Groundbreaking Study Highlights Efficacy of Ayurvedic Formulation IMMBO in Treating Allergic Rhinitis

Groundbreaking Study Highlights Efficacy of Ayurvedic Formulation IMMBO in Treating Allergic Rhinitis Rudrapur. A pioneering clinical study published in Cureus in August 2023 has revealed promising results for an innovative Ayurvedic herbo-mineral formulation, IMMBO, in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Conducted by a team of researchers led by Vaidya B. Prakash from the VCP Cancer Research Foundation, this open-label randomized controlled trial compares IMMBO with the conventional allopathic combination of levocetirizine and montelukast, offering new hope for patients suffering from this common condition. Study Overview The prospective, randomized, active-controlled trial was conducted at GSVM Medical College, Kanpur, involving 224 patients diagnosed with allergic rhinitis according to the ARIA 2019 diagnostic criteria. Participants, aged between 4 and 60 years, were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either IMMBO (at a dose of 60 mg/kg/day in three divided doses) or a fixed-dose combination of levocetirizine (2.5 mg) and montelukast (4 mg) daily for 28 days. The study, approved by the Institutional and Ethical Clearance Board and registered with the Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI No. REF/2022/06/055575), adhered to the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Key Findings The results demonstrated that both treatments significantly reduced the Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS) over the 28-day period. However, IMMBO outperformed the conventional treatment, with a statistically significant greater reduction in TNSS. Notably, 92.98% of patients treated with IMMBO experienced complete resolution of nasal symptoms, compared to 82.73% in the levocetirizine + montelukast group. Similar efficacy was observed across both pediatric (4-12 years) and older age groups. Additionally, IMMBO showed a significant reduction in Immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, a key marker of allergic response, indicating its potential to address the underlying causes of allergic rhinitis. Both treatments were well-tolerated, with no adverse events reported, underscoring IMMBO’s safety profile. About IMMBO IMMBO is a unique blend of 18 herbs, including Cedrus deodara, Curcuma longa, and Emblica officinalis, combined with Mandoor Bhasma, an iron ore-based mineral complex. Discovered in 1997 by a North India-based Ayurvedic clinic, this formulation has been successfully used in various Indian Ayurvedic clinics to relieve acute and persistent allergic rhinitis symptoms. Implications and Future Directions This study marks a significant step in integrating Ayurvedic medicine with modern clinical practices, offering a natural alternative that may reduce reliance on synthetic medications. The researchers emphasize that IMMBO’s promising results warrant further scientific exploration to validate its efficacy on a larger scale and explore its potential applications. Author Contributions The study was a collaborative effort, with Vaidya B. Prakash, Yashwant K. Rao, and Shikha Prakash leading the concept and design, while Siseha T. Sati, Ankita Mohapatra, and Neha Negi contributed to data acquisition and manuscript drafting. All authors reviewed and approved the final publication.