The etiology of Indian childhood cirrhosis (ICC) is cirrhosis and is considered as difficult to treat. However, formulation known as Liv. 52, combination of capparis spinosa, cichorium intybus, solanum nigrum, terminalia arjuna, cassia occidentalis, achillea millefolium, tamarix gallica along with steroid and other institutional treatment has shown beneficial effects in the management of ICC. 

One such double blind study depicting the promising effects of Liv.52 enrolled 16 children with ICC. They were randomized to receive either Liv. 52 therapy (9 children) and placebo (7 children). All children were further evaluated for liver functions tests, complete urine examination, specially for bile salts and pigments; liver biopsy for histopathological confirmation, and were followed up for 5 consecutive weeks.

The results reported relief in symptoms like distension of abdomen, fever, anorexia, weight loss in children who were administered with Liv.52 therapy in comparison to children treated with placebo. In addition, improvement in biochemical abnormalities such as SGOT (Liv.52 group:95 versus 70; Controls: 90 versus 100),SGPT (110.5 versus 75; 110 versus 130), albumin (Liv.52 group:3.2 versus 3.6; Controls:3.4 versus 3.0), globulin ratio (Liv.52 group:3.4 versus 3.1; Controls:3.4 versus 4.0)and alkaline phosphatase (Liv.52 group:11.4 versus 6.5; Controls: 12 versus 13) was observed in Liv.52 group in contrast to control group.

Thus, based on the above results, it can be concluded that Liv.52 therapy can be a potent approach in relieving the symptoms and ameliorating biochemical abnormalities in children with ICC. Moreover, it can be postulated that Liv.52 therapy could be at better advantage, if started at early stage in children suffering with ICC.

Source: Saxena S, Garg AK Jain A. Role of Liv.52 in management of Indian childhood cirrhosis Current Medical Practice.1980;7(24):269.