Meta-Analysis of Combination Therapy of Chinese Herbs Plus Interferon and Ribavirin in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C

Wang et al., 2016 | Med Sci Monit | Meta Analysis

Citation

Wang Jianjun, Xin Shaojie, ... Zhao Ping. Meta-Analysis of Combination Therapy of Chinese Herbs Plus Interferon and Ribavirin in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C. Med Sci Monit. 2016-May-30;22:1817-26

Abstract

BACKGROUND We aimed to evaluate the combination therapy of Chinese herbs plus interferon and ribavirin in treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). MATERIAL AND METHODS Related databases were searched to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated biochemical response, virological response, histological response, and/or adverse reactions to combination therapy of interferon and ribavirin with and without Chinese herbs. The RR (relative risk) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated. Sensitivity analysis was conducted by omitting one study at a time. Publication bias among the eligible studies was evaluated by Egger's test. RESULTS A total of 17 RCTs matched the selection criteria. Overall, combination therapies of Chinese herbs plus interferon and ribavirin achieved significantly higher ALT (alanine transaminase) and ETVR (the end-of-treatment viral response), and significantly lower levels of HA (hyaluronic acid), LN (laminin), PC III (procollagen iii peptide), IV-C (type IV collagen), decreased LC (decreasing leukocyte count), ATF (abnormal thyroid function), psychosis, and anemia in CHC patients compared with those treated without Chinese herbs. Sensitivity analysis showed no changes and no potential publication bias was found. CONCLUSIONS The current evidence suggests that combination therapy of Chinese herb plus interferon and ribavirin yields better outcome and fewer adverse events in CHC patients than that of interferon plus ribavirin therapy.

Key Findings

CONCLUSIONS The current evidence suggests that combination therapy of Chinese herb plus interferon and ribavirin yields better outcome and fewer adverse events in CHC patients than that of interferon plus ribavirin therapy.

Outcomes Measured

Requires manual extraction

Population

Field	Value
Population	chronic hepatitis c
Sample Size	17
Age Range	See abstract
Condition	See abstract

MeSH Terms

Antiviral Agents
Chronic Disease
Complementary Therapies
Drug Therapy, Combination
Drugs, Chinese Herbal
Hepatitis C, Chronic
Humans
Interferons
Medicine, Chinese Traditional
Ribavirin
Treatment Outcome

Evidence Classification

Level: Meta Analysis
Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis
Vertical: collagen

Provenance

PMID: 27237628
DOI: (not available)
PMCID: PMC4913828
Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09