Experimental studies of oxymatrine and its mechanisms of action in hepatitis B and C viral infections.
OBJECTIVE
Viral hepatitis B is a worldwide public health problem; in China, chronic hepatitis B patients account for 30-40 million people and chronic hepatitis C accounts for 16% of all chronic hepatitis patients. Interferon-alpha (IFNalpha) is rather expensive and has many serious side-effects, which makes practitioners prudent in its use.


RESULTS
A multicenter study held in China showed that the negative seroconversion of HBV DNA by oxymatrine and IFNalpha-1b was 42.3% and 40.7%, respectively, and that of HBeAg was 36.5% and 38.9%, respectively, after 3 months treatment with each in patients with chronic hepatitis.


CONCLUSIONS
Oxymatrine has a similar efficacy to IFNalpha, but with no adverse effects apart from slight injection pain, and it is much less expensive.
Wu
Xie Ning
XN
Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Shanghai First People's Hospital, Shanghai, China.
Wang
Guo Jin
GJ
D000470:Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011807:Quinolizines; D000093842:Matrines
D000470:Alkaloids; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011807:Quinolizines; C037573:oxymatrine; D000093842:Matrines