Effectiveness of Asthmagan administration in the complex therapy of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

Ganoderma is a medicinal mushroom that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. It contains a wide range of biologically active therapeutic molecules that have an anti‑inflammatory, immunomodulatory effect and contribute to the normalization of respiratory tract function.
 Objective — to evaluate the effectiveness of the Asthmagan drug in the complex therapy of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
 Materials and methods. Examinations involved 40 hospitalized patients with a verified diagnosis of COPD, aged 18 to 70 years. In addition to standard examinations, leukotriene B4 (LTB4) was determined. Asthmagan capsules were added to the scheme of complex inpatient and outpatient treatment.
 Results. On admission, patients complained of breathlessness and cough with wheezing and sputum production. Blood tests showed leukocytosis, elevated ESR, hyperfibrinogenemia, and increased C‑reactive protein levels. According to the results of the correlation analysis, positive correlations were found between pro‑inflammatory markers and negative correlations between LTB4 and external respiration indicators. A tendency to LTB4 reduction was noted. After the treatment, positive dynamics were observed in all patients, and in the group of patients with Asthmagan inclusion, there was a significant improvement in external respiration function and all components of the quality of life according to the St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Tolerability of Asthmagan was positive, side effects were not recorded.
 Conclusions. During the inpatient treatment of patients with COPD with the inclusion of the drug Asthmagan, regression of complaints and clinical manifestations of COPD, a decrease in the level of pro‑inflammatory markers and a tendency to LTB4 levels reduction were noted. Improvement in the quality of life along with a significant increase in the external respiration indicators testified the increase in the effectiveness of COPD treatment by including Asthmagan in the complex treatment.