Herbal medications in the treatment of hepatitis C
Abstract
The aim of review. To present results of randomized studies of efficacy of agents, containing medical herbs, in the treatment of hepatitis C and expediency of their application in these patients.
Original positions. Efficacy of treatment of patients with viral hepatitis C by traditional Chinese herbs was evaluated by 7 randomized studies. Assessment of efficacy and safety of this treatment method is inconvenient due to key differences in composition of herb gathers, poor quality of original studies and small number of enrolled patients. Investigations of thistle agents application for 1 week to four years demonstrated no significant efficacy in this respect. Four randomized studies of efficacy and safety of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) drugs in treatment of a hepatitis C were published. Most of the studies prove the ability of drugs, containing glycyrrhizin to decrease necroinflammatory activity in chronic hepatitis C, justifies its application in patients with restrictions for use of combined antiviral therapy by standard or pegilated interferon in combination to ribavirin. Data on efficacy of long-term treatment by glycyrrhizin for prophylaxis of hepatocellular carcinoma require further studying.
Conclusion. Up to now in the world over ten clinical randomized studies of efficacy and safety of the drugs based on herbs were carried out. Ability of agents containing glycyrrhizin to decrease biochemical activity at chronic hepatitis C is quite important, as the domestic agent with high content of this substance is presented in the Russian market.
About the Authors
V. T. Ivashkin
Московская медицинская академия им. И.М. Сеченова
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
M. A. Morozova
Московская медицинская академия им. И.М. Сеченова
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
M. V. Mayevskaya
Московская медицинская академия им. И.М. Сеченова
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Ye. A. Fedos’ina
Московская медицинская академия им. И.М. Сеченова
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
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Review
For citations:
Ivashkin V.T., Morozova M.A., Mayevskaya M.V., Fedos’ina Ye.A. Herbal medications in the treatment of hepatitis C. Russian Journal of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Coloproctology. 2009;19(3):70-75. (In Russ.)
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