Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 1997 Aug; 17(8): 459-61.

[Clinical observation on treatment of infantile cholestatic hepatitis syndrome by rhubarb]

Huang ZH, Dong YS, Ye WY.

Department of Pediatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical University, Wuhan.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of Rhubarb in treating infantile cholestatic hepatitis syndrome (IHS). METHODS: Forty-four patients of the treatment group were treated with Rhubarb per os and/or duodenal infusion, 20 cases of the control group were treated with general liver protecting therapy such as inosine, vitamin C and glucose. Serum bilirubin, alanine transaminase (ALT) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (gamma-GT) level, bilirubin in duodenal juice and liver size were observed before and after treatment. RESULTS: In the treatment group, 18 cases were markedly effective, 21 effective, 3 ineffective and 2 were deteriorated, while in the control group, the respective number were 0, 4, 13 and 3. CONCLUSIONS: Rhubarb was a markedly effective in cholagoging and abating of jaundice, it could promote the recovery of liver function, dredge the cholestasis in cholangiole and micro-cholangiole so as to promote the bile secretion.