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Hepano
Hepano
155]
Original Article
Abstract
Objective: Hepano Tablet is an Ayurvedic herbal formulation studied in pre‑clinical models for safety and hepatoprotective efficacy. The current
study was a randomized, active controlled, multicentre, prospective clinical study that aimed to evaluate hepatoprotective efficacy and safety
of Hepano Tablets. Materials and Methods: Male and female liver diseases patients (18‑65 years) with abnormal liver function tests were
randomized to receive two tablets twice daily orally of either Hepano or a marketed comparator for 8 weeks with follow up at day 7, 14, 28 &
56 during treatment period and thereafter at day 84. Results were assessed from baseline to end of treatment basis changes in liver function tests
and improvement in clinical symptoms of icterus in both the groups. Safety was assessed at all the visits basis changes in laboratory parameters
and adverse event reporting for all cases who took at least one dose of the study drug. Results: Hepano Tablet and marketed comparator showed
significant improvement in Liver functions ‑ Serum Aspartate transaminase (AST), Alanine transaminase (ALT) and Total, Direct and Indirect
Bilirubin Levels and a significant reduction in clinical symptoms of icterus that was comparable at all the visits. Conclusion: Hepano Tablets
can significantly improve Liver Function Tests and clinical symptoms in liver disease patients and could be consumed safely.
Keywords: Ayurveda, hepatoprotective, herbal, liver disorders, liver function test, serum alanine transaminase, serum aspartate
transaminase, total bilirubin
reflected by biochemical abnormalities of different hepatic College and Hospital, Amravati (site 04) in subjects presenting
systems or of liver function. Liver function tests (LFTs) reflect with liver disorders and having abnormal LFTs. This study was
hepatocyte integrity or cholestasis apart from the state of performed in the period spanning March 2014 to August 2015.
liver functions. Injury to the liver, whether acute or chronic,
The study was initiated after approval from the Institutional
eventually results in an increase in serum concentrations of
Ethics Committees of respective sites and all patients gave
aminotransferases aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine
written informed consent. The trial was registered with
transaminase (ALT). A change in serum albumin level or
Clinical Trial Registry of India with No. CTRI/2014/02/0044
prothrombin time and international normalized ratio (PT/INR)
on February 17, 2014. The trial protocol can be accessed at:
may be associated with a decrease in liver functioning mass,
http://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/advsearch.php.
although neither is specific for liver disease.[2]
Although there has been remarkable progress in discovering
Study products and blinding
Hepano tablet batch no.: AP/0008/1012/HPT‑20; mfd: October
treatment of chronic liver diseases over the past several
2012; expiry: September 2014 was used in the present study.
decades, most of the therapies have not yielded satisfactory
The composition details of Hepano tablet are given in Table 1.
outcomes. At times, the available synthetic drugs to treat liver
disorders may cause further damage to the liver. The cost of Marketed Comparator Batch No. 37201823B and 37401221B,
conventional drugs, adverse drug reactions, and their inefficacy mfd: October 2012 and August 2014 with expiry in September
has further limited their use. Herbal medicines have been 2015 and July 2017, respectively, were used in the current
used for healthcare since long as they are believed to have study. Each tablet of Marketed Comparator comprised
lesser or milder adverse effects and recently, an increasing ingredients such as Capparis spinosa Linn., Cichorium intybus
number of herbal products, including medicinal herbs and Linn., Solanum nigrum Linn., Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.)
phytochemicals, have been used for treating chronic liver Bedd., Cassia occidentalis Linn., Achillea millefolium Linn.,
diseases. Studies have indicated herbs can protect the liver Tamarix gallica Linn., and calcined ferric oxide along with
by several mechanisms such as eliminating viruses, blocking other herbal ingredients.
fibrogenesis, inhibiting oxidative injury, and suppressing
Although the double‑blind study design was followed, the
tumorigenesis.[8,9]
study was not double‑blind in a true sense, because size/shape/
Hepano tablet (Mfd: Dabur India Limited) is a proprietary color of tablets in both the group was different. However, the
Ayurvedic herbal formulation that contains the goodness of primary packing of the two study drugs was kept absolutely
herbs like Tinospora cordifolia (Thunb.) (Miers, Azadiracthta similar (PET bottles) to keep both investigators as well as the
indica A. Juss¸ Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall. ex subject blind of which drug they received.
