It is well known that aconitine-alkaloids is effective for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the clinical use is limited in part because of its side effects. In this study we examined the therapeutic effects of newly processed “bushi” (Shujibushi) in which the contents of original forms of aconitines were reduced to aboid their undesirable effects. The effectiveness of the “Shujibushi” was recognized in 65.8% (45/67) for clinical and definite RA and in 80.7% (21/26) for probable RA. There were not any adverse side effects.
In order to obtain possible explanations for the high effectiveness of the “Shujibushi”, we analized ingredients of the “Shujibushi” in comparison with “Uzu” another type of aconitine-alkaloids medicine. The “Shujibushi” contained the significantly larger amounts of total alkaloids compared with “Uzu”. The satisfactory effectiveness of the “Shujibushi” might be brought on by the high content of total alkaloids which seem to be composed of aconitine-metabolites and its original forms.