title: Randomized trial of erhuangfang for relapsing multiple sclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to reveal the effect of Erhaungfang on relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) and investigate the underlying mechanism.
  
  
  METHODS
  In our 2-year, randomized study, a total of 67 patients (diagnosed as MS) with age from 15 to 60 years were enrolled in this study. All patients in the acute phase were treated with methylprednisolone pulse therapy and then were randomly divided into treatment group (n = 50) administrated with erhuangfang, and control group (n = 43) without nothing. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was used to detect N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/creatine (CR) levels. At the end of a 2-year follow-up period, relapse rate, annual relapse rate, expanded disability status scale (EDSS) scores, and NAA/CR levels were compared between groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Relapse rate and annual relapse rate in the treatment group were significantly reduced after erhuangfang treatment (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in terms of EDSS score between treatment group and control group and between after treatment and before treatment (P > 0.05). N-acetylaspartate/CR level was significantly correlated with the disease course (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference for NAA/CR levels in the treatment group before and after treatment (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Erhuangfang significantly reduced relapse rate and prevented progression of MS, which is an effective therapy for relapsing MS.
authors: Li
authors: L
authors: Zhou
authors: Yongping
authors: Y
authors: Fan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D003401:Creatine / Q000378:metabolism; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D018450:Disease Progression; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D001224:Aspartic Acid; C000179:N-acetylaspartate; D003401:Creatine
keywords: Axonal injury,; Disability; Erhuangfang,; Multiple sclerosis,; Relapse rate,