Abstract

The study was planned to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Livwin (polyherbal formulation) in acute viral hepatitis. In this study, there were 29 patients in each group, receiving either Livwin or placebo.  Livwin capsules contains Terminalia arjuna -100 mg, Withania somnifera - 100 mg, Phyllanthus niruri -  100 mg, Berberis aristata - 50 mg, Tinospora cordofolia - 75 mg, Picrorhiza kurroa - 50 mg,  Boerhaavia diffusa - 50 mg. Placebo capsules contains lactose 500 mg. Both drugs were given orally, two capsules 2 times a day for 8 weeks followed by treatment free period of 4 weeks.  Recovery of patients assessed by clinical parameters: fever, weakness, icterus and tender, enlarged liver and by biochemical parameters: serum bilirubin, SGOT (Serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase), SGPT (Serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase), serum alkaline phosphatase at baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks. Significant clinical recovery was observed in the form of icterus and weakness with Livwin as compared to placebo at 2 and 4 weeks (P < 0.001).  There was significant reduction in mean levels of serum bilirubin, SGOT and SGPT at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks with Livwin as compared with placebo (P < 0.001). Significant reduction in mean levels of serum alkaline phosphatase with Livwin  at 2 weeks (P < 0.01) and 4 weeks (P < 0.05) as compared with placebo. Mean serum bilirubin reduced by 6.72 mg/dl with Livwin and with placebo reduced by 3.64 mg/dl at 2 weeks (P < 0.001). Mean SGOT reduced by 609.11 IU/ L with Livwin and with placebo reduced by 240.34 IU/L at 2 weeks (P < 0.001). Mean SGPT reduced by 920.65 IU/L with Livwin and with placebo reduced by 326.96 IU/L at 2 weeks (P < 0.001). Livwin had shown good efficacy in patients of acute viral hepatitis. Adverse events like epigastric pain and diarrhoea were recorded with Livwin treatment and were not significant as compared to placebo.

Key words: Acute hepatitis, liver function test, Phyllanthus niruri, Tinospora cordofolia.