RESUMO
Chuanxiong is a herb used in traditional Chinese medicine for the Treatment of viral encephalitis. In animal studies it has shown to inhibit the synthesis and activity of Thromboxane [TXA2] and abate the imbalance between Thromboxane [TXA2] and Prostacyclin [PGI2]. As a result, cerebral edema, ischemia and hypoxia could be improved. The aim of this study is to evaluate its effect in the treatment of viral encephalitis in children
Methodology: ninety-nine patients with viral encephalitis were randomly divided into two groups. Ligustrazini Hydrochlorioi [LH] consisting of 51 cases [males 30, females 21; age 5 years and nine month +/- 8 years and 2month] was given LH 4mg/kg per day in 100- 300mls of 10% glucose and infused intravenously over a three to four hour period, for 7 days as a course of treatment. A control groups of 48 cases [males 31, females 17; age 5 years and three month +/- 4 years and three month] received the conventional treatment of Vitamin C[2.0-3.0g], Coenzyme A[100u] and Adenosine Triphosphate [ATP] [40mg] in 100-300 mls of 10% glucose infused intravenously daily for 7 days
Results: the total response rate in the LH group and the control group were 94.12% and 68.75% respectively [u=3.271 p<0.05]. The average time to improvement was 4.29 +/- 1.41 days and 7.31 +/- 2.66 days respectively. No adverse effect was observed in both groups
Conclusion: we conclude that LH is an effective, safe and well tolerated treatment for children encephalitis