A RANDOMIZED OPEN LABELLED COMPARATIVE CLINICAL STUDY TO EVALUATE THE EFFICACY OF PRACHHANNA FOLLOWED BY GUNJA LEPA AND PRP THERAPY FOLLOWED BY APPLICATION OF MINOXIDIL SOLUTION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF INDRALUPTA W.S.R TO ALOPECIA AREATA- A COMPARITIVE CLINICAL STUDY

Alopecia areata is defined as a common, non-scarring, autoimmune condition characterized by patchy hair loss, typically affecting the scalp but potentially involving any hair-bearing area of the body. The global incidence of Alopecia Areata is approximately 0.2% annually, affecting around 2% of the population at some point in their lifetime. Indralupta, described in Ayurvedic texts as one of the Shirokapalagata roga in which Vata and Pitta dosha primarily destroys the hair follicle later Kapha and Rakta causes Srotas avarodha further leading to stoppage of regrowth. It aligns closely with Alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition in modern dermatology. This clinical study evaluates the comparative efficacy of Prachhanna karma followed by Guñjā lepa (Group A) versus Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy with topical Minoxidil 5% (Group B) in 40 patients diagnosed with Indralupta. Each group comprised 20 patients treated over 45 days. Group A showed superior results in hair regrowth and symptomatic relief. Hair loss reduction reached 36.0% by Day 15, 76.0% by Day 30, and 88.0% by Day 45. Itching reduced by 40.0%, 77.1%, and 94.3% across the same intervals. Group B showed hair loss reduction of 16.0%, 52.0%, and 68.0%, and itching relief of 22.2%, 55.6%, and 81.5%, respectively. Overall improvement was 91.14% in Group A and 74.74% in Group B. The study concludes that Prachhanna followed by Guñjā lepa offers a more holistic and effective approach for Indralupta, addressing both Dosha imbalance and follicular regeneration.