Ayurveda management of alcoholic liver disease with acute hepatitis B: A case report

Abstract

Hepatitis B is a viral infection affecting millions of people across the globe. It is one of the common causes of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma and there is no specific treatment available. In Ayurveda, such conditions can be managed in line of Kamala (~jaundice). A 44 year old male patient with jaundice and abnormal liver functions (high transaminases and hyper bilirubinemia) positive hepatitis B marker and fatty liver. The patient was elsewhere diagnosed to be suffering from viral hepatitis and visited to the outpatient department with reports suggesting of acute viral hepatitis B and Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD). He was administered Ayurvedic medications along with dietary advices for 72 days. There was a significant improvement in clinical findings, reduction in liver transaminases, and fatty infiltration during the treatment. The patient became hepatitis B surface antigen negative, though no studies on reduction in viral load of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and anti-HBc (Hepatitis B core antibody) was done, but the clinical improvements and reduction in transaminase and fatty liver indicate a possible role of Ayurvedic therapy in hepatic injury due to HBV and ALD. This case report also warrants further study of Ayurvedic therapy in other liver conditions.