Published Paper Details:

Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB) remains one of the foremost public health challenges globally, affecting approximately 296 million individuals and contributing to over 820,000 deaths annually from cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. While nucleos(t)ide analogues and pegylated interferon constitute the current standard of care, their limitations including the inability to eradicate covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), lifelong dependency, drug resistance emergence, and high treatment costs necessitate the exploration of complementary therapeutic agents. Shyonaka (Oroxylum indicum Vent., Bignoniaceae), a revered plant in Ayurvedic medicine and a constituent of the classical Dashamula formulation, offers a scientifically compelling phytochemical profile for addressing the multidimensional pathophysiology of CHB. This review systematically evaluates the botanical identity, Ayurvedic classical categorization, phytochemistry, and pharmacological evidence pertaining to its key bioactive constituents including baicalein, baicalin, chrysin, oroxylin A, ellagic acid, and scutellarein. Evidence demonstrates that baicalein inhibits HBV through the CCDC88A-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway and autophagy induction; baicalin suppresses viral transcription via the HNF4-alpha/HNF1-alpha axis; and chrysin reduces HBsAg secretion by up to 45% and HBeAg by up to 58% in vitro via HMGB1 targeting, with binding affinity superior to lamivudine. The plant additionally exhibits hepatoprotective, antifibrotic, immunomodulatory, and NF-kB suppressive activities relevant to CHB pathology. An integrative framework aligning Ayurvedic concepts of Yakrit Vikara and Kamala with modern hepatological paradigms is presented. Safety profile, bioavailability considerations, and the current research gap are critically discussed. This review establishes Oroxylum indicum as a rational candidate for adjunctive or integrated therapeutic development in CHB management, warranting rigorous clinical evaluation.