Objective To observe the efficacy of Jinquegen Decoction [decoction of caragana（ Caraganae Sinicae Radix） ]for lupus nephritis（ LN）. Methods Totally 68 cases of LN were randomized into the treatment group and control group

with 34 in each. The patients in the control group were orally taken prednisone 10 mg daily or less and 1. 0 g of cyclophosphamide（ CTX） once a month intravenously. The treatment group was added with Jinquegen Decoction one dose daily. The treatment lasted for 6 months. The levels of urinary protein（ UPR）

anti-dsDNA antibody

IgG

C3

C4 and erythrocyte sedimentation rate（ ESR） were detected before and after treatment. The traditional Chinese medicine（ TCM） symptom scores in both groups were compared before and after treatment. The adverse reactions were observed and recorded. The efficacy was evaluated after treatment. Results The level of UPR was significantly decreased after treatment in both groups（ P < 0. 01）. The level of anti-ds-DNA antibody in the treatment group was significantly decreased after treatment（ P < 0. 05）. There was no significant difference between groups in the levels of UPR

anti-ds-DNA and ESR after treatment（ P > 0. 05）. The TCM symptom scores for symptoms such as edema

palpitations

fatigue

dry mouth

shortness of breath and chills were significantly decreased in both groups after treatment（ P < 0. 01）. The total effective rate of the treatment group and control group were 74%and 82% respectively

with no significant difference between groups（ P > 0. 05）. Adverse reactions occurred in 2cases in the treatment group and 8 cases of adverse reactions in the control group. Conclusion Jinquegen Decoction is effective for LN. It can replace CTX to some extent with a fewer side effect and better tolerance.