Effectiveness of Zhixiao Decoction in children with bronchial asthma, and its effect on serum levels of IL-13, IL-6, and IL-17

Purpose: To probe into the efficiency of Zhixiao Decoction in treating children with bronchial asthma, and its effect on serum levels of interleukin (IL)-13, IL-6, and IL-17. Methods: 140 children with bronchial asthma who were treated in the Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of traditional Chinese medicine from February 2018 to October 2020, were included as the study group, while 70 children at the same period of physical examination served as the control group. Using the random number table, the study group was equally subdivided into regular group given Asthma-relief Oral Liquid, and treatment group given Zhixiao Decoction. Serum levels of IL-13, IL-6, and IL-17, and effectiveness and safety of Zhixiao Decoction, were measured. Results: Zhixiao Decoction showed higher levels of IL-13, IL-6, and IL-17 and greater treatment effectiveness in patients compared with Asthma-relief Oral Liquid (p < 0.05). IL-13, IL-6, and IL-17 levels exhibited negative correlation with FEV1 and PEF. The treatment group had lower post-treatment traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores, serum levels of IL-13, IL-6, IL-17; fractional exhaled nitric oxide, and eosinophil counts. The treatment group also demonstrated higher scores in asthma control test, mini-asthma-related quality of life, and better lung function than the regular group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Zhixiao Decoction mitigates clinical symptoms of bronchial asthma children, improves lung function and clinical efficacy, and down-regulates levels of inflammatory cytokines. Thus, this therapeutic approach has potentials in the management of pediatric asthma.