Ayurvedic Treatment as an Adjunct to Oral Hypoglycaemics in Diabetic Wound Management: A Case Report

Abstract

The widespread occurrence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a significant public health issue in India. Diabetes severely impedes the wound healing process. Delayed wound healing in diabetes is caused by a decrease in nitric oxide generation, the presence of Advanced Glycation End products (AGEs), and impaired epithelial cell motility. In this case, a 38-year-old diabetic male presented seeking Ayurvedic treatment for a wound on his right lower limb, which resulted from a prick injury sustained 10 days earlier. He also had varicose veins in both legs and had been living with diabetes for five years. His medical history included slow wound healing. The condition was diagnosed as “Dushtvrana” associated with “Prameha” and was treated with Ayurvedic medicines in addition to oral hypoglycaemics. The Ayurvedic treatment included Panchavalkala Kwatha Vranadhavan, followed by the local application of Yashtimadhu Ghrita every third day, along with the oral administration of Nishadhatri Yoga (5 g) twice daily. Additionally, he was prescribed a daily evening dose of 500 mg metformin tablets for 25 days. There was no pain or inflammation observed, and the wound fully healed. This case demonstrates the effectiveness of Ayurvedic treatment-Panchavalkala Kwatha Vranadhavan, Yashtimadhu Ghrita for local application, and oral Nishadhatri Yoga-as an adjunct to the oral hypoglycaemic drug metformin in treating diabetic wounds.

Keywords

• ayurvedic medicine
• delayed wound healing
• diabetes mellitus
• prameha
• metformin