2050P - Integrating ayurveda herbs with standard of care for management of cancer or cancer treatment related anorexia

Background

Anorexia is the fourth common symptom seen in half of newly diagnosed cancer patients. It also remains most prevalent and troublesome clinical problem experienced by patients with cancer during and after chemotherapy. Consequently, anorexia adversely influences nutritional status of a patient which further causes a negative impact on quality of life and survival. Various herbs have shown to be having positive effect on treating anorexia. In this study, we analysed the effect of an Ayurveda formulation consisting standardised dry powders of 5 herbs indicated in Ayurveda for treatment of Anorexia.

Methods

We did an assessment of study variables related to anorexia, cachexia and quality of life in a heterogeneous group of stage IV cancer patients (n=45) receiving conventional therapies for cancer and complaining of anorexia. These patients were administered herbal capsule “Ruchir” for treatment of Anorexia. Ruchir is consisting dry herbal powders of Pomegranate (Punica grantum), Black pepper (Piper nigrum), Ginger (Zingiber officinale), Amla (Phyllanthus emblica), Cumin (Cuminum cyminum). Therapy response on Anorexia was assessed using AC (Anorexia/cachexia subscale) and its impact on quality of life was assessed using Functional Assessment of Anorexia / Cachexia Treatment (FAACT). Weight was recorded at each visit (day 0, day 30, day 90, and day 180) using digital weighing scale. Statistical significance was assessed using nonparametric Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test.

Results

The mean age of study participants were 64.54 (±5.6) years. Significant improvement was observed in Anorexia sub scale score (P < 0.01) and quality of life (P<0.05) as compared to baseline. No significant change was observed in weight. Treatment was well tolerated by all patients.

Conclusions

Herbs used in this study have been shown to have significant effects in reducing anorexia and improving quality of life in a heterogeneous group of cancer patients. This study provides preliminary evidence about effectiveness of herbs in treating Anorexia in cancer patients. Further controlled studies in a homogenous group of patients are warranted to integrate herbs with a standard of care in cancer patients for management of Anorexia.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

The authors.

Funding

Has not received any funding.

Disclosure

Y.N. Bendale: Other, Personal, Ownership Interest: Rasayu Cancer Clinic. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.