Article: A REVIEW ON ETIOPATHOGENESIS OF NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE: AN AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE WITH REFERENCE TO YAKRUT ROGA

Article Category: Review articles

DOI: 10.7897/2277-4343.17284

Pages: 225-228

Author: Nisha MG *, Aswathy RS

Abstract: Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) represents a spectrum of chronic liver disorders ranging from simple steatosis (NAFL) to the more severe Non-Alcoholic Steato-Hepatitis (NASH), which may progress to Fibrosis, Cirrhosis, and Hepato Cellular Carcinoma. NAFLD has emerged as the most common chronic liver disease worldwide, with a global prevalence of approximately 25%, and shows strong association with Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Dyslipidemia, and Metabolic Syndrome. The pathogenesis of NAFLD/NASH is complex and multifactorial, previously explained by the “two-hit hypothesis” and currently by the “multiple-hit hypothesis,” involving insulin resistance, free fatty acid accumulation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammatory mediators. In Ayurveda, NAFLD can be correlated with Yak?ut roga and understood as a Santarpanotha Vyadhi resulting from Kapha–Medo Du?h?i, Agnimandya, and Ama formation, leading to Srotorodha and Sthanasamsraya in Yak?ut. Although NAFLD is not directly described in classical texts, its etiopathogenesis can be interpreted using fundamental Ayurvedic principles. This review aims to analyze the Nidana and Samprapti of NAFLD/NASH through an integrative perspective, correlating modern risk factors with Ayurvedic concepts.

Keyword: Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, NAFLD, Non-Alcoholic Steato Hepatitis, NASH Santarpanotha Vyadhi, Yak?ut roga