Blueberry leaves might offer protection against hepatitis C virus infections, according to researchers.
The research led by University of Miyazaki in southern Japan has revealed that a chemical found in blueberry leaves has shown a strong effect in blocking the replication of the Hepatitis C virus.
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Results of a long-awaited study of 3,070 American adults at Johns Hopkins and 118 other U.S. medical centers show that treatment with either of the two standard antiviral drug therapies
Results of a long-awaited study of 3,070 American adults at Johns Hopkins and 118 other U.S. medical centers show that treatment with either of the two standard antiviral drug therapies
Lead researcher Hiroaki Kataoka hypothized that since HCV is localized in the liver and can take 20 years or more to develop into disease, a dietary supplement might help slow or stop disease progression.
During the study, the researchers screened nearly 300 different agricultural products for potential compounds that suppress HCV replication and uncovered a strong candidate in the leaves of rabbit-eye blueberry (native to the southeastern US).
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Researchers bring in new findings from the largest study to date comparing the efficacy of competing treatments for chronic hepatitis C infection (HCV).
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While proanthocyandin can be harmful, Kataoka and colleagues noted its effective concentration against HCV was 100 times less than the toxic threshold, and similar chemicals are found in many edible plants, suggesting it should be safe as a dietary supplement.
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Treatment Resistant Hepatitis C Patients Have Some Hope
A new combination therapy of daily consensus interferon and ribavirin helps some hepatitis C patients who have not responded to previous treatment
A new combination therapy of daily consensus interferon and ribavirin helps some hepatitis C patients who have not responded to previous treatment
The study appears in JBC.
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Researchers Identify Standard Therapy To Treat Hepatitis C
Researchers say that the addition of a hepatitis C-specific protease inhibitor, called telaprevir, to the current standard therapy may significantly enhance a patient's likelihood of being cured.
Researchers say that the addition of a hepatitis C-specific protease inhibitor, called telaprevir, to the current standard therapy may significantly enhance a patient's likelihood of being cured.
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