Early viral response in chronic hepatitis c patients treated with a polyherbal unani formulation – a case series

In Unani medicine liver occupies prime importance and has been mentioned as the seat of humour production. Any derangement in the functioning of liver will certainly effect the functioning of whole body. A number of single and polyherbal formulations are being used in the management of hepatic disorders. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of Arq Murakab Mussafi Khoon (AMMK) in the chronic hepatitis C (CHC). We conducted a case series with five diagnosed treatment naïve cases of CHC. The diagnosis was reconfirmed by standard diagnostic procedures including Anti HCV antibody and HCV (RNA) quantitative. The constituents of AMMK possess antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and immunomodulatory activity. Viral response was evaluated on the basis of Early Viral Response (EVR) after 12 weeks of treatment. Out of 5 patients partial EVR was observed in 2 patients, although the other 3 patients did show marked reduction in viral load but could not qualify for partial EVR, as the reduction in viral number was less than 2 log. We concluded that AMMK may have a therapeutic effect in CHC but further large scale randomized controlled trials should be carried out.