A Literary review on Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN) - An Ayurveda approach

Abstract

Cancer is a leading cause of mortality worldwide; however advanced medical diagnostic techniques and medical interventions reduced the mortality considerably. But adverse effects due to chemotherapy decreased the quality of life, Chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is such entity as till now no established treatment protocol is not available. Hence, alternative methods of preventing or treating CIPN are necessary. Many studies found that herbal medicines showed potentially beneficial effects on CIPN. Treatment modalities in ayurvedic science should be given to the CIPN and to assess the effectiveness of herbal medicines for CIPN, a systematic review and study is essential in ayurveda to treat Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy. CIPN most commonly presents as a pure sensory neuropathy with symmetric symptoms typically including numbness, loss of proprioception sense, tingling, pins and needles sensation, hyperalgesia or allodynia in the hands or feet in a stocking-glove distribution. Occasionally there can be damage to motor fibers resulting in a motor neuropathy. Autonomic neuropathy can be associated with orthostatic hypotension, severe constipation and erectile dysfunction. In ayurveda symptomatology it can be corelated to Aganthuja vata-pitta vikara having alpa-bala-ojokshaya condition. In cancer there is much much reduced Oja, and bala chemotherapy having properties of visha guna and vata-pitta vitiation causes dhatu, upadhatu, mala and indiriya pradoshaja vikara with predominance of vata nature like Gatrasuptata (~numbness), Spandanam (~twitching sensation), Bheda (~splitting pain), Toda (~Excrutiating pain) and Pitta nature like Daha (~burning sensation), osha (~heat feel), Plosha (~Scorching), Dhoomaka (~fuming feel). Moreover, these symptoms are described in vataja  nanatmaja and pittaja nanatmaja vikaras.