Objective: To observe the clinical effect of Shengxueling (SXL) on idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)

and study the possible mechanism.Methods: Eighty-six cases of ITP were randomly divided into two groups. The SXL group

56 patients treated with SXL

a traditinal Chinese medicine and 30 patients administered with prednisone were taken as control. Each group took drugs for 3 months and was under follow-up observation.Results: In the SXL group

the total effective rate was 85. 71%

similar to prednisone 83. 33%(P>0. 05) for 3 months

but the total effective rate of SXL (91.07%) were obviously better than that of the control group (53. 33%) (P<0.01) for 6 months and had no obvious adverse reaction. The patients bleeding was alleviated or stopped

the general condition was improved. At the same time

blood platelet count (PLT) was increased

platelet associated immunoglobulin (PAIg) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) were markedly dropped

the level of natural killers cells activity (NKa) increased

the rate of T lymphocyte subsets gradually returned to normal level. Megakaryocyte tended to maturation on bone marrow smear after treatment. All differences above were statistically significant.Conclusion: SXL is an effective and safe medicine for ITP. Its mechanism could regulate cytoimmune

inhibit platelet antibody to reduce the destruction of platelet

increase the number of platelet

promote the division and maturation of megakaryocyte

facilitate the production and release of platelet

lower the fragility of capillary

prevent and cure hemorrhagic tendency.