[Qianlie Beixi capsule for unliquefiable semen: a clinical study of 180 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and possible action mechanism of Qianlie Beixi Capsule in the treatment of unliquefiable semen. METHODS: A total of 240 patients with unliquefiable semen were randomly divided into a treatment group (n = 180), treated with Qianlie Beixi Capsule, and a control group (n = 60), given compound tablets of zinc and protein. The treatment lasted two courses of 45 days each, and the seminal changes were observed and recorded. RESULTS: Of the patients in the treatment group, 144 were cured, 12 responded and 24 failed to respond to the medication after the first course; and 158 were cured, 7 responded and 15 failed to after the second course, with the effectiveness rate of 91.67%. Meanwhile, sperm motility was obviously improved, with statistically significant difference from that of the controls (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Qianlie Beixi Capsule is effective for unliquefiable semen by improving the function of the prostate and shortening the time of seminal liquefaction.

[Clinical observation on treatment of rheumatoid arthritis by combined therapy with methotrexate, sulfasalazine and Chinese herbal medicine].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Fengshi No. 1 (FS1) in treating patients with active stage of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Patients with RA were randomly divided into two groups, the 40 patients in the treated group were treated with combined therapy of methotrexate (MTX), sulfasalazine (SSZ) and FS1, and the 20 in the control groups were treated with MTX and SSZ alone. RESULTS: In the treated group, the total effective rate was 97.5%, the clinical controlled and markedly effective rate 95.0% and the occurrence rate of side-toxic reaction 10.0%, as compared with those in the control group, 60.0%, 20.0% and 45.0% respectively, the difference was significant (chi 2 = 11.91, 32.23 and 7.67 respectively, all P < 0.01). The effect in the treated group was superior to that in the control group in abating joint swelling and pain, improving function of joint, reducing immune indices and ameliorating iconographic features (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: FS1 not only has the effects of anti-inflammation, analgesis, regulating immune reaction, but also could retard the occurring of bone destruction, reduce the toxic-side effects of MTX and SSZ.