Efficacy of Pippali (Fruits of Piper longum Linn.) in Grahaniroga: A Prospective Open label Clinical Trial

Introduction: In the current epoch, the diseases allied to Anna vahaand Purīṣavahasrota (~gastrointestinal tract) are commonly found in clinical practice. Among of them Grahaṇīroga (~ Irritable bowel syndrome) is one of the most important disorder. This disease occurs due to the distorted function of Agni (~digestive power). Present study aimed to clinically evaluate the efficacy of Pippalī (Piperlongum Linn.) in Grahanīroga. Methods: Forty patients were selected from OPD and IPD of Institute of Post Graduate Ayurvedic Education and Research at Shyamadas Vaidya Shastra Pith, irrespective of their sex, religion and occupation based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients satisfied the maximum symptoms for Grahaṇīroga mentioned in the classical Āyurveda texts were included in the study. Two gm powder of Pippalī fruit with plain water was administered in selected patients in two divided doses per day for a period of one month. All the patients were assessed for selected subjective and objective parameters to analyze the efficacy of the study drug. Results: After one month, all the subjective and objective parameters were evaluated. The efficacy of the stipulated drug on Grahanīroga was evaluated based on the statistical analysis. Study showed the test drug was significantly effective in various subjective parameters of Grahanīroga along with marked changes in laboratorial objective parameters like routine examination of stool. Conclusion: Powder of Pippalī is effective to improve the classical sign and symptoms of Grahanīroga. In analysis of objective parameters, no such marked changes were found, except in examination of stool.