Chang-An-Shuan is an effective complementary medicine for inflammatory bowel disease

In a study published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a six-herb Chinese medicinal formula called Chang-An-Shuan has been found to be a potential treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

• Chang-An-Shaun is composed of Pulsatilla chinensis, Cortex Fraxini, Rhizoma Coptidis, Herba Pogostemonis, Herba Centellat, and Indigo naturalis.
• Crohn’s disease, an IBD, is commonly treated with drugs that are ineffective and cause serious side effects.
• Researchers at Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine in China evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of Chang-An-Shuan on colitis in mice.
• They induced colitis, the inflammation of the inner lining of the colon, in mice to serve as a model for Crohn’s disease.
• Then, they orally gave mice either 0.5 grams per kilogram (g/kg) or 5 g/kg of Chang-An-Shuan each day for 10 days.
• The oral administration of 5 g/kg of Chang-An-Shuan improved the symptoms of colitis.
• The treatment reduced the loss of body weight, relieved diarrhea, and decreased bloody stool.
• It also reduced mucosal lesions, improving the mucosal integrity of mice.
• Moreover, it suppressed the mRNA and protein levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and enhanced the level of anti-inflammatory cytokines.
• The researchers said that the anti-inflammatory effect of Chang-An-Shaun could be attributed to the inhibition of the nuclear factor-kB signaling pathway and the balanced production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines.

The findings of the study suggested that Chang-An-Shaun is a potential alternative medicine for treating IBD conditions.

Read the full text of the study at this link.

To read more stories on Chinese medicines like Chang-An-Shuan, visit ChineseMedicine.news today.

Journal Reference:

Mi H, Liu F, Li H, Hou J, Li P. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECT OF CHANG-AN-SHUAN ON TNBS-INDUCED EXPERIMENTAL COLITIS IN RATS. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 15 June 2017; 17(315). DOI: 10.1186/s12906-017-1794-0