Study of hepatoprotective effect of a non-pharmacopoeial Unani compound drug in patients of viral hepatitis

Elevation of Marker Serum enzymes of liver functiuon and prolongation of prothrombin time are two important indications of liver cell injury and a common manifestation in patients of viral hepatitis. Effect of a non-pharmacopoeial combination of four Unani drugs viz. Solanum nigrum, Cichorium intybus, Cassia occidentalis and Achillea millefolium was investigated on SGOT, SGPT, Alk. Phosphatase, S. Bilirubin and prothrombin time in patients of viral Hepatitis A. Freshly collected juice of the leaves was administered in two divided doses of 25 ml each for 3 weeks and the above mentioned values were estimated weekly. It was found that the test combination produced remarkable hepatoprotective effect by bringing down the enzymes level and prothrombin time significantly, which were found elevated in pretreated patients. Since all the four drugs have been reported to possess many flavonoid compounds which have free radical scavenging property, the antioxidant activity appears to be likely mechanism of hepatoprotective effects