OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical effect of Dusuqing (DSQ) in treating senile bacterial pneumonia and to explore its possible mechanism.

METHODSPatients were randomly divided into two groups, the treated group treated with conventional western therapy (CWT) and the combined treated group treated with CWT plus DSQ respectively. The changes of serum cytokines, interleukin-2 (IL-2) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), before and after treatment were observed.

RESULTSIn the 33 patients of the combined treated group, the total effective rate being 93.9%. While in the 31 patients of treated group, the total effective rate being 83.9%. The difference of the total effective rate between the two groups was significant (P < 0.05). The scores of principal symptoms, secondary symptoms and total scores were all obviously lowered in both groups, particularly in the combined treated group. The peripheral blood IL-2 level was lower and TNF-alpha higher in senile patients than those in healthy aged subjects respectively. All the two parameters approached normal level in the combined treated group but with insignificant change in the CWT treated group.

CONCLUSIONDSQ showed obvious effect in treating senile bacterial pneumonia. The mechanism might be related with the lowering of inflammatory cytokines such as oversecreted TNF-alpha, as well as the improvement of immune function (elevation of IL-2) of organism.