Intravenous administration of
glycyrrhizin has potential efficacy on decreasing serum
aminotransferase levels in patients with
chronic hepatitis. However, patients receiving this treatment are recommended to attend hospital regularly for several years. To improve the quality of life for these patients, we developed a
glycyrrhizin suppository. In this pilot study, we examined the most effective and safe material contents of the suppository and revealed clinical efficacy for patients with biopsy-proven
chronic hepatitis C comparing
intravenous administration of
glycyrrhizin. As content combinations of the suppository, a mixture of 300 mg of glycyrrhizinic
ammonium salt and 60 &mgr;g of
sodium capric acid, with pH neutralization, was confirmed to be most effective and safe condition, based on analysis of serum
glycyrrhizin levels and the grade of rectal irritations in tested patients. The efficacy on decreasing serum
alanine aminotransferase levels for 12-week administration of the suppository in 13 patients with
chronic hepatitis C was similar to that in another 13 patients intravenously administered
glycyrrhizin. Moreover, no serious side effects were observed. In conclusion, the usage of the newly developed suppository of
glycyrrhizin can improve the quality of life for
chronic hepatitis C patients, especially those who do not respond with viral clearance to
interferon therapy. Using this suppository, larger and longer-term studies are needed.