SUBSCRIBE
Search JIM Advanced Search

Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine ›› 2006, Vol. 4 ›› Issue (4): 348-354.doi: 10.3736/jcim20060406

Special Issue: Traditional Chinese Medicine

• Original Clinical Research • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effects of traditional Chinese medicine for invigorating spleen to resolve dampness and dredging collaterals on patients with rheumatoid arthritis and anemia

Jian Liu, Hua Li, Xi Chen   

  1. Department of Rheumatology, First Hospital, Anhui College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province 230031, China
  • Online:2006-07-31 Published:2006-07-15

RichHTML

0

PDF (PC)

49

Like

Objective

To observe the clinical effects of Xinfeng Capsules (XFC), a traditional Chinese medicine for invigorating the spleen to resolve dampness and dredging collaterals, on patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and anemia, and to investigate its mechanism.

Methods

Forty patients with RA and anemia were divided into three groups: XFC-treated group (n=20), Tripterygium glycosides Tablets (TGT)-treated group (n=10) and methotrexate (MTX)-treated group (n=10). The patients in each group took corresponding medicine for three months. The response rates of the three groups were evaluated after treatment. The general symptoms and specific signs and symptoms of RA were observed before and after the treatment. The indexes of blood routine examination and some other laboratory indexes such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and blood levels of rheumatoid factor (RF), iron, C-reaction protein (CRP), immunoglobins (Ig), complements 3 and 4, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and erythropoietin (EPO) were all examined and compared before and after treatment.

Results

The total response rate in the XFC-treated group was similar to those both in the TGT-treated and MTX-treated groups. The effects on relieving specific symptoms of RA in the three groups were also similar. The ESR and serum levels of RF, CRP, IgG, IgA and IgM were all decreased after treatment as compared with those before treatment in the three groups, and there were no significant differences among those laboratory indexes in the three groups after treatment. The XFC displayed more obvious effects on improving the general symptoms of patients with RA and anemia, increasing the blood levels of hemoglobin, iron and IL-10, while decreasing the serum level of TNF-α and regulating the serum EPO level, as compared with those in the TGT-treated and MTX-treated groups.

Conclusion

The XFC for invigorating the spleen to resolve dampness and dredging collaterals was developed on the basic principle of regulating spleen.It can obviously improve the symptoms and laboratory indicators of RA. Such effects may be related to maintaining the balance of cytokines, regulating the serum level of EPO and increasing the serum iron level in patients with RA and anemia.

Key words: Rheumatoid arthritis, Anemia, Xinfeng Capsules, Tripterygium wilfordii, Methotrexate, Clinical trials

CLC Number: 

  • R593.22

Table 1

Therapeutic outcomes of patients with RA in three groups"

Group n Clinical recovery Significant response Partial response Non-response Total response rate
XFC-treated 20 1 (5%) 13 (65%)* 4 (20%) 2 (10%) 90%
TGT-treated 10 0 2 (20%) 6(60%) 2 (20%) 80%
MTX-treated 10 1 (10%) 5 (50%) 3 (30%) 1 (10%) 90%

Table 2

Specific signs and symptoms of patients with RA before and after treatment in three groups（ヌ±S）"

Group n Joint pain Joint swelling Duration of
morning stiffness (h)		 Fifteen-meter
walking time (s)
Number of joints Score Number of joints Score
XFC-treated
Before treatment 20 8.45±1.85 5.67±2.03 5.31±1.82 4.88±1.86 2.65±1.78 27.93±5.31
After treatment 20 4.85±1.93* 2.00±1.78* 2.56±1.63* 1.69±1.54* 0.97±0.77* 18.40±3.70*
TGT-treated
Before treatment 10 8.55±2.30 5.40±2.37 5.60±1.07 5.40±2.37 2.82±1.64 27.40±5.12
After treatment 10 5.25±1.79* 2.40±1.89* 2.50±0.85* 2.10±2.02* 1.08±0.91* 18.60±2.76*
MTX-treated
Before treatment 10 8.64±1.80 5.10±2.02 5.40±1.26 5.10±2.02 2.47±1.48 28.10±6.31
After treatment 10 4.82±1.48* 2.70±1.70* 2.20±1.14* 2.40±1.89* 1.04±0.84* 18.90±2.77*

Table 3

General symptoms of patients with RA before and after treatment in three groups (Cases)"

Group n Fatigue Pale or dim complexion Pale lips Palpitation Pale tongue
XFC- treated
Before treatment 20 18 9 12 16 14
After treatment 20 6**△△▲▲ 3*△ 4*△▲ 9* 6*
TGT-treated
Before treatment 10 8 3 5 7 5
After treatment 10 7 5 6 6 6
MTX-treated
Before treatment 10 9 4 7 9 6
After treatment 10 9 6 7 8 6