Nees), Terminalia chebula Retz., Emblica officinalis Gaertn.
Subjects
and Picrorrhiza kurrooa L. etc., that have traditionally been
Patients included were male and female subjects aged between
used in liver disorders.[10,11] Preclinical studies on Hepano
18 and 65 years of age who were suffering from clinical icterus
tablet have demonstrated hepatoprotective activity against
as manifested by one or more of the symptoms - dark colored
paracetamol and D-galactosamine-induced liver toxicity
urine, light‑colored stools, pruritus, pruritic red hives, fatigue,
through significant (P < 0.001, vs. toxicant) reduction in serum
fever, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, aversion to smoking, right
AST, ALT, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin
upper abdominal discomfort, pain or feeling of pressure in
levels; as well as decreased lipid peroxidation. Moreover, there
abdomen, and abnormal LFT (serum total bilirubin [TBL]
was a significant elevation (P < 0.001, vs. toxicant) in serum
level ≥2 mg/dl, AST or ALT >2 times ULN of respective
albumin and glutathione levels compared to toxicant groups.[12]
laboratories), subjects who could take oral medications,
The rationale behind conducting the current clinical study was
were willing to participate in the study and undertake all the
to establish the efficacy and safety of an Ayurvedic herbal
study-related procedures and practice effective contraception
hepatoprotective formulation “Hepano tablets” in patients of
method during the study period.
liver disorder with abnormal LFTs. Results were evaluated
in comparison to a marketed herbomineral comparator with
established safety and efficacy. Table 1: Composition details of Hepano tablet (828 mg
each)
materIals and methods Botanical name Quantity (mg)/tablet
Study design Phyllanthus niruri (Pl.) 286.5
This study was a double‑blind, randomized, active‑controlled, Tinospora cordifolia (St.), Azadirachta indica 286.25 each
(St.Bk.), Andrographis paniculata (Pl.)
multicenter, prospective clinical study conducted across four
Terminalia chebula (P.), Emblica 94.5 each
sites in Maharashtra, India, namely, R. A. Podar Medical officinalis (P.), Terminalia belerica (P.)
College (Ayurvedic) and M.A. Podar Hospital Worli (site 01); Picrorhiza kurroa (Rt., Rz.) 71.25
Sumatibhai Shah Ayurved Hospital, Pune (site 02); Ayurved Permitted colors and excipients. P.: Pericarp, Pl.: Plant, St.: Stem,
Seva Sangh Vibhag, Nashik (site 03); Shri Gurudeo Ayurved St.Bk.: Stem bark, Rt.: Root, Rz.: Rhizome
Subjects having the presence of clinically significant laboratory, subjective clinical improvement assessment scale where,
electrocardiogram (ECG) or X‑ray findings during screening, 0 represented none/absence of sign/symptom, 1 = mild,
history of drug addiction, chronic alcoholics, immunologically 2 = moderate, 3 = severe sign/symptom. The subjects were
compromised subjects, suspected hypersensitivity to contents monitored for the clinical symptoms of liver dysfunctions
of Hepano tablet or contents of Marketed Comparator, known such as chills, headache, malaise, anorexia, nausea, vomiting,
case of hepatitis‑B or hepatitis‑C, obstructive jaundice diarrhea, upper abdominal pain, tender liver, enlarged spleen,
(diagnosed clinically and biochemically), advanced liver dark urine, and yellow tint to the sclera.
