EFFECT OF AYURVEDA TREATMENT IN ALLERGIC RHINITIS (ARAM)

EFFECT OF AN AGNI-MODULATING AYURVEDIC INTERVENTION ON GUT PERMEABILITY AND TH2-MEDIATED IMMUNE BIOMARKERS IN ALLERGIC RHINITIS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL PROTOCOL

Background Allergic Rhinitis is a chronic Th2-mediated inflammatory disorder associated with significant disease burden and impaired quality of life. Emerging evidence highlights the role of the gut-immune axis, intestinal permeability, and microbial-metabolic signaling in modulation of allergic immune responses. In , Agni is considered the fundamental regulator of digestion, metabolism, and physiological homeostasis. Disturbance in Agni may contribute to altered gut homeostasis and immune dysregulation. However, the relationship between Agni, gut permeability-associated mechanisms, and Th2-mediated immune response in allergic rhinitis remains insufficiently explored.

Aim To evaluate the effect of an Agni-modulating Ayurvedic intervention on Th2-mediated immune response and gut permeability-associated mechanisms in individuals with allergic rhinitis.

Objectives The primary objective is to evaluate the effect of an Agni-modulating Ayurvedic intervention on serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) levels in allergic rhinitis. Secondary objectives include assessment of gut permeability-associated biomarkers including serum zonulin and lactulose-mannitol test parameters, evaluation of changes in Agni status and clinical symptom severity, and exploration of associations between Agni status, gut permeability-associated biomarkers, and immune response. The study also aims to explore inter-individual variability based on Agni types and Prakriti.

Methods This study is designed as a randomized, controlled, assessor-blinded, parallel-group clinical trial with an embedded exploratory mechanistic component. A total of 104 participants aged 18-60 years diagnosed with allergic rhinitis based on standard clinical criteria and positive skin prick test will be recruited and randomized in a 1:1 ratio into intervention and control groups. The intervention group will receive a standardized Agni-modulating Ayurvedic treatment protocol consisting of Deepana-Pachana formulations followed by Amrita Ghritham along with Pathya-Apathya advice, in addition to standard conventional management. The control group will receive standard conventional management. Primary outcome measures include serum IgE, IL-4, serum zonulin, and lactulose-mannitol test parameters. Secondary outcomes include Agni assessment, Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS), eosinophil count, and subgroup analysis based on Agni and Prakriti.

Expected Outcome The study is expected to provide preliminary evidence regarding the relationship between Agni modulation, gut permeability-associated mechanisms, and Th2-mediated immune response in allergic rhinitis, and may contribute to biomarker-oriented translational and integrative approaches in allergic disease management.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Allergic Rhinitis (AR)
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: AYURVEDA treatment protocol; Drug: Control(Citrizine 10mg)

Detailed Description

Allergic rhinitis is a common chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by IgE-mediated and Th2-skewed immune responses, resulting in symptoms such as sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction, and itching. Although current therapies provide symptomatic relief, they have limited influence on upstream mechanisms involved in immune sensitization and regulation.

Emerging evidence suggests that the gut-immune axis plays an important role in allergic diseases. Alterations in gut microbial balance, intestinal permeability, and microbial-metabolic signaling have been implicated in modulation of immune responses and allergic inflammation. In addition, growing interest has focused on the gut-lung axis and its contribution to respiratory allergic disorders.

In Ayurveda, Agni is considered the fundamental regulator of digestion, metabolism, and physiological homeostasis. Disturbance of Agni is traditionally associated with impaired digestive and metabolic function and may contribute to systemic dysregulation. Contemporary research has suggested possible links between metabolic homeostasis, gut physiology, epithelial barrier integrity, and immune responsiveness, providing a potential translational framework for exploring Ayurvedic concepts in allergic disease.

This randomized controlled clinical trial is designed to evaluate the effects of an Agni-modulating Ayurvedic intervention in individuals with allergic rhinitis. The study incorporates an exploratory mechanistic component to investigate potential associations between Agni modulation, gut permeability-associated mechanisms, and Th2-mediated immune responses. Biomarker-based assessment will be used to explore changes in immune activation and gut barrier function alongside clinical outcomes.

The intervention is based on classical Ayurvedic principles of Deepana and Pachana and includes standardized Ayurvedic formulations administered under clinical supervision along with dietary regulation intended to support Agni and gut homeostasis. Participants in the control arm will receive standard conventional management.

The study is expected to generate preliminary evidence regarding the relationship between Agni modulation, gut permeability-associated mechanisms, and allergic immune responses. Findings may contribute to the development of biomarker-oriented translational approaches for understanding integrative mechanisms in allergic rhinitis and may provide a foundation for future mechanistic and personalized medicine research.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 104
• Phase: Not Applicable

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

**Inclusion Criteria:**

• Participants aged 18-40 years.
• Clinical diagnosis of Allergic Rhinitis based on standard diagnostic criteria.
• Positive skin prick test to relevant allergens.
• Presence of active allergic rhinitis symptoms at the time of recruitment.
• Willingness to participate and provide written informed consent.
• Willingness to comply with study procedures, laboratory investigations, and follow-up assessments.

