Herbal Preparation Used as Adjuvant Therapy on Diabetic Ulcers

An Evidence Base Study on the Clinical Effects of Integrated Western Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine for Diabetic Foot Ulcer Treatment

Chronic foot ulcers occurring among diabetic patients are difficult to heal. The frequent elderly age with co-morbidities, vascular insufficiencies, peripheral neuropathies and super imposed infections, all contribute towards the chronicity and failure of treatment. Preserving the ulcerated limb is the patients' wish. On the other hand, an infected ulcer that never heals just unnecessarily prolongs suffering. Nevertheless, patients earnestly like to try all methods of healing before accepting amputation. Objective:To determine whether a course of herbal preparation used as an adjuvant therapy for diabetic patients suffering from chronic foot ulcers may promote healing so that major leg amputation can be avoided.

The Decoction is taken orally, twice a day, treatment period is 24 weeks The herbal formulation or a placebo was given as an adjuvant therapy for the treatment of the unhealing ulcers in these diabetic patients. The formula consisted of 12 herbs, viz: Radix astragali, Rhizoma atractylodis marcocephalae, Radix stephaniae tetrandrae, Radix polygoni multiflori, Radix rehmanniae, Radix smilax china, Fructus corni, Rhizoma dioscoreae, Cortex moutan, Rhizoma alismatis, Rhizoma smilacis glabrae, and Fructus schisandrae

Placebo taking orally, twice a day, 24 week treatment period The herbal formulation or a placebo was given as an adjuvant therapy for the treatment of the unhealing ulcers in these diabetic patients. The placebo was made with starch and colouring materials.

The state of inflammation at baseline and at 4 weeks after treatment. TNF-alpha are in value of serum level.

Inclusion Criteria: Well Controlled diabetic state Presence of gangrene or non-healing ulcer in diabetic patients over the foot or feet. Infection should be well controlled. Good glycaemic control Exclusion Criteria: Pregnant women and women at risk of conception Patients taking digitalis glycosides Patients with abnormal liver function tests Patients with plasma creatinine great then 150 umol/l or unstable renal function Poorly controlled Diabetes Mellitus Uncontrolled infection History of adverse reaction to herbal medicine Unstable medical conditions Non-compliance with regime

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