Hymecromone in the treatment of biliary diseases: options and prospects

Abstract

Pharmacological treatment of biliary dyskinesia is to a great extend aimed at reducing smooth muscle spasms and recovering gallbladder motility. Prolonged courses of myotropic antispasmodics are used as the basic therapy. Hymecromone is notable to its predominantly spasmolytic action on the bile ducts and the sphincter of Oddi without any significant effect on the gallbladder contractility, and therefore it is safe in patients with cholecystolythiasis. Hymecromone decreases the severity of cholestasis, prevents the formation of cholesterol crystals and therefore, the development of cholelithiasis. It is effective both as a monotherapy and in combination with ursodeoxycholic acid for treatment of biliary sludge and prevention of the progression of gallstone disease. Its local action on the biliary tract and low systemic bioavailability after oral intake increases the treatment safety. Experimental studies demonstrated the antifibrotic and antihyperglycaemic effect of the drug. Key words: biliary dysfunction, cholelithiasis, sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, biliary sludge, hymecromone, ursodeoxycholic acid