The Efficacy of Si-Ni-Tang (a Chinese Herbal Formula) for Severe Sepsis

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of Si-Ni-Tang (a Chinese Herbal Formula documented in Shang Han Lun) in treating severe sepsis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Severe sepsis (according to American college of chest Physicians/ Society of Critical Care Medicine (ACCP/SCCM) criteria)
• Informed consent provided by patients or legally authorized representative
• Yin syndrome in syndrome differentiation (according to principles of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome differentiation)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant or nursing female
• Subject receiving immunosuppressive or immunoenhancement therapy in the past 3 months
• Patients with known or suspicious autoimmune diseases
• Patients not expected to survive 28 days due to end-stage disease or other uncorrectable medical condition
• Fasting subjects
• Known or suspicious allergy to any ingredient of Si-Ni-Tang
• Patients not expected to survive 5 days for various reasons