VCPC Research Foundation Dehradun, has announced a first of its kind documented evidence in the integrated treatment approach for migraine. Further, the Foundation has teamed up with IPCA Laboratories, Mumbai and the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore to form an alliance to develop a new chemical entity, based on the findings.

The Foundation documented the treatment procedure with evidence under GCP guidelines providing a transparent treatment modality. The patients who volunteered to undergo the ayurveda treatment not only gave them an informed consent but also cooperated with the periodic follow-ups. IPCA Laboratories, Mumbai evaluated the treatment outcome based on a statistical analysis.

The treatment for migraine was conducted in four clinics in Karnataka at Bangalore, Bellary and Tumkur. A novel post card registry system and case record form provided authenticity to the data. VCPC Research Foundation structured an ethiopathogenesis of migraine based on traditional and modern medicinal knowledge. The etiology (hetu in ayurveda) of migraine is attributed to a condition referred to as ' amla pitta' caused by heat, lack of sleep, excess travel, intermittent eating, long gap between meals, anger, stress and anxiety. Based on these factors, VCPC Foundation devised a herbo-mineral formulation using (rasoushadhis) comprising of narikela lavana, soothashekar ras, sitopaladi, rasonadivati and godanthi mishram prepared by following the guidelines prescribed in the ayurveda practice.

The treatment carried out on 267 patients in the three districts in Karnataka between May 2005 and March 2006 proved to be successful. Out of 101 patients completed the 90 days and 71 percent required no painkillers after the treatment. The treatment demanded diet restrictions and stress reliving techniques, which were advised by the ayurveda medical practitioners. This is because migraine is caused due to an acid-alkali misbalance in the body which caused structural changes in the gastro intestinal tract. The ayurveda treatment is aimed at restoring the acid alkali balance. Such a documented evidence for the treatment of migraine is for first time in the country, Vaidya Balendu Prakash, director VCPC Research Foundation, Dehradun told Pharmabiz.

Vaidya Balendu Prakash who was in Bangalore recently to release the first annual report of the documented evidence in the integrated approach for migraine treatment said that the evidence-based medicinal procedures now would be useful to define the good laboratory practices (GLP) in the manufacture and prescribing dosages for migraine.

Migraine is ranked 19th among all diseases worldwide causing disability in work productivity. Although there are still no figures available on the percentage of population affected with the disorder in India. Vaidya Balendu Prakash said studies have revealed migraine affects thirteen percent of the world population. The headache starts at puberty and affects mostly those between 25 to 45 years. Prevalence is the highest among women.