Ayurvedic treatment protocol in the management of pancreatitis: A nonrandomized observational study

Recurrent Acute/Chronic Pancreatitis (RA/CP) is a progressively debilitating disease with rising incidences in recent years. The limitations of conventional treatment, along with the psychological fear and financial burden associated with it, compel the patients to explore alternative options. In India, where traditional medicines are recognized as treatment options, a North India-based ayurvedic clinic has been treating RA/CP patients using an ayurvedic Herbo-Mineral Formulation (HMF) with a balanced diet and regulated lifestyle. The HMF is prepared using processed mercury, copper, and sulfur following the principles of Rasashastra. The HMF has demonstrated pancreatitis preventive properties in rat models and passed acute, subacute, and chronic toxicity assessments. This retrospective study enrolled 1750 well-diagnosed cases of RA/CP from January 1997 to July 2023. About 67% of the enrolled patients were nonalcoholics, 81% were nontobacco users, and 93% had no family history of the disease. The age group of 19–45 years represented the highest proportion of patients, with a male predominance (5:1). Nine hundred and sixteen patients with RA/CP completed 1-year ayurvedic intervention using HMF, without pancreatic enzymes. The ayurvedic treatment resulted in a significant 93% reduction in the frequency of pancreatitis attacks and a 97% decrease in emergency hospitalizations. The HMF has shown no adverse effects or toxicity in the treated patients. About 1.7% of patients experienced mortality during the treatment or follow-up period due to various reasons. The ayurvedic treatment protocol demonstrated sustainable effects, with the longest remission exceeding 26 years, and has brought a significant reduction in frequency and intensity of RA/CP attacks with an overall improvement in quality of life, warranting further randomized clinical trials to establish strong proof of efficacy.