ANALYTICAL STUDY ON EFFECTS OF TRIKATUKADI DECOCTION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PAKSHAGHATA (HEMIPLEGIA)

Sri Lanka has a great history of traditional medical system. Trikatukadi Decoction is an Anupana of Seetarama Vati which is mostly used by traditional medical physicians in the management of diseases like Pakshaghata, Akshepa and Apasmara. The present study aims to understand the pharmacological attributes of the ingredients of Trikatukadi Decoction and its reaction on Pakshaghata. This decoction contains rhizome of Zingiber officinale, Cyperus rotundus, Acorus calamus, Picrorhiza kurroa, seeds of Piper longum, Piper nigrum, Coriandrum sativum, pericarp of Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellirica, Phyllanthus emblica, bark of Azadirachta indica, and stem of Tinospora cordifolia. According to Ayurvedic pharmacodynamic properties, Trikatukadi Decoction pacifies vitiated Vata Dosha due to Madhura Rasa, Snigdha Guna, Ushna Veerya and Madhura Vipaka. Having Laghu Guna, Ruksha Guna and Katu Vipaka, it also pacifies vitiated Kapha Dosha. It also has properties of Vedana sthapana, Nadi uttejaka, Nadi balyakara, Shulahara, Deepana, Jvaraghna, Mutra karaka and Sroto shodhana. Ingredients of the Trikatukadi Decoction contain alkaloids, flavanoides, glycosides, tannin and volatile oils. Further, these phytochemicals are found to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cholinergic, anti-carcinomic, anti microbial, diuretic and hypoglycaemic activities. Trikatukadi Decoction can be effectively used to manage Pakshaghata due to its pharmacodynamic properties, phytochemicals and scientifically proven bioactivities.