Korean red ginseng identified as a complementary therapy for chronic hepatitis B

Research has found that Korean red ginseng is an effective complementary therapy for chronic hepatitis B. The study, which was published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, has found that Korean red ginseng reduced non-invasive fibrosis serologic markers, including hyaluronic acid transforming growth factor-beta.

• Chronic hepatitis B management is commonly targeted at reducing viral replication, but current available antiviral treatments cause many side effects and resistance.
• Ginseng has been reported to be effective at treating viral infections such as influenza and human immunodeficiency virus, but research on the effects of ginseng in chronic hepatitis B is limited.
• Researchers from The Catholic University of Korea in South Korea looked at the effects of ginseng in combination with antiviral agents on chronic hepatitis B.
• For the study, they enrolled 38 participants with chronic hepatitis B, who were then divided into two groups: a control group and a treatment group.
• The control group only received antiviral agents, while the treatment group received antiviral agents and Korean red ginseng powder capsules.
• The results revealed that non-invasive fibrosis serologic markers, such as hyaluronic acid transforming growth factor-beta, were further reduced in the treatment group.

Based on the findings of the study, it can be concluded that Korean red ginseng could possibly be used as a complementary therapy for chronic hepatitis B.

To read more studies on natural remedies for chronic hepatitis B, visit AlternativeMedicine.news.

Journal Reference:

Choi S-H, Yang K-J, Lee D-S. EFFECTS OF COMPLEMENTARY COMBINATION THERAPY OF KOREAN RED GINSENG AND ANTIVIRAL AGENTS IN CHRONIC HEPATITIS B. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 1 December 2016; 22(12): 964-969. DOI: 10.1089/acm.2015.0206