Abstract

ROLE OF BHARGAVAPROKTHA RASAYANA TREATMENT IN REDUCING THE SYSTEMIC INFLAMMATION & DNA DAMAGE IN PEOPLES EXPOSED TO FLY ASH FROM THERMAL POWER PLANT

Naveen Chandra N.H.*, Ballal Muralidhara, Rajalakshmi M. G., Subramanya P., Vishwanatha

Abstract

Objective: To investigate whether the Bhargavaproktha rasayana treatment is effective in reducing the systemic inflammation in apparently healthy individuals exposed to fly ash from thermal power plant. Design: Study Type - Interventional; Allocation - Randomized; Endpoint Classification - Efficacy Study; Intervention Model - Parallel Assignment; Masking: double blind; Primary Purpose – Preventive treatment. Setting: 60 healthy volunteers residing within the 3 km diameter of National thermal power plant Nandikuru, Udupi district and 30 healthy volunteers outside the 10 km diameter of thermal power plant during the period September 2017 to January 2019. Participants: 60 healthy volunteers were randomly assigned 1:1 to oral administration of Bharagavaproktha rasayana (n=30) or placebo (n=30). The randomization sequence was done by computer generated permuted block randomization and is concealed using sealed sequentially numbered packets. There was no intervention in 30 healthy volunteers, but blood samples taken to assess base line values of primary and secondary outcome measures. Main outcome measures: Primary outcome measures – TNF-α, Secondary outcome measures – Lipid profiles, blood urea, serum creatinine, SGOT, SGPT, glucose, protein and albumin. Results: The initial value of TNF-α in Bhargavaproktha Rasayana group at base line was 20.28 (±SE 2.60) and which reduced to 13.18 (±SE 1.57) after the 48 days of rasayana treatment. This reduction was statistically significant with p=0.0144. Conclusion: Bhargavaproktha rasayana treatment is effective in reducing the systemic inflammation there by helpful in preventing the development of chronic health complications.

Keywords: Bharavaproktha rasayana, Systemic inflammation, DNA damage, fly ash, thermal power plant.