Abstract:Objective:To observe the curative effect of the oral administration of Qibao Meiran tang and tapping by plumblossom needle based on western medicine on alopecia areata, and its effect on immune function. Methods: A total of 50 cases of patients with alopecia areata were selected as the study objects,and were divided into the observation group and the control group according to the random number table method,25 cases in each group. In the two groups,hair loss area was coated with minoxidil and fluticasone propionate cream, and both groups were given the oral administration of compound glycyrrhizin tablets. The observation group was additionally given oral administration of modified Qibao Meiran tang combined with tapping by plum-blossom needle. Both groups were treated for eight weeks. Before treatment as well as after eight- week treatment, Chinese medicine syndrome score and the score of severity of alopecia tool(SALT) were evaluated. Levels of CD3 +,CD4 +,CD8 +,CD4 +/CD8 +,interferon-γ(IFN-γ),interleukin- 10(IL- 10),and interleukin- 17(IL- 17) were detected. The Dermatology Life Questionnaire Index(DLQI) was used to evaluate the effect of alopecia areata on life of patients during the past week. Adverse reactions and event during treatment were observed so as to evaluate medication safety. The clinical effect was compared between the two groups. Results: After eight- week treatment, the cured and markedly effective rate was 76.00% in the observation group,higher than that of 48.00% in the control group,the difference being significant(P<0.05). The scores of Chinese medicine syndrome,SALT,DLQI and the levels of IFN-γ and IL-17 in the two groups were decreased when compared with those before treatment(P<0.01,P<0.05),and the above five indexes in the observation group were lower than that in the control group, the difference being significant(P<0.01, P<0.05).The levels of CD3+,CD4+,and CD4+/CD8+ in the two groups were increased when compared with those before treatment(P< 0.05),and the three levels in the observation group were higher than those in the control group(P<0.01,P<0.05). There was no significant difference being found in the comparison of the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(P> 0.05). Conclusion:Based on routine western medicine,the additional therapy of oral administration of Qibao Meiran tang and tapping by plum-blossom needle has a good clinical effect in the treatment of patients with alopecia areata. It can effectively improve the patients' immune function, relieve symptoms, promote hair growth, and enhance their quality of life. Its possible mechanism involves the effect on immune function in the treatment of alopecia areata.