Nimba twak ( bark of Azadirachta indica A. Juss.), Rasna (Pluchea lanceolata leaf), Bhunimba ((Andrographis paniculata Nees whole plant) and Patola patra (leaves of Tricosanthes dioica Roxb.) . All these ingredients mainly have Tikta, Kashaya Rasa, Laghu and Ruksha Guna, Katu Vipaka and Ushna Virya. These drugs having Pitta hara, Jwarahara and Swashara properties. Many herbal formulations found effective as hypoglycemic agent in various research studies. Here an attempt is made to arrive at a herbal alternative for diabetes, they are devoid of side effects, can be, collected easily and commonly available, making them very cost effective. Acharya Charak has described Panchtikta Panchaprasratika Basti in siddhi sthan which is used for the treatment of prameha , abhishyand, kustha. In the previous study Panchatikta Panchaprasritika Basti was found effective in diabetic condition . As administration of basti for patients are not very much comfortable and admission required and its effect on glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) was not assessed, so Keeping these facts in mind this study is designed to explore the hypoglycemic effect of Panchatiktachurna in Vitro and on oral administration in patients.