Randomized double blind placebo-controlled trial of a Chinese herbal therapy (CH100) in chronic hepatitis C.
OBJECTIVE
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a common infection with serious health consequences. Alternative therapies are often used for hepatitis C. The aim of the present study was to examine CH100, a Chinese herbal remedy, for efficacy in therapy of chronic HCV.


METHODS
A randomized double blind placebo-controlled study in a tertiary outpatient clinic of CH100 over 24 weeks with 24 weeks follow-up in patients with chronic HCV infection. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), HCV-RNA, quality of life (by SF-36) and side-effects were examined regularly. Ninety-seven patients were enrolled of which 91 were suitable for analysis.


RESULTS
No significant differences were observed between patients receiving CH100 (n = 61) or placebo (n = 30) at baseline or during follow-up in either ALT or viral titer. However, patients receiving CH100 had a fall in mean ALT over time (P = 0.05 at week 4, P = 0.26 at week 12, and P = 0.04 at week 24), with reversion to baseline during post-treatment follow up. No significant side-effects were observed although mild complaints were common. Quality of life scores improved in both groups with time, and bodily pain significantly improved in CH100 recipients.


CONCLUSIONS
CH100 appears to be no better than placebo in the treatment of patients with chronic HCV infection.
Mollison
Lindsay
L
School of Pharmacology and Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. lindsay.mollison@health.wa.gov.au
Totten
Leanne
L
Flexman
James
J
Beaman
Miles
M
Batey
Robert
R
D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load
C476900:CH100 herbal preparation; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D012367:RNA, Viral; D000410:Alanine Transaminase