In this study, we compared Ma Huang Tang (maoto), a traditional Japanese medicine (Kampo), with antiviral drugs to evaluate their respective and combined effect on the duration of fever and other subjective symptoms o...In this study, we compared Ma Huang Tang (maoto), a traditional Japanese medicine (Kampo), with antiviral drugs to evaluate their respective and combined effect on the duration of fever and other subjective symptoms of influenza. Forty-five patients enrolled in this randomized control trial had positive type A influenza on rapid influenza antigen test, provided written consent, and sought treatment at Juntendo University Hospital between November 2008 and March 2009. Using a computer-gen- erated list, patients were randomly assigned to one of the four intervention groups: 1): maoto (TJ-27), 9 subjects;2): Tamiflu (oseltamivir), 13 subjects;3): Relenza (zanamivir), 6 subjects;and 4): maoto/oseltamivir combination, 9 subjects. Six outcome measures were evaluated, including fever, myalgia, headache, arthralgia, fatigue, and cough. Statistical differences were determined by the Bonferroni-adjusted t-test for multiple comparisons. Our results showed that there were no significant differences among the four groups in the time-course profile of fever and the number of days until fever resolution since treatment was initiated. In addition, no significant intergroup differences were detected in the number of days until resolution of myalgia, headache, fatigue, and cough. However, the maoto group reported a more rapid improvement in joint pain than the oseltamivir group (P = 0.01). In conclusion, maoto showed comparable efficacy as antiviral medications in reducing fever and influenza symptoms. As serious concerns over the indiscriminate use, adverse reactions, and resistance to current antiviral drugs continue to grow, maoto may serve as an elegant option for the treatment of influenza.展开更多
AIM： Ma Huang Tang （Ephedra decoction, MHT） is a famous classical formula from Shang Han Lun by Zhang Zhongjing in the Han Dynasty. The anti-asthmatic effects of MHT and the possible mechanisms were tested. METHOD...AIM： Ma Huang Tang （Ephedra decoction, MHT） is a famous classical formula from Shang Han Lun by Zhang Zhongjing in the Han Dynasty. The anti-asthmatic effects of MHT and the possible mechanisms were tested. METHOD： An asthma model was established by ovalbumin （OVA）-induction in mice. A total of forty-eight mice were randomly assigned to six experimental groups： control, model, dexamethasone （2 mg·kg^-1） and MHT （5, 10, and 20 mg·kg^-1）. Airway resistance （Raw） was measured by the forced oscillation technique, histological studies were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining, Thl/Th2 and Th17 cytokines were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）, and Thl7 cells were evaluated by flow cytometry （FCM）.RESULTS： This study demonstrated that MHT inhibited OVA-induced increases in Raw and eosinophil cotmt; interleukin （IL）-4 and IL-17 levels were recovered in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, increased IFN-γ level in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Histological studies demonstrated that MHT substantially inhibited OVA-induced eosinophilia in lung tissue. Flow cytometry studies demonstrated that MHT substantially inhibited Thl 7 cells.CONCLUSION： These findings suggest that MHT may effectively ameliorate the progression of asthma, and could be further investigated for potential use as a therapy for patients with allergic asthma,展开更多
文摘In this study, we compared Ma Huang Tang (maoto), a traditional Japanese medicine (Kampo), with antiviral drugs to evaluate their respective and combined effect on the duration of fever and other subjective symptoms of influenza. Forty-five patients enrolled in this randomized control trial had positive type A influenza on rapid influenza antigen test, provided written consent, and sought treatment at Juntendo University Hospital between November 2008 and March 2009. Using a computer-gen- erated list, patients were randomly assigned to one of the four intervention groups: 1): maoto (TJ-27), 9 subjects;2): Tamiflu (oseltamivir), 13 subjects;3): Relenza (zanamivir), 6 subjects;and 4): maoto/oseltamivir combination, 9 subjects. Six outcome measures were evaluated, including fever, myalgia, headache, arthralgia, fatigue, and cough. Statistical differences were determined by the Bonferroni-adjusted t-test for multiple comparisons. Our results showed that there were no significant differences among the four groups in the time-course profile of fever and the number of days until fever resolution since treatment was initiated. In addition, no significant intergroup differences were detected in the number of days until resolution of myalgia, headache, fatigue, and cough. However, the maoto group reported a more rapid improvement in joint pain than the oseltamivir group (P = 0.01). In conclusion, maoto showed comparable efficacy as antiviral medications in reducing fever and influenza symptoms. As serious concerns over the indiscriminate use, adverse reactions, and resistance to current antiviral drugs continue to grow, maoto may serve as an elegant option for the treatment of influenza.
基金supported by the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions
文摘AIM： Ma Huang Tang （Ephedra decoction, MHT） is a famous classical formula from Shang Han Lun by Zhang Zhongjing in the Han Dynasty. The anti-asthmatic effects of MHT and the possible mechanisms were tested. METHOD： An asthma model was established by ovalbumin （OVA）-induction in mice. A total of forty-eight mice were randomly assigned to six experimental groups： control, model, dexamethasone （2 mg·kg^-1） and MHT （5, 10, and 20 mg·kg^-1）. Airway resistance （Raw） was measured by the forced oscillation technique, histological studies were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining, Thl/Th2 and Th17 cytokines were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）, and Thl7 cells were evaluated by flow cytometry （FCM）.RESULTS： This study demonstrated that MHT inhibited OVA-induced increases in Raw and eosinophil cotmt; interleukin （IL）-4 and IL-17 levels were recovered in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, increased IFN-γ level in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Histological studies demonstrated that MHT substantially inhibited OVA-induced eosinophilia in lung tissue. Flow cytometry studies demonstrated that MHT substantially inhibited Thl 7 cells.CONCLUSION： These findings suggest that MHT may effectively ameliorate the progression of asthma, and could be further investigated for potential use as a therapy for patients with allergic asthma,
