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Abstract
Traditional Thai Medicine Formula çBenja Amarité in Liver Cancer Pa-
tients: A Safety and Quality of Life
, ‡
Kulsiri Yossathera*, Wiwan Worakunphanich* , Monthaka Teerachaisakul*, Pramote Stienrut †
*Thai Traditional Medicine Research Institute, Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine,
Ministry of Public health
† Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, Ministry of Public health
‡
Corresponding author: toon_punch@hotmail.com

In 2009, liver cancer and cholangiocarcinoma is the major cause of death among cancer patients in
Thailand. Nowadays, the traditional Thai medicine formula çBenja Amarité has been prescribed in combine
with the standard treatment for palliative care in patients with liver cancer in some public hospitals. The aim
of this study was to report the safety and preliminary effect of Benja Amarit recipe in the treatment of liver
cancer. This prospective descriptive study was designed to assess the safety and effect of Benja Amarit recipe
in patients who have been diagnosed as having liver cancer with clinical evaluations, i.e. CT imaging along
with serum AFP or liver biopsy in 5 public hospitals. Baseline characteristics and blood examinations, adverse
event using Thai algorithm and quality of life using Thai Modified Function Living Index Cancer Question-
naire Version 2 (T-FLIC 2) were evaluated and reported for 6 months. The survival rate was also observed
within 1 year. Ninety-six cases of liver cancer patients with the mean age of 56.36 ± 10.50 years were
included. The ECOG Scale of performance status showed that patients were in between fully active and
restricting in physically strenuous activity but ambulatory and able to carry out work of a light or sedentary
nature. Additionally, the mean serum alpha-fetoprotein was at 92.98 ± 181.91 confirmed the abnormality of
the liver function. The capsule of Benja Amarit recipe (300 mg/capsule) was prescribed by Thai traditional
medicine practitioner at the dose of 1 - 4 capsules per time twice a day in the morning and evening. Reports
revealed that 53.12% of patients were prescribed the regimen containing Benja Amarit recipe and other
traditional Thai medicine formulae. Quality of life score using T-FLIC 2 tended to increase every month.
However, the results showed that the T-FLIC 2 scores were significantly increased after Benja Amarit recipe
has been taken continuously for 2 months (p < 0.05). During 1-year follow-up, the survival rate was at
27.08%. None of serious adverse event was reported. This study reveals that Benja Amarit recipe is safe as
well as tends to benefit for patients with liver cancer. However, further clinical trials should be conducted to
confirm the effectiveness of this traditional Thai formula.

Key words: liver cancer, traditional thai medicine formulary, Benja Amarit, safety, quality of life

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