entecavir + oxymatrine

Entecavir + oxymatrine is a combination therapy used primarily in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B, particularly in patients who are HBeAg-positive. Entecavir is a nucleoside analogue antiviral that inhibits hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA polymerase, thereby blocking viral replication. Oxymatrine is an alkaloid derived from Sophora flavescens with demonstrated anti-HBV and antifibrotic properties; it acts by modulating immune responses and inhibiting fibrogenic cytokines such as transforming growth factor-β1. Clinical studies indicate that this combination can improve liver function markers (ALT, AST), enhance immune cell profiles (increasing CD3+, CD4+ cells and CD4+/CD8+ ratio), reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-17, IL-23), increase anti-inflammatory IL-10 levels, and may provide superior short-term efficacy compared to entecavir alone[1][3][4]. The long-term impact on HBeAg seroconversion remains under investigation.