Chapter 2 - Hepatitis B

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Abstract

The liver is a vital organ that is also the largest gland of the human body, responsible for crucial physiological functions in the the human body. However, the liver is prone to various infections from various foreign invading particles that start with inflammation of the liver; further complications will follow if this is not treated well. The hepatitis B virus (HBV) belongs to the Hepadnaviridae family and is the leading cause of liver morbidity and mortality. Current treatment methods such as the use of interferon and lamivudine are not very effective due to viral mutation, adverse effects, and the high cost of treatment. Therefore, various medicinal plants and natural compounds may be found in nature that have been traditionally used for the effective treatment of hepatitis B for hundreds of years in different tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Recent advancements have led to the use of various plant extracts against HBV with negligible adverse effects, including Rheum palmatum, Ganoderma lucidum, Oenanthe javanica, Curcuma longa, Phyllanthus amarus, and Phyllanthus niruri as well as natural products such as terpenoids, lignans, phenolic acids, and polyphenols. This chapter intends to summarize the herbal plants and natural compounds in the search for anti-HBV drugs from natural resources.

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