Smoking is a serious health problem causing pranavahastrotodushti. Cigarette smoke emits free radicals, excess of which leads to increased oxidative stress. There are not many medicines available to prevent or decrease this oxidative stress. Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhizaglabra Linn.) has a sufficient proof as an anti-oxidant and plays a very important role on pranavahastrotodushti.

Open labelled controlled study was done on 60 smokers who had smoked more than 5 cigarettes per day continually for at least 3 years at AyurvedMahavidyalayaSion, Mumbai-22 for duration of 60 days. Out of 60 smokers, 30 were advised to take Yastimadhughanavati 1 gm twice a day with warm water while 30 were controlled group.Subjective assessment was done with the help of signs & symptoms like kasa, sakashtaucchawas, pinasa, ghurghuryuktashwas, swedapravrutti, kastenshleshmavimokshana every fortnightly.Objective improvement was done on the basis of PEFR (Peak expiratory flow rate test), and MDA (Malondialdehyde), GSH (glutathione peroxidase) and SOD (Superoxide dismutase) enzyme study for anti-oxidant activity at baseline and at the end of study. Subjective improvement is shown in percentage. There was significant improvement in symptoms in Group A as compared to Group B. Unpaired t test was applied to objective parameters which was  highly significant at 5% level of significance i.e. p<0.01 for PEFR test and at 1% level of significance i.e. p<0.01 for anti-oxidant enzymes concluding Yastimadhu(Glycyrrhizaglabra Linn.)definitelyhas anti-oxidant activity.

Details: Written by Dr.Ramteke Ashok D, Dr.Gandhi Sonali P, Dr.Jivan Thombre B, Dr.AkshataDonde

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