BACKGROUND: In this study, we examined the effect of EH0202, a mixture of four herbal extracts that are known to induce interferons, on hepatitis C virus (HCV)-RNA levels in patients with chronic hepatitis C. METHODS: This was an open-label uncontrolled study. The study subjects ingested food containing EH0202 daily for 3 months, which was equivalent to 1 g of desiccated herbs daily. Clinical symptoms, hematology and biochemical examinations, urine, and HCV-RNA levels were examined before, during (1 month), and after the EH0202 treatment (3 months). RESULTS: Among the 35 patients who successfully completed the study, there were improvements in malaise (seen in 6 patients before and in 2 after EH0202 treatment), bloating sensation in the abdomen (seen in 2 before and in none after treatment), and nausea and vomiting (seen in 2 before and in 1 after treatment). There were no changes in hematology or biochemical examination parameters. There was a statistically significant decrease in HCV-RNA levels in patients with high viral titers after 3 months of EH0202 administration. No serious adverse events were observed with the EH0202 treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that EH0202 may be safe and useful in the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C. Further studies are, however, needed to obtain a definitive conclusion.
BACKGROUND: In this study, we examined the effect of EH0202, a mixture of four herbal extracts that are known to induce interferons, on hepatitis C virus (HCV)-RNA levels in patients with chronic hepatitis C. METHODS: This was an open-label uncontrolled study. The study subjects ingested food containing EH0202 daily for 3 months, which was equivalent to 1 g of desiccated herbs daily. Clinical symptoms, hematology and biochemical examinations, urine, and HCV-RNA levels were examined before, during (1 month), and after the EH0202 treatment (3 months). RESULTS: Among the 35 patients who successfully completed the study, there were improvements in malaise (seen in 6 patients before and in 2 after EH0202 treatment), bloating sensation in the abdomen (seen in 2 before and in none after treatment), and nausea and vomiting (seen in 2 before and in 1 after treatment). There were no changes in hematology or biochemical examination parameters. There was a statistically significant decrease in HCV-RNA levels in patients with high viral titers after 3 months of EH0202 administration. No serious adverse events were observed with the EH0202 treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that EH0202 may be safe and useful in the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C. Further studies are, however, needed to obtain a definitive conclusion.