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.

Jellyfish dermatitis treated by the extract of ipomea pes-caprae.

Irritant contact dermatitis caused by Jellyfish and related Coelenterates are severe reactions which usually last for a long period, even after dermatitis has subsided. There is no antidote for these toxic substance, which are toxic proteins. Ipomea pes-caprae, the creeper of the family Convolvulaceae, which is found in abundance along warm water seashores is used as a medicant for jellyfish dermatitis by Thai fisherman. The leaves are usually used as an antidote and an antipruritic agent. This study was intended to determine if this plant is an effective treatment for jellyfish dermatitis or not. An extraction from the leaves of Ipomea pes-caprae by ether was prepared in the form of 1% cream (IPA 1%), was applied topically on 12 patients with jellyfish dermatitis. Five of the subjects who had only mild, pruritic erythematous papules received IPA 1%. Within the first day of treatment, they were releaved from itching and the dermatitis disappeared within two days. Seven patients with severe erosion and ulceration of the skin because if jellyfish dermatitis received IPA 1% within 3-30 days after the initial symptoms. There was 50% improvement seen within 7 days and complete recovery within 30-45 days, leaving few hypertrophic scars. These results show that IPA 1% is a very useful and effective drug for jellyfish dermatitis, especially with early and mild coses. In severe cases, no recurrence of symptoms, something which is usually found with other forms of treatment, was observed. IPA 1% cream was found to be a mild antihistamine, anti-inflammatory and antidote for jellyfish toxin.