Modified Xiaochaihu Decoction for gastroesophageal reflux disease:A randomized double-simulation controlled trial

BACKGROUND Gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD)has a high prevalence worldwide,and its incidence is increasing annually.Modified Xiaochaihu Decoction(MXD)could relieve the symptoms of GERD,but the effects of MXD on GERD manifestations and relapse prevention need to be further explained.Therefore,we performed a prospective,double-blind,and double-simulation study.AIM To verify the efficacy of MXD for GERD and its effect on esophageal motility.METHODS Using randomization,double-blinding,and a simulation design,288 participants with GERD were randomized to the treatment group and control group and received herbs(MXD)plus omeprazole simulation and omeprazole plus herbs simulation,respectively,for 4 wk.The GERD-Q scale score and esophageal manometry were measured at baseline,after treatment,and at 1 mo and 3 mo follow-up visits when medication was complete to evaluate recurrence indicators.RESULTS The GERD-Q scale score in both groups decreased significantly compared to those before treatment(P<0.01).However,no significant difference was observed between the two groups(P>0.05).Esophageal manometry showed that participants with lower esophageal sphincter pressure reduction and the proportion of ineffective swallowing(more than 50%)improved in both groups from baseline(P<0.01),especially in the treatment group(P<0.05).The percentage of small intermittent contractions,large intermittent contractions,and increased pre-phase contractions in the treatment group significantly improved compared with baseline(P<0.05)but did not improve in the control group(P>0.05).There was no significant difference between the groups after treatment(P>0.05).The percentage of weak esophageal contractility(distal contractile integral<450 mmHg·s·cm),improved in both groups(P<0.01),but no significant difference was observed between the groups after treatment(P>0.05).The relapse rate in the treatment group was lower than that in the control group at the 1 mo(P<0.01)and 3 mo follow-up(P<0.05).CONCLUSION MXD has a similar therapeutic effect to omeprazole in mild-to-moderate GERD.The therapeutic effect may be related to increased pressure in the lower esophageal sphincter and reduced ineffective swallowing.

Modified Xiaochaihu Decoction(小柴胡汤)Prevents the Progression of Chronic Pancreatitis in Rats Possibly by Inhibiting Transforming Growth Factor-β 1/Sma-and Mad-Related Proteins Signaling Pathway

Objective： To investigate the effect of modified Xiaochaihu Decoction （小柴胡汤, MXD） on transforming growth factor- [3 1/Sma- and Mad-related proteins （TGF- 13 1/Smads） signaling pathway in rats with chronic pancreatitis （CP） induced by dibutyltin dichloride. Methods： Thirty healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the normal control group, CP group and CP＋MXD-treated group. CP was induced by injection of dibutyltin dichloride （DBTC, 7 mg/kg of body weight） into the right caudal vein, and the control rats were treated with vehicle. MXD was given daily by gavage at a dose of 10 g/kg of body weight, starting from the day after CP induction. After 28-day treatment, the n-benzoyl-tyrosyl para-aminobenzoic acid （NBT-PABA） test was carried out to evaluate exocrine pancreatic function. Then, rats were sacrificed, and pancreatic tissues were harvested for histological evaluation. In addition, the mRNA expression of TGF- β 1, TGF- β 1 type Ⅱ receptor （TGF β R 11 ）, Smad3 and Smad7 was determined in pancreatic tissues by using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results： Treatment of CP with MXD improved the PABA recovery, decreased the histological lesion, and reduced the mRNA expression of TGF- β 1, TGF β R 11 and Smad3 （P〈0.05）. However, MXD had no effect on Smad7 mRNA level. Conclusions： MXD could protect the pancreas against chronic injury and improve pancreatic exocrine function in DBTC induced rat CP model. Its mechanism may involve inhibition of the TGF-β 1/Smads signaling pathway.

Modified Xiaochaihu Decoction(加味小柴胡汤) Promotes Collagen Degradation and Inhibits Pancreatic Fibrosis in Chronic Pancreatitis Rats

Objective:To investigate the effect of Modified Xiaochaihu Decoction(MXD,加味小柴胡汤)on collagen degradation in rats with chronic pancreatitis(CP).Methods:Rats were injected dibutyltin dichloride(DBTC,7 mg/kg of body weight)into the right caudal vein to induce CP model.Thirty heallhy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups by a random number table:the control,the model and the treatment groups.Rats of treatment group were administered MXD(10 g/kg of body weight)orally once daily starting from the day post-model establishment.Pancreatic tissues were harvested after 28-day feeding and fibrosis was evaluated by picro-sirius red staining.The contents of collagen typeⅠandⅢwere detected using enzymelinked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13(MMP13)and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1(TIMP1)was analyzed by Western blot and real-time polymerase chain reaction(PCR).Results:The fibrosis scoring of pancreatic tissues,the concentrations of collagen typeⅠandⅢ,the expression levels of MMP13 and TIMP1 proteins and mRNA in the model group were all increased compared with the control group(P<0.05).After treatment with MXD,the fibrosis scoring of pancreatic tissues,the concentrations of collagen typeⅠandⅢ,the expression levels of MMP13 proteins and m RNA in the teatment group were all decreased compared with the model group(P<0.05),but there were no significant differences in the expression levels of TIMP1 proteins and m RNA(P>0.05).Conclusion:MXD could promote collagen degradation and reverse pancreatic fibrosis in CP rats via a mechanism involve up-regulation of MMP13 expression.

New treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease:Traditional Chinese medicine Xiaochaihu decoction

Gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD)has a high prevalence worldwide.Li et al performed a well-designed study on the efficacy of modified Xiaochaihu decoction(MXD)for GERD,which showed that MXD is an optional therapy for GERD beyond proton pump inhibitors(PPIs).The herbal granule administration mode minimized the bias from traditional herbal formula in clinical trials.One limitation of that study was that it lacked records of side effects and rescue medication.As a chronic disease with recurrent symptoms,GERD rehabilitation requires prolonged observation of the clinical course with MXD therapy.