Radix astragali injection enhances recovery from sudden deafness

Objectives: An acute interruption of the blood supply to the inner ear is one of the most likely causative factors for sudden deafness (SD). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been suggested to be important mediators of the tissue injury during cochlear ischemia and reperfusion. Radix astragali (RA) is natural antioxidant. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of RA in patients with SD. Patients and methods: We compared the hearing gains from hearing impairment in 46 ears treated with RA with 46 ears treated with non-RA. RA was given intravenously daily for 10 days. There were no significant differences in clinical or audiological data between RA and non-RA groups. Results: The hearing gain at 250, 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz in RA group was much higher than that of non-RA group correspondingly (P <.01). Also, the hearing gain at PTA (pure-tone average of 250, 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz) in RA group was significantly higher than that of non-RA group (P <.01). Conclusion: The recovery of hearing was significantly better after treatment of RA than non-treatment of RA. RA can be valuable concurrent therapy for patients with SD. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.