Efficacy and Safety of Piwei Peiyuan Prescription in Treating Chronic Atrophic Gastritis
Chronic Atrophic Gastritis (CAG) is a significant health concern due to its potential progression to gastric cancer. Traditional treatments in Western medicine, such as proton pump inhibitors and acid suppressants, often come with adverse effects. Piwei Peiyuan Prescription, based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principles, offers a promising alternative. This prescription, composed of various herbs like Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz and Astragalus mongholicus Bunge, aims to restore the balance of the spleen and stomach, thereby improving the condition.
A multicenter, double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Piwei Peiyuan Prescription compared to Weifuchun, another TCM-based treatment. The study involved patients from six centers in Anhui province, focusing on the prescription's impact on gastric mucosal repair, inflammatory factors, and the expression of gastrointestinal hormones like gastrin (GAS) and motilin (MTL), as well as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2).
The results showed that Piwei Peiyuan Prescription significantly improved the pathological manifestations of CAG, such as atrophy and intestinal metaplasia, particularly in the gastric angle and antrum. It also enhanced the expression of GAS, MTL, and PGE2, indicating improved gastrointestinal motility and mucosal repair. The treatment was found to be safe, with only minor adverse reactions reported.
Despite its promising results, the study acknowledges limitations, including the lack of long-term follow-up and a relatively small sample size. Future research is recommended to explore the prescription's mechanism of action further and to validate its long-term efficacy and safety. The findings suggest that Piwei Peiyuan Prescription is a valuable treatment option for CAG, warranting further clinical application and study.