Clinical Observation: Opposing Herbal Remedies Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae) And Gan Sui (Radix Gan Sui) In The Treatment Of Liver Cirrhosis With Ascites

Objectives: 1. To examine the clinical effectiveness of opposing herbal remedies Radix Glycyrrhizae (Gan Cao) and Radix Gan Sui (Gan Sui) for the treatment of liver cirrhosis with ascites. 2. To evaluate the function, synthesis and effectiveness of opposing herbal remedies Radix Glycyrrhizae (Gan Cao) and Radix Gan Sui (Gan Sui) for the treatment of liver cirrhosis with ascites.Method: Thirty (30) patients with liver cirrhosis and ascites were randomized and allocated into two groups, the Treatment Group and the Control Group. 1. Treatment Group: 16 patients; Control Group 14 patients. The Treatment Group received 1 to 2 grams of combined Gan Cao and Gan Sui orally in capsule form in a single daily dose. Dosage was dependent upon the number of bowel actions per day (3-4 times / day). Following the administration of combined Gan Cao and Gan Sui, Radix Ginseng (Ren Shen) and Radix Astragali (Huang Qi) were also used to stimulate the vital energy (Qi). Following the diagnosis, an analysis of the signs and symptoms was undertaken. Western Medicine dimensions included liver protection, supportive therapy and supplemental albumin. Diuretics were not used. The Control Group had Gan Sui capsules in place of combined Gan Cao and Gan Sui. Dosage and supplemental therapy was as for the Treatment Group. The symptoms were scored and biological markers such as liver function tests, serum endothelin, Tumour Necrosis Factor - a (TNF- a), Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured. 2. The Child-Pugh scoring system was used to evaluate the effectiveness of opposing herbal remedies Gan Cao and Gan Sui on patients' liver function. 3. Ultrasonography and girth measurement at 15 days and at 30 days evaluated the effectiveness following treatment.Results: 1. In the Treatment Group total effectiveness was 87.5%. Nil patients were completely cured; two patients showed marked improvement, 12 patients showed moderate improvement whilst two patients had no improvement.