title: Immunomodulatory effects of lingzhi and san-miao-san supplementation on patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune joint disease. We evaluated a standard preparation of Lingzhi (Ganoderma lucidum) and San-Miao-San (Rhizoma atractylodis, Cortex phellodendri, Radix achyranthes bidentatae) capsules (TCM group) for its supplementary treatment efficacy for RA. There was no significant difference in the absolute count, percentage, and ratios of CD4(+)/CD8(+)/natural killer/B lymphocytes between the TCM and placebo groups after taking the capsules (all p > 0.05). There was no significant change in concentrations of plasma cytokines of interferon-gamma-induced protein-10 (IP-10), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, monokine induced by IFN-gamma, regulated upon activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted, interleukin (IL)-8, and IL-18 after taking the capsules for 8 and 24 weeks (all p > 0.05). The percentage change in ex vivo-induced level of inflammatory cytokine IL-18 was significantly lower in the TCM group than in the placebo group after taking the capsules for 24 weeks (p < 0.05). Therefore, Lingzhi and San-Miao-San capsules might exert a beneficial immunomodulatory effect in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
authors.affiliation: Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Yi Xi
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Bao
authors.forename: Chun Kwok
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Edmund Kwok Ming
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Lai Shan
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Tam
authors.forename: Ping Chung
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Yi Bing
authors.initials: YB
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Christopher Wai Kei
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Lam
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D020940:Reishi
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D007155:Immunologic Factors