A herbal formula for prevention of influenza-like syndrome: A double-blind randomized clinical trial

Lai-yi Wong; Ping-chung Leung; Suet-yee Pang; King-fai Cheng; Chun-kwok Wong; Wai-kei Lam; Kwok-pui Fung; Tak-fai Lau; Yee-kit Tse; Chi-yui Kwok

doi:10.1007/s11655-012-1269-6

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A herbal formula for prevention of influenza-like syndrome: A double-blind randomized clinical trial

Updated：2021-08-27

- A herbal formula for prevention of influenza-like syndrome: A double-blind randomized clinical trial
- Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine Vol. 19, Issue 4, Pages: 253-259(2013)
- Affiliations：
  
  1. School of Public Health and Primary Care, Chinese University of Hong Kong,Hong Kong,China
  2. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong,Hong Kong,China
  3. Department of Chemical Pathology, Chinese University of Hong Kong,Hong Kong,China
  4. Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Chinese University of Hong Kong,Hong Kong,China
  5. Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Chinese University of Hong Kong,Hong Kong,China
- Author bio：
- Funds：
  
  Supported by the Grant from Eu Yan Sang (Hong Kong) Ltd.
- DOI：10.1007/s11655-012-1269-6
  CLC：
- Published：2013，
  
  Published Online：2 April 2013，
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Wong, Ly., Leung, Pc., Pang, Sy. et al. A herbal formula for prevention of influenza-like syndrome: A double-blind randomized clinical trial., Chin. J. Integr. Med. 19, 253–259 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-012-1269-6

Lai-yi Wong, Ping-chung Leung, Suet-yee Pang, et al. A herbal formula for prevention of influenza-like syndrome: A double-blind randomized clinical trial. [J]. Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine 19(4):253-259(2013)
Wong, Ly., Leung, Pc., Pang, Sy. et al. A herbal formula for prevention of influenza-like syndrome: A double-blind randomized clinical trial., Chin. J. Integr. Med. 19, 253–259 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-012-1269-6 DOI：

Lai-yi Wong, Ping-chung Leung, Suet-yee Pang, et al. A herbal formula for prevention of influenza-like syndrome: A double-blind randomized clinical trial. [J]. Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine 19(4):253-259(2013) DOI： 10.1007/s11655-012-1269-6.

摘要

To investigate the efficacy of a herbal formula in the prevention of influenza or influenza-like syndrome among elderies residing in old-people’s home in Hong Kong. The secondary objectives are to investigate the quality of life (QOL) and symptomology changes among the herbal users and to evaluate the safety of this formula. In ten old people’s home or community centres in New Territories

Hong Kong

740 eligible subjects agreed to join the study and were randomized to receive a herbal formula or a placebo on alternate days over 8 weeks. Among those 740 participants

113 had provided blood samples for immunological assessments before and after the study drug. Assessments were done at 0

8 and 12 weeks. Participants were instructed to keep a daily record of body temperature and any symptoms as sore throat

myalgia

running nose or cough

and to report to assessor accordingly. Those reporting body temperature of 37.8 °C and above would be visited and a proper nasopharyngeal swab be taken for viral study. Seventy-two participants developed influenza-like-symptoms but none of them was proven influenza in their nasopharyngeal swabs

40 of these patients belonged to the herbal group and 32 to the placebo group

without significant differences between groups. The difference on the changes in QOL between the two groups was not statistically significant. However

in the immunological study

the natural killer cell absolute count was significantly increased in the herbal group compared with the placebo group (463±253 vs 413±198

P<0.05). The herbal preparation was not effective compared with placebo in the prevention of influenza-like syndrome. It was however safe and possibly supporting immunological responses.

Abstract

Hong Kong

740 eligible subjects agreed to join the study and were randomized to receive a herbal formula or a placebo on alternate days over 8 weeks. Among those 740 participants

113 had provided blood samples for immunological assessments before and after the study drug. Assessments were done at 0

8 and 12 weeks. Participants were instructed to keep a daily record of body temperature and any symptoms as sore throat

myalgia

running nose or cough

40 of these patients belonged to the herbal group and 32 to the placebo group

without significant differences between groups. The difference on the changes in QOL between the two groups was not statistically significant. However

in the immunological study

the natural killer cell absolute count was significantly increased in the herbal group compared with the placebo group (463±253 vs 413±198

P<0.05). The herbal preparation was not effective compared with placebo in the prevention of influenza-like syndrome. It was however safe and possibly supporting immunological responses.

关键词

Complementary MedicineInfluenzaherbal treatment

Keywords

Complementary MedicineInfluenzaherbal treatment

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