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 (IFNα) is rather expensive and has many serious side-effects, which makes practioners prudent in its use. METHOD/RESULTS:  A multicenter study held in China showed that the negative seroconversion of HBV DNA by oxymatrine and IFNα-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 IFNα, but with no adverse effects apart from slight injection pain, and it is much less expensive.