Herbal Remedies for Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis

Abstract

Liver is the heaviest internal organ and found only in vertebrates. Its weight is around 1.2-1.5 kg. This organ is found in the right upper quadrant of abdomen, which detoxifies various metabolites, Proteins and other biochemical substances that are necessary for digestion. This is an accessory digestive organ which produces bile for breakdown of fats. The liver is the second largest organ present on the right side of the abdomen. The main job of the liver is the filtration of the blood coming from the digestive tract before spreading it to the whole body. The prevalence of liver disorders are increasing day by day in this present era. Due to bad dietary habits a person is suffering from liver disease. The most common liver diseases are fatty liver disease, cirrhosis of liver, Wilson’s disease etc. in this article we will discuss the progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis and its ayurvedic aspect in detail.

Introduction

Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis is a rare inherited condition characterized by disruption of bile formation. This is a disorder that causes progressive liver disease which leads to liver failure. In this disorder the liver is not able to produce enough bile which is a digestive juice. Stasis means stoppage of normal flow of anything. In this disease there is a stoppage of bile production. PFIC refers to the heterogenous group of autosomal recessive liver disease of childhood. Bile is a liquid which removes toxins from the blood. As blockage of the bile production means that toxins remain in the blood which further damage the liver cells.

As per Ayurvedic Aspect we Correlate this Disease with Rakta Vaha Srotas Dushti

Let’s just have a look at the Ayurvedic aspect of this After seeing the symptoms and causes of this disease we correlate this PFIC with raktavaha strota dushti. The basic cause of all the diseases in Ayurveda is an imbalance of tridosha i.e. Vata, Pitta and Kapha. When a pregnant mother consumes pitta vardhaka aahara (food items which vitiates pitta dosha) then there is imbalance in raktavaha strotas in the fetus which causes this disease as a beejdosha (genetic disorders).

As per Acharaya Charaka, he mentioned the various congenital deformities as:

Charaka Samhita sharirsthan 3/17

This shloka states that any kind of deformity in shukra (sperm) and shonita (ovum) will lead to beejdosha (genetic deformity) because garbhoutpadak beej (sperm and ovum) and beej bhag (genes/chromosomes) are responsible for the formation of child. So any kind of deformity in this beej bag will be responsible for the particular organ or organ system.

Etiology/Causes

This is a rare autosomal recessive inherited disorder in children. It is caused by defects in genes. There are defects in these genes i.e ATP8B1, ABCb11 and ABCB4 which causes improper production of bile and hamper the liver function.

Causes of rakta vaha srotas dushti as per Acharya Charaka¹

when a person eats unfavourable or contaminated food, consumption of excessive hot or  liquid food stuffs, excessive exposure to sun and fire and wind then rakta vaha srota get vitiated and cause liver disorders.

Clinical Features/Signs and Symptoms

Person who is suffering from this condition experiences following symptoms:

• Deficiency of vitamins such as A,D,E and K
• cholestasis
• Failure to thrive
• Watery diarrhea
• Liver and spleen enlargement
• Poor weight gain
• Loss of appetite
• Gallstones
• Jaundice
• Hepatocellular damage

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is made from lab investigation such as:

• Liver function test
• Ultrasound, CT scan or MRI
• Liver biopsy
• In PFIC-1 and 2 there is normal value of GGT (serum gamma-glutamyl-transferase), but markedly increase in the value of GGT in PFIC-3.
• A highly specialized test should be done for measuring the bile concentration in the blood.

Treatment

There is only symptomatic treatment available in modern medicine. But it progresses with time and ultimately leads to liver transplant. Some of the drugs which are used in this condition are:

• Ursodeoxycholic acid
• Rifampin
• Naloxone
• Cholestyramine

The above mentioned medicines carry a lot of side effects on the body and lead their way to drastic complications. Don’t worry! Ayurveda is here to help you. Now we are going to explain the herbal remedies provided by planet ayurveda for the management of Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis

Herbal Remedies for PFIC by Planet Ayurveda

Planet ayurveda is a leading herbal manufacturing company. This company manufactures various herbal products under the guidance of expert Ayurvedic physicians. The products are 100% natural and free from preservatives. This is an internationally certified company. The herbal products are made from standardized extracts of various potential herbs. Planet Ayurveda provides a liver care pack for this disease.

1. Yakritplihanatak churna
2. Phyllanthus niruri
3. Echinacea capsules
4. Liver detox capsules

1. Yakrit Plihantak Churna

This improves liver function naturally. It helps the liver to clear away the toxins. It removes excessive fat from the liver and helps to regenerate the damaged liver cells. It is the best herbal powder for liver detoxification. It improves the production of bile in the liver. This herbal product is made from the standardized extracts of following herbs:Bhumi amla (Phyllanthus niruri), Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), Katuki (Picrorhiza kurroa), Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), Makoy (Solanum indicum), Sharpunkha (Tephrosia purpurea) etc.

Dosage: ½ teaspoon twice a day after meals with lukewarm water.

2. Phyllanthus Niruri

This is a single herb formulation. It is very effective in liver disorders. It is also called stone breaker and helpful in kidney stones. It is a wonderful appetite stimulant. It has anti-hepatotoxic properties. This product is made from standardized extracts of Bhumi Amla (Phyllanthus niruri).

Dosage: 2 capsules twice a day with plain water after meals.

3. Echinacea Capsules

This is a natural powerful antiviral and antibiotic herb. Echinacea is used in maintaining liver functions. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antipyretic and anti-parasitic properties. It is helpful in bile production. This single herbal formulation is made from standardized extract of Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata).

Dosage: 1 capsules twice a day after meals with plain water.

4. Liver Detox Capsules

This is the formula of Planet Ayurveda. This formulation acts as an effective supplement for natural liver detoxification. It filters the cancer producing toxins. this is made from these herbs:Kutki (Picrorhiza kurroa), Biranjasipha (Achillea millefolium) , Makoy (Solanum indicum), Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), Kasni(Cichorium intybus), Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata)etc.

Dosage: 2 capsules twice a day after meals.

Conclusion

There is no treatment in allopathy, because they don’t know the exact reason for this condition and also they have only liver transplant option at last which has its own harmful side effects. But Ayurveda knows the exact cause and treatment for this disease and so Planet ayurveda offers products that are totally herbal and causes no further complications.

Reference

1. Charaka samhita Vimana Sthana 5/13