Table 4

Blood routine examination for patients with RA and their serum iron concentration before and after treatment in three groups（ヌ±S）"

Group n WBC count
(×109/L)		 RBC count
(×109/L)		 Hb (g/L) PLT count
(×109/L)		 Serum iron
(μmol/L)
XFC-treated
Before treatment 20 5.49±2.10 3.58±0.41 98.60±12.59 219.29±109.44 4.80±1.99
After treatment 20 6.56±1.74**▲ 3.93±0.55**△△▲▲ 110.10±13.70**△△▲▲ 206.21±72.65* 6.03±2.57**
TGT-treated
Before treatment 10 6.49±1.86 3.69±0.42 100.56±8.16 259.14±130.44 4.01±2.51
After treatment 10 5.35±1.52 3.59±0.55 96.67±10.58* 262.14±104.71 5.16±3.06
MTX-treated
Before treatment 10 6.15±1.00 3.87±0.28 102.89±12.18 255.33±165.22 3.70±1.60
After treatment 10 5.95±2.02 3.72±0.40 100.78±18.39 242.67±156.90 4.74±1.79**

Table 5

ESR and blood levels of RF, CRF and immunoglobulins of patients with RA before and after treatment in three groups（ヌ±S）"

Group n RF (×103 U/L) ESR (mm/h) CRP (mg/L) IgG (g/L) IgA (g/L) IgM (g/L)
XFC-treated
Before treatment 20 155.76±151.74 64.82±35.01 16.63±6.42 18.84±7.09 3.43±1.41 1.86±1.00
After treatment 20 76.94±61.17** 42.41±32.47** 5.37±3.34** 13.76±3.58** 2.65±1.26* 1.22±0.51**
TGT-treated
Before treatment 10 157.33±94.07 88.11±27.39 15.32±5.32 17.03±2.79 3.14±0.90 1.96±0.97
After treatment 10 91.22±61.37** 72.33±21.04* 5.70±3.26** 11.30±3.36** 2.00±0.91** 1.43±0.66*
MTX-treated
Before treatment 10 162.89±161.54 73.56±31.39 16.78±5.31 19.59±5.25 3.84±1.44 1.87±0.61
After treatment 10 102.56±98.21* 53.33±17.97* 7.04±2.91** 14.38±3.60** 2.06±0.69** 1.02±0.31**

Table 6

Serum levels of C3, C4, EPO, TNF-α and IL-10 of patients with RA before and after treatment in three groups（ヌ±S）"

