TY  - JOUR
AU  - Liu, Juntong
AU  - Zhang, Haiyun
AU  - Yu, Longmei
AU  - Zhang, Honglei
AU  - Hu, Linhan
AU  - Zhang, Yihang
AU  - Zhou, Yumei
AU  - Wang, Ji
AU  - Wang, Qi
PY  - 2026
TI  - Efficacy and safety of the Chinese herbal formula Guominkang for allergic rhinitis: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
JO  - Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences
SN  - 2095-7548
SP  - 337
EP  - 348
VL  - 13
IS  - 3
AB  - ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of Guominkang (GMK) for allergic rhinitis (AR).MethodsA total of 130 patients with AR aged 18–60 were randomized 1:1 to the GMK or placebo groups for 8 weeks of treatment. Assessments were conducted every 4 weeks, followed by follow-up visits every 8 weeks during the 24-week follow-up period. The primary outcome was the change in total nasal symptom score (TNSS). Secondary outcome measures included related symptom scores, quality of life assessments, mental health scales and laboratory test results.ResultsA total of 110 of the 130 participants completed the study at the Sixth People's Hospital of Nantong City, Nantong, China, between February and December 2023. After 8 weeks of treatment, the intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis showed a greater reduction in TNSS in the GMK group, with a score change of 9.00 (7.00, 10.00) and a difference (95% confidence interval [CI]) of − 9.00 (− 9.00 to − 8.00; P < .001). Consistent findings were confirmed in the per-protocol (PP) analysis, with a score change: 8.63 (2.37) and a difference (95% CI) of − 8.68 (− 9.51 to − 7.85; P < .001). The GMK group also showed marked improvements in total nasal and non-nasal symptom score (TNNSS), rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) scores and 36-item short form health survey (SF-36) (P < .001). Only Weed Pollen (wx5) showed a significant group–time interaction (P = .037). No serious adverse events or abnormal laboratory findings were observed.ConclusionGMK effectively relieves symptoms and improves quality of life of patients with AR. However, larger and longer-term trials are needed to further verify its efficacy and safety.
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcms.2026.06.006
DO  - 10.1016/j.jtcms.2026.06.006