Liver disorders in Unani and modern medicine: current concepts, etiopathogenesis, diagnosis and future perspectives: a narrative review

Liver diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, encompassing a wide spectrum of conditions ranging from acute infections to chronic liver disorders and malignancies. Owing to the liver's central role in metabolism, detoxification and immune regulation, hepatic diseases are complex and require a comprehensive understanding. While modern medicine explains these disorders through pathological and biochemical mechanisms, Unani medicine interprets them on the basis of humoral imbalance and the principles of Ilmul Amraz. A narrative review was conducted by systematically searching electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, DOAJ, Wiley Online Library, Springer Link, Science Direct, MDPI, NCBI, Google Scholar and Index Copernicus. Relevant peer-reviewed articles, review papers and classical Unani texts were identified using predefined keywords related to liver diseases, hepatic disorders, Unani medicine and integrative medicine. The retrieved literature was critically analyzed and compared. The review demonstrates that both Unani and modern medicine provide valuable perspectives on liver diseases. Modern medicine offers detailed insights into disease mechanisms, diagnosis and evidence-based therapeutic strategies, whereas Unani medicine emphasizes on humoral equilibrium, temperament (Mizāj). Several complementary concepts were correlated, suggesting potential areas for integrative approaches in the prevention and later on management of liver disorders. An integrated understanding of liver diseases through both Unani and modern medical perspectives may enhance clinical decision-making and patient care. Future interdisciplinary research is warranted to validate traditional concepts and explore evidence-based integrative strategies for improving liver disease management.