Decrease in shear wave elastography values and associated risk factors in patients of NAFLD with Unani treatment:...

Area of Science:

• Integrative medicine
• Hepatology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a growing global health issue with no approved treatments.
• Unani medicine utilizes de-obstruent and anti-inflammatory drugs to manage liver fat deposition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the efficacy of Unani drugs in treating NAFLD.
• To evaluate the impact of Unani medicine on biochemical and radiological markers of NAFLD.

Main Methods:

• A case series involving five ultrasound-diagnosed NAFLD patients over six months.
• Prescription of Unani drugs (R. emodi, D. costus, A. absinthium, Lac) for three months.
• NAFLD grading using shearwave elastography, alongside clinical and biochemical assessments.

Main Results:

• Significant reductions observed in Body Mass Index (BMI), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), and Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase (SGPT).
• All patients showed decreased liver stiffness (TAI values), with varying degrees of improvement.
• The Unani formulation demonstrated safety, with no adverse effects or significant changes in hemogram and kidney function tests (KFT).

Conclusions:

• The studied Unani drugs show promise in managing NAFLD hepatic pathology.
• These drugs may also address risk factors like obesity and hyperlipidemia associated with NAFLD.
• Further research into Unani medicine could offer a holistic approach to NAFLD management.