Recent Herbal Proprietary Preparations for Liver Diseases: A Comparative Study

Liver is considered to be one of the most vital organs that functions as a centre of metabolism and excretion of waste metabolites. A number of risk factors predispose an individual to hepatic injury and thus liver diseases. Total death worldwide due to liver diseases raised by 50 million per year over two decades, according first ever WHO Study of Liver Disease Mortality. In recent years Indian Traditional Medicines like Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani have gained importance and popularity because of their safety and efficacy in liver diseases. Several Ayurvedic proprietary liver preparations are being extensively used in Ayurveda for the management of liver diseases. About 600 commercial herbal formulations with claimed hepato protective activity are being sold all over the world. In India more than 93 medicinal plants are used in different combinations in the preparation of 40 patented herbal formulations in the form of liquid and tablet. But very little is known when and how these formulations are to be used in present practice. Out of this easily available most commonly used liver preparations Adliv, Amlicure DS, Arkaliv, Ayuliv, Hepjaun, Kamilari, Kamilari plus, Liv Aid, Livercure, Livergen, Liv 52, Livobell, Livokin, Livomyn, Livpar, Nirocil, Stimuliv, Strongliv, Terfoliv and Vasuliv are taken for the study. These preparations are classified on various basis like available market form, Herbo-Herbomineral preparations etc. Kutaki is most commonly used single drug in maximum number of preparations followed by Bhringraj, Bhui Aamalaki, and Kalmegh. Individual drugs of the preparations are studied according to Rasa, Virya and Vipaka. Uses of individual drugs as well as of liver preparations are also studied in relations with liver diseases. Present study will definitely give a clue for standard herbal formulations based on physiopathology of liver disease which is a need of a day Keywords: Liver, Hepato protective, Herbal, Formulations.