A randomized controlled trial with agents like ashwagandha would be interesting.

Why does Wai Yan Mins' answer sound like ChatGPT?

A Randomized controlled trials can dot it: to evaluate clinical efficacy of Ayurveda medication on Coronary artery stenosis/diseases

ashwagandha can be useful for coronary artery disease If RCT will carried out to make evidence Other Ayurvedicedicine might be useful for CAD having clot dissolving properly RCT needed to prove it

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is a multifactorial, chronic, and progressive cardiovascular condition that continues to be one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality globally. The disease is primarily characterized by the narrowing or blockage of coronary arteries due to the buildup of atherosclerotic plaques—lipid-rich deposits accompanied by fibrous tissue. However, its underlying pathophysiology extends far beyond simple lipid accumulation. CAD involves a complex interplay of systemic and local mechanisms, including chronic low-grade inflammation, oxidative stress, dyslipidemia, endothelial dysfunction, vascular smooth muscle proliferation, and platelet hyper-reactivity, all of which contribute to plaque formation, instability, and eventual thrombosis.

Conventional pharmacotherapy for CAD, such as statins, antiplatelet agents, ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and nitrates, are typically designed to target specific nodes within this complex network, such as lipid reduction or inhibition of platelet aggregation. While these interventions have undoubtedly improved outcomes, they often fall short in addressing the full spectrum of pathological processes underlying CAD. This results in what is often termed residual cardiovascular risk—persistent risk of events even after optimal medical management.

In this context, Ayurvedic medicine offers a fundamentally different approach, particularly through its use of polyherbal formulations and Rasayana therapies. These formulations are inherently pleiotropic—a term that refers to the ability of a single therapeutic agent or system to exert multiple biological effects across different molecular and physiological pathways. This is consistent with the Ayurvedic principle of addressing the root cause (Mula Hetu) rather than merely suppressing the symptoms (Lakshana). Traditional formulations are typically composed of multiple herbs, each containing diverse bioactive phytochemicals that work synergistically to restore dosha balance, enhance Ojas (vitality and immunity), and support the Srotas (microcirculatory channels)—a concept that aligns remarkably well with modern understandings of vascular health, inflammation, and metabolic regulation.

From a modern biomedical perspective, these formulations may simultaneously act as anti-inflammatory agents, antioxidants, lipid-lowering agents, vasodilators, endothelial protectants, and immunomodulators. For example, Terminalia arjuna, a well-known cardiotonic herb in Ayurveda, has demonstrated effects in lowering LDL cholesterol, inhibiting platelet aggregation, scavenging free radicals, improving left ventricular function, and modulating nitric oxide pathways—all indicative of its multi-target pharmacological profile.

Studying these pleiotropic effects through scientific methodologies such as molecular docking, systems biology, network pharmacology, transcriptomics, and integrative clinical trials not only helps us validate the traditional knowledge base of Ayurveda but also provides novel insights into the development of multi-target therapeutic strategies for complex diseases like CAD. Furthermore, the potential for synergistic and additive effects among phytoconstituents makes Ayurvedic formulations especially relevant in the era of personalized and systems medicine.

Thus, investigating the pleiotropic nature of Ayurvedic interventions in CAD does not merely provide complementary therapeutic options—it offers an expanded model of care that recognizes the interconnectedness of physiological systems, honors individual variability (Prakriti), and seeks to restore systemic harmony through holistic and sustainable interventions.

Thank you , I am working on this