IMMUNOMODULATORY EFFECTS OF VIDHIVAT RASAYANA UPAYOGA IN POST-COVID SYNDROME: A COMPARATIVE CLINICAL STUDY BASED ON IGG AND IGA BIOMARKERS

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become one of the most serious global public health threats, driven by the rapid Background: Post-COVID syndrome is characterized by persistent immune dysregulation and prolonged multisystem symptoms that adversely affect quality of life. Although symptomatic management is commonly practiced, evidence-based interventions targeting immune restoration remain limited. Ayurveda advocates Vidhivat Rasayana Upayoga as a rejuvenative approach to enhance host defence and promote physiological recovery. Objective: To evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of Vidhivat Rasayana Upayoga with Haritaki Churna followed by Rasayana Churna Vati compared with Rasayana Churna Vati alone in patients with post COVID syndrome using Serum Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and Immunoglobulin A (IgA) as objective biomarkers. Methods: A randomized, open-label, parallel-group exploratory clinical study was conducted at the All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi. Sixty patients with post-COVID syndrome were randomly allocated into two groups (n = 30 each). Group A received Rasayana Churna Vati alone, whereas Group B received Haritaki Churna followed by Rasayana Churna Vati for 30 days. Serum IgG and IgA levels were assessed before and after treatment, and statistical analyses were performed using appropriate parametric and non-parametric tests, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Both groups demonstrated a highly significant increase in serum IgG levels following treatment (p < 0.001), with no significant intergroup difference (p = 0.668). Serum IgA levels decreased significantly in both groups (p < 0.001); however, Group B showed a significantly greater reduction than Group A (p < 0.001), indicating superior modulation of this biomarker. Overall, both treatment protocols improved immunological parameters, while the sequential Rasayana regimen produced a more pronounced effect on IgA. Conclusion: Vidhivat Rasayana Upayoga demonstrated promising immunomodulatory potential in patients with post-COVID syndrome. Although both interventions effectively improved immune biomarkers, sequential administration of Haritaki Churna followed by Rasayana Churna Vati showed greater efficacy in modulating IgA, suggesting an additional therapeutic benefit. Larger multicentric studies with extended immunological evaluation are warranted to confirm these findings.