Effect of Herbal Medicine on Liver Function in Korean Medical Hospital Inpatients: A Retrospective Chart Review

Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate liver function test results in admitted patients before and after herbal treatment. Methods 54 subjects admitted to hospital had liver function tests (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin) before and after herbal treatment from 1 March 2017 to 30 June 2019. Results Aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase were not significantly changed (p>0.05). On admission, 11 patients had abnormal liver function, while seven patients had abnormal results in alkaline phosphatase upon discharge. Three of the seven were normal when they were hospitalized. Conclusions This study suggests that herbal treatment may have no effect on liver injury. Keywords: herbal medicine, liver function, drug-induced liver injury