Clinical Efficacy of Kasisadi Ghrita Pichu in the Management of Dushta Vrana (Infected Wound): A Prospective Single-Arm Clinical Study

Abstract

Background: Dushta Vrana (infected or non-healing wound) is a common surgical presentation described extensively in classical Ayurvedic texts under Vranashodhana (wound purification) and Vranaropana (wound healing). Kasisadi Ghrita, a medicated ghee preparation described in Bhaisajya Ratnavali and Sushruta Samhita, is classically indicated for wound conditions dominated by vitiated Vata and Pitta Dosha, but has not previously been subjected to systematic clinical evaluation.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Kasisadi Ghrita Pichu, applied locally, in the management of Dushta Vrana.

Methods: In this prospective, single-arm, single-blind clinical study, 30 patients with clinically diagnosed Dushta Vrana were enrolled from the OPD/IPD of Major S.D. Singh P.G. Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital, Farrukhabad. Kasisadi Ghrita was prepared in-house by Sneha Kalpana Vidhi from Suddha Kasisa, Haridra, Jati, Katuki, and Go Ghrita, and applied as a medicated Pichu to the wound for up to six months, with clinical assessment at 15-day intervals. Seven parameters — pain (0–10 Visual Analogue Scale), itching, tenderness, foul smell, granulation, discharge, and wound size (each 0–3 ordinal grade) — were scored before and after treatment. Paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used for statistical analysis.

Results: All 30 patients completed the study (0 dropouts). Every parameter improved significantly after treatment (p < 0.001 for all seven parameters by both tests). Mean pain score fell from 6.13 ± 1.66 to 3.10 ± 2.55 (49.46% relief); discharge fell from 1.60 ± 0.67 to 0.63 ± 0.61 (60.42% relief, the largest relative improvement); and itching, tenderness, smell, granulation, and wound size each improved by 47–58%. Overall composite relief averaged 51.33%: 20% of patients achieved marked improvement (75–99%), 40% moderate improvement (50–74%), 23% mild improvement (25–49%), and 17% showed no relief (<25%). No adverse effect was recorded in any patient.

Conclusion: Kasisadi Ghrita Pichu produced statistically highly significant and clinically meaningful improvement across all assessed parameters of Dushta Vrana, with an excellent safety profile, supporting its classical indication as a Vranashodhaka and Vranaropaka local application. Confirmation in a randomised controlled trial with an active comparator is warranted.