disease (e.g., ascites, bleeding esophageal varices and hepatic
Assessment of safety parameters
encephalopathy, hepatic cancer), uncontrolled diabetes
Safety was assessed using clinical review of all safety
mellitus, hypertension, symptomatic congestive heart failure,
parameters, including laboratory investigations‑hematology,
unstable angina, history of myocardial infarction, subjects who
biochemistry, ECG and urine analysis, adverse event (AE)
had participated in any other clinical trial within 3 months reporting as applicable, and monitoring of vitals (pulse rate,
before recruitment in this study, current or recent (≤2 weeks) respiratory rate, body temperature, and blood pressure). Safety
use of herbal hepatoprotective drugs, pregnant or lactating assessment was done for all cases who took at least one dose
females, subjects having any other medical condition that in of the study drug at all the visits.
the investigator’s opinion would preclude patient participation
were excluded. Statistical analysis
The primary population for this study was per-protocol
Methodology population. With almost fifty subjects in each group, the sample
A written informed consent was obtained from subjects size was sufficient for analysis of change in LFTs. The primary
on the screening visit (day‑3), and they were evaluated for efficacy endpoint was analyzed using two proportion test. The
eligibility to participate as per inclusion and exclusion criteria. 95% confidence interval was constructed for the proportion,
Subjects’ demographic details, medical history, physical all other secondary outcomes were analyzed by applying
examination, vitals (blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory appropriate statistical methods like proportion test, t‑test, etc.,
rate, temperature), history of prior medication were recorded The value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
and laboratoryinvestigations - complete blood count [CBC] Data are expressed as a mean ± standard error.
(red blood cell [RBC], white blood cell [WBC], hemoglobin,
platelets), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), fasting blood
sugar, LFT, renal function test (RFT) (serum creatinine), lipid
results
profile (serum total cholesterol and triglycerides), X‑ray chest, Demographic details
and ECG were done. Females of childbearing age underwent A total of 147 subjects were screened for eligibility. There were
a urine pregnancy test to rule out pregnancy. 15 screen failures and 132 subjects were enrolled. Enrolled
subjects were randomized equally (66 each) into either of the
Interventions and dosage study groups. In Hepano tablet group, 50 subjects (43 male and
Subjects confirming eligibility criteria were randomized 1:1 7 female) completed the total study duration, and 16 patients
at day 0 (baseline) to receive two tablets orally B.D. of either dropped out for reasons not related to study or study products.
Hepano tablet or marketed herbomineral comparator for In Marketed Comparator group, a total 51 subjects (39 male and
8 weeks by investigator/CRC. 12 female) completed the total study duration, and 15 subjects
dropped out for reasons not related to study or study products.
Response evaluation and follow-up
There was no significant difference between the average ages
The total duration of the study after randomization was
of subjects in the study groups [Figure 1].
12 weeks including a treatment period of 8 weeks and further
subject follow-up after 4 weeks after cessation of medication. Assessment efficacy
Subjects were followed up during the treatment phase at day Aspartate aminotransferase
7, 14, 28, 56, and thereafter at day 84. First subject enrollment Both Hepano group and Marketed Comparator group showed
at site 01 was on March 4, 2014 and date of last follow‑up at a significant reduction in mean AST levels from baseline
site 04 was August 17, 2015. at all follow‑up visits. Mean serum AST levels reduced by
44.10, 56.98, 61.25 and 66.76% at day 7, 14, 28, and 56 in
Assessment of efficacy parameters
Hepano group when compared to its baseline value, whereas
The efficacy of the study drug was assessed through
in the Marketed Comparator group, this reduction was 31.28,
improvement in the hepatic condition as measured by the
45.29, 46.11, and 53.27%, respectively [Figure 2]. Between
biochemical and clinical improvement. The biochemical
the groups, analysis showed no significant difference at any
improvement was assessed through changes in LFT (serum
follow-up visits after initiation of the treatment.
AST, ALT, and bilirubin levels) at day 0, 7, 14, 28 and 56.
