Management of Hepatic Encephalopathy by Traditional Chinese Medicine

Abstract

In spite of the impressive progress in the investigation of hepatic encephalopathy (HE), the complex mechanisms underlying the onset and deterioration of HE are still not fully understood. Currently, none of the existing theories provide conclusive explanations on the symptoms that link liver dysfunction to nervous system disorders and clinical manifestations. This paper summarized the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches used for HE in modern medicine and traditional Chinese medicine and provided future perspective in HE therapies from the viewpoint of holistic and personalized Chinese medicine.

Network Pharmacology-Based Approaches of Rheum undulatum Linne and Glycyrriza uralensis Fischer Imply Their Regulation of Liver Failure with Hepatic Encephalopathy in Mice

“…Rhubarb (Rheum undulatum) is a perennial plant belonging to the Polygonaceae family, and the components of dried roots of R. undulatum are reported to have therapeutic efficacy in oriental traditional medicine against various diseases [8,9]. Herbal preparations of R. undulatum are used as a stimulant laxative with excellent efficacy in reducing inflammation in the liver, large intestine, and kidney.…”

“…Previous studies have reported that its components have potent antitumor, antithrombotic, and antioxidant properties [10][11][12]. A review argued that rhubarb, alone or combined with other herbs, can be used to treat HE and to improve treatment efficacy, which was promising but not based on solid empirical evidence [8]. Ning Z. et al (2017) reported that the rhubarb-based Chinese herbal formulae (RCHF) might be effective at treating hepatic encephalopathy using meta-analysis in China.…”