Objective To observe the clinical effect of herbs of reinforcing kidney

strengthening spleen

detoxifying and relieving sore throat on IgA nephropathy. Methods Sixty patients with IgA nephropathy were randomized into a treatment group（ 30 cases） and a control group（ 30 cases）. The treatment group was given herbal decoction of reinforcing kidney

strengthening spleen

detoxifying and relieving sore throat

one dose every day. The control group was given 10 mg of lotensin orally

once every day. The treatment course was 3 months for the both groups. Scores of Chinese medicine syndrome

24 hours urinary protein excretion

urinary sediment red blood cell count and side effect were compared in both groups before and after treatment. Results One case dropped out from the treatment group

and 3 cases from the control group. Symptom scores of back pain

sore throat

hypodynamia

edema

poor appetite and dry mouth decreased in the treatment group after treatment（ P < 0. 05）. Symptom scores changed little in the control group after treatment（ P > 0. 05）. After treatment

24 hours urinary protein excretion and urinary sediment red blood cell count decreased obviously in the treatment group（ P < 0. 05）; but only 24 hours urinary protein excretion decreased obviously in the control group（ P < 0. 05）. There was no significant difference in urinary sediment red blood cell count before and after treatment in the control group（ P > 0. 05）. After treatment

24 hours urinary protein excretion and urinary sediment red blood cell count in the treatment group were much lower than those in the control group（ P < 0. 05 or P < 0. 01）. Blood routine

stool routine

hepatic and renal function

as well as electrocardiogram of patients in both groups before and after treatment did not show abnormity. Conclusion Herbs of reinforcing kidney

strengthening spleen

detoxifying and relieving sore throat could improve the clinical symptoms of IgA nephropathy patients and decrease 24 hours urinary protein excretion and urinary sediment red blood cell count effectively. The treatment seems safe and effective.