Pharmacological importance of Kunxian Capsule in clinical applications and its adverse effects: A review

Kunxian Capsule (KX) is a popular Chinese patent medicine for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, nephrotic syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, Henoch-Schönlein purpura, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis and eczema. However, there is scarcity of comprehensive information on the significance of KX in the clinical application and its side effects. Hence, it is aimed to provide a review of the significance of KX, with a focus on the pharmacological effects, clinical applications, and its adverse reactions. This review was based on the published literatures in PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and WanFang database. The articles were collected by two independent authors with no time limits applied until November 30, 2022. The search term includes Kunxian Capsule and/or clinical effect, pharmacology, disease, therapy, adverse effects and quality control. KX has been shown to be effective in the treatment of autoimmune arthritis by inhibiting inflammatory responses and inducing apoptosis. Many studies suggest that KX has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that aid in the improvement of joint functions. KX dispels wind, removes dampness, invigorates the kidneys, and promotes blood circulation, thereby curing various diseases. However, studies also suggest KX-related adverse reactions in multiple systems. Overall, this review highlights the scientific basis of KX in curing or preventing various diseases and provides novel insights for further research and clinical applications.