A PRELIMINARY OPEN TRIAL ON INTERFERON STIMULATOR (SNMC) DERIVED FROMGLYCYRRHIZA-GLABRA IN THE TREATMENT OF SUBACUTE HEPATIC-FAILURE

The efficacy or the interferon stimulator named Stronger Neo Minophage n-C (SNMC) derived form the plant G. glabra was studied at a dose of 4 0 or 100 ml daily for 30 days followed by thrice weekly intravenously for 8 wk in 18 patients of subacute hepatic failure due to viral hepat itis. The survival rate amongst these patients was 72.2 per cent, as c ompared to the earlier reported rate of 31.1 per cent in 98 patients w ho received supportive therapy (P < 0.01). Death in four of the five p atients was due to associated infections leading to hepatorenal failur e and terminal coma. Further studies are necessary to standardize the dose and duration of therapy with SNMC in subacute hepatic failure.