Clinico-biochemical study of Infective Hepatitis with Special Reference to Liv.52 Therapy
Dave, D.S., M.D. (Paed.), D.C.H., Reader and Head of the Department of Paediatrics Rajput, V.J., M.D. (Paed.), Lecturer in Paediatrics, and Gupta, M.R., M.B.,B.S., D.C.H., Research Assistant, Department of Paediatrics, G.R. Medical College, Gwalior, M.P., India.
In our observations we found that the average number of days for the clearance of jaundice in groups A and B were 18 and 25 days, respectively. More weight gain was observed in group A cases. Improvement in relief of symptoms – nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, general condition and return of appetite was quicker in the Liv.52 group as compared to the control series. Diminution of size of liver and spleen were observed in all cases but more rapidly in the Liv.52 group.
It was noted that Liv.52 had brought down the values of serum bilirubin 3.5 mgm/100 cc of blood within 15 days in comparison to 1.3 mg/100 cc in those cases where Liv.52 was not administered (Tables 6,7 and 10). The alkaline phosphate was brought down 7.5 K.A. units/100 cc of blood within 15 days of Liv.52 therapy (Tables 8, 9 and 10).
CONCLUSION
The exact mode of action of Liv.52 is still not fully understood. It stimulates hepatic function and possibly by reducing intra-hepatic congestion by its anti-inflammatory action, it relieves cholestasis, and clears the jaundice, which in the words of Bradley (1963) is the unique clinical manifestation of hyper bilirubinaemia.
It is also likely that it helps in quicker regeneration of hepatic parenchyma. It is a powerful hepatic stimulant and choleretic, which markedly increases the functional efficiency of the liver. It improves digestion and relieves flatulence and discomfort. The drug regulates plasma protein concentration. Liver function tests return to normal or near normal. Liv.52 brings about marked improvement in appetite, a feeling of well-being and gain in body weight. It has a pronounced anabolic action. It has also stomachic and diuretic actions. These actions are, in all likelihood, due to the different components of Liv.52. Thus it brings about its definite although non-specific protective action on the liver in more ways than one.
Due to its anti-inflammatory action it resembles the corticosteroids in its action. As the use of corticosteroids has to be limited. Liv.52 can be used freely to achieve the same anti-inflammatory effects in infective hepatitis.
SUMMARY
A clinical trial of Liv.52 was carried out in 30 cases while 5 cases served as controls. The recovery was assessed by physical, clinical and laboratory tests. The therapeutic results have been compared with control cases.
The drug is safe, non-toxic and it has multiple actions i.e. hepatic stimulant, choleretic, stomachic, anabolic, eutrophic, lipotropic, has a protective effect on hepatic parenchyma against toxic agents, as diuretic and improves digestion, relieves flatulence and discomfort, accelerates metabolic activity, promotes regeneration of liver cells, encourages normal growth in children, stimulates normal haemopoiesis, hastens recovery and cuts short the period of convalescence and improves the liver function tests to normal. By virtue of these actions the use of Liv.52 in infective hepatitis is recommended.
ACKONWLEDGEMENT
We are thankful to Professor I.P. Agrawal, Dean, G.R. Medical College and Dr. Hissamuddin, Joint Director and Superintendent, J.A. Group of Hospitals, Gwalior, for permission to publish the article. We thank Messers The Himalaya Drug Co., for the supply of Liv.52 used in these clinical trials.
REFERENCES
1. Arora, Major J.K.: 'Role of various types of treatment in infectious hepatitis'. Armed Forces Medical Journal (1969): 3, 362.
2. Bradley, S.E.: Cecil Loeb Textbook of Medicine (1963): II edition, page 1027, W. Saunders.
3. Captain, S.R. and Syed, A.H: 'Clinical studies on Lvi.52 in race horses'. The Indian Veterinary Journal (1966): 43, 11.
4. Dayal, R.S. et al.: 'A clinico-pathological study of hepatomegaly with special reference to Liv.52 therapy'. Journal of the Indian Medical Profession (1970): 9, 7768.
5. Joglekar, G.V. et al. 'Protection of indigenous drugs against hepatotoxic effects of carbon tetrachloride in mice'. Acta Pharmacol et toxicol (1963): 20, 73.
6. Joglekar, G.V. and Leevy, C.M.: 'Effect of indigenous drugs on I.C.G. clearance with autoadiographic patterns in albino rats with experimentally induced hepatotoxicity'. Journal of the Indian Medical Profession (1970): 12, 7480.
7. Jaffari, S.M.H. and Shyamraj: 'Liv.52 in infective hepatitis'. The Antiseptic (1969): 5, 353.
8. Karandikar, S.M. et al.: 'Protection by indigenous drugs against hepatotoxic effects of carbon tetrachloride – A long-term study'. Acta Pharmacol et toxicol (1963): 20, 274.
9. Mathur, P.S.: 'Some clinical observations on the use of Liv.52 in cases of cirrhosis of liver in children'. Current Medical Practice (1957): 2, 107.
10. Murkhibhavi, G.R. and Sheth, U.K.: 'Treatment of jaundice in dogs with an indigenous preparation Liv.52'. The Indian Veterinary Journal (1957): 4, 276.
11. Northover, B.J. et al.: Ind. J. of Paed. (1960): 149, 202.
12. Patel, Jal R. and Sadre, N.L.: 'Effect of Liv.52 on structural and functional damage caused by some hepatotoxic agents'. Probe (1963): 1, 19.
13. Prasad, L.S. and Prasad, K.: 'Some observations on Liv.52 in the treatment of infective hepatitis and cirrhosis of liver'. Probe (1971): 3, 114.
14. Patrao, S.: Journal of the Indian Medical Profession (1957): 8, 1878.
15. Prasad, L.S. and Tripathy, D.: 'Studies with Liv.52'. Probe (1969): 1, 1.
16. Qazi, I.H.: 'Effect of Liv.52 on biochemical and functiona