Indigenous free radical scavenger MAK 4 and 5 in angina pectoris. Is it only a placebo?
Thirty patients were evaluated to study the effect of Maharishi Amrit Kalsh (MAK) 4 & 5 on Angina pectoris. The mean angina frequency per month was 8.87. Twelve lead ECG, computerized TMT and echo studies were done initially, at 6 months, and after 2 years in all cases. Ten grams of MAK 4 paste was given daily in two divided doses, each followed by a MAK 5 tablet, for six months. Vasodilator and antihypertensive drugs were continued on ethical grounds. Twenty-four patients (80%) out of the total 30 reported a significant improvement after 6 months of therapy. The mean angina frequency per month improved from 8.87 to 3.03. All patients reported a sense of well being. Five out of 11 hypertensive patients reported a fall in systolic blood pressure. Lipid profile showed a rise in HDL which was statistically insignificant. Improved exercise tolerance was observed in 10 cases (33.33%) after 6 months of therapy and this effect was sustained even at 2 years. ECG and echo studies were inconclusive. No side effects or drug interactions were seen. This beneficial effect observed is probably as a result of free radical scavenging property of MAK on 'Reactive Oxygen Species' or an inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation; or by its inhibitory action on platelet aggregation or all these in synergism.
Department of Medicine, C.G.H.S., Jaipur, India.
J
J
Dogra
N
N
Grover
P
P
Kumar
N
N
Aneja
D000328:Adult; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000187:drug effects; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005609:Free Radicals; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008515:Medicine, Ayurvedic; D008875:Middle Aged; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*
D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D005609:Free Radicals; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species