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. 2024 Jun 12:15:1356899.
doi: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1356899. eCollection 2024.

Efficacy and safety of Xiangsha liujunzi decoction for functional dyspepsia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Longhua Wang  1 , Xia Ding  2 , Xinning Yao  1 , Ping Li  1 , Fuwen Zhang #  1 , Fenglei Wang #  1 , Bai Li #  1 , Jing Li #  1
Affiliations

Efficacy and safety of Xiangsha liujunzi decoction for functional dyspepsia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Longhua Wang et al. Front Pharmacol. .

Abstract

Background: Functional dyspepsia is a highly prevalent digestive disorder. The limited effectiveness of current pharmaceutical interventions necessitates the exploration of alternative therapeutic options for functional dyspepsia. Xiangsha liujunzi decoction, a well-known traditional Chinese medicine formulation, has been widely employed in the treatment of functional dyspepsia in China. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of Xiangsha liujunzi decoction in the treatment of functional dyspepsia remains uncertain.

Objective: To examine the effectiveness and safety of Xiangsha liujunzi decoction for treating functional dyspepsia.

Methods: We retrieved seven databases containing randomized controlled trials on functional dyspepsia published up until 31 July 2023. The quality of these studies was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias assessment tool. The analysis of data was performed using the software RevMan 5.4. The total clinical effectiveness rate was evaluated as the primary outcome. In addition, gastric emptying rate, symptom score and safety evaluation were evaluated as the secondary outcomes.

Results: The meta-analysis included 23 studies, involving 2,101 individuals. Xiangsha liujunzi decoction demonstrated a significantly higher clinical effectiveness rate compared to the control group (RR 1.27; 95% CI 1.21, 1.33; p < 0.00001). Moreover, it exhibited superior gastric emptying rate and symptom score improvement compared to the control group. Nevertheless, no remarkable differences were detected in safety between Xiangsha liujunzi decoction and the control group (RR 0.67; 95% CI 0.16, 2.76; p = 0.58).

Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that Xiangsha liujunzi decoction exhibits effectiveness and no significant adverse events observed. However, because of the low quality of the enrolled studies, more high-quality and strict design randomized controlled trials are required in the future.

Keywords: Xiangsha liujunzi decoction; effectiveness; functional dyspepsia; meta-analysis; systematic review.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Flow chart of study screening.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Risk of bias graph.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Risk of bias summary.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Forest plot illustrating the clinical efficacy.
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5
Forest plot of subgroup analysis illustrating the clinical efficacy.
FIGURE 6
FIGURE 6
Funnel plot illustrating the clinical efficacy outcomes.
FIGURE 7
FIGURE 7
Forest plot illustrating the enhancement of gastric emptying rate.
FIGURE 8
FIGURE 8
Forest plot illustrating the improvement in gastric emptying rate after excluding a specific study.
FIGURE 9
FIGURE 9
Forest plot illustrating the improvement in symptom scores.
FIGURE 10
FIGURE 10
Forest plot depicting the safety assessment findings.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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