TCM herb decoction improves airway rebuilding in the lungs of COPD patients

Researchers have found that the traditional Chinese herb Radix Stemonae to be effective in treating various symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The mechanisms of action of the popular folk decoction, colloquially termed as bai bu, were explored in a study published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

• Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: control, COPD, and treatment.
• These rats were fed for 112 days before being sacrificed.
  • Lung function for each animal was analyzed.
  • The right lower lung was fixed for morphologic observation.
• Inflammatory mediators in serum were observed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
• Gavage therapy with Radix Stemonae was found to manage body weight and improve pulmonary functions in rats compared to the control or COPD group.
• It was also found that characteristics of inflammation and emphysema were milder in the treatment group.

These results provide compelling evidence that bai bu may be used to mitigate and improve airway rebuilding in the lungs of patients affected by COPD.

Read the full text of the study at this link.

Bai bu is one of many Asian folk medicines that can be used to heal various diseases. Learn more about these alternative remedies at ChineseMedicine.news.

Journal Reference:

Wang Z, Yang W, Yang P, Gao B, Luo L. EFFECT OF RADIX STEMONAE CONCENTRATED DECOCTION ON THE LUNG TISSUE PATHOLOGY AND INFLAMMATORY MEDIATORS IN COPD RATS. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 10 November 2016;16(457). DOI: 10.1186/s12906-016-1444-y