The Effects of Safflower Yellow on Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract

Objectives To evaluate the efficacy of safflower yellow in the acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). Methods In a prospective, randomized, controlled trial, 127 patients who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled and were randomly divided into two groups. The control group included 64 patients treated according to the global strategy for diagnosis, management, and prevention of COPD (www.goldcopd.org, updated 2011). The intervention group included 63 patients who received intravenous infusions of safflower yellow (100 mg of safflower yellow dissolved in 250 ml 0.9% saline) once daily for 14 consecutive days in addition to standard diagnosis and treatment. The difference in the average length of the hospital stay between the two groups of patients was determined. The follow-up period was 28 days; the differences in symptoms, clinical indicators, and 28-day mortality in the two groups were compared. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 22.0 software to determine whether there were statistically significant differences (P <0.05) between groups. Results There were no statistically significant differences between the intervention group and the control group in changes in secondary indicators. There were no statistically significant differences in the 28-day mortality or in the survival curves of the two groups (P=0.496 and P=0.075, respectively). Safflower yellow treatment of AECOPD may relieve the patient's clinical symptoms, such as dyspnoea, shorten the average length of hospital stay (P=0.006, respectively), and decrease the duration of mechanical ventilation. Conclusion Safflower yellow in the treatment of AECOPD has a degree of clinical value. This trial is registered under the identifier ChiCTR-IPR-17014176.

Pharmacological Activities of Safflower Yellow and Its Clinical Applications

“…Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine especially, plays an important pharmacological role [6,7]. Messelli et al [8] isolated HSYA from safflower for the first time.…”

“…There are at least 29 compounds in SY ( Table 1 ) [ 5 ], and the main compounds include hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA), anhydrosafflor yellow B (AHSYB), and other small-molecule chemicals. HSYA, especially, plays an important pharmacological role [ 6 , 7 ]. Messelli et al [ 8 ] isolated HSYA from safflower for the first time.…”

Effect of myrtol on chronic bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

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Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine Bufei Granule on Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis Based on Existing Evidence

“…Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common health issue worldwide [1][2][3] due to its increasing prevalence, financial burden, and associated morbidity. According to the projection for 2020, it will be among the top three diseases in the world responsible for deaths [4].…”