**Exclusion Criteria:**

• Severe systemic illness.
• Immunodeficiency disorders.
• Autoimmune diseases.
• Chronic gastrointestinal disorders that may influence gut permeability parameters.
• Other chronic inflammatory conditions that may influence immune response.
• Long-term immunosuppressive therapy.
• Systemic corticosteroid therapy.
• Biologic therapy.
• Use of medications known to significantly alter immune response or gut microbiota.
• Use of antibiotics within the previous 3 months.
• Use of probiotics within the previous 3 months.
• Use of prebiotics within the previous 3 months.
• Pregnancy.
• Lactation.
• Known food allergy or hypersensitivity to study medications.
• Severe psychiatric illness.
• Inability to comply with study procedures.
• Current participation in another clinical trial.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: AYURVEDA; Participants allocated to the intervention group will receive a standardized Agni-modulating Ayurvedic treatment protocol based on the principles of Deepana and Pachana, aimed at restoration of digestive and metabolic homeostasis. The intervention protocol will include administration of selected classical Ayurvedic formulations, including ghrita-based and fermented preparations, along with dietary regulation (Pathya-Apathya) intended to support Agni and gut homeostasis. The treatment protocol will be standardized with respect to formulation, dosage, frequency, duration, and method of administration, and will be implemented under clinical supervision throughout the study period.	Other: AYURVEDA treatment protocol; The intervention protocol will include administration of selected classical Ayurvedic formulations, including ghrita-based and fermented preparations, along with dietary regulation (Pathya-Apathya) intended to support Agni and gut homeostasis. The treatment protocol will be standardized with respect to formulation, dosage, frequency, duration, and method of administration, and will be implemented under clinical supervision throughout the study period.; Other Names: VAISHWANARAM CHOORNAM; VISHA VILWADY GUTIKA; AMRITA GHRITHM; SURASASAVAM
Active Comparator: CONTROL; Participants in the control group will receive cetirizine 10 mg bedtime for 4 weeks as defined in the study protocol.	Drug: Control(Citrizine 10mg); contril group patients will be receiving the Citrizine 10 mg daily during bed time; Other Names: Citrizine

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Serum Immunoglobulin E (IgE) Level	Change in serum IgE concentration from Baseline to Week 4 as a marker of allergic immune response.	Baseline and Week 4
Change in Serum Interleukin-4 (IL-4) Level	Change in serum IL-4 concentration from Baseline to Week 4 as a marker of Th2-mediated immune response.	Baseline and Week 4
Change in Serum Zonulin Level	Change in serum zonulin concentration from Baseline to Week 4 as a surrogate biomarker associated with intestinal permeability.	Baseline and Week 4

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Serum Interleukin-5 (IL-5) Level	Change in serum IL-5 concentration from Baseline to Week 4 as an exploratory marker of Th2-associated immune activity.	Baseline and Week 4
Change in Serum Interleukin-13 (IL-13) Level	Change in serum IL-13 concentration from Baseline to Week 4 as an exploratory marker of allergic inflammation.	Baseline and Week 4
Change in Lactulose-Mannitol Ratio	Change in urinary lactulose-mannitol ratio from Baseline to Week 4 as an assessment of intestinal permeability.	Baseline and Week 4
Change in Agnibala Assessment Score	Change in Agnibala score measured using the validated Agnibala Assessment Tool. Scores range from 20 to 100, with higher scores indicating better digestive strength.	Baseline, Week 2, and Week 4
Change in Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS)	Change in Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS). Total score ranges from 0 to 12, with higher scores indicating greater symptom severity.	Baseline, Week 2, and Week 4
Change in Absolute Eosinophil Count	Change in peripheral blood absolute eosinophil count from Baseline to Week 4.	Baseline and Week 4
Change in Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-20 (SNOT-20) Score	Change in SNOT-20 score. Total score ranges from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating poorer sinonasal health-related quality of life.	Baseline and Week 4

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham

Publications and helpful links

Helpful Links

• Related Info

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): June 30, 2028
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 30, 2029
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 30, 2030

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 22, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 29, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): June 4, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 4, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 29, 2026
• Last Verified: May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: allergic rhinitis; IgE; ayurveda; agni; gut-immune axis; Th2 immunity; Serum Zonulin; Lactose-Mannitol test
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Immune System Diseases; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Respiratory Hypersensitivity; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Hypersensitivity; Nose Diseases; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases; Rhinitis; Rhinitis, Allergic
• Other Study ID Numbers: RHINITIS PROTOCOL 2026

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No