1. Methodology & Evidence in Ayurvedic Research

RCT Limitations & Alternative Models

• A 2021 review in Journal of Ayurveda Integrative Medicine highlights the challenges of standard RCTs for Ayurveda (e.g. individualized interventions) and advocates for modified or non‑hierarchical study designs tailored to whole systems medicine.

2. Osteoarthritis Clinical Evidence

Ayurvedic Interventions for OA Review

• A systematic review (2014) analyzed 19 RCTs and 14 non-randomized trials (~2,952 patients), finding:

  • Rumalaya (herbal compound) significantly reduced pain (SMD –3.73) and improved overall condition (RR = 12.20).

  • Shunti‑Guduchi showed improvements comparable to glucosamine.

  • Other interventions like massage and steam showed mixed results, but no serious safety events reported.

3. Type 2 Diabetes & Hypercholesterolemia Trials

Systematic Review: Ayurvedic Diabetes Management

• A 2022 meta-analysis from Frontiers in Pharmacology concluded Ayurvedic herbal formulations were generally effective and safe in managing Type 2 diabetes—with moderate-to-significant glycemic control across multiple herbs/formulations.

Hypercholesterolemia Herbal RCT Meta-Analysis

• A meta-analysis in Medicina (2021) found traditional Ayurvedic herbs significantly improved lipid profiles in statin-resistant or statin-intolerant populations, with acceptable safety profiles.

 4. Emerging & Computational Studies

Herbo-Phytochemical Profiling via Spectroscopy

• Late-2024 research analyzed classical products like Triphala and Jirakadyarishtam using GC‑MS/LC‑MS and spectroscopy, confirming bioactive compounds and demonstrating significant antimicrobial and α‑glucosidase inhibitory (anti-diabetic) activity (P < 0.0001) arXiv.

AI-Optimized Herbal Prescriptions for Epilepsy

• A May 2025 study developed an AI system evaluating ~1,872 natural compounds, identifying 17 high‑efficacy herbs (e.g. Withania somnifera) showing a 28.5 % greater seizure reduction over standard protocols in a clinical pilot (n=120; p = 0.003).

5. Evidence for Ayurgenomics & Prakriti Diagnostics

• Multiple recent studies explore the genomics of Ayurvedic constitution (Prakriti), linking prakriti categories to physiological traits, gut microbiome signatures, cardiovascular risk, and drug metabolism—providing evidence-based roots for personalized Ayurveda. Examples: protocols for diabetes predisposition, biochemical associations, HLA link studies, and Prakriti–sleep quality relationships.

6. Rheumatoid Arthritis Quality Control Trial

• A double-blind RCT compared classical Ayurvedic medicine vs. methotrexate vs. their combination in rheumatoid arthritis patients. It demonstrated that quality-controlled Ayurvedic protocols can be rigorously evaluated in modern clinical settings.

Summary Table