Herbal medicine Ninjinyoeito ameliorates ribavirin-induced anemia in chronic hepatitis C: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
Ribavirin (RBV) shows a strong antiviral effect on hepatitis C virus when used in combination with interferon. However, RBV-induced anemia is a major problem in this therapy. It would be of great clinical importance to ameliorate the anemia without reducing the RBV dose. We report here that, Ninjinyoeito (NYT), a herbal medicine can reduce the RBV-induced anemia.


METHODS
Twenty-three patients with chronic hepatitis C were treated with interferon alpha 2b plus RBV with (NYT group) or without (control group) NYT by a randomized selection. Eighteen patients completed the treatment schedule, and hemato-biochemical and virological effects were evaluated.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in biochemical and virological responses between the two groups. However, anemia was significantly reduced in the NYT group compared with the control group. The maximal decrease of Hb in the NYT group (2.59+/-1.10 g/dL) was significantly (P = 0.026) smaller than that in the control group (3.71+/-0.97 g/dL). There was no significant difference in serum glutathione peroxidase activity, serum RBV concentration, and Th1/Th2 balance between the two groups. There was no specific adverse effect in NYT administration.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that NYT could be used as a supportive remedy to reduce the RBV-induced anemia in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C.
Department of Medical Oncology, Kanazawa Medical University, 1-1 Daigaku, Uchinada, Ishikawa 920-0293, Japan. motoo@kanazawa-med.ac.jp
Yoshiharu
Y
Motoo
Hisatsugu
H
Mouri
Koushiro
K
Ohtsubo
Yasushi
Y
Yamaguchi
Hiroyuki
H
Watanabe
Norio
N
Sawabu
D000740:Anemia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D029001:Herbal Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D019562:Viral Load
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D004921:Erythropoietin; D012254:Ribavirin