Dosage: To improve the efficiency of the liver and to bring down the biochemical parameters associated with liver disorders, you should take one Livup capsule, twice, each day, after meals.

Ingredients in Livup:

Livup contains the following herbs:

Phyllanthus amaras (Bhumyaamalaki): Phyllanthus amaras, known as Bhumyaamalaki in Ayurvedic literature, is believed to be effective in treating hepatitis B infections. Laboratory studies have shown that Phyllanthus amarus extract could obstruct replication of hepatitis B virus and other viruses linked to liver infections by obstructing the activities of enzymes that boost multiplication of the viruses. In clinical trials, nearly 60 percent of hepatitis B carriers lost the hepatitis virus after taking the herbal extract orally for a month. In addition, the disease did not recur during the follow up period. (Blumberg BS, Millman I, Venkateswaran PS, Thygarajan SP. “Hepatitis B virus and hepatocellular carcinoma – treatment of HPV carriers with Phyllanthus amarus.” Cancer Detect Prev. 1989;14(2):195-201; Yeh SF, Hong CY, Huang YL, Liu TY, Choo KB, Chou CK. “Effect of an extract from Phyllanthus amaras on hepatitis B surface antigen gene expression in human hepatoma cells”. Antiviral Res. 1993 Mar;20(3):185-92 )

Phyllanthus amaras could benefit people with alcoholic liver disease. The herb could speed up recovery of liver fibrosis by impairing collagen build-up in the liver. Liver fibrosis or hepatic fibrosis is characterized by excessive accumulation of collagen proteins. The diseased liver contains almost six times more proteins than the healthy liver. This chronic degenerative liver disorder eventually leads to cirrhosis. Alcohol abuse is the common cause of this liver disorder. (Surya Narayanan B, Latha P, Rukkumani R. “Protective effects of Phyllanthus amarus on fibrotic markers during alcohol and polyunsaturated fatty acid-induced toxicity.” Toxico Mech Methods. 2011 Jan;21(1):48-52). Studies indicate that Phyllanthus amarus could be used for treating the liver tissues damaged by exposure to toxic substances such as carbon tetrachloride. (Krithika R, Verma RJ. “Mitigation of carbon tetrachloride-induced damage by Phyllanthus amarus in liver of mice.” Acta Pol Pharm. 2009 Jul-Aug;66(4):439-44) The antioxidant compounds in the herb could prevent oxidative damage to the mitochondria of the liver cells. (Londhe JS, Devasagayam TP, Foo LY, Ghaskadbi SS. “Antioxidant activity of some polyphenol constituents of the medicinal plant Phyllanthus amarus Linn.” Redox Rep. 2008;13(5):199-207)

Picrorhiza kurroa (Hellbore, Kutki): While removing the wastes from the blood, the liver is continuously exposed to harmful substances. Prolonged exposure to toxins and certain drugs used for treating chronic diseases such as diabetes increase the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Studies show that the herb Picrorhiza kurroa could prevent this inflammatory liver disorder by reducing as well as preventing fat build-up in the liver. (Shetty SN, Mengi S, Vaidya R, Vaidya AD. “A study of standardized extracts of Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth in experimental nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.” J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2010 Jul;1(3):203-10). Obesity and consumption of a high fat diet are linked to higher risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. In a Korean study, researchers found that water extract of Picrorhiza kurroa could reduce the liver weight, and levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), overall cholesterol level, triglyceride and the enzymes that trigger fat build-up in the liver. Moreover, the aqueous extract of the herb does not affect the level of the beneficial high-density lipoprotein (HDL). (Lee HS, Yoo CB, Ku SK. “Hypolipemic effect of water extract of Picrorhiza kurroa in high fat diet treated mouse.” Fitorterapia. 2006 Dec;77(7-8):579-84).

The medicinal properties of the herb are primarily concentrated in the phytonutrients picroside I and kutkoside. They can eliminate toxic metals such as cadmium from the liver. They also helps to improve bile flow. (Yadav N, Khandelwal S. Food Chem Toxicol. “Therapeutic efficacy of Picroliv in cronic cadmium toxicity.” Food Chem Toxicol. 2009 Apr;47(4):871-9).

