Therapeutic effects of Huangqi formula (Eefooton) in chronic kidney disease: clinical research and narrative literature review.

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to assess the clinical effects of employing the Huangqi formula (Eefooton; EFT) for chronic kidney disease (CKD) treatment. A narrative literature review was undertaken to elucidate the specific ingredients of EFT and their potential impact on renal health.

METHODS

A retrospective observational study investigated EFT treatment in outpatients with stable CKD (stages 3B to 5) from March 2019 to March 2021. Patients received 20 mL of EFT thrice daily for 6 months, along with standard treatment. Control groups were matched to the EFT cohort. Regular assessments of renal, liver functions, and lipid profiles were conducted.

RESULTS

Serum creatinine (Cr) and eGFR levels consistently improved in stage 3B CKD patients at each follow-up visit. At 6 months, improvement in Cr and eGFR was observed for stage 4 and 5 CKD. Stage 3B CKD patients exhibited notable reductions in systolic blood pressure after 3 and 6 months of EFT treatment. Remarkably, a substantial decrease in HbA1C was noted in stage 4 CKD individuals after three months of therapy. Additionally, stage 4 CKD patients saw a significant reduction in LDL levels after both 3 and 6 months of EFT treatment. A literature review on EFT ingredients indicated that the positive effects of EFT might be associated with its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-fibrotic properties.

CONCLUSIONS

This research demonstrated that incorporating EFT alongside standard treatment enhanced renal function in individuals with CKD. EFT is proposed as a feasible complementary treatment for CKD patients, emphasizing the importance of early intervention.