Danshao huaxian capsule in treatment of decompensated cirrhosis resulting from chronic hepatitis B.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The prognosis of decompensated cirrhosis resulting from chronic hepatitis B is poor, and the benefits of treatment with interferon are outweight serious side-effects and the risk of fatal exacerbation of disease. Danshao huaxian capsule rapidly reduces hepatitis B virus (HBV)-DNA in serum to undetectable levels.

METHODS:

A total of 35 patients with chronic hepatitis B and decompensated cirrhosis were treated with danshao huaxian 1.2 g. p.o. tid daily. Before the treatment, HBV-DNA in serum was positive in all patients. Ten patients had Child-Pugh class B and 25, class C hepatitis B. Seven patients underwent liver transplantation within 6 months of initial treatment. Of the 10 patients of class B, 5 died within 6 months, and the other 5 did not complete the treatment for some reasons; the 25 patients of class C were treated for at least 6 months (mean=19 months).

RESULTS:

In most of the 25 patients, liver function was improved slowly but markedly after 9 months of treatment, showing a decreased level of serum bilirubin from 67+/-13 to 30+/-4 micromol/L (P<0.05, baseline vs. 6 months), an increased level of serum albumin from 27+/-1 to 34+/-1 g/L (P<0.05) and a decreased level of Child-Pugh score from 10.3+/-0.4 to 7.5+/-0.5 (P<0.05). Three patients developed resistance to danshao huaxian because of a mutation in the YMDD motif, but liver function was not deteriorated. Inhibition of viral replication with danshao huaxian resulted in a significant improvement of liver function in patients with decompensated HBV cirrhosis, but the long-term results remain uncertain.

CONCLUSION:

Danshao huaxian capsule is effective in inhibiting viral DNA replication in patients with decompensated cirrhosis and making clinical improvement.

• Authors: Ming-Liang Cheng, Tong Lu, Yu-Mei Yao, Xiao-Xia Geng
• Journal: Hepatobiliary & pancreatic diseases international : HBPD INT (Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int) Vol. 5 Issue 1 Pg. 48-51 (Feb 2006) ISSN: 1499-3872 [Print] Singapore
• PMID: 16481282 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Capsules
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal
• Hepatitis B Antibodies
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
• Hepatitis B e Antigens
• RNA, Viral

Topics

• Capsules
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Hepatitis B Antibodies (analysis)
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigens (analysis)
• Hepatitis B e Antigens (analysis)
• Hepatitis B virus (drug effects, physiology)
• Hepatitis B, Chronic (complications, virology)
• Humans
• Liver Cirrhosis (drug therapy, etiology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• RNA, Viral (analysis)
• Retrospective Studies
• Treatment Outcome
• Virus Replication (drug effects)