Tag: Alternative Medicines for UC Symptoms

Abstract

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic relapsing inflammatory bowel disease. It is an inflammation of the large intestine specifically in the colon. It causes ulcers and inflammation in the intestines. This disease mostly affects the innermost lining of the intestines. But it can also affect the whole length of the colon. This inflammation produces tiny sores which is called ulcers and spreads upward direction also. This further causes your bowel to move rapidly and empty frequently. Ulcer causes bleeding and discharge of mucus through anal region. It is an autoimmune disorder and affects people of all ages. The most common drug used in the treatment of UC is mesalamine, but this drug has many side effects also. So in this article we are going to discuss mesalamine and its alternative in Ayurveda.

Introduction

Mesalamine is an Anti-inflammatory drug. It is the active component of sulfasalazine. This drug probably inhibits prostaglandins and leukotriene synthesis. Mesalamine is the official name given to 5-ASA (aminosalicylic acid). 5-ASA is the active moiety in ulcerative colitis, but this drug is not effective orally. So it has been coated with pH sensitive acrylic polymer. This coated formulation delivers 5-ASA to the small intestine and colon.

Pharmacokinetic

Mesalamine is not absorbed orally until it is coated with acrylic polymer. It is metabolized in the liver and excreted from urine. Its half-life is 0.5-10 hour. The action of this medicine is hampered in the patient who is suffering from renal diseases.

Dosage

2.4 gm dose has been found in the improvement of the symptoms of ulcerative colitis. Mesacol (Mesalamine) is available in following formulations and doses:

1. Mesacol 400 mg
2. Mesacol 800 mg
3. Mesacol 1.2 grams
4. Mesacol enema 4 g/60 ml.

Adverse effects

• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Headache
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Flatulence
• Dizziness
• Acne
• Nephrotoxicity

Contraindications

It is contraindicated in

• Hepatic and renal impairment
• It should not be taken with glucocorticoids and sulfonylureas as it causes gastric toxicity and also increases the hypoglycemic action of sulfonylureas.
• Also there are interactions with furosemide, spironolactone, methotrexate and rifampicin.

Uses

• Ulcerative colitis
• Crohn’s disease

The physician advised the patient that he/she had to live on the medicine for lifelong. Only dose adjustment is there either in lower dosage or higher dosage as per the patient symptoms. Long term use of this medicine causes hepatic and renal impairment.

Alternatives in Ayurveda

Ayurveda is the oldest holistic science. It treats various acute and even chronic diseases. This science treats the disease from its root cause. It provides two best formulations which are good alternatives to mesalamine. These two formulations include Kutaj ghan Vati and Vatsakadi Churna. These two herbal formulations have proven better for ulcerative colitis disease. This Ayurvedic medicine is much more effective than mesalamine and doesn’t cause any side effects as mesalamine does.

1. Kutaj ghan vati

1. This is a classical Ayurvedic formulation. It is made from the standardized extracts of Kutaj (Holarrhena antidysenterica). This herb is used in treating acute or chronic diarrhea. As the name suggests dysenterica it is mainly used in diarrhea, dysentery. This is the best herbal supplement for ulcerative colitis. Severe forms of diarrhea, dysentery, bleeding can be cured with the regular use of kutaj ghan vati. This provides proper functioning to the intestines. It provides complete relief from the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease.

Chemical composition

Seeds of kutaj contain five main alkaloids

• Conessine
• Isoconessimine
• Conessimin
• Conarrhimin
• Conimin

These alkaloids have antidysenteric and anthelmintic properties

Ayurvedic properties of Kutaj (Raspanchak)1

1. Ras (taste) – tikta (Bitter), kshaya (Astringent)

These two tastes help in pacifying pitta dosha and helps in stoppage of bleeding from stools.

2. Guna (properties) – Laghu (light), Ruksha (dry)

These properties help in balancing the vata dosha and stop the spread of this disease. This herb is easy to digest

3. Virya (potency) – Sheet (Cold)

This cool potency is helpful in ulcers and bleeding condition

4. Vipaka (post digestion effect) – katu (Pungent)

This pungent property helps in digestion and provides anti-inflammatory action

5. Karma (uses)

Piles, diarrhea, dysentery, mucus, skin disorders

2. Vatsakadi Churna

This is an Ayurvedic classical formulation. It provides strength to the digestive system naturally. It contains Kutaj (Holarrhena antidysenterica) and Bilva (Aegle marmelos). These two herbs are very beneficial in digestive disorders. This formulation is best to check diarrhea, gas formation and irregular bowel movements.

This formulation is used in treating mucus formation

1. Ras (taste) – tikta (Bitter), kshaya (Astringent)

Helps in stoppage of bleeding from stools and mucus.

2. Guna (properties) – Laghu (light), Ruksha (dry)

It is easily to digest and treat ulcers

3. Virya (potency) – ushna (hot)

It is helpful in improving digestion

4. Vipaka (post digestion effect) – katu (Pungent)

It improves digestion and stimulates digestive fire

5. Karma (uses)

Piles, diarrhea, dysentery, mucus

Conclusion

As mentioned above in the article mesalamine is having many side effects that leave very serious impacts on the body especially on our immune system. Our immune system is responsible for protecting our body from various kinds of infection and disorders and any impairment in our immune system can lead a person towards drastic conditions. So it’s better to use Ayurveda treatment because it does not cause any side effects and also treats the disease from its root. So above mentioned two best herbal formulations are effective in inflammatory bowel disease.

References

1. Bhavprakash nighantu, Guduchyadi varga/118