Ding Chuan Tang, a Chinese herb decoction, could improve airway hyper-responsiveness in stabilized asthmatic children: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial

 

By Chin-Kan Chan^1,2, Ming-Ling Kuo³, Jiann-Jong Shen⁴, Lai-Chu See^3, Hen- Hong Chang² and Jing-Long Huang¹

 

¹Division of Allergy, Asthma and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Children's Hospital and University, Taoyuan, Taiwan

²Graduate Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan

³Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Science, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan

⁴School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan

 

 

Abstract

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Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history of application in the treatment of bronchial asthma. Solid scientific evidence, however, is not available despite its widespread use among patients worldwide and in Taiwan. To assess the effect of Ding Chuan Tang (DCT) in airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR) on asthmatic children via randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. This study enrolled children who were aged 8–15 and diagnosed as mild to moderate persistent asthma patients. They were randomly allocated to receive 6.0 g DCT or placebo daily for 12 wk. Self-recorded daily symptom scores, medication scores, and morning and evening peak expiratory flow rates were returned at the monthly clinic. Pulmonary function test, methacholine challenge test, and serum inflammatory mediators were measured before and at the end of the trial. Fifty-two asthmatic children completed the clinical study. Twenty-eight patients were assigned to the treatment group and 24 to the placebo group. At the end of the treatment period, AHR determined by log PC20 was significantly improved in the DCT group (0.51 ± 1.05 mg/ml vs. 0.26 ± 0.84 mg/ml, p = 0.034). The total clinical and medication reduced parameters showed improvement in the DCT group (p = 0.004). The AHR, symptom and medication scores in children with persistent asthma were significantly improved with DCT treat for 12 wk. The results suggested more stable airways achieved with such an add-on complementary therapy.

 

Key words: asthma, herb, clinical trial, methacholine challenge test, airway hyper-responsiveness

1. Introduction
2. Material and Methods
   1. Patients
   2. Herbal preparation
   3. Study design and protocol
   4. Assessment of asthma symptoms, medicine used and peak expiratory flow
   5. Methacholine challenge test
   6. Spirometric function test
   7. Laboratory and immunology data
   8. Statistical analysis
3. Results
   1. Subjects and baseline data
   2. Airway hyper-responsiveness
   3. Spirometry and peak expiratory flow rate
   4. Symptoms and medication scores and laboratory data
   5. Compliance and adverse effects
4. Discussion
5. References

 

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