Antiviral Efficacy of Qust (Saussurea lappa) and Afsanteen (Artemisia absinthium) for Chronic Hepatitis B: A Prospective Single‑Arm Pilot Clinical Trial

Background/Aim: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a major health concern in terms of high prevalence, as well as restricted and costly health‑care resources in India. The objective was to evaluate the antiviral effect of herbal drugs, Saussurea lappa and Artemisia absinthium against hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the management of CHB and to collect data to warrant further clinical trials. Materials and Methods: In an open prospective single‑arm study, we assigned thirty patients with HBeAg‑negative or positive CHB to receive decoction of S. lappa, 15 mL in the morning, and decoction of A. absinthium, 15 mL in the evening once daily empty stomach for 12 weeks. Test drug was evaluated for its efficacy in loss of HBsAg and HBeAg, plasma HBV DNA level of <200 IU/mL (complete virologic response [cVR]), mean reduction in HBV DNA, and normalization of alanine aminotransferase levels (ALT) at week 12 (after treatment). Results: HBsAg loss was observed in 35.71% (n = 14) and 25% (n = 16) of patients in HBeAg‑positive (P < 0.05) and negative group (P = 0.10), respectively, at week 12 (after treatment). HBeAg loss was observed in 71.42% of patients at week 12 (P < 0.001). cVR was achieved in 57.14% (P < 0.01) and 37.5% (P < 0.05) and ALT normalization in 85.71% and 81.25% of patients (P < 0.001) in HBeAg‑positive and negative group, respectively, at week 12. Conclusions: Our study has substantiated that S. lappa and A. absinthium have antiviral effect against HBV in CHB besides being quite safe for a treatment duration of 12 weeks.