Objective: To study the therapeutic efficacy of Lixue Xiaoyin Decoction (LXD) in treating psoriasis and its effect on plasma endothelin (ET).
Methods: Two hundred and twenty patients were divided into two groups. LXD was taken orally by the 118 patients in the treated group, while Compound Qingdai Capsule (CQC) taken orally by the 102 patients in the control group. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated after 8 weeks of treatment. The ET content was determined by radioimmunoassay before and after treatment.
Results: The total effective rate was 73.72% in the treated group and 54.90% in the control group with significant difference (chi2 = 8.52, P < 0.01). The plasm ET level in patients was significantly higher than that in the healthy subjects. ET in both groups was all lowered after treatment, but the decrement was more obvious in the treated group, showing significant difference when compared with that in the control group (P < 0.01).
Conclusion: LXD shows good therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of psoriasis. It can improve the microcirculation, inhibit the division of epithelial cells, promote the epidermic cell differentiation, and shows regulative effect on plasma ET.