An Early Phase 1 interventional study of Jing Si herbal tea (JSHT) and Placebo in Airway Disease, sponsored by Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation. Recruiting at 1 site in Taiwan. Open to participants aged 20 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2024-09-05.
Sponsored by Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation · Early Phase 1, Interventional, and Treatment
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a leading cause of global mortality, significantly impairs health-related quality of life (HRQL). COPD is characterized by airway inflammation and lung tissue damage. Jing Si herbal tea (JSHT) is known to have anti-inflammatory effects but has not been explored for treating COPD. This study investigated the potential of JSHT as an adjuvant therapy for COPD. This randomized controlled study focused on patients with COPD in the exacerbation and stable phases. The control group received the standard treatment, and the JSHT group received the standard treatment plus JSHT. Both groups underwent HRQL assessments, blood tests, and cellular studies involving five different groups to assess the effect of JSHT on damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and inflammatory markers.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common lung disease that impairs airflow and causes breathing difficulties. COPD is a major contributor to chronic health issues and mortality globally; it ranked as the third leading cause of death worldwide, resulting in 3.23 million fatalities in 2019. Individuals with COPD typically develop lung damage or airway obstruction. This condition is characterized by several common symptoms, including coughing, phlegm production, difficulty breathing, wheezing, and fatigue. The challenge in breathing frequently leads to reduced exercise endurance and diminished daily activity levels, which negatively affects health-related quality of life (HRQL). Despite following the optimal treatment provided by the Global Initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease (GOLD) guidelines, patients with COPD still experience significant disease effects. This underscores the need for continued research on potential therapies for COPD.
COPD is a gradually progressive airway disease. Harmful agents such as cigarettes and infection are the primary risk factor for COPD. The development of COPD involves airway inflammation and damage to the lung tissue. Persistent exposure to harmful agents damages lung epithelial cells, playing a crucial role in the pathogenesis of COPD. During this process, damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) are released, triggering inflammatory pathways and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. These cytokines further activate inflammatory cells, such as macrophages and neutrophils, leading to further damage to lung tissues. These inflammatory mechanisms offer insights into potentially effective treatments.
Jing Si Herbal Tea (JSHT) is a herbal blend formulated to regulate the immune system and treat inflammatory respiratory conditions. A recent study showed that combining JSHT with standard treatment in patients with COVID-19 improved clinical C-reactive protein levels and alleviated infections more effectively than standard treatment alone. Additionally, using JSHT decreases the risk of intubation, critical conditions, and mortality. This suggests that JSHT may be a beneficial adjunct therapy for patients with COVID-19. However, the therapeutic effects of JSHT in COPD have not yet been studied.
Given that JSHT was designed for immune regulation and treatment of inflammatory diseases, investigators hypothesized that JSHT could be beneficial for patients with COPD. Therefore, investigators study the therapeutic effects and precise mechanisms of action of JSHT in COPD. This study provides a possible strategy for using JSHT as an adjuvant therapy for COPD.
Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation is the lead sponsor of 55 studies on the registry; 14 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Exclusion Criteria:
Placebo group: participants with COPD AE is treated with placebo that mimic JSHT
Other: Placebo
participants with stable COPD treated with placebo that mimic JSHT
Other: Placebo
participants with stable COPD treated with JSHT
Combination Product: Jing Si herbal tea (JSHT)
participants with COPD AE is treated with JSHT
Combination Product: Jing Si herbal tea (JSHT)
JSHT has been approved by the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Taiwan (registration number MOHW-PM-060635).
Placebo of JSHT
Also known as: Placebo of JSHT
COPD Assessment Test (CAT)
The Taiwan Society of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine offers the Chinese version of the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) on the website (http://tspccm.org.tw). This test consists of eight items designed to evaluate COPD symptoms. These symptoms include cough, phlegm production, chest tightness, breathlessness, limitations in daily activities, confidence in leaving the house, sleep disturbances, and energy levels. Each symptom is rated on a scale from 0 to 5, culminating in a total CAT score ranging from 0 to 40. A higher score reflects more severe COPD symptoms. A score of 10 or higher is indicative of a significant symptom burden.
Time frame: Assess at baseline and three months of treatment
Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC)
The Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scale was used to evaluate dyspnea. This scale, comprising a 5-point grading system ranging from 0 to 4, measures dyspnea severity. A score of 0 indicates dyspnea only during intense exercise, while a sore of 4 represents breathlessness at rest.
Time frame: Assess at baseline and three months of treatment
Brief Symptom Rating Scale (BSRS-5)
The 5-item Brief Symptom Rating Scale (BSRS-5) was used to assess psychological distress. It consists of five items: feeling tense, being easily angered, feeling depressed, feeling inferior to others, difficulty with sleep, and suicidal thoughts. The scale is a 5-point scale ranging from 0 (not at all) to 4 (extremely), with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms.
Time frame: Assess at baseline and three months of treatment
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Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation