Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40739223›Full record

ArticleBMC complementary medicine and therapies2025

Efficacy and safety of SH003 on immune function: study protocol for a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Chunhoo Cheon, Seong-Gyu Ko

Abstract readClinical Trial Protocol
In one paragraph

Article in BMC complementary medicine and therapies, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Chunhoo CheonDepartment of Preventive Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea.
Seong-Gyu KoDepartment of Preventive Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea. epiko@khu.ac.kr.

Funding

Ministry of SMEs and Startups S3302137National Research Foundation of Korea 2020R1A5A2019413
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe immune system is essential for defending the body against pathogens and maintaining homeostasis. Recent global public health challenges have increased interest in natural products that enhance immune function. SH003, a compound derived from Astragalus membranaceus, Angelica gigas Radix, and Trichosanthis Radix, has shown potential as an immunomodulatory agent. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SH003 in improving immune function in individuals with a mildly weakened immune systems.

methodsThis randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial will be conducted over 8 weeks with 120 participants aged 19 to 75 years who have experienced two or more upper respiratory infections in the past year. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either SH003 or a placebo. The primary outcome is the change in natural killer cell activity. Secondary outcomes include cytokines levels (IL-2, IL-12, IFN-γ, TNF-α), inflammation markers (CRP, ESR), and stress and respiratory symptoms. Safety outcomes will be monitored through vital signs and laboratory tests. DISCUSSION: This study represents the first clinical trial to evaluate the immune-enhancing effects of SH003 in a general population with mild immune system impairment. The results could offer valuable insights into the potential of SH003 as a novel immune support intervention.

trial registrationClinical Research Information Service (registration number: KCT0009424, May 10, 2024, https://cris.nih.go.kr ). Retrospectively registered.

Indexed as

Drugs, Chinese HerbalImmunologic FactorsPlant ExtractsRespiratory Tract InfectionsAdultAgedCytokinesDouble-Blind MethodFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicYoung AdultCytokinesDrugs, Chinese HerbalImmunologic FactorsPlant ExtractsAngelica gigas RadixAstragalus MembranaceusImmune functionNatural killer cell activityRandomized controlled trialSH003Traditional medicineTrichosanthis Radix

Identifiers

PMID40739223
PMCPMC12312515

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.