THE MULTIFUNCTIONAL ROLE OF HERBAL PRODUCTS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF GOUT (VATARAKTA): A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Introduction: Vatarakta is a Vata Vyadhi that occurs due to exacerbated Vata and Rakta Dosha by their causa-tive factors. It can occur in the whole body but since joints of the hand and foot are more affected it resembles gouty arthritis as described in allopathic science. Gout is a disease described in conventional medicine that has similarities to the Vatarakta. It is a type of inflammatory arthritis that is triggered by the crystallization of uric acid within the joints and is often associated with hyperuricemia. Hyperuricemia can be caused by overproduc-tion of uric acid, or, more commonly by inefficient excretion by the kidneys. The clinical presentation of gout ranges from the typical episodic acute inflammation of the joint to chronic tophaceous gout, chronic polyarticular arthritis, urate nephrolithiasis, and interstitial nephropathies. Several herbal drugs are well known for their thera-peutic effects and lower toxicity and are important substances for new drug development. Objective: The objective of this systematic review was to explore and validate the efficacy of herbal medicines in the management of gout. This review aims to update some research findings regarding the biological activities of the herbal ingredients of Ayurvedic medicines used in gout and also to collect an adequate basis for the opti-mal integration of Ayurvedic medicines into the conventional health system (Allopath). Materials & Methods: Systematic literature searches were carried out and the available information on Vatarak-ta and gout was collected via electronic search and a library search for articles published in peer-reviewed jour-nals and locally available books. Literature searches were also carried out to find the biochemical effects of vari-ous herbs mentioned in the management of hyperuricemia and gout. Conclusion: It has been demonstrated that plant-derived biochemicals have a potential effect on gout. These ef-fects comprise XOD inhibitory action, uricosuric, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant effects, etc. During the analy-sis of the literature available in Ayurveda, Allopathy, and related other branches of health science it was found that integrative medicine would be the optimal strategy to develop more effective agents in the treatment of gout (Vatarakta) and a combination of therapies may be very effective in reducing both the effect and frequency of disease.