Oxymatrine

Oxymatrine is one of several quinolizidine alkaloids extracted from the root of the Chinese herb Sophora flavescens (Ku Shen).

Oxymatrine has a number of biological effects:


 * Oxymatrine acts as immunomodulator that increases antiviral Th1 cytokines (IFN-γ and IL-2), while reducing Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10).
 * Oxymatrine has potent antiviral effects on coxsackievirus B myocarditis in mice, markedly decreasing viral titers.
 * Oxymatrine reduces microglial activation, possibly by its inhibition of LPS-induced expression of TLR-4 and HSP60.

Oxymatrine in the treatment of ME/CFS
Dr John Chia found in an informal study that 30% of ME/CFS patients will make major improvements with oxymatrine, and another 20% will make more minor improvements. Dr Nancy Klimas has given oxymatrine to 300 ME/CFS patients with similar success rates.

Dr Chia has formulated his own brand of oxymatrine called Equilibrant (which as well as oxymatrine, also contains other immunomodulatory herbs, but oxymatrine is the primary ingredient). This Chinese herbal supplement can be bought without prescription. In addition, oxymatrine is available as the White Tiger oxymatrine brand (200 mg per tablet) and Alternative Medicine Solutions oxymatrine (300 mg per capsule), which work with similar efficacy to Equilibrant. As Equilibrant is a proprietary blend, the exact quantity of oxymatrine in each serving of is not known; however, since Dr Chia sometimes switches patients from Equilibrant to these other oxymatrine products, it is likely that the oxymatrine content is similar.

Oxymatrine treatment begins by taking half a tablet for the first week or two, then slowly increasing up to 2 or 3 tablets twice daily (so that means 4 or 6 tablets in total daily). But the dose should not be escalated if there is significant increase in ME/CFS symptoms. Responders to oxymatrine should see signs of improvement by 4 to 6 weeks, but few may take more than 3 months. Once the full benefits of oxymatrine have manifested, Dr Chia says men can stop taking it after 3 to 6 months (though elsewhere he says after 12 months); however he finds women usually have to continue taking oxymatrine, otherwise they relapse and get worse again. Dr Chia says inosine can be taken with oxymatrine in order to augment its effects. Chia sometimes adds the antibiotic rifampin (also called rifampicin) 300 mg twice daily for 7 days to further boost the action oxymatrine.

Dr Chia suggests that patients with autoimmune tendencies should not take oxymatrine, as there is a risk oxymatrine may trigger rheumatoid arthritis. Autoimmune tendencies means a family history of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, autoimmune thyroiditis especially Grave’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and if the patients have joint pain with positive rheumatoid factor and persistently positive ANA. And Chia says patients with known seizure disorders should not take oxymatrine. Oxymatrine is probably best avoided in young children and during pregnancy.