Effect of addition or subtraction of Simiaowan combined with diclofenac sodium enteric-coated capsules on symptoms and matrix metalloproteinase-9 level in patients with ankylosing spondylitis of damp-heat type

Objective To investigate the effect of addition or subtraction of Simiaowan combined with diclofenac sodium enteric-coated capsules for patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) of damp heat type. Methods A total of 92 patients with AS of damp-heat type treated at Luoyang Zhenggu Hospital from December, 2016 to December, 2018 were selected, and were divided into a control group (n=46) and an experimental group ( n=46) by the random number table method. The control group orally took diclofenac sodium enteric-coated capsules, and the experimental group diclofenac sodium enteric-coated capsules and Simiaowan; both groups were treated for 12 weeks. The medical effects and adverse reactions in the two groups were observed. The TCM syndrome scores (lumbar sacral back pain, morning stiffness, peripheral joint swelling), serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) before and after the treatment were compared between these two groups. Results The total effective rat was higher e in the experimental group than in the control group (95.65% vs. 76.09%, P 0.05). Conclusion Simiaowan combined with diclofenac sodium enteric-coated capsules in the treatment of patients with AS of damp-heat type can improve their clinical symptoms and the therapeutic effect, and is safe. The mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of serum levels of TNF-α, ICAM-1, and MMP-9. Key words: Ankylosing spondylitis; Diclofenac sodium enteric-coated capsules; Simiaowan; MMP-9; ICAM-1