An Integrated Ayurvedic Panchakarma Protocol (Cdc-Sp and CDC-Kp) With a Very-Low-Calorie Diet Demonstrates Statistically Significant Improvements in Glycemic Control and Facilitates Medication De-Intensification in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Retrospective Case Series

Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a progressive metabolic disorder conventionally managed with escalating pharmacotherapy. Achieving glycemic control alongside medication reduction is a key therapeutic aspiration. This study evaluates the clinical outcomes of a structured Ayurvedic intervention protocol in patients with T2DM. Objective: To assess the effect of an integrated protocol consisting of Panchakarma (CDC-SP/KP), a very-low-calorie diet (VLCD), and oral herbal medications on glycemic control (HbA1c), anthropometry, blood pressure, and allopathic medication requirements in patients with T2DM. Materials and Methods: A retrospective case series was conducted using the clinical records of 10 patients (N=10) diagnosed with T2DM who underwent the standardized protocol. The intervention comprised a 14-session Panchakarma regimen including Snehan, Swedana, and Basti with specific herbal preparations, an 800 kcal/day ready-to-use Prameha diet box, and individualized oral Ayurvedic medicines. Pre- and post-treatment outcomes were compared using a two-tailed paired t-test. Medication requirement changes were categorically assessed. Results: Statistically significant improvements were observed in multiple parameters comparing pre- and post-intervention values. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) reduced from a mean of 8.64% ± 1.78% to 6.86% ± 0.97% (mean reduction -1.79%, 95% CI: -2.72 to -0.85, p = 0.003). Body weight decreased from 73.27 kg ± 9.78 kg to 69.19 kg ± 9.87 kg (mean reduction -4.08 kg, p = 0.001). Body Mass Index (BMI) reduced from 25.59 kg/m² ± 3.06 kg/m² to 24.11 kg/m² ± 3.26 kg/m² (p = 0.002). Diastolic blood pressure improved from 87.90 mmHg ± 15.86 mmHg to 76.00 mmHg ± 13.19 mmHg (p = 0.006). Notably, complete cessation of allopathic medications was observed in 4 of 7 patients (57.1%), and one additional patient experienced cessation of insulin therapy. No adverse events were reported. Conclusion: This integrated Ayurvedic protocol demonstrated statistically and clinically significant improvements in HbA1c, body weight, BMI, and diastolic blood pressure, alongside a remarkable potential to enable safe de-prescribing of conventional anti-diabetic medications. These findings provide compelling preliminary evidence to support the design of a prospective randomized controlled trial.