Clinical Efficacy of Unani Regimen in Acute Hepatitis-B: A Case Report

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major global health concern, leading to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. While conventional antiviral therapies (e.g., nucleoside analogues) are effective, they are often associated with long-term side effects, drug resistance, and high costs. The Unani system of medicine has a centuries-old legacy of managing hepatic disorders through a sophisticated framework of humoral physiology and hepatoprotective pharmacotherapy. It offers multiple herbal medicines that possess potential hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, making them alternatives for treating liver disorders. This report details the case of a 45-year-old female patient presenting with constitutional and gastrointestinal symptoms, who was subsequently diagnosed with HBV infection. She was treated with a standardized Unani polyherbal formulation for nine months. Clinically, the patient demonstrated significant symptomatic remission, and virologically, she achieved an undetectable HBV DNA viral load (Target Not Detected – TND) post-treatment. This case suggests the potential efficacy of Unani medicine in achieving viral suppression and clinical recovery in HBV infection, warranting further controlled pharmacological and clinical trials.