chapter3.3
USE OF AN EUPATORIUM AYAPAN COMBINATION IN FUNCTIONAL UTERINE BLEEDING
40th All India Medical Conference
December 1964 at Kakinada (A.P.)
USE OF AN EUPATORIUM AYAPAN COMBINATION
IN FUNCTIONAL UTERINE BLEEDING
Functional uterine bleeding is very common in general practice. Even in consulting and hospital practice with all diagnostic facilities and clinical experience its management remains a major gynecological problem.
The reason is simple. The physiological and pathological aspects of the problem are not yet fully understood. And hence treatment remains more or less empirical and not always satisfactory.
The object of this preliminary clinical study was to observe the efficacy of a combination of certain well known Indian indigenous drugs in functional uterine bleeding.
PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS OF THE DRUG
For this preliminary study, a compound of Ayapan (tablet AYAPON – Alarsin) was selected.
AYAPAN
Its constituents — ayapin and ayapanin — are described in the study as blood coagulant and hemostatic and non-toxic. It is used in uterine and other hemorrhages.
NAGESHAR
Is described as astringent, hemostatic, and stomachic. The study states that it has better effects during bleeding episodes by decreasing the amount of bleeding.
ASHOKA
Is described as a well known astringent and uterine sedative. It contracts the uterus and its effects are believed to be directly on the uterine musculature. It is used in menorrhagia and postpartum hemorrhage.
GODANTI
Is described as astringent, antacid and cooling. It provides calcium in assimilable form and thus acts as hemostatic.
These drugs are used in the Indian system of medicine (AYURVEDA) for uterine bleedings either alone or in combination. They are mostly used in combination for better synergistic actions.
Their synergistic effect is believed to be on the pelvic muscular system in general and endometrial and uterine musculature in particular.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
For this preliminary study cases of F.U.B. (Functional Uterine Bleeding) without any pathological or other cause were selected.
All of them were of childbearing age-group: between 20-40 years. Cases with excessive and serious hemorrhages are not included in this study.
Twenty-five cases were treated with AYAPON tablets and twenty-five of the same age-group with Dummy tablets as a control series.
CLASSIFICATION OF CASES
Table I: According to Parity
| Parity | I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. of Cases | 5 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 25 |
Table II: According to Type of F.U.B.
| Metrorrhagia |
Metrorrhagia (without previous amenorrhea) |
Metrorrhagia (with previous amenorrhea) |
Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. of Cases | 8 | 7 | 10 | 25 |
Menorrhagia included patients who had a history of hypomenorrhea or polymenorrhea.
Metrorrhagia with or without previous episodes of amenorrhea included patients where bleeding started as a normal period or after delivery or abortion and also with periodic intermenstrual bleeding.
RESULTS
Results were evaluated according to decrease in bleeding and considered excellent 'A' where bleeding completely stopped; 'B' where there was moderate decrease in bleeding; and 'C' where there was no improvement at all.
Table III: Showing Comparative Results
| Number of Cases | A | B | C | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayapon | 17 | 5 | 3 | 25 |
| Dummy | 3 | 7 | 15 | 25 |
In most of cases the results can be considered very encouraging. The bleeding stopped within 4-7 days.
The aim of this study was only to have preliminary impressions about the efficacy of this drug in reducing F.U.B. and hence cases were not followed up for the next periods.
OBSERVATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS
However some patients who had continued the drug reported normal bleeding during the next periods also.
Phadnis (1964) from Poona have observed highly encouraging results with Ayapon even in some resistant cases of functional uterine hemorrhages.
Pandya Saudamini et al. (1963) from Ahmedabad have reported encouraging results with a combination of two ingredients of Ayapon — viz. Ashoka with Nagkeshar in menorrhagia.
Our preliminary trial with Ayapon tends to show that it deserves further clinical screening.
The drug may prove helpful in certain cases in avoiding hysterectomy or drastic drug treatment.
Its comparatively simple, safe and economical dosage is an additional advantage particularly when the majority of functional uterine bleeding cases have to be treated by the family physicians in general practice.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We are thankful to Manthan – (Research Division) of Alarsin Pharmaceuticals, Bombay-1 (India) for the supply of tablets and literature for this Study.
REFERENCES
- Ghose, Pharmacology (1957), Materia Medica & Therapeutics, 20th Edition, Hilton & Co., Calcutta (1957).
- Pandya C. et al. (1963): Value of Indigenous Drugs in Menorrhagia, The Current Medical Practice 7:8-543-48 (1963).
- Phadnis H. (1964): Use of Ayapan compound in Functional Uterine Haemorrhages, The Antiseptic, Madras, October '64.
This page presents information from a historical clinical report supplied for reference. The study reflects the terminology, methodology and conclusions reported in the original material. It is not intended to provide individual medical advice or replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.