Clinical and laboratory studies of the effect of an antilupus pill on systemic lupus erythematosus

: An effort was made to get a clear understanding of antilupus pill (ALP) action on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to evaluate its therapeutic effect. ALP was originated from a notable efficacious recipe by an expert physician of TCM. It was prepared with the decoction of 17 Chinese medical herbs (such as Flos Lonicerae, Salvia miltiorrhiza etc.) to dispell noxious heat from blood, replenish the vital essence, invigorate blood circulation and resolve the stagnation. The effective rate of 92% for 230 SLE patients treated with ALP and corticosteroids, 85% for 76 patients treated with ALP alone, 79-89% for rash, trichomadesis, oral or nasal pharynx ulcer patients, and arthritis patients without deformation were obtained. The ANA titer was decreased markedly for 75% patients. ALP had no side effect and could take the part place of hormone in dosage and lessen its side effect. Through pharmacological verification it was concluded that ALP could inhibit the inflammatory process from various causes including type I, III and IV hypersensitivity, and show no response on both sensitizing and reactive stages of immunological reaction.