Hunan Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao. 2000 Oct; 25(5): 449-52.

[Clinical investigation of effects of bizhongxiao decoction (BZX) on rheumatoid arthritis on active phase]

Liang Q, Tang T, Zhang H.

Institute of Combined Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan Medical University, Changsha 410008.

Ninety-six patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA) on active phase were divided into BZX-treated group(BZXG) and methotrexate-treated group(MTXG). The results showed that after 1-month treatment, symptoms and signs, such as joint tenderness, arthralgia, arthroncus, of patients in BZXG improved notably(P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), while those of patients in MTXG did not improve, there was significant difference between these two groups(P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). After 3-month treatment, these symptoms and signs improved in both groups(P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), but BZX had a better effect than MTX. ESR, CRP, RF, C3, IgG, IgA and IgM decreased significantly in both groups after treatment(P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), ESR, CRP in BZXG decreased more and faster than those in MTXG. In BZXG the obviously efficient rat was 70%, the total efficacy rate was 94%, while in MTXG was 52% and 87% respectively. It is indicated that BZX can improve symptoms and signs of patients with RA, has better and faster effects on acute phase reaction than MTX; and it has anti-immunologic effects similar to MTX, and has no obvious side effect.