Group n C3 (mg/L) C4 (mg/L) EPO (U/L) TNF-α (ng/L) IL-10 (ng/L)
XFC-treated
Before treatment 20 1346.0±450.5 246.8±88.4 39.36±31.44 94.12±69.33 51.45±23.17
After treatment 20 1493.9±406.3* 275.1±99.1* 16.54±10.76** 51.23±38.31** 95.92±76.63**
TGT-treated
Before treatment 10 1154.1±280.5 230.2±58.9 38.03±26.94 95.46±62.44 54.64±29.47
After treatment 10 1329.4±356.0 277.6±83.2 52.39±33.86**△△ 54.17±38.51* 77.96±50.97*
MTX-treated
Before treatment 10 1069.3±244.4 169.4±56.4 42.36±28.29 89.37±48.70 53.87±31.73
After treatment 10 1310.9±283.2 261.9±69.9* 32.09±20.00*△△ 51.24±36.31** 81.37±67.90*
[1] 刘健 . 韩明向教授治疗历节病学术经验[J]. 安徽中医学院学报, 1999,18(5):45-47
[2] 刘健 . 健脾化湿通络法治疗历节病45例临床研究[J]. 安徽中医临床杂志, 1999,11(6):380-382
[3] 刘健, 韩明向, 方朝晖 , 等. 新风胶囊治疗类风湿关节炎的临床研究[J]. 中国中西医结合急救杂志, 2001,8(4):202-205
doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1005-7072.2007.06.003
[4] 刘健, 刘晓晖, 韩明向 . 新风胶囊治疗活动期类风湿关节炎20例[J]. 安徽中医学院学报, 2003,22(3):12-16
[5] Amett FC, Edworthy SM, Bloch DA , et al. The 1987 revised ARA criteria for rheumatoid arthritis(RA)[J]. Arthritis Rheum, 1987,30(suppl 17):45-46
[6] 麦万明, 裴雪涛 . 现代血液病学(第1版)[M]. 北京: 人民军医出版社, 2003,( 第1版):415-416
[7] 姚凤祥 . 现代风湿病学(第1版)[M]. 北京: 人民军医出版社, 1995,( 第1版):200-201
[8] 中华人民共和国卫生部. 中药新药临床研究指导原则(第1版)[M]. 北京: 中国医药科技出版社, 1991,( 第1版):91-92
[9] 李珏, 陈立新, 王小超 , 等. 85例类风湿关节炎贫血原因分析[J]. 右江民族医学院学报, 2004,26(1):44-46
doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1001-5817.2004.01.021
[10] 孙晓云, 苏茵, 蔡莉萨 , 等. 类风湿关节炎伴贫血的临床分析[J]. 中国实用内科杂志, 2005,25(7):614-616
[11] 白鸽, 孙汉英, 宋承凤 , 等. 风湿性疾病贫血免疫学发病机制初探——附53例临床分析[J]. 江汉大学学报(自然科学版), 2005,33(2):49-51
[12] 李华, 刘健 . 中医药治疗类风湿关节炎并贫血[J]. 中国临床保健杂志, 2005,8(2):179-181
[13] 黄泰康 . 常用中药成分与药理手册(第1版)[M]. 北京: 中国医药科技出版社, 1998,( 第1版):1576-1577
[14] 郭虎占, 董泽宏, 佘靖 . 中药现代研究与应用(第五卷)(第1版)[M]. 北京: 学苑出版社, 1998,( 第1版):4492-4493
[15] 姜海翔, 顾新焕, 段恕诚 . 血清补体防止免疫复合物沉淀作用的研究[J]. 中国免疫学杂志, 1985,1(5):31-33
[16] Fitzsimons EJ, Houston T, Munro R , et al. Erythroblast iron metabolism and serum soluble transferring receptor values in the anemia of rheumatoid arthritis[J]. Arthritis Rheum, 2002,15(47):166-168
[17] Avina-Zubieta JA, Galindo-Rodriguez G, Lavalle C . Rheumatic manifestations of haematologic disorders[J]. Curr Opin Rheumatol, 1998,10(1):86-90
doi: 10.1097/00002281-199801000-00013 pmid: 9448995
[18] 沈群 . 慢性病性贫血的研究进展[J]. 医学研究生报, 2001,14(5):444-446
doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1008-8199.2001.05.023
[19] Spivak JL . The mechanism of action of erythropoietin[J]. Int J Cell Cloning, 1986,4(3):139-166
[20] 张明发, 沈雅琴, 朱自平 , 等. 薏苡仁的消化系统的药理研究[J]. 基层中药杂志, 1998,12(4):36-38
[21] 李绍芝 . 黄芪对在体小肠和离体小肠耗氧量的影响[J]. 湖南中医学院学报, 1996,16(2):44-46
[1] Rui-jin Qiu, Min Li, Jia-yuan Hu, Jing Chen, Hong-cai Shang. Methods for development of a core outcome set for clinical trials integrating traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2021, 19(5): 389-394.
[2] Ju-Yeon Park, Young-Won Kwon, Sun-Ah Kim, Sun-Dong Park, Chang-Hyun Kim, Jin-Hee Kim, Ju-Hee Lee. Polyherbal formula SC-E3 inhibits rheumatoid arthritis activity in a mouse model of type-II collagen-induced arthritis. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2021, 19(3): 265-273.
[3] Arthur Yin Fan, Hui Ouyang, Xinru Qian, Hui Wei, David Dehui Wang, Deguang He, Haihe Tian, Changzhen Gong, Amy Matecki, Sarah Faggert Alemi. Discussions on real-world acupuncture treatments for chronic low-back pain in older adults. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2019, 17(2): 71-76.
[4] Shahnaz Karkon Varnosfaderani, Fataneh Hashem-Dabaghian, Gholamreza Amin, Mahbubeh Bozorgi, Ghazaleh Heydarirad, Esmaeil Nazem, Mohsen Nasiri Toosi, Seyed Hamdollah Mosavat. Efficacy and safety of Amla (Phyllanthus emblica L.) in non-erosive reflux disease: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2018, 16(2): 126-131.
[5] Susana Seca, Sebastian Kirch, António S.Cabrita, Henry J.Greten. Evaluation of the effect of acupuncture on hand pain, functional deficits and health-related quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis—A study protocol for a multicenter, double-blind, randomized clinical trial. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2016, 14(3): 219-227.
[6] Subhranil Saha​, Munmun Koley​, Subhasish Ganguly​, Prasanta Rath​, Pulak Roy Chowdhury, Seikh Intaj Hossain. Developing the criteria for evaluating quality of individualization in homeopathic clinical trialreporting: A preliminary study. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2014, 12(1): 13-19.
[7] Jian Liu, Chuan-bing Huang, Yuan Wang, Gui-qin Xu, Yuan-yuan Cheng, Yun-xia Feng, Lei Liu, Ya-jun Qi. Chinese herbal medicine Xinfeng Capsule in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: Study protocol of a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2013, 11(6): 428-434.
[8] Christoph A. Doenitz, Ana Anjos, Thomas Efferth , Tobias Greten, Henry J. Greten. Can heat and cold be parameterized? Clinical data of a preliminary study. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2012, 10(5): 532-537.
[9] Gui-lin Ouyang, Xiao-hui Feng, Lian-bo Xiao, Zheng Huang, Qing Xia, Da-peng Han, Fei Zhu . Effects of Chinese herbal medicine Qianggu Capsule on patients with rheumatoid arthritis-induced osteoporosis: a report of 82 cases. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2012, 10(12): 1394-1399.
[10] Dong-tao Li, Jian Wang , Hong-yang Jiang , Feng-lei Shi , Fu-yu Li , Ji-hong Liu , Yong-mei Cheng , Nan Yan , Ai-hua Hu, Mei-zeng Zhang , Jie Li, Ling-bo Wei , Rong-qin Jiang. Quantitative evaluation of the degrees of traditional Chinese medicine qualitative syndromes of osteoporosis. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2012, 10(11): 1254-1262.
[11] Ping Wang , Xu-dong Tang , Bao-yan Liu , Ming-jie Zi . Development of a patient-reported outcome instrument for chronic gastrointestinal diseases: Item selection. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2012, 10(10): 1092-1098.
[12] Yan Wang, Hong-yan Zhao, Mei-jie Liu, Cheng Xiao, Cheng Lü, Yong Tan, Qing-lin Zha, Yan Li, Hong Liu, Ai-ping Lü, Da-hong Ju. Establishment of a rat model of rheumatoid arthritis with kidney deficiency syndrome. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2011, 9(9): 973-982.
[13] Jin-xin Xu, Yu Zhang, Xue-zeng Zhang, Ying-ying Ma. Anti-angiogenic effects of genistein on synovium in a rat model of type Ⅱ collagen-induced arthritis. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2011, 9(2): 186-193.
[14] Zhi-ming Huang, Gui-ling Ouyang, Lian-bao Xiao, Ning-li Li, Hua-li Gao, Yong He, Zheng Huang, Xin-xing Huang. Effects of Drynaria total flavonoids on apoptosis of osteoblasts mediated by tumor necrosis factor-α. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2011, 9(2): 173-178.
[15] Yu Huang, Xing Zeng, Wei Zhu, Sha-sha Li, Dan Zhou, Chuan-jian Lu. Correlation between T lymphocyte subsets and different syndrome types in patients with influenza A (H1N1): A retrospective study. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2011, 9(2): 143-147.
Viewed
Full text


