Abstract

Alcohol-induced liver cirrhosis is a public health problem, especially in developing nations where there is limited access to liver transplants. Ayurveda has known hepatoprotective effects and could offer an alternative way to treat chronic liver disease (CLD). This case series provided evidence of the treatment of three male patients with alcohol-induced liver cirrhosis, all patients had radiologically confirmed alcohol-induced liver cirrhosis, further they were treated with Ayurvedic treatment. All three patients were chronic alcohol drinkers who presented with the symptoms of cirrhosis.
We hereby present three male patients, radiologically diagnosed with alcohol-induced liver cirrhosis. These patients were suffering from recurrent ascites, esophageal varices, portal cavernoma, severe anemia, splenomegaly, and hepatic encephalopathy. After Hence, these patients were treated with Ayurvedic therapy.
Ayurvedic treatment protocol was implemented consisting of proprietary and classical herbo-metallic compounds, including Heerak Bhasma, Somnathi Tamra Bhasma, Arogyavardhini Rasa, Tapyadi Loha, Kavachbeej Choorna, and Aarevat Kalpa. The treatment goal was to restore the liver’s cellular regeneration, correct the Pitta imbalance, and treat complications including ascites and portal hypertension. After treatment clinical improvement was seen in all patients, as both hematological and biochemical markers returned to normal levels. Further, ultrasound follow-up evaluations demonstrated regression of liver fibrosis, resolution or decreased size of ascites, and improvement in liver architecture.
Our study confirmed that, the Ayurvedic treatment was safe, well tolerated, and effective in improving clinical outcomes in patients with alcohol-induced chronic liver disease. It also showed potential for sustained improvement, even in cases of relapse, and may offer a promising non-invasive therapeutic option, particularly suited for low-resource settings. However, larger controlled studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Key words: Alcohol-induced liver cirrhosis, Ayurveda, Herbo-metallic medicines, Liver transplantation