Chinese Herbal Medicine (Zi Shen Qing) for Mild-to-Moderate Systematic Lupus Erythematosus: A Pilot Prospective, Single-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Study

Table 1

Comparison of different Chinese herbal medicines in SLE.

Chinese name	Full scientific name	Action in TCM	Immunomodulatory effects
Ren Shen	Radix Ginseng	Replenishes  qi and strengthen  yang; Tonify the spleen and lungs	Stimulates the bone marrow and improves the phagocytic function of monocytes
Huang Qi	Radix Astragali	Tonify spleen and lung qi, and wei qi	Enhancement of T-cell proliferation, promoting NK cell killing effects
Gou Qi	Wolfberry Fruit	Nourishes liver and kidney and tonifies yin	Activates the thymus cell proliferation and improves IL-2 and white blood cells
He Shou Wu	Radix Polygoni Multiflori	Nourishes kidney and blood	Enhancement of C3b receptor, promoting interferons (IFNs) production
Ling Zhi	Ganoderma Lucidum	Boosts heart qi and calms shen	Inhibits platelet aggregation and improves CD^4+ level and CD^4+/CD^8+ level
Gan Cao	Glycyrrhiza Uralensis	Tonifies qi and clears heat and toxic fire	Modulates serum level of IgE, IgA, and IgM antibodies, decreases serum level TNF-α, and induces B cell maturation