Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable

Effect of Chinese Herbal Medicine on Kidney Function in Non-Diabetic CKD

Taiwan66 participantsStarted 2026-06-11

Plain-language summary

This study is a randomized controlled pilot trial designed to evaluate the effects and safety of a traditional Chinese medicine formula (CKD-1) as an add-on therapy to standard treatment in patients with stage 3-4 non-diabetic chronic kidney disease. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned to receive either standard care alone or standard care combined with CKD-1 for 12 weeks. Kidney function, urine protein levels, and quality of life will be assessed before and after the intervention. The study aims to provide preliminary evidence on whether CKD-1 can improve renal function and quality of life in this patient population.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged ≥18 years. * Patients diagnosed with stage 3-4 chronic kidney disease (CKD), confirmed by a nephrologist and classified as ICD-10-CM codes N18.3-N18.4. * Ability to understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent. * Willingness to comply with study procedures and follow-up visits. Exclusion Criteria: * Acute kidney injury or major kidney-related surgery within 3 months prior to enrollment. * Participation in another clinical trial within 3 months that may affect renal function. * Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels greater than 3 times the upper limit of normal. * Pregnancy or breastfeeding. * History of diabetes mellitus. * Malignancy currently receiving chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or other systemic anticancer treatment. * End-stage disease defined under palliative care regulations. * Known allergy to any components of the CKD-1 herbal formula, including Astragalus membranaceus, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Poria cocos, Moutan cortex, Scutellaria baicalensis, Lonicera japonica, or Alisma orientale.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Since this trial is testing a Chinese herbal medicine approach for non-diabetic chronic kidney disease, can you help me understand whether my specific type of CKD — and what's causing it — would make this kind of treatment a reasonable option to explore?
2The trial is listed as 'not yet recruiting,' so it hasn't started enrolling patients yet — do you know when it might open, and would it make sense for me to pursue standard treatments in the meantime rather than waiting?
3The primary outcome being measured is change in eGFR, which tracks kidney function over time — how does my current eGFR compare to what this trial might be targeting, and is my kidney disease at a stage where joining a study like this could be appropriate?
4This trial is listed as Phase NA, which means it may not follow the typical drug trial phases — can you explain what that means for how much is already known about the safety and effectiveness of the herbal medicine being studied?
5Are there established treatments for non-diabetic CKD that have stronger evidence behind them that I should consider first, before looking into a trial that hasn't even started recruiting yet?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Change in Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR)

Timeframe: From baseline to 12 weeks of treatment

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07657338

SponsorChina Medical University Hospital

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-12-31

Contact for this trial

CHE-JU CHANG, MD

+886-5-7837901 160076@tool.caaumed.org.tw

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Non-diabetic Chronic Kidney Disease trials