Efficacy and Safety of Bojungikgi-Tang for Persistent Allergic Rhinitis: A Randomized, Double-Blinded,...

Area of Science:

• Integrative Medicine
• Immunology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Conventional treatments for allergic rhinitis (AR) have limitations, including insufficient efficacy and side effects from long-term use.
• Bojungikgi-tang (BJIGT) is a traditional herbal formula with known anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of BJIGT in patients with persistent allergic rhinitis (PAR).
• To compare high-dose BJIGT, standard-dose BJIGT, and placebo treatments for PAR.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving patients with PAR assigned to high-dose BJIGT, standard-dose BJIGT, or placebo.
• A 1-week run-in period followed by a 4-week treatment phase.
• Primary outcome: change in Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS); secondary outcomes: quality of life, biomarkers, and safety assessments.

Main Results:

• While the BJIGT groups showed improvement in mean TNSS compared to placebo, overall statistical significance was not reached.
• An interaction effect analysis revealed statistically significant improvement in the high-dose BJIGT group versus placebo between weeks 1-2 and 3-4.
• Secondary outcomes and safety assessments showed no significant differences between BJIGT and placebo groups, with no serious adverse events reported.

Conclusions:

• BJIGT demonstrates potential as a safe treatment option for persistent allergic rhinitis.
• Further research is warranted to confirm the clinical efficacy of BJIGT for PAR, particularly high-dose regimens.