Effectiveness of Shiva Gutika in Oligozoospermia – A Case Study

INTRODUCTION

Infertility is a health issue which not only impacts the physical health but also the mental as well as social health of individuals suffering from it. Male infertility is considered to be less complicated than female infertility, but can account for 30 -40% of infertility. Present era being the era of stress, disturbed lifestyle and improper eating habits has led to increased cases of male infertility. It has been found that despite of anatomical reasons low sperm count termed as Oligozoospermia has been a major issue in cases of male infertility. For many decades, sperm concentration of less than 20 million sperms/ml, were said to be Oligospermic but recently WHO has reassessed sperm count criteria and established a lower reference point, less than 15 million sperms/ml. Although there are numerous medicines mentioned in Classical texts that are Rasayan and Vajikarak in nature. One such distinguished medicine that is highly significant in dealing with this issue i.e. Ksheen Shukra is Shiva Gutika. The efficacy can be estimated by presence of Shilajeet as the main ingredient and other ingredients like Trikatu, Vidarikand, and Bhawna of Dashmool Kwath, Balamool and other such ingredients make an ultimate combination. Shilajatu shares the maximum ratio in this combination which is proven drug for enhancing Shukra. Besides that it works multi-dimensionally in the body and treats various ailments like Prameh, Vata- Rakta, Udara Rog etc. It works on Jatharagni and Dhatwagni to break the Samprapti of Ksheen Shukra. Shiva Gutika has been mentioned in various texts, for present research work the pharmaceutical preparation has been done as per text mentioned in Chakradutta, Rasayan Adhyay1. Six patients: - Patient A, B, C, D, E, F of Age 22 years, 25 years, 27 years, 29 years, 30 years, 38 years of age respectively with symptoms of Alpa Cheshta (Lack of Libido), meals was carried out. It was observed that after 60 days of treatment patients experienced subsidation of symptoms as well as increase in their physical and mental well-being too. The result of the study was really significant with 60 – 70% of improvement in subjective and objective criteria‘s on an average. Patients also stated that they felt a remarkable improvement in their physical and mental health as well.

The patients were diagnosed on the basis of signs and symptoms like Lack of Libido, Fatigue and Pallor.

The General Condition of patient was observed, along with Clinical history, Pulse rate, Blood Pressure, etc.

1. Patients of Male sex with age between 21 to 50 years (Irrespective of marital status) 2. Patient with Oligozoospermia (Ksheen Shukra)(Sperm count < 20 million/ml) 3. Patient willing and able to participate for 2 months.

1. Patients with evidence of Malignancy. 2. Current history of Ischemic Heart Disease, Chronic Kidney Disease, Diabetes Mellitus, High Cholesterol and any other critical illness which may require hospitalization and critical care. 3. Patients take such as medicine which has anti oligozoospermia effect also.

Semen Analysis before and after treatment.

Single group open Clinical study subjective (Lack of Libido, Fatigue and pallor before and after treatment) and objective criteria before and after treatment.

Dose – 500 mg Shiva Gutika3 twice Daily Route of Administration: - oral Time of administration:- Twice a day after meal Anupana: - 50 ml Luke warm milk Duration of therapy: - 60 days (2 months) Follow-up:- every 15 days Diet advised: - take light diet, green vegetables, Milk, Butter, rice, Maize and wheat, seasonal fruits. Diet restricted: - Avoid spicy and oily food, packed foods, excessive non- veg, Alcohol.

Male Infertility is prevailing with a rise in percentage of cases every year. Not only affecting the physical health it decelerates mental and social well-being on an individual. To combat with this increasing health issue Ayurvedic literature offers a large number of medicines out of which Shiva Gutika has been chosen in this research so as to find its efficacy to deal with Oligozoospermia i.e. Ksheen Shukra. According to Butterworth‘s Medical Dictionary, Oligozoospermia defined as a condition in which too few spermatozoa are present in the semen. Whereas WHO 2010 Oligozoospermia as the condition where the sperm concentration is less than 15 million/ml of semen. Six male patients( Identity hidden) A, B, C, D, E, F of age 22 years,25 years, 27 years, 29 years, 30 years, 38 years respectively with symptoms being Alpa Cheshta (Lack of Libido), Daurbalya (Fatigue) and Mukha Shosh (Dryness of mouth) and sperm count less than 20 million sperms/ml were enrolled for the study. On taking history of the patients it was revealed that a Stress and disturbed food habit was a part of their lifestyle.

Gutika helps in combating with Dhatu Kshay as it is Brimhana, Balya and Rasayan in nature helps in balancing Tridoshas and due to its Lekhana Karma helps in clearing the blocked channels. Milk is used as Anupaan as it adds to the effect of Gutika. The assessment was made on the basis of conversation with the patients and laboratory investigations before and after the treatment. It was revealed that patients not only experienced subsidation of symptoms but were also experiencing better physical and mental health after following treatment protocol.

The observation was made on the basis of percentage of improvement in symptoms are shown in tabular and graphical presentation.

Improvement in objective criteria after treatment

CONCLUSION

This open clinical study reveals the effect of Shiva Gutika on Oligozoospermia (Ksheen Shukra). The Gutika is prepared with standardised method mentioned in Chakradutta, which has added up to its excellent result on the patients. Shiva Gutika has proved itself highly effective in subsidation of symptoms but has also helped in boosting up the generalised health of the patients. Further detailed study and research needs to be carried out to find more facts about effect of Shiva Gutika on Oligozoospermia. Data access and Responsibility The corresponding author had full access to all of the data in the study and takes responsibility of for the integrity of data and the accuracy of the analysis. Financial support and sponsorship: - Nil

There are no conflict of interest

1. J.P. Tripathi, editor, Chakradutta with Bhavartha Sandipani Commentary of Chakrapanidutta. Rasayan Adhyay Varanasi: Chaukhamba Sanskrit Series; 2003.p.218. 2. Charak Samhita by Brahmanand Tripathi, Chaukhamba Surbharti Prakashan, reprint-2013, Sutra Sthan, Chapter 17, Verse:-69. 3. Vishwesh B.N. Shobha Bhatt, A Clinical Study to evaluate the role of Shiva Gutika in Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Journal of Ayurveda and Holistic Medicine |Jaunuary 2014|. 4. Acharya SB, Frotan MH, Goel RK, Tripathi SK, Das PK. Pharmacological actions of 5. Bhaumik S, Chattapadhay S, Ghosal S. Effects of Shilajit on mouse peritoneal macrophages. Phytother Res. 1993; 7: 425–427. 6. Bhattacharya SK. Shilajit attenuates streptozotocin induced diabetes mellitus and decrease in pancreatic islet superoxide dismutase activity in rats. Phytotherapy Res. 1995; 9(1): 41- 44.

Principal & Head, Department of Basic Principles Mandsaur Institute of Ayurved Education & Research Mandsaur, MP