Therapeutic effects of stronger neo-minophagen C at different doses on chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis

Stronger neo-minophagen C (SNMC), a glycyrrhizin (GL) preparation, has been extensively used with considerable success in Japan for the treatment of chronic hepatitis. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the efficacy of administering massive doses of 100 ml/day to patients in whom standard administration (40 ml/day) for 2 weeks did not show sufficient improvement. A comparative study was conducted by dividing at random 100 cases (56.2%), out of a total of 178 enrolled, into two groups, one for the administration of 100 ml/day for 3 weeks (group A) and the other for administration of 40 ml/day for 3 weeks (group B) Cases were rated 'markedly improved' or 'improved' according to their ALT levels (defined respectively as < 1.2 limes and 1.2-1.5 times the normal upper level 3 weeks after treatment). Except those who dropped out or were otherwise not eligible for analysis, 44 and 46 cases were analyzed. In group Al 23 of 44 cases (52.3%) were rated 'improved' ol better whereas only 12 of 46 (26.1%) in group B were 'improved' or better. Group A showed significant improvement compared to group B (P = 0.017), thus documenting the greater efficacy of administering SNMC at 100 ml/day compared to only 40 ml/day. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.