Department of Anatomy, Meenakshi Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research, Enathur, Meenakshi Nagar, Tamil Nadu – 631552, Mamata Academy of Medical Sciences, Bachupally
*Corresponding Author E-mail: keerthi.vathsalyasajja@gmail.com
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an increasingly prevalent liver disorder not linked to alcohol consumption. Often associated with metabolic syndrome, NAFLD can progress to severe conditions like non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Current treatment options are limited, prompting growing interest in alternative therapies such as Ayurveda.
The present study is aimed to assess the therapeutic potential of selected Ayurvedic formulations in mitigating liver damage and lipid abnormalities in albino rats with experimentally induced NAFLD. The objective was to evaluate liver function and lipid profile using blood parameters as a non-invasive alternative to biopsy.
Twenty-five male albino rats were divided into seven groups, including normal control, disease-induced, and five treatment groups. NAFLD was induced using a high-fat, high-sugar diet over 28 days. Treatments were administered orally for 21 days. Liver function tests (ALT, AST, ALP, total bilirubin) and lipid profiles (triglycerides, cholesterol) were measured before, during, and after the intervention. Statistical analysis was conducted using ANOVA, with p<0.05 considered significant.
The disease-induced group showed significantly elevated liver enzymes and lipid levels, confirming NAFLD. Among treatments, the combination of Arogyavardhini Vati (AV), Triphala Guggulu (TG), Patokaturohinyadi Kashayam (PK), Triphala Churna (TC), and Kutaki Churna (KC) showed the most substantial improvements across all parameters, closely followed by the pioglitazone and Vitamin E group. Groups receiving partial Ayurvedic treatments also showed moderate improvement, while castor oil alone was less effective.
The findings support the hepatoprotective and lipid-modulatory potential of Ayurvedic combinations in NAFLD management. The multi-component herbal formula demonstrated synergistic efficacy, suggesting that integrated herbal therapy could offer a promising non-invasive approach for NAFLD. Standard treatment with pioglitazone and Vitamin E also proved beneficial, validating its use as a comparator.
NAFLD, Ayurvedic medicine, Albino rats, Liver function, Lipid profile, Arogyavardhini Vati, Herbal therapy, Pioglitazone, Alternative medicine
