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Background: Altered gut flora is associated with the pathogenesis of both intestinal and extra-intestinal disorders. Aetiology of obesity is associated with mechanisms such as short chain fatty acid production, stimulation of hormones, chronic low-grade inflammation, lipoprotein and bile acid metabolism and increased endocannabinoid. Receptor system tone have been suggested to explain the role of gut microbiota of obesity. The Panchakarma (Ayurvedic purification methods) claims the management of metabolic disorders hence this work provides the target specific evidence for the clinical studies. The proposed project is aimed to explore the particular molecular mechanism and, to make this therapy more evidence based. Hence, it was hypothesized that Panchakarma-based intervention such as Virechana Karma (therapeutic purgation) may influence microbiota and help in the management of the obesity. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted to explore the effect of Virechana Karma over the gut flora; therefore, total of 19 patients with Madhyama Koshtha diagnosed with obesity were included and received the intervention. Before and after Virechana, a stool sample was collected and processed for the enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus -polymerase chain reaction to find the changes over the facultative aerobic bacteria. Results: It was found that Virechana is effective in the management of the obesity as it helps to reduce colonization of aerobic bacteria. After Virechana and after follow-up also, it showed the correction of the gut flora dysbiosis, thus initiated the weight loss mechanism in the body, resulting in diminution in the signs and symptoms of obesity. Conclusion: Virechana is effective in the management of the obesity due to reduction in the Escherichia coli colonization and is effective over the gut flora dysbiosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obesity is considered the world's oldest metabolic disorder. It is not a single disease entity, but a syndrome with many causes including combination of genetic, nutritional and sociological factors. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers obesity as ''Insidious, creeping pandemic which is now engulfing the entire world''. Diet and life-style play a significant role both in the development and control of obesity Sthaulya (obesity). In Ayurveda, Acharyas have mentioned about the use of Lekhaniya Vasti to manage the Sthaulya. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of Lekhaniya Kashaya Vasti in patients of Sthaulya. Materials and Methods: A total of 70 patients of Sthaulya were registered. Further they were divided into 2 groups each having 35 patients. In Group I (Lekhaniya Kashaya Vasti) group out of 35 patients 32 and in Group II (Pathya) group out of 35 patients 33 completed the follow-up. Results: In Group I, mean change was observed in body mass index (P < 0.001), waist hip ratio (P < 0.001). Overweight (P < 0.001), Kshudraswas (breathlessness) (P < 0.001) and Nidraadhikyata (excessive sleep) (P < 0.001) which is statistically significant in comparison with Group II. Conclusion: Trial drug is very good combination for Medoghna activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]