Evaluation of the Efficacy and the Mechanism of Chinese Herbal Formula SS-1 for Sjogren's Syndrome---A Randomized Control Trial (I)

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine (SS-1) for the Sjögren’s syndrome (SJS) patients. Method: We take a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over design clinical trial to evaluate the effect of Chinese herbal medicine (SS-1) on the regulation of oxidative-related cytokines and the antioxidant capacity for the Sjögren’s syndrome (SJS) patients. Through the oxidative stress reduction, the quality of life, clinical manifestation and the adverse effect of current drugs will be improved. We will also use a SJS cell model to elucidate the antioxidant mechanism of SS-1. The SJS patients in this clinical trial will be screened and be referred from the out-patient department (OPD) of the Rheumatology Department of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. The patients will be divided into two groups (A and B) at random and all of them keep the routine treatment in the rheumatology OPD. Group A patients will receive 12 weeks SS-1 treatment first and stop the SS-1 for 4 weeks to enter the wash-out phase, and then receive 12weeks placebo treatment after the wash-out phase. Group B patients receive 12 weeks placebo first and stop the placebo treatment for 4 weeks to enter the wash-out phase, and then receive 12weeks SS-1 treatment after the wash-out phase. SS-1 is composed of the powder of Gan-Lu-Yin, Sang-Ju-Yin and Xuefu-Zhuyu-Decoction with the ratio of 2:1:1 and the placebo is composed with corn starch, pigment and 1/100 SS-1. Patients in both groups take 6 gram of experiment medicine three times per day. We plan to evaluate the associated parameters at the time just before treatment (V1), after treatment for 12weeks (V2), at the end of wash-out phase (V3) and when the crossover treatment is comleted (V4). Expected Results: 1. SS-1 may improve the clinical manifestation, quality of life, and alleviate the adverse effect of current drugs used for the patients with Sjögren’s syndrome 2. To evaluate the effect of the Chinese medicine on the tongue diagnosis before and after treatment. 3. SS-1 may reduce the oxidative stress (8-OHdG and mtDNA 4977 bp deletion) and elevate the antioxidant capacity (TAC, GSH, mtDNA copy number, SOD, GPX, CAT). 4. SS-1 may have the regulatory effect on cytokine secretion and immune function. 5. SS-1 may have the capacity of reducing the oxidative stress, elevating the antioxidant capacity and regulating the immune response in the model of submaxillary salivary gland cell line with the induction of IFN-γand IFN-α. 6. Identification of the single herb in the SS-1 mixture that regulates oxidative stress and cytokine in the model of submaxillary salivary gland cell line, and set up of the Chinese herbs screen platform for Sjögren’s syndrome.

Project ID:PC10303-0017
External Project ID:MOST103-2325-B039-009