A Pilot Study on Efficacy of Vishakalpa (Shwetra lepa) in Shwetra (Vitiligo)

Shwetra (Vitiligo) is a skin disease which takes longer time to cure. It affects the external beauty of the body causing social stigma, shyness, loss of confidence, fear of comments marital problems, etc. The disease needs repeated shodhana and regular internal and external shaman chikitsa for longer duration. Objectives: To study the efficacy of Vishakalpa (Shwetra lepa) alone in the management of Shwetra and to provide a potent drug for sure and quick relief from Shwetra (vitiligo), this pilot study was carried out. Material and methods: Shwetra lepa was prepared and used as local application in 15 patients having newly diagnosed patches of vitiligo. The changes in shape, size and number of patches and VETI score was assessed before and after treatment. The data was analyzed with the help of parametric and non parametric tests. Results: Though there was no significant change in VETI score, minimal reduction in shape and size of patches, daha and kandu was observed with Shwetra lepa vati. Conclusion: One month study duration for local application of Shwetra lepa vati and sample size was found to be insufficient to prove the efficacy of Shwetra lepa. Hence it is recommended that Shwetra lepa should be used alone for longer period up to 6 to 9 months or it can be used along with repeated shodhana and continuous shamana chikitsa for 2 to 6 months for effective results.