Hepatitis is an infection of the liver caused by one of several viruses, the most common of which are named hepatitis A, B, and C. Hepatitis A is spread mainly through contaminated food and water, whereas hepatitis B is transmitted by sexual contact and use of contaminated needles. The route of transmission of hepatitis C is not completely clear but is believed to be similar to that of hepatitis B.When an individual first develop hepatitis, it is called acute hepatitis. Hepatitis can also become a long-term disease known as chronic hepatitis. All forms of hepatitis cause jaundice, liver tenderness, and severe fatigue.Although hepatitis A is the mildest form and seldom causes symptoms continuing longer than a couple of months, hepatitis B and C produce more severe symptoms, which last two or three times longer, and can go on to become chronic.Chronic hepatitis consists of persistent liver infection and inflammation that lingers long after the primary symptoms of the disease have disappeared. It can produce subtle symptoms of liver tenderness and continued fatigue and over time can gradually destroy the liver. Chronic hepatitis also appears to increase the risk of liver cancer.Conventional medicine has little in the way of treatment for the initial hepatitis infection once it has started. Treatment for chronic hepatitis is developing but is still quite imperfect. The current treatment of care is costly, has significant side effects and fails to cure about half of all infections. Hence, there is a need to develop new treatment from medicinal plants, which are less toxic, more efficacious and cost-effective.But clinical trials have shown that some medicinal herbs might have therapeutic potential for chronic hepatitis B and C. For instance, researchers in a new laboratory study found that extracts of Solanum nigrum contains potential antiviral agents against hepatitis C (HCV). The combination of Solanum nigrum extract with interferon, they indicated will be better option to treat chronic HCV.The present study was an attempt at screening for potential anti-HCV agents from medicinal plants reported to be having antiviral properties. It analysed the effect of 10 different extracts from traditional medicinal plants on HCV infection.According to the 2011 study whose finding was published Virology Journal, only Solanum nigrum out of 10 medicinal plants showed antiviral effect against HCV. It showed 37 per cent effectiveness in inhibition against a concentration of HCV at non-toxic concentration.Solanum nigrum commonly known as black nightshade (Odu in Yoruba; gauntan kaji in Hausa; and anara ugumakpe in Igbo, grows as a weed. It is found in the dry parts of India and other parts of the world. It has a long history of medicinal usage and has been used as a traditional folk medicine for treating various ailments such as pain, inflammation, fever and liver disorders. Generally, black nightshade elaborates a wide spectrum of medicinal use such as in the prevention of cancer and ulcer.For instance, in India, Solanum nigrum has been chosen as the important ingredient for herbal formulations, namely Liv 52, which is used for treating liver diseases. In Nigeria, the fresh leaves are used to treat convulsion in children.According to the scientists, based on the results of the study, methanolic and chloroform extract of Solanum nigrum seeds could play a role in viral clearance during natural HCV infection. They wrote, 'these data also suggest that therapeutic induction of extracts might represent an alternative approach for the treatment of chronic HCV infection or the present study leads to the development of more potent and orally available HCV therapeutic drug.'What more, previous 2008 studies in Journal of Hubei Institute for Nationalities Medical Edition had indicated that Solanum nigrum seeds also had therapeutic effect on chronic hepatitis B. Just like in the case of hepatitis C, researchers reported in a clinical study which was published in Science Journals that the combination of Solanum nigrum extract with interferon and Lamivudine, common conventional medications for treating hepatitis, was a better option to treat chronic hepatitis B.They submitted: 'Solanum nigrum clearing liver decoction has obvious therapeutic effect on chronic hepatitis B.'Meanwhile, the berries and leaves of Solanum nigrum are mainly used for medicinal purposes, besides the other parts of the whole plant. The leaves are used as poultice for rheumatic and gouty joints (disease causing the joints to swell and become painful), skin diseases and used in the treatment of wounds, infections and tuberculosis. Leaves are also used in dropsy, nausea and nervous disorders.The decoction of its berries and flowers are useful in cough. The juice of the berries used in treatment of diarrhea and heart disease. The whole plant is used as a laxative, sedative, in the treatment of leprosy, haemorrhoids and general debility.Other herbs have been tried as well in the treatment of hepatitis. The herb milk thistle has been proposed as a supportive treatment for viral hepatitis. A randomised trial involving 105 people with acute hepatitis found that those who received milk thistle (140 mg, 3 times daily) for 4 weeks experienced an improvement in symptoms such as jaundice, dark urine, discomfort compared to the placebo group. It rapidly brings an improvement in appetite and well-being. It is also used in fatty degeneration and even cirrhosis of the liver. Some studies indicate that Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) might reduce some of the complications of hepatitis C (including liver cancer) and improve liver function. Licorice root is either taken on its own or combined with other herbs. In one study, patients who took a combination of licorice root, milk thistle, and several other herbs had improved measures of liver enzymes (a marker of liver damage and inflammation) and tests of liver function.Licorice root should be used carefully because it can have significant side effects, including high blood pressure, salt and water retention, and potassium loss. It also can have potentially dangerous interactions with medications such as diuretics, certain heart medications, and corticosteroids.
Click here to read full news..
