Efficacy of Phyllanthus amarus for eradication of hepatitis B virus in chronic carriers.

Sixty-five adult asymptomatic chronic carriers of hepatitis B virus were enrolled to the randomized controlled efficacy study of Phyllanthus amarus. Thirty-four received Phyllanthus amarus 600 mg per day for 30 days and 31 received placebo in identical capsules. The conversion rate of HBsAg was 6 per cent in the study group at day 30. When 20 subjects in the Phyllanthus amarus group were given a further 30-day treatment and 22 placebo recipients given Phyllanthus amarus 1,200 mg per day for 30 days, the conversion was observed in 1 (5%) in the higher dose group. Adverse effects were not observed in all patients receiving the plant. The results indicated that Phyllanthus amarus, whole plant except root, grown in the central part of Thailand, given at the studied dosage and duration, had a very minimal effect on eradication of HBsAg from Thai adult asymptomatic chronic carriers.

Clinical assessment of the efficacy and tolerance of zingiber cassumunar roxb in bronchial asthma.

An open study was carried out on 22 individuals with a moderate degree of assess the prophylactic efficacy and tolerance of Zingiber cassumunar Roxb. The group consisted of 8 men and 16 women, aged 19-64 years (mean age 44.1 years). After six weeks of basal assessment, all subjects received oral Zingiber cassumunar Roxb, at a dosage of 500 mg. per day for body weight of 50 kg. or under, 750 mg. per day for body weight between 50-55 kg. and 1,000 mg. if over 55 kg. The drug was given orally twice daily for 16 weeks. Examination of the patients was made before starting the treatment and after on the 2nd, 4th, 6th, 10th, 14th, 18th, 22nd week, respectively. Monitoring of the following parameters was performed: patient’s symptoms, ventilatory function, and consumption of antiasthmatic drugs. Zingiber cassumunar Roxb, was found to provide a significant protection against asthmatic attacks in 19 out of 22 cases (86.4%). Statistically significant reduction in asthmatic symptoms as well as the reduction in the use of bronchodilators and steroids were noted between 1-3 and 2-4 months after treatment respectively. Statistically significant improvement in peak expiratory flow rate and FEV1 were also noted in the second month of treatment. Slightly increased frequency in bowel movement was noted in 5 patients and one patient complained of mild headache.