Two Chinese herbal formulas have been found to be effective for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In a multi-centre randomised controlled trial carried out in China, 331 patients were divided into a placebo group and two treatment groups. One treatment group received Bu Shen Yi Qi (BSYQ) granules (consisting of Huang Qi [Radix Astragali], Di Huang [Radix Rehmanniae] and Yin Yang Huo [Herba Epimedii]) and the other received Bu Shen Fang Chuan (BSFC) tablets (consisting of Di Huang [Radix Rehmanniae], Shu Di Huang [Radix Rehmanniae Preparata], Yin Yang Huo [Herba Epimedii], Bu Gu Zhi [Fructus Psoraleae], Folium Herba Cuscutae, Shan Yao [Rhizoma Dioscoreae], Chen Pi [Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae], and Zhi Fu Zi [Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata]. All groups were also treated with conventional medicines. Treatment lasted six months with a 12-month follow-up. Lung function tests showed that both BSYQ and BSFC improved lung function parameters compared with placebo. Both BSYQ and BSFC also reduced the frequency of symptom exacerbation and improved physical and psychological health and disease-related mortality. Both treatments were found to decrease levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and improved levels of cortisol and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10.
Effects of two chinese herbal formulae for the treatment of moderate to severe stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled trial.
PLoS One. 2014 Aug 13;9(8):e103168).