Astragalus injection may be a useful approach for enhancing the efficacy of system lupus erythematoosus treatment. - GreenMedInfo Summary

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Radix Astragali Injection on apoptosis of lymphocytes and immune function in treating patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: Eighty SLE patients were randomly assigned into the routine treatment group (RT) treated with conventional therapy and the Radix Astragali treated group (RA) treated with Radix Astragali Injection besides routine treatment. The expressions of Fas and Bcl-2 antigen on lymphocytes and the changes of T lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood before and after treatment were observed. RESULTS: After treatment, the expression of Fas antigen on lymphocytes significantly lowered (P < 0.01), and that of Bcl-2 antigen, CD4+ lymphocyte subset and CD4+ / CD8+ ratio significantly increased in both groups (all P < 0.01). However, the changes of Fas antigen expression, CD4+ and CD4+ / CD8+ ratio were more significant in the RA group than those in the RT group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Radix Astragli Injection can enhance the inhibitory function of corticosteroid/immunosuppressant on apoptosis, and regulate the ratio and function of T lymphocyte subsets to normal range, which may be a useful approach for enhancing the efficacy of treatment to SLE.