[Observation on the treatment of systemic lupus erythematous with a Gentiana macrophylla complex tablet and a minimal dose of prednisone].

Sixty-two cases of systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) treated with Tab. Gentiana macrophylla complex 5 tablets three times per day or 10 tablets twice per day and prednisone 10-30 mg per day were reported. As controls, 19 cases of SLE were treated with prednisone alone at the same time. The results showed complete remission in 86.46% (50/62) cases in the observation group and 31.57% (6/19) cases in the control group. Eight cases of SLE treated with Tab. Gentiana m. complex alone also achieved complete remission in 6 cases and improvement in 2. There was very significant statistical difference between the two groups (P less than 0.001). The Tab. Gentiana m. complex was more effective on the improvement of nephropathy, arthralgia, erythema and restoration of ESR, LE cells and CH50, C3 than prednisone alone. No apparent side effects of Tab. Gentiana m. complex were found in this observation.