OBJECTIVETo investigate the intervening effect of Liuwei Dihuang pill (LWDH) on lupus nephropathy (LN) treated with glucocorticoids and cyclophosphamide (CTX).

METHODSSixty-four patients were randomly divided into two groups, all patients were treated by conventional treatment, using prednisone in standard program, and CTX in a daily dose of 8 - 12 mg/kg, accumulated dose < or = 150 mg/kg, by adding into 500 ml of 5% glucose in saline through intravenous dripping, as well as the symptomatic treatment. Patients in the treated group were given LWDH additionally.

RESULTSThe curative effect in the treated group was significantly superior to that in the control group (P < 0.05). Laboratory indexes, including urinary protein, plasma protein and serum creatinine (SCr), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), complement C3, etc. were significantly improved in both groups (P < 0.01), but all the improvement, except that of SCr, in the treated group were superior to those in the control group respectively (P <0.05 or P <0.01). Besides, the recurrent rate and incidence rate of adverse reaction in the treated group was significant lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONLWDH can significantly enhance the therapeutic effect of CTX and glucocorticoids on LN, decrease the recurrence and shows advantage in counteracting against the adverse effects of glucocorticoids and CTX.