A COMPARATIVE STUDY TO ASSESS THE EFFECT OF HARITAKI CHOORNAM WITH MADHU AND LIFESTYLE MODIFICATIONS ON SERUM TOTAL CHOLESTEROL LEVEL

The prevalence of dyslipidemia is very high in India (79%), which requires urgent intervention strategies to prevent and manage this critical cardiovascular risk factor. This study aimed to explore the efficacy of Haritaki choornam with madhu and lifestyle modification on serum total cholesterol levels. Elevated serum total cholesterol can be returned to normal by kaphamedohara, deepana, rookshana and lekhana drugs. Haritaki (Terminalia chebula Retz.) and madhu (honey) have all the mentioned properties. A pre and post-interventional study was conducted in 60 subjects of both sexes, satisfying inclusion and exclusion criteria. Thirty subjects were randomly allocated to the Intervention group (Group 1) and comparison group (Group 2). The study group received 3 gm. of Haritaki choornam with 6 gm. of madhu as anupama after food in the morning and evening, along with lifestyle modifications for 45 days, while the comparison group kept on lifestyle modifications only for 45 days. On statistical analysis, the reduction in serum total cholesterol in the study group taking Haritaki choornam with madhu and lifestyle modifications is more than in the comparison group who were kept on lifestyle modifications alone. The results were analysed statistically using paired t-tests and independent t-tests within the group and between groups, respectively. The serum total cholesterol was statistically significant with a p-value.