Efficacy of Phalatrikadi Kwatha and Triphala Guggulu in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Pilot Single-Arm Interventional Study
Perera KPDC
Kulatunga RDH
ABSTRACT
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), closely associated with metabolic syndrome, is characterized by fat accumulation in the liver independent of alcohol consumption. Although Ayurvedic formulations such as Phalatrikadi Kwatha and Triphala Guggulu are traditionally recommended for liver disorders, their specific role in NAFLD remains underexplored. This pilot single-arm interventional study aimed to evaluate their efficacy in the management of NAFLD. Five patients (n = 5) with ultrasonography-confirmed NAFLD were recruited from two Ayurveda hospitals in Sri Lanka and treated with Phalatrikadi Kwatha (120 ml twice daily) and Triphala Guggulu (500 mg twice daily) for 60 days, with follow-up every 15 days. Clinical symptoms, biochemical and haematological parameters, anthropometric measures, and ultrasonography findings were assessed before and after treatment. Marked symptomatic relief, with fatigue, abdominal pain, and nausea improving by up to 97%. Liver enzymes showed notable reductions, with AST decreasing by 10.2 U/L and ALT by 20 U/L, indicating improved hepatic function. Lipid profiles improved with reductions in total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides, and a concomitant increase in HDL. Renal function showed mild enhancement without adverse effects. However, ultrasonography findings revealed no significant change in fatty liver grades, suggesting that structural improvement may require a longer treatment duration. As a pilot feasibility study, these results are preliminary and larger controlled trials of longer duration are needed to validate the findings and determine long-term effects. Overall, Phalatrikadi Kwatha and Triphala Guggulu appear promising in alleviating symptoms and improving biochemical markers in NAFLD.
Keywords: Liver diseases, Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Diseases, Ayurveda, Phalatrikadi Kwatha, Triphala Guggulu.