This is a Phase III, multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, interventional study designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a standardized fraction of Picrorhiza kurroa Royal Ex Benth (Picroliv®) in adults with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). A total of 170 adults aged 18-60 years with uncomplicated NAFLD (fibrosis stage up to F2) will be randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive either Picroliv 100 mg capsules twice daily or matching placebo, in addition to standard of care, for a treatment duration of 24 weeks. Standard of care includes dietary and lifestyle modifications, exercise recommendations, and management of comorbid conditions as per routine clinical practice. The study aims to assess the efficacy of Picroliv in improving hepatic and metabolic parameters and to evaluate its safety profile compared with placebo. Participants will be followed for a total study duration of 48 weeks. The trial will be conducted across six clinical sites in India.
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is a highly prevalent metabolic liver disorder with limited pharmacological treatment options. Lifestyle modification remains the mainstay of management, highlighting the need for safe and effective therapeutic agents. Picroliv®, a standardized ethanolic extract of the roots and rhizomes of Picrorhiza kurroa, has demonstrated hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties in preclinical studies and early clinical investigations. This Phase III, multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-arm interventional study is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Picroliv in adults diagnosed with uncomplicated NAFLD (fibrosis stage up to F2). Eligible participants aged 18-60 years will be randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive either Picroliv 100 mg capsules twice daily or matching placebo, in addition to standard of care, for 24 weeks. Standard of care includes dietary counseling, exercise recommendations, and management of associated comorbidities as per routine clinical practice. Participants will be followed for a total study duration of 48 weeks. The study will be conducted at six clinical centers in India.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
170
Participants will receive Picroliv 100 mg capsules twice daily (after meals) for 24 weeks, in addition to standard of care, which includes dietary counseling, exercise recommendations, and management of comorbid conditions as per routine clinical practice.
Participants will receive matching placebo capsules twice daily (after meals) for 24 weeks, in addition to standard of care, which includes dietary counseling, exercise recommendations, and management of comorbid conditions as per routine clinical practice.
PGIMER
Chandigarh, Chandigarh, India
Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences
Panjagutta, Hyderabad, India
King George 's Medical University
Chowk, Lucknow, India
King Edward Memorial Hospital
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
All India Institute of Medical Sciences
Delhi, NEW DELHI, India
Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences
Vasant Kunj, NEW DELHI, India
Change in hepatic fat fraction
Measured as the change from baseline in hepatic fat fraction (%) assessed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Proton Density Fat Fraction (MRI-PDFF) at Week 24.
Time frame: Baseline to Week 24
Change in liver stiffness
Change from baseline in liver stiffness measurement assessed by transient elastography at Week 24.
Time frame: Baseline to Week 24
Change in Serum Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)
Change from baseline in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels to Week 24, and comparison of the mean change between treatment groups.
Time frame: Baseline to Week 24
Change in Fasting Plasma Glucose
Change from baseline in fasting plasma glucose levels at Week 24 and comparison of the mean change between treatment groups.
Time frame: Baseline to Week 24
Change in fibrosis score
Change from baseline in liver fibrosis assessed by transient elastography (FibroScan®) at Week 24. Transient elastography measures liver stiffness in kilopascals (kPa), which reflects the degree of liver fibrosis. Liver stiffness values typically range from \~2 to 75 kPa, with higher values indicating greater liver stiffness and more severe fibrosis.
Time frame: Baseline to Week 24
Incidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs)
Number and percentage of participants experiencing at least one treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE) during the study period.
Time frame: Baseline to Week 48
Change in Serum Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)
Change from baseline in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels to Week 24, and comparison of the mean change between treatment groups.
Time frame: Baseline to Week 24
Change in Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c)
Change from baseline in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels at Week 24 and comparison of the mean change between treatment groups.
Time frame: Baseline to Week 24
Change in Total Cholesterol
Change from baseline in total cholesterol levels at Week 24 and comparison of the mean change between treatment groups.
Time frame: Baseline to Week 24
Change in Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C)
Change from baseline in LDL-C levels at Week 24 and comparison of the mean change between treatment groups.
Time frame: Baseline to Week 24
Change in High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C)
Change from baseline in HDL-C levels at Week 24 and comparison of the mean change between treatment groups.
Time frame: Baseline to Week 24
Change in Triglycerides
Change from baseline in triglyceride levels at Week 24 and comparison of the mean change between treatment groups.
Time frame: Baseline to Week 24
Severity of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events (TEAEs)
Severity of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) will be assessed and graded using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) developed by the U.S. National Cancer Institute. The CTCAE grading system ranges from Grade 1 to Grade 5, where Grade 1 = Mild adverse event, Grade 2 = Moderate adverse event, Grade 3 = Severe adverse event, Grade 4 = Life-threatening or disabling adverse event, and Grade 5 = Death related to the adverse event. Higher grades indicate greater severity and worse clinical outcomes.
Time frame: Baseline to Week 48
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