Effect of sea buckthorn on liver fibrosis: a clinical study.

Aim: To appraise the effect of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) on cirrhotic patients.

Methods: Fifty cirrhotic patients of Child-Pugh grade A and B were randomly divided into two groups: Group A as the treated group (n=30), taking orally the sea buckthorn extract, 15 g 3 times a day for 6 months. Group B as the control group (n=18), taking vitamin B complex one tablet, 3 times a day for 6 months. The following tests were performed before and after the treatment in both groups to determine LN, HA, collagens types III and IV, cytokines IL-6 and TNFalpha, liver serum albumin, total bile acid, ALT, AST and prothrombin time.

Results: The serum levels of TNFalpha, IL-6, laminin and type IV collagen in group A were significantly higher than those in the control group. After a course of sea buckthorn treatment, the serum levels of LN, HA, collagen types III and IV, total bile acid (TBA) decreased significantly as compared with those before and after treatment in the control group. The sea buckthorn notably shortened the duration for normalization of aminotransferases.

Conclusion: Sea buckthorn may be a hopeful drug for prevention and treatment of liver fibrosis.