Introduction: Dengue is potentially a fatal illness prevalent in the tropical regions of the world, and an outbreak of this lead to serious complications like dengue shock syndrome and dengue hemorrhagic syndrome. Development of a precise solution/ formulation for dengue is highly essential and is the need of the hour. In this endeavor, a polyherbal ayurvedic formulation was identified and used as an adjuvant to the existing treatment protocol by World Health Organization (WHO) (standard care) for dengue. The objective of this study was to observe the platelet trends and prevention of complications in dengue patients and also to evaluate the improvement in clinical signs and symptoms with minimum recovery days.
Materials and Methods: An observational retrospective cohort design was adopted. Thirty-five patients of either sex, of age between 16 and 60 years, were selected from Shri BMK Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, JN Medical College and Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and Medical Research Centre of KLE Higher Education and Research Centre, Belagavi. The case records belonging to dengue patients who were confirmed by positive NS-1 antigen or IgM test with thrombocytopenia, and classical features of dengue who were treated with standard care suggested by WHO along with Polyherbal Ayurvedic formulation decoction in the dose of 40 ml twice a day for ten days and were followed up further for atleast four days.
Results: Platelet count has increased in all patients. Significant progressive increase in platelet count was observed from 1st to 5th day which was statistically significant when value of 3rd day was compared to that of 5th day. Early improvement in clinical features of dengue was observed, and no case of complications was noticed.
Conclusion: The polyherbal Ayurvedic formulation decoction and WHO prescribed standard care is seen as a good adjuvant for dengue which showed a potential increase in platelet count and speedy recovery of patients.