Clinical Evaluation of Thelkodukku Chooranam (Heliotropium Indicum) in the Treatment of Scabies.

To determine the efficacy and tolerability of the topical and systemic effects of Siddha herbal preparation Thelkodukku Chooranam (Heliotropium indicum), we conducted the open labeled non-comparative prospective clinical study focused on the patients of either sex in the age group between 13 to 60 years irrespective of socio economic status with diagnosis of scabies. After baseline assessment, a total number of 50 patients with scabies were treated with Thelkodukku Chooranam (TKC) orally at the dose of 500 mg twice a day with milk after food and for external use; the fresh leaf paste was applied over the affected area twice a day for one month. Clinical assessment of scabies lesions based on clinical grading score, itching intensity were assessed at weekly intervals for four weeks. The pre and post treatment score was compared statistically and recorded. From the result it was observed that oral and topical administration of TKC significantly reduced all the signs and symptoms after one month treatment. As compared to baseline, TKC treatment significantly reduced clinical grading score and itching grading score from 3.02 ± 0.08 and 2.04 ± 0.099 to 0.08 ± 0.03 and 0.04 ± 0.03 respectively (P < 0.001). Complete disappearance of scabies lesions was observed in all patients. No adverse effect has been noticed during the study period. Hence it is concluded that Thelkodukku Chooranam exhibits scabicidal activity and is a promising Siddha herbal preparation which has effective and safe anti scabies agent.