Oxymatrine

[Ella]

Has anyone heard of this?  It's an extract from the Sophora species of plant - otherwise known as Kuhseng or KuShen extract.  I was reading about some experiments done in China where they gave injections of oxymatrine to people suffering from chronic hep B and C, and the results were comparible to interferon/ribavirin, with 47% becoming undetectable!  The only side effect was pain at the injection site.  The big problem is that it is an unapproved drug in the west, so is unavailable outside of China in injectable form.  Obviously no money to be made for the drug companies.  It is available in some Chinese liver formulas though.  Just wondered if anyone has tried it in any form.  Apparently, it's included in the Nuliver formulation, but there is not enough to be therapeutic.  I'm considering a trip to China!

[Tom_K]

Ni Hao Ella,

I've done a little reading about oxymatrine and have been to China too, but not for treatment) Brush up on your PinYin, the language is a killer.

Zai Jian,
Tom

[Ella]

Good point Tom.  No telling what I might get - could end up with my liver oxy-welded.  Might take a Chinese buddy with me!

[Saraha]

Oxymatrine is in some products such as Nu-Liver already http://www.nu-liver.com/herbs.htm , Chinese seem to use this from beauty treatments to cancer. Capsulated herbs appears as good as injectable forms. The Nu-Liver formulation seems to be an adjunct to sskt but quite expensive as you can add on Oxymatrine very inexpensively. Sophora Japonica is a beautiful tree in the landscape and I guess a cousin to this herb.        Saraha

[Ella]

Hi Saraha,

Yes, apparently the amount in Nu-Liver is too little to be therapeutic.  Do you know where the capsules can be obtained?

[Saraha]

Hi Ella, here is the site for capsules--http://www.chineseherbs.net/china/shopKeywords.asp?page=search_res.html&filter_column=2&query_string=Oxymatrine .I had found a site to buy powder in bulk but have lost it, send it out if found again. I know that more needs to be filtered before a starting such a regiman but certainly nothing ventured nothing gained. I haven't been thrilled with MD's analylital approach and feel that no matter how sick a person is a unobscured attitude could be more important.

[Saraha]

http://www.chineseherbs.net/china/shopKeywords.asp?page=search_res.html&filter_column=2&query_string=Oxymatrine

[Saraha]

Not to overdue it but here is where you can get sophora in bulk powder: http://www.tcmtreatment.com/herbs/0-kushen.htm

[Ella]

Thankyou muchly Saraha - will now check all these links out.  Will have to find it in capsule form as the bulk herb would get irradiated into oblivion if they allowed it in at all to Australia.  But thankyou for finding them - it's certainly worth a try.

[Saraha]

Ella, also found this site that seems to market Oxymatrine almost exclusively: http://www.bevigour.com/index.html       ....whether I ever take it or not want to thank you for bringing the attention to it, this site also has other studies done that seem to point in a positive direction.

[Ella]

Saraha - you are an ANGEL!  I've been surfing the net for three days in an attempt to find a source, and the 'bevigour' website is exactly what I was looking for.  Have ordered some, and we'll see where we go from there. Clearly, your web surfing skills are vastly superior to mine.  I know it's all experimentation - I'll have a baseline bloodtest before I start it and post the results, but this stuff looks really positive, and the only thing comparable to interferon/ribavirin results. You've also relieved my frustration and saved my computer from further verbal abuse!  Thankyou SO much.

[Saraha]

Hi Ella, wish you positive results for this and any other journey that comes before you. Perhaps dealing with other medications(depression) and the hepC has turned me into a compulsive type, which I was already. I was to start treatments and got sidetracked and hit bottom in many different positions. Interferon never appealed to me anyway, there's something violent about the regiman that makes me think that the cure may be an illusion of sorts. Sophora(Japanese Pogoda) at half the results stated would certainly be an excellent alternative and such a beautiful tree....let us know how you fare, I'm on by third week with sskt and actually feel a little better, reduced tenderness or pain in liver area.
                                                                                                 Thanks, Saraha

[willy]

As either of you track response to alternatives I hope you'll consider sharing the results in "Blood tests while on Alternatives" or about what constitutes "Your Regimen".  Many of us are on the front line.....kind of finding the path or paving the way (or so we hope).  I think many of us don't expect to be able to clear HCV while on Alts, but if we can reduce our LFT's we stand a great chance of suffering less damage and fewer extra hepatic symptoms and diseases, while waiting for a better cure.

It's always nice to have new people and new information.   

Best,
Willy

[Ella]

Saraha, 'scuse my ignorance, but what is sskt? You sound like you've been through a hard time.  How long have you been battling the dragon? I agree about the interferon.  I'm so glad when I read that people have cleared on it, but the side effects seem permanent in some cases, and yes, something seems intrinsically wrong with assaulting the body with such heavy artillery.  The Sophora tree sounds beautiful - must see if they're available in Oz and if so, plant one in my garden.  I should receive the order from Bevigour in about 10 days, so I'll let you know how it goes.  Good luck and blessings for your journey also.  This isn't an easy one.
Willy, of course I'll share results as I get them.  At the moment, I should have a baseline blood test because I've been taking a few things and having minimal phlebotomies, so need to see if my iron load has reduced and also how the ALT/AST is before I start the oxymatrine.  It's the incentive I needed, as I've been putting the test off because I'm fearful of the results.  Anyway, will post the baseline in the next couple of weeks.

[Ella]

Hi again Saraha - just found out what sskt is - I just knew it as minor bupleurum formulation.