Picrorhiza kurroa is a heptoprotective, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory herb that can fight hepatitis B and C infections. (Thyagrajan SP, Jayaram S, Gopalakrishnan V, Hari R, Jeyakumar P, Sripathi MS. “Herbal medicines for liver diseases in India.” J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2001 Dec;17 Suppl3:S370-6). A double-blind placebo controlled trial by a study team in Bombay showed that 375 mg of Picrorhiza kurroa root powder, taken thrice a day, for two weeks, helps to bring down the serum bilirubin level rapidly in acute viral hepatitis patients. (Vaidya AB, Antarkar DS, Doshi JC, Bhatt AD, Ramesh V, Vora PV, Perissond D, Baxi AJ, Kale PM. “Picrorhiza kurroa (Kutaki) Royle ex Benth as a hepatoprotective agent – experimental & clinical studies.” J Postgrad Med. 1996 Oct-Dec;42(4)105-8)

Andrographis paniculata (The Creat, Kalmegh): Andrographis paniculata is a bitter herb that stimulates bile secretion, improves liver function and aids regeneration of the liver cells. Consuming Andrographis paniculata leaf extract for several days helps to prevent liver damage due to exposure to toxic substances. (Choudhury BR, Poddar MK. “Andrographolide and kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata) extract in vivo and in vitro effect on hepatic lipid peroxidation”. Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol. 1984 Sep;6(9):481-5) The bitter kalmegh herb derives its hepatoprotective property from the bitter phytonutrient Andrographolide. (Handa SS, Sharma A. “Hepatoprotective activity of andrographolide from Andrographis paniculata against carbontetrachloride.” Indian J Med Res. 1990 Aug;92:276-93). Laboratory studies have shown that andrographolide derived from Andrographis paniculata could normalize the levels of serum bilirubin, hepatic triglycerides and the liver enzymes. Elevated levels of these biochemcials are signs of hepatitis. (Handa SS, Sharma A. “Hepatoprotective activity of andrographolide against galactosamine & paracetamol intoxication in rats.” Indian J Med Res. 1990 Aug;92:284-92) This herb could prevent degradation of the liver cells owing to the activities of the free radicals. Intake of Andrographis paniculata helps to boost the activities of antioxidant enzymes. (Trivedi NP, Rawal UM. “Hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties of Andrographis paniculata (Nee) in BHC induced liver damage in mice.” Indian J Exp Bio. 2001 Jan;39(1):41-6) By reactivating the liver function enzymes that act as catalysts in several biochemical processes, andrographolide helps to improve the ability of the liver cells to regenerate. Experimental studies have shown that kalmegh could reverse carcinogenic conditions in mice liver. (Trivedi NP, Rawal UM, Patel BP. “Potency of andrographolide as an antitumor compound in BHC-induced liver damage.” Integr Cancer Ther. 2009 Jun;8(2):177-89.

Glycyrrhiza (licorice): Glycyrrhizae or licorice owes its hepatoprotective property to the flavonoids known as liquiritigenins. These flavonoids inhibit fat build-up in the liver and suppress the activities of lipogenic genes that trigger fat accumulation in the liver. (Gaur R, Kumar S, Trivedi P, Bhakuni RS, Bawankule DU, Pal A, Shanker K. “Liquiritigenin derivatives and their hepatoprotective activity.” Nat Prod Commun. 2010 Aug;5(8):1243-6.) In addition, the flavonoids in licorice protect the liver from carcinogenesis or the process of converting the healthy cells into cancer cells. (Nakagawa K, Hosoe K, Hidaka T, Nabae K, Kawabe M, Kitano M. “Inhibition by licorice flavonoid oil of glutathione S-transferase-positive foci in the medium-term rat hepatocarcinogenesis bioassay.” Nutr Res. 2010 Jan;30(1):74-81)

Regardless of age, cholestatic liver disorders are the leading cause for liver transplant. Retention of excess bile acids is linked to this chronic liver disorder. It leads to liver injury and fibrosis. Studies suggest that compounds in licorice root could prevent bile acid retention and cholestasis. (Sokol RJ, Devereaux M, Dahl R, Gumpricht E. ‘ “Let there be bile” – understanding hepatic injury in cholestasis’. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2006 Jul;43 Suppl 1:4-9) Clinical trials have also confirmed the effectiveness of Glycyrrhiza in fighting chronic hepatitis B and C infections. (Fiore C, Eisenhut M, Krausse R, Ragazzi E, Pellati D, Armanini D, Bielenberg J. “Antiviral effects of Glycyrrhiza species.” Phyther Res. 2008 Feb;22(2):141-8).