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The Chinese herb preparation Youjo-Hensikoh shows
benefits for viral hepatitis by decreasing liver enzyme levels,
according to O.S. Shinhan, from the Institute of Health Care with
Oriental Herb and Medicine in Tokyo, Japan. Other end-point
measurements of chronic hepatitis were not reported. These include
changes in HBV (hepatitis B virus) or HCV (hepatitis C virus) viral
loads, liver biopsies, and patients' symptoms and quality-of-life.
The new preparation is composed of "panax pseudo-ginseng, eucomiac
ulmoides, garlic acid-containing herbal extracts and licorice
roots."
Dr. Shinhan said that this prescription "has been found to be
effective in lowering serum levels of ALT (alanine aminotransferase
liver enzyme) and AST (aspartate amino transferase) in rats with
hepatic disease induced by D-glucosamine." One gram of
Youjo-Hensikoh was given to patients after each meal, three times
daily, to seven patients in the hospital. Four had chronic
hepatitis C, while the other three had chronic hepatitis B. After
ten days, the mean reductions in liver enzymes among the four
patients with chronic hepatitis C were ALT (72%) and AST (21%).
Other patients had been treated for up to six months. Dr. Shinhan
said that liver enzyme decreases persisted in those patients who
stopped the therapy after varying lengths of time.
While this reviewer is open to any potential therapy for viral
hepatitis, based on the information presented, I was not convinced
of the benefits of Youjo-Hensikoh for chronic viral hepatitis. This
does not mean that this Chinese herbal preparation does not have
some benefits. The endpoints of success when comparing eastern and
western medicinal treatments often are different.
12/20/99
References:
Ovsiannikov V and others. Mechanism of laser therapy for viral
hepatitis. Abstract and poster presentation 106 at the 3rd
International Conference on Therapies for Viral Hepatitis. December
12-16, 1999; Maui, USA and Antiviral Therapy 1999; 4 (Supplement
4), 41.
Shinhan OS and others. Effect of Youjo-Hensikoh, a new Chinese herb
preparation, on serum ALT and AST levels in patients with hepatic
diseases. Abstract and poster presentation 88 at the 3rd
International Conference on Therapies for Viral Hepatitis. December
12-16, 1999; Maui, USA and Antiviral Therapy 1999; 4 (Supplement
4), 33.
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