Effectiveness of Yishen Tongbi decoction versus methotrexate in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis: A double-blind, randomized, controlled, non-inferiority trial

Real-world effects of Yishen Tongbi decoction for rheumatoid arthritis: protocol for a prospective, observational, multicenter cohort study with validation against double-blind, randomized, controlled trial

“…Leukopenia incidence was 2.0% in both groups, and one MTX patient appeared anemic. Menstrual irregularities affected 3.5% (3/86) of female patients (43 premenopausal) without significant group difference ( p = 0.554) during the 24-week trial ( Xu et al, 2023 ). This study provides high-quality evidence of evidence-based medicine for the treatment of RA with YSTB, and the relevant results are published in the first District Journal of the highest influencing factor in the field of traditional Chinese medicine.…”

“…Traditional Chinese medicine theory, clinical practice and many basic studies have shown that Yishen Tongbi decoction has a significant effect in the treatment of RA, but the therapeutic advantage of traditional Chinese medicine is still lack of high-quality evidence-based medicine. Therefore, the research group conducted a double-blind, randomized, controlled, non-inferiority trial of YSTB in the treatment of active RA, head-to-head comparison of the efficacy and adverse reactions of MTX ( Xu et al, 2023 ). This clinical trial is the first RCT study in China to use traditional Chinese medicine compound prescription and MTX to conduct a head-to-head study in the field of RA treatment.…”

“…Based on previous study and physician experience ( Xu et al, 2023 ), this study comprises two independent trials with comparative rates. Its objective is to explore whether there exists a disparity in the ACR20 response rate between the two groups after 12 weeks of treatment.…”

“…We have completed a 24-week double-blind, double-model, randomized controlled trial comparing the effectiveness and safety of YSTB with MTX for active RA. At week 4, the YSTB groups exhibited a significantly higher attainment of ACR20 and EULAR good or moderate responses, indicative of a more rapid therapeutic effect compared to MTX ( Xu et al, 2023 ). In our animal experiments, we observed that YSTB possesses anti-inflammatory properties, inhibits synovial hyperplasia, and improves bone destruction ( Hu et al, 2021 ; Jiao et al, 2023 ).…”

Modulation of the vitamin D receptor by traditional Chinese medicines and bioactive compounds: potential therapeutic applications in VDR-dependent diseases

“…This is so because, in various VDR-dependent diseases such as psoriasis, osteomalacia, joint sprains, osteoporosis, inflammatory disorders, and even broken bones, topical applications of TCM formulas or herbal remedies have proven beneficial ( Li et al, 2017 ; Zhang et al, 2022a ). For example, clinical studies using TCM for the management of musculoskeletal disorders, particularly bone fractures, osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis, have reported some significant success ( Li et al, 2007 ; He et al, 2008 ; Xu et al, 2023 ). In addition, it has been shown that some TCM natural products investigated in laboratory settings for the treatment of osteoporosis appear to have both anabolic and anticatabolic effects, enhancing osteogenesis and reducing unbalanced osteoclast activity, resulting in improved bone mineral density and biomechanical properties, and reduced bone microstructural degeneration ( An et al, 2016 ).…”