Clinical Evaluation of Bridelia scandens Willd. (Banda) Leaf Powder and Leaf Oil in the Management of Amavata (Rheumatoid Arthritis): An Open-Label Comparative Clinical Study

Authors

  • Raghurama Bhatta
  • Ravi Rao S
  • Rajani B
  • Shubha M

Keywords:

Amavata, rheumatoid arthritis, Bridelia scandens, ethnomedicine, anti-inflammatory, clinical study

Abstract

Background:  Amavata is a chronic inflammatory disorder described in Ayurvedic classics, considered analogous to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Contemporary treatment options provide symptomatic relief but are often associated with adverse effects and incomplete remission. Bridelia scandens Willd. (Banda), an ethnomedicinal climber traditionally used in Dakshina Kannada District, Karnataka, has been employed for generations in the management of painful inflammatory joint disorders.

Objectives: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Bridelia scandens leaf powder alone and in combination with Bridelia scandens leaf oil in patients with Amavata.

Materials and methods: An open-label comparative clinical study was conducted. Twenty patients with Amavata were enrolled; fifteen completed the study. Group I (n=8) received oral Bridelia scandens leaf powder (6 g/day). Group II (n=7) received oral leaf powder plus topical leaf oil for 30 days. Assessment was based on graded scores for Sandhishoola, Sandhishotha, Sandhigraha, and Sparshasahatva.

Results: Group I showed statistically significant improvement in Sandhishoola (56.28%), Sandhishotha (53.76%), Sandhigraha (49.19%), and Sparshasahatva (48.95%) (P<0.001). Group II demonstrated greater improvement: Sandhishoola (60.83%), Sandhigraha (62.50%), Sparshasahatva (58.77%), and Sandhishotha (53.55%) (P<0.001). Combined therapy produced 32.32% higher efficacy compared to oral therapy alone (P<0.05).


Conclusions: Bridelia scandens demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in Amavata. Combined oral and topical administration was superior to oral therapy alone, validating the traditional folklore use of the plant in arthritic disorders

 

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

1. Tripathi B, editor. Madhava Nidana. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Surbharati Prakashan; 2018. Amavata Nidana, Chapter 25.

2. Sharma RK, Dash B, editors. Charaka Samhita. Vol. II. Varanasi: Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series Office; 2014.

3. Arnett FC, Edworthy SM, Bloch DA, McShane DJ, Fries JF, Cooper NS, et al. The American Rheumatism Association 1987 revised criteria for the classification of rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum 1988;31:315–324.

4. Davidson S. Davidson’s Principles and Practice of Medicine. 24th ed. London: Elsevier; 2022.

5. Firestein GS, Budd RC, Gabriel SE, McInnes IB, O’Dell JR. Kelley and Firestein’s Textbook of Rheumatology. 11th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2021.

6. WHO. WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014–2023. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2013.

7. Patwardhan B, Vaidya ADB, Chorghade M. Ayurveda and natural products drug discovery. Curr Sci 2004;86:789–799.

8. Sharma PV, editor. Sushruta Samhita. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Vishvabharati; 2018.

9. Bhatta RR. A pharmacognostic and pharmacological study on Bridelia scandens Willd. and its Shoolahara effect in Amavata [MD Thesis]. Jamnagar: Institute for Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda; 2004.

10. Kirtikar KR, Basu BD. Indian Medicinal Plants. Vol. III. Dehradun: International Book Distributors; 2005.

11. Nadkarni KM. Indian Materia Medica. Mumbai: Popular Prakashan; 2012.

12. Sharma H, Chandola HM. Rheumatoid arthritis and Ayurveda. Anc Sci Life 2011;30:90–101

Downloads

Published

2025-12-20

How to Cite

1.
Bhatta R, Rao S R, B R, M S. Clinical Evaluation of Bridelia scandens Willd. (Banda) Leaf Powder and Leaf Oil in the Management of Amavata (Rheumatoid Arthritis): An Open-Label Comparative Clinical Study. J Neonatal Surg [Internet]. 2025 Dec. 20 [cited 2026 Jul. 26];14(33S):1212-5. Available from: https://jneonatalsurg.com/index.php/jns/article/view/10389

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 33S (2025): Journal of Neonatal Surgery

Section

Original Article

License

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

You are free to:

  • Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.

Terms:

  • Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
  • No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.