Bitter vitamin treatment of chronic hepatitis B. Two groups were compared in terms of liver function normalization and the conversion index of HBV replication adverse effects, with the proportion of cases (%): the treatment group only experienced some intramuscular injection site pain in a few patients, but no other side effects; whereas, in the control group, the incidence of fever and body aches reached up to 78.9% (41/52), with no resolution halfway through.
Discussion: Bitter vitamin is an extract from the Chinese herb Shandougen, containing alkaloids such as matrine. Both in vitro and in vivo models have shown that it has a strong anti-HBV effect. The mechanism may be as follows: (1) Matrine induces cytokines (such as interferon) and enhances the degradation of HBV DNA products. (2) Oxymatrine mimics the purine structure, interfering with HBV-DNA synthesis. (3) Matrine does not clinically reduce white blood cells, especially suitable for patients with CI-IB leukopenia, making it superior to interferon (which inhibits bone marrow). In this study, despite comparing the two groups, JiangMei did not show a significant difference in the conversion of HBV-DNA and HBcAg negativity between the treatment and control groups (P > 0.05). However, in terms of alleviating jaundice, the treatment group performed better than the control group. Moreover, the adverse reactions in the treatment group were significantly better than those in the control group. Literature reports indicate that matrine has a role in reducing jaundice [negative HBV replication index effect comparable to interferon]. Interferon, however, is expensive, has side effects, and can cause rebound, thus limiting its clinical application. Matrine, due to its low cost and easily acceptable side effects, is worthy of promotion. Given the limitations of this study, further observation and demonstration are required for the application of matrine.