Journal of Clinical Hepatology
Gallbladder polyps are growths that project from the inner wall of the gallbladder. Although many are small and benign, effective non-surgical treatments remain limited. This study examined whether Babaodan Capsule, a traditional Chinese medicine, could benefit people with chronic hepatitis B virus infection who also had gallbladder polyps and a traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis of “damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder.”
The researchers conducted a single-centre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 120 adults. Participants received either Babaodan Capsule or a matching placebo for 24 weeks, while continuing their existing antiviral treatment where applicable. Gallbladder polyps were assessed by ultrasound every four weeks. Of the 114 participants who completed treatment, 30.51% of those receiving Babaodan experienced polyp shrinkage of more than 25% or complete disappearance, compared with 10.91% in the placebo group. However, the groups did not differ significantly in overall treatment response or in the proportion whose number of polyps decreased.
The Babaodan group also showed differences in several liver-function indicators after treatment. Seven non-serious adverse events occurred across both groups, and no serious adverse events were reported.
People with chronic hepatitis B may have an increased risk of developing gallbladder polyps, but there are few evidence-based medical options for reducing these lesions without surgery. This placebo-controlled trial provides preliminary clinical evidence that Babaodan may help shrink small gallbladder polyps in a selected group of patients.
The findings are encouraging, but they do not yet establish Babaodan as a standard treatment. The study was conducted at one hospital, included a relatively small number of participants and followed them for only 24 weeks. It therefore could not determine whether the polyps later returned or whether the treatment provides longer-term benefits. Larger multicentre trials with longer follow-up are needed to conirm the results and identify which patients are most likely to benefit.
Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of Babaodan Capsule (BBD) in the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus…
