Background: Artichoke leave extracts (ALE) have hepatoprotektive properties and are used by patients with chronic liver disease. Effects in patients with chronic hepatitis C are unclear.
Methods: 17 patients with chronic hepatitis C and persistently elevated aminotransferase levels were treated for 12 weeks with 3200mg standardized ALE per day. Primary outcome parameter was the rate of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalisation after 12 weeks. Secondary parameters were the course of ALT, aspartate aminotransferase and gamma glutamyltransferase levels, quantitative HCV RNA, subjective symptoms frequently associated with chronic hepatitis C (fatigue, discomfort upper abdomen, joint problems) and safety.
Results: None of the patients had normalized ALT levels after 12 weeks of treatment. There was no significant change of aminotransferase levels or viral load compared to baseline levels. Fatigue and joint problems significantly improved after 4 weeks of treatment. However, after 12 weeks, there was no significant difference to baseline. Tolerability of ALE was rated as good to excellent. Severe side effects did not occur.
Conclusion: ALE seem not to be effective to improve aminotransferase levels in patients with chronic hepatitis C.