September 2019, Volume 18, Issue 3, pp 316–321 | Cite as
The Role of Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) and Other Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAM) in the Management of Chronic Hepatitis B
Authors
Authors and affiliations
Guqi WangPeng LiangPing LiYang Hui TanHerbert L. BonkovskyEmail author
Guqi Wang
123
Peng Liang
4
Ping Li
4
Yang Hui Tan
5
Herbert L. Bonkovsky
1Email author
1.Section on Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Department of Molecular Medicine & Translational SciencesWake Forest University School of MedicineWinston-SalemUSA
2.Management Committee of Shangrao National Chinese Medicine Health Tourism Demonstration ZoneShangraoChina
3.Whole Pharm BiotechnologyCharlotteUSA
4.Beijing Key Lab Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases, Institute of Clinical Medical ScienceChina-Japan Friendship HospitalBeijingChina
5.Guangzhou Ren Ai Tianhe HospitalGuangzhouChina
Hepatitis B (JK Lim, Section Editor)
First Online: 06 August 2019
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Part of the following topical collections:
Topical Collection on Hepatitis B
Abstract
Purpose of Review
To provide a review and update of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches to the management of chronic hepatitis B, with particular emphasis upon traditional Chinese medicines (TCM).
Recent Findings
The major findings are as follows: (1) TCMs were better than interferons [IFN] in lowering serum HBeAg and normalizing serum ALT, and equivalent to IFN in clearing serum HBV DNA; (2) TCMs were equivalent to lamivudine [LAM] in lowering serum HBeAg, normalizing serum ALT, and clearing serum HBV DNA; (3) TCMs along with IFN or LAM significantly lowered serum HBeAg and improved the clearance of serum HBV DNA and the normalization of serum ALT, compared with IFN or LAM alone; (4) no serious adverse reactions of TCM were reported in all cited clinical trials. Although the composition of traditional medicines in the TCMs varied among RCTs, about 60% of the used herbs were homologous. Our major overarching conclusion was that TCMs seem effective as alternative remedies for patients with CHB. Other CAM approaches also are widely used, especially in east Asian countries, and there is limited evidence of benefit for some.
Summary
CHB continues to be a major health problem worldwide. Although nucleosides such as tenofovir and entecavir are highly effective at suppression of HBV replication, they are expensive and often beyond reach of patients, especially in resource-limited nations and regions. Many such patients will continue to rely upon CAM and TCM for management of their chronic hepatitis B infections. Additional carefully done, placebo-controlled prospective randomized trials of CAM and TCM in chronic hepatitis B should be performed.
Keywords
Chronic infection Complementary and alternative medicines Hepatic cirrhosis Hepatitis B Hepatocellular carcinoma Traditional Chinese medicines 作者: StephenW 时间: 2019-8-20 15:04