Abstract

Cited
  Shared   
  Discussed   
[1] Wei-xiong Liang. Problems-solving strategies in clinical treatment guideline for traditional Chinese medicine and integrative medicine. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2008, 6(1): 1-4
[2] Zhao-guo Li. Discussion on English translation of commonly used sentences in traditional Chinese medicine: part one. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2008, 6(1): 107-110
[3] Jun Hu, Jian-ping Liu. Non-invasive physical treatments for chronic/recurrent headache. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2008, 6(1): 31
[4] Xue-mei Liu, Qi-fu Huang, Yun-ling Zhang, Jin-li Lou, Hong-sheng Liu, Hong Zheng. Effects of Tribulus terrestris L. saponion on apoptosis of cortical neurons induced by hypoxia-reoxygenation in rats. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2008, 6(1): 45-50
[5] . Uniform requirements for manuscripts submitted to biomedical journals: Writing and editing for biomedical publication (Chinese version, part two). Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2010, 8(11): 1001-1005
[6] Daniel Weber, Janelle M Wheat, Geoffrey M Currie. Inflammation and cancer: Tumor initiation, progression and metastasis,and Chinese botanical medicines. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2010, 8(11): 1006-1013
[7] Hong Liu , Guo-liang Zhang, Li Shen , Zhen Zeng, Bao-luo Zhou, Cheng-hai Liu, Guang Nie . Application and evaluation of a pseudotyped virus assay for screening herbs for anti-H5Nl avian influenza virus. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2010, 8(11): 1036-1040
[8] Zhao-guo Li . A discussion of English translation of 1995 and 1997 Chinese National Standards of Traditional Chinese Medical Terminologies for Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2010, 8(11): 1090-1096
[9] Rui Jin, Bing Zhang. A complexity analysis of Chinese herbal property theory: the multiple formations of herbal property (Part 1). Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2012, 10(11): 1198-1205
[10] Hui-min Liu, Xian-bo Wang, Yu-juan Chang, Li-li Gu. Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of integrative medicine therapy for treatment of chronic severe hepatitis. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2012, 10(11): 1211-1228
Journal of Integrative Medicine, ISSN: 2095-4964 CN 31-2083/R
Copyright © Journal of Integrative Medicine
Powered by Beijing Magtech Co. Ltd
沪公网安备31010602003416号      沪ICP备18017633号-3