Table 4. Summary of efficacy and safety profile of AMS indicated for CKD symptoms.
aQDDHG is composed of Huang Qi, Danshen, Dihuang, Shanyao, and Gan Cao.
bDosage and frequency vary from patient to patient.
Percentage reduction in symptoms is computed using (mean score at baseline - mean score post-treatment at end of study)/(mean score at baseline) for the treatment group.
99mTc-DTPA: 99 m technetium diethylenetri-aminepenta-aceticacid, BAID: brachial arterial inner diameter, BID: twice a day, ELISA: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, GS-Rb1: Ginseng extract, MDRD: Modification of Diet in Renal Disease, QoL: Quality of life, TBN: Tianbaoning, TID: thrice a day, TIW: thrice a week, TwHF: Tripterygium Wilfordii Hook F, ZSTL: zishentongluo
| Type of AMS | Common doses and treatment regimens and duration of therapy | Indications | Percentage reduction in CKD symptoms (if available) | Adverse effects reported (%) |
| TCM (n=20) [3,7,17,36-52] | Herbal | Renal function | 2.76% to 51.2% | Elbow soreness (10%); liver injury and dysfunction (1.04-19.40%); dry cough, pneumonia, and upper respiratory infections (1.04-5.26%); hyperkalemia (3.64-23.50%); vomiting (38.2%); leukopenia and anemia (1.61-2.90%); photosensitive dermatitis, itchy skin, and rash (1.65-8.8%); gastrointestinal symptoms, nausea, and vomiting (1.57-38.2%); insomnia (1.96%) |
| Herbal granules TID x 6 months; QDDHG tabletsa BID x 12 weeks; 500 mg GS-Rb1 QD x 6 months; 8 g TSF granules and ARB BID x 24 weeks; 150 mL ZSTL solution BID x 3 months; TCM granules BID x 24 weeks | ||||
| Acupuncture | ||||
| Acupuncture at Li4, ST36 and K13 acupoint QD x 3 months | ||||
| Herbal | Proteinuria | -61.8% to -18.6% | ||
| 9.6 g of Shenqi particle TID x 48 weeks; 40 mg TWHF TID x 3 months followed by 20 mg TWHF TID x 3 months; Huangkui capsule TID x 12 months; 60 mg TWHF and 160 mg valsartan QD x 24 weeks | ||||
| Acupuncture | Uremic pruritus | -60.2% to -54.7% | ||
| Acupuncture at Quchi (L11) acupoint TIW x 1 month; acupuncture at Quchi (L11) and Zusanli (ST 36) acupoint BIW x 1 month; acupuncture at various acupoints TIW x 6 weeks | ||||
| Acupuncture QIW x 2 months | Fatigue, insomnia, itchiness, and pain | -89.2% to 15.2% | ||
| Infrared stimulation of Qihai (RN6), Kuamyuan (RN4) and Chungchi (RN3) TIW x 3 months | QoL | -9.10% to 163% | ||
| Qingshen granules TID x 3 months | Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway | -61.4% to 17.8% | ||
| Qingshen granules TID x 3 months | Immune function | 42.3% to -20.2% | ||
| TBN tablets (gingko extract) TI x 8 weeks | Vascular endothelial function | 44.5% to 40.8% | ||
| Ayurveda (n=6) [53-58] | Plant-based | Renal function | -56.0% to 86.8% | Nausea, vomiting, and headache (6.67-10%); abdominal pain (4.5%) severe skin burning (2.8%) |
| Sativa oil QD and alpha-keto amino acid tablets TID; 140 mg silymarin TID x 3 months; 140 mg silymarin tablet QD x 3 months | ||||
| Animal-based | ||||
| Camel milk BID x 3 months | ||||
| 0.03% capsaicin ointment QID x 4 weeks | Uremic pruritus | -84.3% | ||
| 1000/500 mg of beleric capsule taken QD | Hyperuricemia | -24.4% to 40.4% | ||
| Naturopathy (n=5) [59-63] | Alpha-keto amino acid tablets TID x 3 months; Keto amino acid tablets QD x 9 months | Malnutrition | 39.5% to 49.2% | Nausea (6.25%); diarrhea (6.25%); stomach discomfort (4.45%) |
| Watercress extract QD x 1 month; garlic extract tablets TIW x 2 months | Inflammation | -73.8% to 26.6% | ||
| Pomegranate juice TIW x 2 months | Hypertension, stress, and inflammation | -30.3% to 22.5% | ||
| Homeopathy (n=2) [16,64] | Homeopathic verum medicationb administered x 60 days; Brazilian green propolis pills BD x 3 months | Uremic pruritus | -41.5% to -29.2% | - |
| Renal function | -27.6% |