Clinical improvement was assessed though improvement in Alanine transaminase
signs/symptoms of icterus‑fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, A significant reduction in ALT levels was observed in both the
vomiting, and itching using a predefined 4‑point scale – the groups at all follow-up visits when compared to its baseline value.
Excluded (n = 15)
.#'!'"" (&#"%'%(n = 15)
. "'#$%'$'(n = 0)
.'%%&#"&(n = 0)
Randomized (n = 132)
Allocation
Analysis
Analysed (n = 51)
Analysed (n = 50) .+ (%#!" ,&&(n = 0)
.+ (%#!" ,&&(n = 0)
80.00% from day 7 onward till the end of the treatment, i.e., day 56.
70.00% There was, however, no significant difference between the two
60.00% groups at all the follow-up visits [Figures 5 and 6].
50.00%
40.00% Hepano Other liver function tests
30.00% Marketed Product All the other LFTs such as serum ALP, total proteins, albumin,
20.00%
10.00%
AG ratio, and PT/INR were found to be within normal limits
0.00% at the baseline and at all the follow-up visits in both the study
Day 7 Day 14 Day 28 Day 56 groups. There was also no significant difference between the
Figure 2: Percentage change in aspartate transaminase levels (U/I)
two groups at all the follow-up visits.
Symptoms of icterus
There was a reduction of 44.43, 59.81, 64.66, and 72.88% at day A significant reduction in the symptoms of icterus in both
7, 14, 28, and 56 in Hepano group when compared to its baseline the groups was observed day 7 onwards and continued
value, whereas in the Marketed Comparator group this reduction further to day 14, 28, 56, and 84. Almost complete recovery
was 46.21, 55.93, 58.62, and 65.19%, respectively [Figure 3]. in the symptoms of icterus was observed in the Hepano
There was, however, no significant difference between the effects group (97.05%) as compared to Marketed Comparator
of the two groups at any follow-up visits. group (86.40%). However, there was no significant
Total bilirubin difference between the effects of two groups at all the
TBL levels showed a significant reduction in both the groups follow-up visits.
at all the follow-up visits day 7 onward till the end of the Symptoms - fatigue
treatment at day 56. The reduction in Hepano group was found There was a significant reduction in fatigue in both the groups
to be 36.94, 51.27, 59.23 and 67.19% as compared to 29.56, which started from the day 7 onwards at all follow-up visits
44.34, 52.17, and 53.04% at day 7, 14, 28, and 56, respectively. in both the groups. On analyzing between groups, there was
There was, however, no significant difference between the
no significant difference between the two groups at all the
effects of two groups at all the follow-up visits [Figure 4].
follow‑up visits. At the end of the study, there was the almost
Direct and indirect bilirubin levels complete recovery of the symptom (96.22%) in the Hepano
Direct bilirubin and indirect bilirubin showed a significant group as compared to Marketed Comparator group where the
reduction in both the groups on all the follow-up visits starting percentage reduction was 80.73%.
80.00% 80.00%
70.00% 70.00%
60.00%
60.00%
50.00%
50.00%
40.00% Hepano
40.00% Hepano
30.00% Marketed Product
30.00% Marketed Product
20.00%
10.00% 20.00%
0.00% 10.00%
Day 7 Day 14 Day 28 Day 56
0.00%
Day 7 Day 14 Day 28 Day 56
Figure 3: Percentage change in alanine transaminase levels (U/I)
Figure 4: Percentage change in total bilirubin levels (U/I)
80.00%
70.00% 70.00%
60.00% 60.00%
50.00% 50.00%
Hepano
40.00% Hepano 40.00%
Marketed Product 30.00% Marketed Product
30.00%
20.00% 20.00%
10.00% 10.00%
0.00%
0.00%
Day 7 Day 14 Day 28 Day56 Day 7 Day 14 Day 28 Day 56
Figure 5: Percentage change in direct bilirubin levels (U/I) Figure 6: Percentage change in indirect bilirubin levels (U/I)
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