Modified Sipjeondaebo-tang (JAROTANG) for Henoch-Schonlein purpura nephritis (HSPN): Two case reports.

INTRODUCTION: Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is a disease commonly manifesting purpura, joint pain, and gastrointestinal symptoms. It can lead to glomerulonephritis (Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis, HSPN), which is directly associated with mortality and progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD). While HSP occurs more commonly in children, deadly outcomes occur at a higher rate in adult patients. Previous studies have not reported effective treatment of HSPN by Western or traditional medicine. Here, we report two cases of adult HSPN patients treated with the herbal medicine Jarotang (JRT, modified Sipjeondaebo-tang, modified SJDBT). CASE SUMMARY: Two female patients (Cases 1 and 2), who were 26 and 27 years old, respectively, came to visit us complaining mainly of cutaneous purpura. Both women were diagnosed with HSP, and the results of urinalysis indicated that the HSP had already progressed to renal involvement (3+ proteinuria with 3+ urine occult blood in case 1; 100-120 RBC/HPF with 2+ urine occult blood in Case 2). Both patients were given modified SJDBT in the name of JRT, with some herbs added to disperse and circulate stagnant qi, relieve indigestion, and clear heat. After treatment, patient 1 showed only a trace level of urine occult blood, with disappearance of purpura and proteinuria. Patient 2 showed complete remission of purpura and hematuria. CONCLUSIONS: Modified SJDBT, namely, JRT was effective in treating 2 cases of adulthood HSP and subsequent nephritis. This may be due to the ability of this therapy to replenish qi and blood and/or its immunological effect on T cells. The medication can serve as an effective cure for HSPN.

Traditional Korean medicine treatment for livedoid vasculopathy: Five case reports.

INTRODUCTION: This study was performed to evaluate the clinical effect of a Korean medicine treatment for livedoid vasculopathy (LV). METHODS: Five patients with LV were selected who exhibited blood stasis due to qi stagnation () caused by external cold () or dual deficiency of qi and blood () and who had suffered from chronic episodic LV for at least 2 years. The treatment consisted of Korean herbal medicine, Haechungtang (, HC). Five cases were evaluated based on visual symptoms. The symptoms at first visit were scored on a visual analogue scale (VAS) from 1 to 10. RESULTS: Following treatment, all of the symptoms except pigmentation disappeared completely in all cases. No symptom control with corticosteroids or warfarin was necessary. CONCLUSION: These case reports suggest that HC could be effective for treating LV. Follow-up studies and further clinical studies are needed to evaluate recurrence and to provide more efficient treatment.

Pigmented Purpuric Dermatosis in Adults Treated with Herbal Medicine: Report of Five Cases.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this report is to demonstrate the clinical effect of Korean medicine treatment for pigmented purpuric dermatosis (PPD). METHODS: Five cases of PPD with skin purpura and blood heat due to blood deficiency were evaluated. All patients had been in a chronic disease state for at least 1 year. The treatment consisted only of the Korean herbal medicine Gami-Samultang (GS). The degree of symptoms that the patients experienced when they first visited our clinic was set at a visual analog scale (VAS) score of 10. RESULTS: After treatment, body purpura disappeared in all cases. In contrast, the patients' symptoms had not resolved following previous steroid treatment. All patients were satisfied with the treatment results and showed a VAS score of 0 for purpura. CONCLUSION: This report suggests that GS can be used to effectively treat PPD. Additional clinical studies on PPD are needed to develop more comprehensive treatment guidelines.

Korean herbal medicine for treating henoch-schonlein purpura with yin deficiency: five case reports.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to report the clinical effect of Korean medicine (KM) treatment for Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP). METHODS: Five HSP patients who demonstrated a Yin deficiency and who had a history of a previous upper respiratory tract infection were included in this study. Four patients had arthritis and three had severe stomachache. One of them appeared to have proteinuria and hematuria before starting KM treatment. RESULTS: All patients were improved with only herbal medicine, Jarotang (JRT). Purpura in the lower extremities and abdominal pain, which were not treated by using a corticosteroid, disappeared and had not recurred after 6 months. CONCLUSION: These cases indicate that JRT may be effective in treating HSP in patients who demonstrate Yin deficiency, even though the number of cases was limited to five.