Efficacy and tolerability of anti-asthma herbal medicine intervention in adult patients with moderate-severe allergic asthma.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Chinese herbal medicine has a long history of human use. A novel herbal formula, anti-asthma herbal medicine intervention (ASHMI), has been shown to be an effective therapy in a murine model of allergic asthma.

OBJECTIVE:

This study was undertaken to compare the efficacy, safety, and immunomodulatory effects of ASHMI treatment in patients with moderate-severe, persistent asthma with prednisone therapy.

METHODS:

In a double-blind trial, 91 subjects underwent randomization. Forty-five subjects received oral ASHMI capsules and prednisone placebo tablets (ASHMI group) and 46 subjects received oral prednisone tablets and ASHMI placebo capsules (prednisone group) for 4 weeks. Spirometry measurements; symptom scores; side effects; and serum cortisol, cytokine, and IgE levels were evaluated before and after treatment.

RESULTS:

Posttreatment lung function was significantly improved in both groups as shown by increased FEV(1) and peak expiratory flow findings (P<.001). The improvement was slightly but significantly greater in the prednisone group (P<.05). Clinical symptom scores, use of beta(2)-bronchodilators, and serum IgE levels were reduced significantly, and to a similar degree in both groups (P<.001). T(H)2 cytokine levels were significantly reduced in both treated groups (P<.001) and were lower in the prednisone-treated group (P<.05). Serum IFN-gamma and cortisol levels were significantly decreased in the prednisone group (P<.001) but significantly increased in the ASHMI group (P<.001). No severe side effects were observed in either group.

CONCLUSION:

Anti-asthma herbal medicine intervention appears to be a safe and effective alternative medicine for treating asthma. In contrast with prednisone, ASHMI had no adverse effect on adrenal function and had a beneficial effect on T(H)1 and T(H)2 balance.

• Authors: Ming-Chun Wen, Chun-Hua Wei, Zhao-Qiu Hu, Kamal Srivastava, Jimmy Ko, Su-Ting Xi, Dong-Zhen Mu, Ji-Bin Du, Guo-Hua Li, Sylvan Wallenstein, Hugh Sampson, Meyer Kattan, Xiu-Min Li
• Journal: The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology (J Allergy Clin Immunol) Vol. 116 Issue 3 Pg. 517-24 (Sep 2005) ISSN: 0091-6749 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16159618 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Anti-Asthmatic Agents
• Cytokines
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal
• Immunoglobulin E
• Prednisolone
• Hydrocortisone

Topics

• Adult
• Anti-Asthmatic Agents (adverse effects)
• Asthma (drug therapy)
• Cytokines (blood, drug effects)
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal (adverse effects)
• Eosinophils (drug effects)
• Female
• Humans
• Hydrocortisone (blood)
• Immunoglobulin E (blood, drug effects)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Prednisolone (therapeutic use)
• Respiratory Function Tests