Therapeutic effect and mechanism of modified Zhigancao decoction in the treatment of primary Sjögren's syndrome based on the Th17/Treg immune regulation
HAN Qimao
CHEN Lu
Abstract：Objective this study To investigate the efficacy and mechanism of modified Zhigancao decoction in the treatment of primary Sjögren's syndrome(pSS)based on helper T lymphocytes(Th)17/regulatory T lymphocytes(Treg)immune regulation.Methods In total,60 patients with pSS who visited the hospital from April to June 2024 were enrolled as study subjects.They were divided into the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)group and the Western medicine group using a random number table,with 30 patients in each group.The TCM group was treated with modified Zhigancao decoction,while the Western medicine group was treated with Sulfasalazine Hydrochloride tablets.The clinical efficacy,TCM syndrome scores before and after treatment,Th17/Treg cell balance indicators(Th17 cell percentage,Treg cell percentage,Th17/Treg),exocrine gland function indicators(saliva flow rate and tear flow rate),and adverse reactions during treatment were compared between the two group.Results After treatment,the total effective rate of the TCM group was 93.33%(28/30),which was higher than that of the Western medicine group at 73.33%(22/30,P<0.05).After treatment,the scores of various TCM syndromes in both groups were lower than those before treatment,and compared with the Western medicine group,the scores of the TCM group were lower(P<0.05).After treatment,the Th17 cell percentage and Th17/Treg in both groups decreased compared with those before treatment,while Treg cell percentage increased compared with those before treatment;compared with the Western medicine group,the changes in the TCM group were more significant(P<0.05).After treatment,the salivary flow rate and tear flow rate of both groups increased(P<0.05),but there was no significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05).During the treatment period,there was no significant difference in the total incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion The modified Zhigancao decoction is effective in the treatment of pSS.It can alleviate TCM symptoms and improve the function of exocrine glands,with good safety.Its mechanism is related to the regulation of the Th17/Treg cell balance.
Keywords：primary Sjögren syndromeZhigancao decoctionHydroxychloroquine Sulphatehelper T cell 17regulatory T cellimmune regulationTCM syndrome score
Publication Date：2026-03-13
Online Publishing Date：2026-03-20(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：6( 81-86 )