Efficacy of Brahmi vati and Aswagandharista in major depressive disorder: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Role of Ayurveda medications in the management of Major depressive disorder (MDD) is explored.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of Brahmi vati and Aswagandarista in the management of MDD.

Methods: Study was a Randomized, Controlled, parallel group comparative clinical trial. Fifty patients meeting the MDD (DSM V) diagnostic criteria from teaching hospital were recruited in the study. They were divided in two 2 groups. Control group were administered with Escitalopram 10 mg twice a day. Ayurveda group were intervened with tablet Brahmi vati 500 mg thrice a day and Liquid Aswagandarista 10 ml thrice a day. Interventions were for 60 days. Assessments were done on every 15th day. Assessments criteria included Hamilton Depression Rating scale (HDRS), Hamilton Anxiety Rating scale (HARS), UKU Side effect scale (UKU), Brief Psychotic Rating Scale (BPRS), WHO quality of life -BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Clinical Global Impression scales (CGI) were assessed at all the time points. Blood parameters like Haemoglobin, Serum creatinine and Liver function tests were evaluated at pre and post study.

Results: Between group comparison showed significant improvements in WHOQOL-Bref (p < 0.001), UKU (p = 0.04) favouring Ayurveda group and PSQI (p = 0.02) improvements in control group. Improvements in other parameters were comparable. Within group assessment showed significant (p < 0.001) improvement in HDRS, HARS, BPRS, CGI-S, CGI-GI in both the groups. Liver function tests and serum creatines were within normative limits.

Conclusion: Ayurveda medications produced significant improvements comparable to escitalopram with additional advantages in quality of life and side effects profile.