The effect of a herbal medicine (Mao-to) for the prevention of interferon-induced psychiatric complications in chronic hepatitis C: a pilot study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the efficacy of a herbal medicine (Mao-to) on psychiatric complications caused by IFN, and to examine the relationship between depression and microcirculation.

METHODS:

Twelve patients with chronic hepatitis C and a past history of IFN-induced depression were enrolled in this study. Their mental state was evaluated by the self-rating depression scale (SDS)> or =40, or M-R of the Cornell medical index (CMI)> or =10. Each patient received a daily dose of 6 million units of IFN-beta for 8 weeks, and Mao-to was given orally four times a day during the IFN-beta course.

RESULTS:

All patients in this study completed a full course of IFN. Mean CMI scores (M-R) had significantly decreased at the end of the treatment. Mean erythrocyte aggregability and erythrocyte deformability had also significantly decreased at the end of treatment.

CONCLUSION:

Mao-to might be useful for preventing the incidence of depression in patients with chronic hepatitis C being treated with IFN. The mechanism by which Mao-to prevents depression is suggested to be through the improvement of microcirculation.

• Authors: Mosaburo Kainuma, Hiroaki Hikiami, Kazuya Nozaki, Katsumi Hayashi, Yutaka Shimada, Katsutoshi Terasawa
• Journal: Human psychopharmacology (Hum Psychopharmacol) Vol. 19 Issue 4 Pg. 235-41 (Jun 2004) ISSN: 0885-6222 [Print] England
• PMID: 15181651 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal
• Mao-to
• Interferon-beta

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Antiviral Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
• Depressive Disorder (etiology, prevention & control)
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal (therapeutic use)
• Erythrocyte Aggregation (drug effects)
• Erythrocyte Deformability (drug effects)
• Female
• Hepatitis C, Chronic (blood, drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Humans
• Interferon-beta (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Male
• Microcirculation (drug effects)
• Middle Aged
• Phytotherapy
• Pilot Projects
• Psychiatric Status Rating Scales