The effect of a herbal medicine (Mao-to) for the prevention of interferon-induced psychiatric complications in chronic hepatitis C: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of a herbal medicine (Mao-to) on psychiatric complications caused by IFN, and to examine the relationship between depression and microcirculation. METHODS: Twelve patients with chronic hepatitis C and a past history of IFN-induced depression were enrolled in this study. Their mental state was evaluated by the self-rating depression scale (SDS)> or =40, or M-R of the Cornell medical index (CMI)> or =10. Each patient received a daily dose of 6 million units of IFN-beta for 8 weeks, and Mao-to was given orally four times a day during the IFN-beta course. RESULTS: All patients in this study completed a full course of IFN. Mean CMI scores (M-R) had significantly decreased at the end of the treatment. Mean erythrocyte aggregability and erythrocyte deformability had also significantly decreased at the end of treatment. CONCLUSION: Mao-to might be useful for preventing the incidence of depression in patients with chronic hepatitis C being treated with IFN. The mechanism by which Mao-to prevents depression is suggested to be through the improvement of microcirculation.