Article: AYURVEDIC HERBO-MINERAL FORMULATIONS IN ASHMARI (UROLITHIASIS): A CLASSICAL REVIEW WITH CONTEMPORARY MECHANISTIC PERSPECTIVES

Article Category: Review articles

DOI: 10.7897/2277-4343.173105

Pages: 105-114

Author: Preeti *, Govind Sahay Shukla, Rajaram Agarwal, Manisha Goyal, Ravi Pratap S

Abstract: Urolithiasis (Ashmari) is a recurrent urinary disorder with limited curative options in modern medicine. Despite advances in surgical and lithotriptic methods, recurrence rates remain high. Ayurveda describes Ashmari as a multifactorial condition of the Mutravaha Srotas caused by a Vata–Kapha imbalance. Rasayogas, the herbo-mineral formulations of Rasashastra, are recognised for their rapid, multi-targeted, and low-dose therapeutic efficacy. To review classical Rasayogas indicated in Ashmari Chikitsa and correlate their pharmacodynamic principles with contemporary pharmacological and clinical evidence. An extensive textual review was conducted using Brihattrayi and major Rasashastra treatises, supplemented with indexed Ayurvedic and biomedical journals. A total of 95 records were identified. After removing duplicates and performing preliminary screening, 81 records were evaluated. Thirty-four full-text sources were assessed for eligibility, and 33 classical Rasayoga formulations and 21 modern pharmacological or clinical studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. Key formulations—Ashmarikhandana Rasa, Pashanbhinna Rasa, Trivikram Rasa, Chandraprabha Vati, Pashanavajra Rasa, Varunadhya Lauha, and Shweta Parpati—showed significant improvement in pain, dysuria, and stone expulsion with minimal adverse effects. Experimental studies revealed lithotriptic, antioxidant, diuretic, and nephroprotective activities. Herbo-mineral formulations show effective lithotriptic, diuretic, and nephroprotective actions with good clinical outcomes and minimal toxicity in urolithiasis. Their synergistic herbo-mineral composition and Yogavahi effect enhance therapeutic efficacy. However, stronger pharmacological validation and well-designed clinical trials are needed to establish their global evidence-based applicability.

Keyword: Ayurveda, Pharmacodynamics, Mechanism of Action, Herbo-mineral formulations, Nephroprotection.