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Published on: February 19, 2019
Artichoke leave extract for chronic hepatitis C - a pilot study.
1Center for Complementary Medicine, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany. roman.huber@uniklinik-freiburg.de
Summary
Artichoke leaf extract (ALE) did not normalize liver enzymes in patients with chronic hepatitis C. While some symptoms like fatigue improved initially, ALE showed no significant long-term benefit for liver health.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Phytotherapy
- Virology
Background:
- Artichoke leaf extracts (ALE) possess known hepatoprotective properties.
- ALE are utilized by individuals managing chronic liver conditions.
- The efficacy of ALE in chronic hepatitis C remains largely undetermined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of ALE on liver enzyme normalization in chronic hepatitis C patients.
- To assess changes in aminotransferase levels, viral load, and subjective symptoms.
- To determine the safety and tolerability of ALE in this patient group.
Main Methods:
- A 12-week study involving 17 patients with chronic hepatitis C and elevated aminotransferases.
- Daily administration of 3200mg standardized ALE.
- Monitoring of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase, gamma glutamyltransferase, HCV RNA, and symptom scores.
Main Results:
- No ALT normalization observed in any patient after 12 weeks of ALE treatment.
- No significant reduction in aminotransferase levels or HCV RNA detected compared to baseline.
- Significant improvement in fatigue and joint pain after 4 weeks, but not sustained at 12 weeks.
- ALE demonstrated good to excellent tolerability with no severe adverse events.
Conclusions:
- ALE does not appear to be effective in improving aminotransferase levels for chronic hepatitis C patients.
- ALE may offer temporary relief for certain symptoms associated with chronic hepatitis C.
- Further research is needed to explore potential therapeutic roles of ALE in liver disease.
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