Myeloprotective effect of a non-toxic indigenous preparation Rasayana in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and radiation therapy. A pilot study

The effect of an indigenous medical preparation - Brahma Rasayana (BR) - on the haemopoetic protection in cancer patients undergoing radio in associat ion with chemotherapy was studied. Administration of BR accelerated the recovery of the haemopoetic system as seen by a rapid rise in total leukocytes. Both lymphocytes and neutrophils were significantly increased by Rasayana treatment. Nadir of WBC was 3633 /- 120 and 2954 +/- 305 in treated and untreated patients. Nadir of neutrop hils was 2830 +/- 964 in treated patients and 1791 +/- 922 in untreated pat ients. Nadir of lymphocytes remained almost unchanged. Total number of cons ecutive days of leukopenia, neutropenia and lymphopenia was also significan tly reduced after the treatment. Rasayana treatment also made serum lipid p eroxidation decrease confirming its capacity of reducing oxidative stress i nduced by cancer treatment. The use of this non-toxic preparation as an adj uvant in cancer therapy will prove out to be highly beneficial.