Effect of Fenugreek, Nigella Sativa and Green Tea Mixture on Liver Function, Oxidative–Antioxidant Balance and Vitamin D Metabolism in Patients with HCV-Related Liver Cirrhosis

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality that is responsible for hepatic inflammation and the formation of scar tissue (fibrosis) by release of free radicals and impaired vitamin D metabolism. We aimed to assess the effect of herbal therapy on serum vitamin D and free radicals and antioxidants in patients with HCV-related liver cirrhosis (LC). The study incorporated 48 patients with HCV-related LC and 22 healthy controls. Out of cirrhotics, 24 patients received one spoonful of herbal mixture composed of equal volumes of mixed powder of fenugreek, Nigella sativa and green tea two times daily for 2 months. Liver function tests, serum oxidative stress malonaldahyde (MDA), antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduce glutathione (GSH), vitamin D (25OH-D3) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were estimated. Significantly improved liver function, 25OH-D3 and antioxidants (SOD, GSH) and decreased oxidative stress indicator (MDA) levels in herbal treated cirrhotics than non-herbal treated patients but they still impaired compared to healthy controls. Herbal administration may attain significant improvement in liver function, oxidative–antioxidant balance and vitamin D metabolism in patients with HCV- related LC.