Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease which mainly affects the small joints leading to erosion of cartilage and bone associated with irreversible joint damage, joint deformity, and systemic complications. The symptoms of RA resemble with the signs and symptoms mentioned in Amavata described in different texts of Ayurveda. Simhanada Guggulu, Brihat Saindhavadya Taila, Vatari Guggulu, Rasna Saptaka Kashaya, and Hingvashtaka Churna are commonly used in the management of this disease. However, the safety data are not collected on these formulations till now.
Objective: Critical analysis and presentation of clinical safety outcomes of classical Ayurvedic formulations Simhanada Guggulu, Brihat Saindhavadya Taila, Vatari Guggulu, Rasna Saptaka Kashaya, and Hingvashtaka Churna in patients of RA generated through multicenter open label studies at different Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) centers.
Materials and methods: Data were collected from three different clinical studies executed in peripheral institutes of CCRAS and were critically evaluated to assay the safety profile of five formulations. Safety assessments were done through analyzing liver function tests (LFTs) and kidney function tests (KFTs) before and after the study trial period.
Conclusion: The findings in the three different clinical studies clearly indicate that Simhanada Guggulu, Brihat Saindhavadya Taila, Vatari Guggulu, Rasna Saptaka Kashaya, and Hingvashtaka Churna are clinically safe and tolerable in the participants belonging to different age groups, gender, geographical area, and different prakrti.