Milkvetch root improves immune function in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD

Abstract

Abstract. Milkvetch root as a medicine has been used for more over 2000 years in China, can strengthen immune function, protect liver, promote urination, resist aging and stress, reduce blood pressure and extensively resist bacterium. This study explored the effects of milkvetch root on the immune function of patients with a definitive diagnosis of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The patients were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. All patients received conventional clinical therapy; those in the experimental group were also administered milkvetch root. The serum levels of cytokines including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-Į LQWHUOHXNLQ-8 (IL-8), IL-ȕ DQG ,/-32 and immunocytes including T helper (Th), cytotoxic T (Tc), natural killer (NK), regulatory T (Treg) and B cells were measured 1 day before treatment and 7 and 14 days post-treatment. After bronchodilator inhalation, pulmonary function was evaluated at these same time points. The serum TNF-Į ,/-8, IL-1ȕ DQG ,/-32 levels were significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group 14 days post-treatment. The Th/Tc ratio and NK cell ratio was significantly higher but the Treg cell ratio was significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group. The forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group 14 days post-treatment. These results indicate that milkvetch root can improve the immune function of patients with acute exacerbation of COPD.

Application and prospect of medicinal plants combined with aerosol inhalation in the treatment of pulmonary diseases

“…The results showed that amygdalin could inhibit smoking-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in vivo and in vitro, and inhibit the expression of TGF-β1 [7]. In addition, patients with COPD after 14 days of milkvetch root treatment, serum TNF-α and inflammatory factor levels decreased significantly, and the proliferation and activation of immune cells were promoted [8]. The above results showed that medicinal plants played a significant role in the treatment of COPD and laid a foundation for the future research.…”