The clinical observation of treatment effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine on 270 cases of chronic pancreatitis

By: Wangrong, Shi Huaili, etc.

Beijing BaiCaoJiSheng researching center of chronic pancreatitis

Abstract

Objective: To observe the curative effects of Chinese medicine treatment on chronic pancreatitis. Methods: Using “the special prescription for chronic pancreatitis treatment" to treat 270 patients with chronic pancreatitis, the course of treatment was 1 to 2 months. Results: Of 270 cases, 183 cases of clinical cure, follow-up 2 years without recurrence, 70 cases of improvement, and 18 cases were ineffective, the total effective rate was 93.7%. The curative effects is remarkable. Conclusion: "The special prescription for chronic pancreatitis treatment "was a feasible and effective formula to treat the disease of "chronic pancreatitis”, and be worth promoting widely in clinical practice. Key words: traditional Chinese medicine (TCM); chronic pancreatitis(CP); traditional Chinese medicine therapy.

Chinese library catalogue number: R73r7. Document ID code: B Article number: :2307-582(97006)13-037

Chronic pancreatitis(CP) was segmental, local, diffuse or chronic inflammation in pancreas parenchyma caused by a variety of agents, leading to pancreatic parenchyma and the pancreatic duct damage, accompanied by varying degrees of endocrine-exocrine functional disturbance of the pancreas. So far, the pathogenesis, pathophysiology and process of the disease were still not very clear. Clinical manifestations presented mainly by recurrent or persistent abdominal pain, emaciation, diarrhoea or adipose diarrhoea. Commonly in patients at 40-60 years of age, particularly in women, with an obvious increasing trend in recent years. 50-60% of patients associated with biliary tract disease [1], the second cause associated with alcohol poisoning, hyperparathyroidism, disorder of immunity, high cholesterol and genetic factors, etc. At present, there was no special treatment in Western medicine, commonly including surgery, endoscopic treatment, alternative medication of pancreatic enzyme, etc. All these treatment limited to relieve symptoms or manage complications and the effect was not acceptable. The doctors working in Beijing BaiCaoJiSheng Museum of traditional Chinese medicine probed into a special prescription composed of 12 natural plant herbs according to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine with years of practice, for the treatment of chronic pancreatitis, received a significant curative effect. Now, reported as the following:

1. Clinical data 1.1 Total of 270 cases in this group, among which 147 were male, 123 were female; the age ranged from the youngest of 28 to the eldest of 72 years old and the average age was 53 years old ; Course of the disease ranged from the shortest of 3 to the longest of 20 years. 1.2 The diagnostic standard of the disease referred to "practical medicine" [2]. (1) Abdominal examination through X-ray did find the calcification, calculus or cyst, etc. in pancreas; (2) There were characteristic damages in biliary tract or pancreatic parenchyma by imaging or B-ultrasound; (3) There were typical clinical manifestations of the CP, such as indigestion, abdominal pain, abdominal distention, diarrhea, weight loss, jaundice, ascites, infection, appeared severally or simultaneously; (4) Amylase activity in blood and urine increased significantly.

2. Treatment Using " the special prescription for chronic pancreatitis treatment " to treat the CP, the composition of the prescriptions is: Radix Bupleuri, Radix Paeoniae Rubra, Immature Bitter Orange, Liquorice, Rhizoma Corydalis, Lysimachia christinae Hance, Rhizoma Ligustici Wallichii, Poria Cocos, etc. 1 does daily, making decoction and given in divided 2 doses. 10 days for one course of treatment. The shortest treatment period must be lasting for at least 3 courses of treatment and 6 courses of treatment for the longest, mostly with 4-5 courses of treatment.

During medication, the wine, bitter, hot food and other food with heavy taste were forbidden, advised to eat vegan which can be digested easy, not full.

3 Standards for the curative effect judgment and the treatment results 3.1 Standards for the curative effect judgment Standards for the curative effect judgment was formulated according to “the guidelines lon new drug clinical research of Chinese traditional medicine” and the implication of chronic pancreatitis described by modern medicine. Clinical cure: amylase activity in blood and urine returned to normal, B- ultrasound in normal pancreas. All the signs and symptoms disappeared; without recurrence within 2 years; improvement: normal amylase in blood and urine, B-ultrasonic showed normal volume of pancreas, asymmetry echo, signs, symptoms disappeared basically, or mild abdominal pain, diarrhea occurred no more than 3 times a month; Invalidity: signs, symptoms had no significant changes before and after the treatment.

3.2 The treatment results In 270 patients, 183 cases of clinical cure, no relapse within 2 years follow- up, 70 cases of improvement, 18 cases were ineffective and the total effective rate was 93.7%.

4. Disscussion About the treatment of chronic pancreatitis, the clinical effect of multiple targets and multiple effects of Chinese medicine treatment on chronic pancreatitis has been confirmed, so in China, the study of chronic pancreatitis treatment by traditional Chinese medicine was getting more and more attention, and many have been widely applied to clinical practice. The advantage of traditional Chinese medicine treatment of chronic pancreatitis was overall viewpoint and comprehensively adjusting the body's function status by using natural medicines, to achieve the purpose of treating diseases. Modern pharmacological studies have shown: Radix Bupleuri with functions of liver and pancreas damage resistance, promoting immune and anti- inflammatory; Immature Bitter Orange, Nutgrass Galingale Rhizome, etc. with functions of promoting gastric dynamics; Licorice, R hizoma C orydalis etc. with functions of diminishing inflammation, also shown good effects on relieving muscle spasm and pain [2], Rhizoma Corydalis can improve microcirculation, increase pancreatic blood perfusion. Lysimachia C hristinae Hance with the function of anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and can enhance peristalsis of the bile duct and pancreatic duct, increase of the pancreatic and bile excretion; Radix Paeoniae alba can remove smooth muscle cramps and inhibit the activity of pancreatic enzyme. After a long-term, large sample of clinical observation, the prescription was identified to be highly safe and confirmed curative effect, and worth promoting in clinical practice.

[1] Wang Xiaowei, Tang Ren, Wang Fangfang. Chronic pancreatitis pathogenesis and treatment status of traditional Chinese medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine herbs. 2002.4 (25) : 297-298 [2] Qiu Jianqiang, Bai Xiaojuan, Dong Minge. Radix bupleuri powder preparation for smoothing the liver combined with acupuncture point injection to treat the chronic pancreatitis 32 cases [J] shaanxi Traditional Chinese medicine. 2003.11 (24) : 997-998