COMPARATIVE THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF VARIOUS MORPHOLOGICAL FORMS OF NASYA (NASAL ROUTE OF DRUG DELIVERY) IN PRATISHYAYA (RHINOSINUSITIS) WITH REFERENCE TO NASAL MUCO-CILIARY FUNCTION

Different morphological forms of Nasyas (Nasal route of drug administration in Ayurveda) like Taila and Ghrita (lipid based nasal drops), churna (dry fine powder) and Avpeeda nasya (Aqueous based medicated decoction nasal drops) are commonly used as nasal drugs for the management of rhinological disorders in Ayurveda and they distinctly behave differently in the nasal cavity when introduced. This present study explores how these different morphological forms of Nasyas effects the nasal health and mucociliary mechanism in the patients of Pratishyaya i.e. Rhinosinusitis with the help of Goldman’s saccharin test which is carried out at various stages of this study. Clinically, endoscopically and radiologically diagnosed patients of Pratishyaya i.e. rhinosinusitis, satisfying the inclusion criteria were divided randomly by table method into four groups. A total of 40 patients were subjected in this trial after ramification into four trial groups with 10 patients in each group. Anu taila nasya, Shadbindu ghrita nasya, Katphala churna nasya and Pippali Avapeeda nasya respectively were selected for the present study in trial groups I – IV as they are the most frequently prescribed drugs in Ayurveda (Indian system of medicine) for the management of the disease Pratishyaya i.e. Rhinosinusitis. These selected drugs subtly represent medicated oils/lipids, powder insufflations (errhines) and medicated aqueous base decoction form of nasal drug administration when visualized in morphological appearance and modern perspective. Goldman’s saccharin test, which is used for the present study is a gold standard test for the evaluation of nasal mucociliary function and is directly related to nasal health. Powder form of nasal administered drug i.e. Katphala Churna nasya (powder form) was found to be most effective in improvement of endoscopic and radiological parameters of rhinosinusitis. Mucoadhesive properties of Anu Taila nasya and Shadbindu ghrita nasya (both lipid base Nasya) probably increases the physical weight on the mucosa thus deceases the ciliary transport transiently. Pippalyadi Avpeeda nasya (aqueous base nasal drops) was found to be most effective in enhancing mucociliary clearance activity.