Effects of Bushen Huayu Decoction combined with entecavir on liver function and hepatic fibrosis in patients with compensated cirrhosis.

Objective: To analyze the effect of Bushen Huayu Decoction combined with entecavir on alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (TBil) and albumin (Alb) in patients with hepatitis cirrhosis.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 102 patients with compensated hepatitis cirrhosis treated at the No. 2 Hospital of Baoding from February 2020 to April 2023. These patients were divided into two groups based on different treatment modalities: a control group treated with entecavir (n=51) and an observation group treated with Bushen Huayu decoction plus entecavir (n=51). The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, level of liver function indicators, and liver fibrosis symptoms were compared between the two groups before treatment and after 2 weeks and 4 weeks of treatment.

Results: Before treatment, the two groups differed insignificantly in liver fibrosis indicators (HA, IV-C, and PCIII), liver function indices (ALT, AST, TBil, and Alb) and TCM syndrome scores (all P>0.05). After 2 weeks and 4 weeks of treatment, HA, IV-C, and PCIII in both groups decreased. Those in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The levels ALT, AST, and TBil decreased significantly in both groups. The level of Alb increased significantly, and the alterations in the observation group was more prominent compared with those in the control group (all P<0.05). The scores of TCM syndromes across various aspects all decreased significantly. The scores in the observation group were significantly lower than those of control group (P<0.05).

Conclusion: The combined treatment of Bushen Huayu Decoction and entecavir is helpful to improve the TCM symptoms, reduce the levels of ALT, AST, and TBil, increase the level of Alb, improve the state of liver fibrosis, and promote the recovery of liver function in patients with compensatory hepatitis cirrhosis.