Preclinical and Clinical Evaluation of Arumuga Chendhuram in the management of Paithiyavatha suronitham Advanced stage of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic; non suppurative, autoimmune disorder predominantly affects female It 1s a multisystem disease causing inflammation on the synovium of joints especially wrists and metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints of hand. Along with this, larger joints like elbows, ankles and knees are also involved symmetrically. The manifestations of advanced stage of RA can be correlated with the Vatha type of disease Paithiya Vatha Suronitham in Siddha system of Medicine. For treating this vatha disease, numerous medications were illustrated in the Siddha literatures. Among them, an herbometallic Sastric formulation Arumuga Chendhuram (ARC) has been practiced a long time for treating arthritis. ARC has been chosen for the study to prove it is a safer and efficacious drug in the management of advanced stage of RA in both animal and human model. ARC has been prepared by many Siddha Pharma industries. For the study, we optimized the best variety of ARC among the self-prepared ARC and ARC procured from GMP certified Pharmacy. ARC procured from the industry was coded as Sample I and ARC prepared as per the method cited in the 1940 drug and cosmetic act authenticated literature Siddha Vaithiya Thirattu was coded as Sample II. The both samples were analysed for qualitative and quantitative estimation. Preliminary physical parameters such as total ash, moisture content and extractive values were analysed. The functional groups were analysed by FT-Raman Spectroscopic study. The crystalline nature of ARC II and main contents were analysed using X ray diffraction study. The content of lead and cadmium were analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopic study. From the above studies, it can be concluded as follows: ARC has long shelf life period and free from toxins. The clinical study proved that ARC at it s intended human therapeutic dosage 130mg/kg along with honey is a safer and efficacious drug in treating Paithiyavatha suronitham (Rheumatoid Arthritis).