Since the significant public health hazard of Hepatitis B virus (HBV)
infection and obvious drug resistance and dose-dependent side effects for common
antiviral agents (e.g.,
interferon α,
lamivudine, and
adefovir), continuous development of agents to treat HBV
infection is urgently needed.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an established segment of the health care system in China. Currently, it is widely used for
chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in China and many parts of the world. Over a long period of time in clinical practice and in basic research progress, the effectiveness and beneficial contribution of TCM on CHB have been gradually known and confirmed. Based upon our review of related papers and because of our prior knowledge and experience, we have selected some Chinese medicines, including Chinese herbal formulas (e.g.,
Xiao-Chai-Hu-Tang,
Xiao-Yao-San, and Long-Dan-Xie-Gan-Tang), single herbs (e.g., Phyllanthus niruri,
Radix astragali, Polygonum cuspidatum, Rheum palmatum, and Salvia miltiorrhiza) and related active compounds (e.g.,
wogonin,
artesunate, saikosaponin,
astragaloside IV, and
chrysophanol 8-O-beta-Dglucoside) and Chinese medicine preparations (e.g.,
silymarin,
silibinin,
kushenin, and
cinobufacini), which seem effective and worthy of additional and indepth study in treating CHB, and we have given them a brief review. We conclude that these Chinese
herbal medicines exhibit significant anti-HBV activities with improved liver function, and enhanced
HBeAg and
HBsAg sero-conversion rates as well as HBV
DNA clearance rates in HepG2 2.2.15 cells, DHBV models, or patients with CHB. We hope this review will contribute to an understanding of TCM and related active compounds as an effective treatment for CHB and provide useful information for the development of more effective
antiviral drugs.