The clinical application value of compound Stachys sieboldii Miq granules to stable COPD patients

The aim of this paper was to explore the application value of Stachys sieboldii Miq granules which is a kind of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients.

Randomized double-blind method was used to select 160 patients with stable COPD. The patients were randomly divided into placebo group and Stachys sieboldii Miq group. Both groups underwent test items for 2 months, detected plasma cytokines, Saint George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) scores, pulmonary function, and the frequency of acute exacerbation (AE) at week 12. Follow-up was done every 12 weeks till 48 weeks to record the frequency of AE.

A total of 120 patients with 60 in each group were included. At week 12, there were significant differences in the plasma concentrations of TH17, IL-17A, IFN-γ and IL-10 between the two groups (all P=0.000). The proinflammatory factors TH17 and IL-17A were significantly lower in control group, while the anti-inflammatory factors IFN-γ and IL-10 were higher in the control group. And the SGRQ Score of Stachys sieboldii Miq group was significantly lower. There was no significant difference in lung function (FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC) between the two groups (P=0.510, 0.529, and 0.843). Within 48 weeks, the AE frequency and change with time showed significant differences between the two groups (P=0.029), and the incidence of AE was reduced by 47.9% in Stachys sieboldii Miq group.

Stachys sieboldii Miq granules reduced proinflammatory factors and increased anti-inflammatory factors in stable COPD patients, reducing the probability of inducing AE treatment.