title: 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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.affiliation: Weifang Asthma Hospital, Shandong, China. wen637@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Ming-Chun
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Chun-Hua
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Zhao-Qiu
authors.initials: ZQ
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Kamal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Srivastava
authors.forename: Jimmy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Su-Ting
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Xi
authors.forename: Dong-Zhen
authors.initials: DZ
authors.lastname: Mu
authors.forename: Ji-Bin
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Guo-Hua
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Sylvan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wallenstein
authors.forename: Hugh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sampson
authors.forename: Meyer
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kattan
authors.forename: Xiu-Min
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D011239:Prednisolone; D006854:Hydrocortisone