Efficacy of agkistrodon acutus, yehmannia root and radix aconite powder combined with ozone autohemotherapy in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Objective To investigate the efficacy of agkistrodon acutus, yehmannia root and radix aconite powder combined with ozone autohaemotherapy in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Methods Sixty-four patients with rheumatoid arthritis from January 2017 to December 2018 in the First People's Hospital of Longxi County, were randomly divided into conventional medicine group (group CM, n=32) and agkistrodon acutus, yehmannia root and radix aconite powder combined with ozone autohaemotherapy group (group AOM, n=32). Patients in group CM were given nimesulide 0.1 g, twice a day orally, compound ossotide injection 100 mg intravenous infusion, once a day, methotrexate tablet 7.5 mg, once a week orally, and the above drugs for 15 days as a course of treatment. In group AOM, 100 ml venous blood was drawn into the completely closed blood bag of ozone autohemotherapy, and 30-50 μg/ml ozone was extracted and fully mixed with it, and then returned to the blood vein within 10-15 min, once a day, 15 days as a course of treatment. At the same time, agkistrodon acutus, yehmannia root and radix aconite powder was taken after mixing it with water, 6-8 g each time, 3 times one day, 15 days as a course of treatment. The time of joint morning stiffness, handgrip strength, score of joint pain index, score of joint swelling index, VAS, rheumatoid factor (RF), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were observed before and one day, 3 months after the treatment, and the efficacy was evaluated. Results Compared with pre-treatment, the clinical symptoms were significantly improved at 1 day and 3 months after the treatment in two groups (P<0.05); RF, ESR and CRP were decreased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with group CM, there was significant improvement in clinical symptoms at 1 day after the treatment (P<0.05); RF, ESR, CRP and VAS decreased significantly (P<0.05); the morning stiffness time was significantly shortened at 3 months after the treatment (P<0.05); RF, ESR and CRP were significantly decreased in group AOM (P<0.05). The total effective rate of group AOM was higher than that of group CM (P<0.05). Conclusion Agkistrodon acutus, yehmannia root and radix aconite powder combined with ozone autohemotherapy is an effective method in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Key words: Baishediwu prescription; Ozone; Autohemotherapy; Arthritis, rheumatoid; Rheumatoid factor; Blood sedimentation; C-reactive protein; Arthralgia