Effects of the Mixture of Melissa officinalis L., Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Urtica dioica on Hepatic Enzymes Activity in Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease worldwide that does not have obvious effective drug. The aim of this study was to determine the capability of Melissa officinalis L. (Lemon balm), Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Urtica dioica mixture infusion (1.5, 0.5 and 0.25 g/100 mL) on patients with NAFLD. The study was designed as a before-after clinical trial and performed on 35 patients with NAFLD. They were asked to drink the mixture infusion which were prepared in special bags twice a day for 30 days. Liver markers of NAFLD such as alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST) and alkaline phosphates (ALKp) in plasma were measured before and after using the infusion. The use of the infusion in NAFLD resulted in a significant decrease in ALT. Also activity of the AST and ALP were decreased after administration of the infusion but these decreases were not significant. Also a significant decrease in grade of sonographic examination was found. A significant linear correlation was also found between age and AST and ALT. However, no linear correlation was found between gender and weight and liver enzymes. Taken altogether, it is concluded that consumption of the present mixture has some benefits in NAFLD.