Danggui Niantong Decoction Shows Promise in treatment of Gout
Credit: Jacob Dwyer - Michigan Medicine
Credit: Cartoon of a doctor examining a patient with gout
In a significant stride towards advancing gout treatment, a new study evaluating the efficacy and safety of Danggui Niantong Decoction (DGNT) has yielded promising results. Gout, a complex form of arthritis caused by excessive uric acid levels in the blood, has long posed challenges in management. The study's findings, published in Frontiers in Pharmacology, shed light on the potential benefits of combining DGNT with conventional western medicine (CWM) for more effective gout treatment.
The study, which was meticulously registered in PROSPERO under the registration number CRD42021271607, conducted exhaustive literature research across eight electronic databases up until December 2022. The research targeted critical markers including blood uric acid (BUA) and C-reactive protein (CRP), alongside secondary outcomes such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), serum creatinine (Scr), urinary protein quantified at 24 hours (Upro), and interleukin-8 (IL-8).
A rigorous screening process, data collection, and quality assessment were independently executed by two reviewers. Analysis was carried out using Stata (SE15.0) and Review Manager (5.4) to ensure robust conclusions.
The study amalgamated data from 13 distinct research endeavors involving a total of 1,094 participants. The results demonstrated that the combination of DGNT and CWM outperformed western medicine alone across various metrics.
Specifically, the combined treatment showcased significant improvements in BUA (weighted mean differences (WMD) = -3.49), CRP (WMD = -41.48), ESR (WMD = -6.23), Scr (WMD = -18.64), Upro (WMD = -0.72), and IL-8 (WMD = -4.77). These improvements were substantiated by narrow confidence intervals and p-values indicative of statistical significance.
The study also highlighted the safety profile of DGNT treatment. While mild adverse effects were noted, none were categorized as severe, and no life-threatening events were reported. This reinforces the potential viability of DGNT as a complementary therapeutic avenue for gout sufferers.
Beyond its therapeutic promise, the study's outcomes contribute a scientific foundation that could guide improved clinical applications of DGNT in the future. As gout continues to be a pressing health concern, this research marks a significant step towards refining treatment approaches and enhancing patient outcomes.
Source:
Peng, S., Tian, J., Jin, L., Wang, H., Xie, C., Zheng, J., Liu, L., Cao, J., Zhang, W., & Zhang, X. (2023). Efficacy and safety of Danggui Niantong Decoction in patients with gout: a systematic review and meta-analysis. In Frontiers in Pharmacology (Vol. 14). Frontiers Media SA. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2023.1168863
