Can Ayurveda boost TB recovery? India launches global-first clinical trial
New Delhi: On World Tuberculosis Day, India announced the launch of the world’s first clinical study to scientifically evaluate Ayurveda as an adjunct to standard Anti-Tuberculosis Treatment (ATT), the government confirmed on Tuesday.
The collaborative study, led by the Department of Biotechnology and the Ministry of Ayush, will enrol 1,250 newly diagnosed tuberculosis patients across eight institutions. The trial aims to assess Ayurveda’s potential benefits alongside conventional treatment, focusing on body weight, nutritional outcomes, disease progression, quality of life, safety, and tolerability.
Union Minister of State for Science & Technology, Jitendra Singh, described the study as a demonstration of a “whole-of-science” approach, integrating biotechnology with traditional medicine, and a “whole-of-government” approach through inter-ministerial collaboration.
Director General of the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Prof. Vaidya Rabinarayan Acharya, said the initiative has progressed through consultations, protocol finalisation, and regulatory approvals.
Director of BRIC-NII, Dr Debasisa Mohanty, highlighted that the study will investigate tuberculosis-associated cachexia as an immune-metabolic condition, using advanced tools such as DEXA scans, MRI, immune profiling, metabolomics, and single-cell RNA sequencing to track changes in body composition, immune function, and energy metabolism.
The trial seeks to evaluate how integrative interventions may improve recovery and long-term outcomes for TB patients, according to the Ministry of Science & Technology.
Minister Singh emphasised that India, which accounts for nearly 25 per cent of the global TB burden, has witnessed a 21 per cent reduction in tuberculosis incidence over the last decade, reaching about 187 cases per 100,000 population in 2024. He credited this decline to India’s innovative and patient-centric approach under the National TB Elimination Programme, which focuses on early diagnosis, universal drug susceptibility testing, digital adherence technologies, and integrated care.
Singh also highlighted the link between TB and comorbidities such as diabetes, where each condition can exacerbate the other, underscoring the need for integrated treatment strategies.
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The minister further noted the contribution of the RePORT India programme, one of the world’s largest TB research consortia, which has enrolled over 4,500 TB patients and 5,000 household contacts, generating evidence that informs WHO guidelines on nutrition and tuberculosis.
The trial represents a major step in India’s fight against TB, combining traditional Ayurvedic interventions with modern medical practices to accelerate recovery and support the country’s goal of achieving a TB-free India.
IANS