Effect of Chaihu Guizhi granules on clinical parameters and vascular endothelial function in patients with stable angina pectoris: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major cause of health problems and deaths worldwide. Endothelial function is an independent predictor of CAD. Chinese herbal medicine has been proven to effectively improve the clinical symptoms and prognosis of patients with CAD. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Chaihu Guizhi granules in patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP), explore the possible mechanism through which Chaihu Guizhi formula (CHGZ) improves vascular endothelial function, and provide evidence-based medical support for the rational clinical use of CHGZ.

METHODS

In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 90 patients were randomly assigned to the control group or the CHGZ group. The patients in the CHGZ group received conventional Western medicine and CHGZ granules for 4 weeks, while the patients in the placebo group received conventional Western medicine and placebo. The efficacy for angina pectoris, nitroglycerin discontinuation rate, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score, seattle angina questionnaire (SAQ) score, cardiac markers, vascular endothelial function and safety indicators were evaluated before and after the intervention.

RESULTS

At the end of this study, compared with those in the control group, the curative effect on angina pectoris; the total nitroglycerin discontinuation rate; the total TCM syndrome score; and the scores of several dimensions of the SAQ, B-type natriuretic peptide precursor (NT-proBNP), asymmetric dimethylarginine, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin 1 in CHGZ group were significantly greater (P < .05 or P < .01).

CONCLUSION

CHGZ may be a beneficial adjuvant treatment for SAP patients. CHGZ can effectively improve clinical symptoms, quality of life, and vascular endothelial function and is safe. The detailed mechanism through which CHGZ affects vascular endothelial function should be further studied in the future.