Clinical evaluation of the Chinese herbal medicine formula STA‐1 in the treatment of allergic asthma

Abstract

Although some formulae of traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) have been used for antiasthma treatment, few of them have had sufficient discussion on their efficacy, safety and mechanisms. In this study, the availability of the TCM formula STA-1 for the treatment of allergic asthma was investigated by conducting a double-blind, placebo-controlled and randomized trial. One hundred and twenty patients between the ages of 5 to 20 years with mild-to-moderate asthma were included. These patients were treated with either STA-1 or placebo in a dose of 80 g/kg/day and were administered twice daily for 6 months. The main outcome measures were a daily diary record of symptoms, supplementary bronchodilator and glucocorticoid treatment, changes of pulmonary function (forced expiratory volume in 1 s), changes of total and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (DP)-specific IgE and side effects. The results showed a statistically significant reduction of symptom scores, systemic steroid dose, total IgE and specific IgE in the STA-1 group. Furthermore, STA-1 also improved the pulmonary lung function FEV(1) compared with the placebo group and only minimal side effects were shown. These results suggested that STA-1 is available for the treatment of mild-to-moderate chronic asthma.

Traditional Chinese herbal remedies for asthma and food allergy

“…Twenty-eight patients were assigned to the treatment group and 24 to the placebo group. At the end of the treatment period, AHR determined by log PC (20) was significantly improved in the DCT group (0.51 +/-1.05 mg/ml vs. 0.26 +/-0.84 mg/ml, p = 0.034). The clinical and medication scores showed improvement in the DCT group (p = 0.004).…”

“…In 2006, Chang et al [20] reported results of a clinical evaluation of the Chinese herbal medicine formula STA-1 containing 10 herbs [ Table 1] and STA-2 in the treatment of allergic asthma in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. STA-1 is a combination of mMMDT and Lui-Wei-Di-Huang Wan (LWDHW).…”

Efficacy and mechanisms of action of traditional Chinese medicines for treating asthma and allergy

“…Twenty-eight patients were assigned to the treatment group and 24 to the placebo group. At the end of the treatment period, AHR determined by log PC (20) was significantly improved in the DCT group (0.51 +/− 1.05 mg/ml vs. 0.26 +/− 0.84 mg/ml, p = 0.034). Clinical and medication scores showed improvement in the DCT group (p = 0.004).…”

“…Chang et al (20) reported results of a clinical evaluation of STA-1 and STA-2 herbal formulas [ Table 1]. STA-1 and STA2-2 are combinations of mMMDT (10 herbs) and LuiWei-Di-Huang Wan (LWDHW, 6 herbs).…”

Safety, Clinical and Immunologic Efficacy of a Chinese Herbal Medicine (FAHF-2) for Food Allergy

“…Recently, TCM has been attracting interest in Western countries as a source of alternative or complementary therapy for a variety of diseases, including allergies and asthma. [4][5][6][7][8] FAHF-2 is the first botanical investigational new drug (IND) approved for clinical studies for food allergy by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). FAHF-2 is a 9-herb formula based on the classical Chinese herbal formula Wu Mei Wan.…”