Objective: To discuss the clinical efficacy of Mahuang Lianqiao Chixiaodou Tang for allergic rhinitis (AR) and investigate its effect on interferon-γ (IFN-γ)

interleukin-2 (IL-2)

interleukin-4 (IL-4)

interleukin-5 (IL-5)

interleukin-17 (IL-17)

interleukin-10 (IL-10) and total IgE(TIgE) levels in serum of the patients. Method: One hundred and twenty-five patients with AR were randomly divided into control group (62 cases) and observation group (63 cases) by random number table

and another 20 cases were used as healthy control group. Patients in control group received budesonide aerosol

200-1 600 μg/day in 2-4 times. Patients in observation group orally took Mahuang Lianqiao Chixiaodou Tang

10 g/time

2 times/day. The treatment course was 7 days for both groups. Before and after treatment

levels of IFN-γ

IL-2

IL-4

IL-5

IL-17

IL-10 and TIgE levels were detected. Scores of nasal obstruction

rhinocnesmus

sternutation and rhinorrhoea as well as the overall symptoms were graded by visual analogue scale (VAS) both before and after treatment. Result: The clinical cure rate was 80.95% in the observation group

higher than 61.29% in the control group according to chi square test (P < 0.05). Total clinical effective rate was 95.24% and 91.94% respectively in observation group and control group

and there was no statistically significant difference between two groups according to chi square test. After treatment

the scores of nasal obstruction

rhinocnesmus and sternutation in observation group were lower than those in control group (P < 0.05). Levels of IFN-γ

IL-2 and IL-10 in serum of two treatment groups were lower than those in healthy control group (P < 0.01)

while the levels of IL-4

IL-5

IL-17 and TIgE were higher than those in healthy control group (P < 0.01). As compared with the data before treatment

the levels of IL-2 and IL-10 in serum were significantly increased in both groups (P < 0.01)

while the levels of IL-5

IL-17 and TIgE were significantly decreased (P < 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in IFN-γ level change in both groups. After treatment

the levels of IL-2 and IL-10 in serum of observation group were higher than those in control group

while the levels of IL-5

IL-17 and TIgE were lower than those in control group (P < 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in IFN-γ and IL-4 between two groups after treatment. The levels of IFN-γ

IL-2 and IL-10 in the two treatment groups were still lower than those in healthy control group after treatment (P < 0.01)

while the levels of IL-4

IL-5

IL-17 and TIgE were still higher than those in healthy control group (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Mahuang Lianqiao Chixiaodou Tang can regulate the Th1/Th2

Th17 and Treg levels in patients with allergic rhinitis

promote the recovery of balance and relieve inflammatory response

and its clinical efficacy was superior to budesonide aerosol for allergic rhinitis.