Comprehensive effects of traditional Chinese medicine treatment on heart failure and changes in B-type natriuretic peptide levels: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Heart failure(HF),a common cardiovascular condition,is characterized by significant morbidity and mortality.While traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)is often used as a complementary approach in HF management,systematic evalua-tions of its impact on clinical outcomes,TCM syndrome scores,and B-type natriuretic peptide(BNP)levels are lacking.This study fills this gap through a comprehensive analysis of randomized controlled trials(RCTs)focusing on TCM for HF treatment.It encompasses an assessment of methodological quality,a meta-analysis,and an evaluation of evidence quality based on established standards.The results offer crucial insights into the potential advantages and constraints of TCM in HF management.RCTs on TCM for HF treatment published since the establishment of the database were searched in four Chinese and English databases,including China National Knowledge Infrastructure,Wanfang,VIP Information Chinese Science and Technology Journal,and PubMed.Methodological quality was assessed for the included studies with the Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment tool,and the meta-analysis and publication bias assessment was performed with the RevMan5.3 software.Finally,the quality of evidence was rated according to the GRADE criteria.RESULTS A total of 1098 RCTs were initially retrieved.After screening,16 RCTs were finally included in our study,which were published between 2020 and 2023.These RCTs involved 1660 HF patients,including 832 in the TCM group[TCM combined with conventional Western medicine(CMW)treatment]and 828 in the CWM group(CWM treatment).The course of treatments varied from 1 wk to 3 months.TCM syndrome differentiation was analyzed in 11 of the included RCTs.In all included RCTs,outcome indicators included comprehensive clinical outcomes,TCM syndrome scores,and BNP levels.The meta-analysis results showed significant differences between the TCM and CWM groups in terms of comprehensive clinical outcomes[risk ratio=-0.54;95%confidence interval(CI)=-0.61,-0.47;P<0.00001],TCM syndrome scores[weighted mean difference(WMD)=-142.07;95%CI=-147.56,-136.57;P<0.00001],and BNP levels(WMD=-142.07;95%CI=-147.56,-136.57;P<0.00001).According to the GRADE criteria,RCTs where"TCM improves clinical comprehensive outcomes"were rated as low-quality evidence,and RCTs where"TCM reduces TCM syndrome scores"or"TCM decreases BNP levels"were rated as medium-quality evidence.CONCLUSION TCM combined with CWM treatment effectively improves comprehensive clinical outcomes and diminishes TCM syndrome scores and BNP levels in HF patients.Given the low and medium quality of the included RCTs,the application of these results should be cautious.

Clinical Study of Acupoint Application of Jiezi Fangxiao Ointment Combined with Pingchuan Prescription in the Treatment of Pediatric Asthma

[Objectives]To study the clinical effect of Acupoint Application of Jiezi Fangxiao Ointment combined with Pingchuan Prescription in the treatment of pediatric asthma.[Methods]A total of 40 children with asthma admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine from July 2017 to September 2018 were selected as the research subjects,and divided into control group and observation group according to random classification method,with 20 cases in each group.Among which the control group was given routine symptomatic treatment,the observation group was treated with Acupoint Application of Jiezi Fangxiao Ointment combined with Pingchuan Prescription on the basis of the control group.After 4 weeks of continuous treatment,the clinical efficacy was observed and the changes of traditional Chinese medicine symptom scores,forced expiratory volume in the first second(FEV1),maximum expiratory flow(PEF),forced vital capacity(FVC),peripheral blood eosinophils(EOS)and interleukin-17(IL-17)were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.[Results]After treatment,the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)scores such as asthma,cough,expectoration,chest tightness,dyspnea and wheezing sound of lungs in the two groups were significantly improved,and the improvement in the observation group was superior to that in the control group.The difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).FEV1,PEF and FVC in the two groups were significantly improved after treatment,and the improvement in the observation group was superior to that in the control group.The difference was statistically significant(P<0.05);after treatment,the levels of EOS and IL-17 decreased in both groups,and the improvement in the observation group was superior to that in the control group,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).[Conclusions]The clinical effects of Acupoint Application of Jiezi Fangxiao Ointment combined with Pingchuan Prescription in the treatment of infantile asthma were obvious,which can significantly improve the TCM symptoms scores,pulmonary function and immune function of patients.

Clinical Research of Zhenwu Decoction Combined with Tingli Dazao Xiefei Decoction in the Treatment of Chronic Heart Failure with Edema Syndrome due to Yang Deficiency

[Objectives]The paper was to investigate the clinical effects of Zhenwu Decoction combined with Tingli Dazao Xiefei Decoction in the treatment of chronic heart failure with edema syndrome due to yang deficiency.[Methods]Eighty patients with chronic heart failure were randomly divided into 2 groups(control group and treatment group),with 40 cases in each group.The patients in the control group were treated with conventional western medicine for 14 d,and the patients in the treatment group were treated with Zhenwu Decoction and Tingli Dazhao Xiefeng Decoction on the basis of the control group for 14 d.The curative effect of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome score,left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),plasma N-terminal brain natruretic peptide precursor(NT-proBNP)and New York Heart Association(NYHA)functional class were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.Minnesota living with heart failure questionnaire in the principle of Chinese civilization and traditional medicine characteristics(C-MLHF)at admission and 1 month after discharge were compared between the two groups.[Results]After treatment,the total effective rate of TCM syndrome score in the treatment group was 82.50%,and that in the control group was 67.50%.The curative effect of TCM syndrome score in the treatment group was better than that in the control group(P<0.05).After treatment the LVEF in both groups was increased compared with that before treatment,and the NT-proBNP level was decreased compared with that before treatment(P<0.05),and those in the treatment group were better than those in the control group.The total effective rate of cardiac function in the treatment group was 87.50%,and that in the control group was 65.00%.The improvement of cardiac function in the treatment group was better than that in the control group(P<0.05).One month after discharge,C-MLHF scores in both groups were decreased compared with those before treatment,and that in the treatment group was lower than in the control group(P<0.05).[Conclusions]Zhenwu Decoction combined with Tingli Dazao Xiefei Decoction based on traditional western medicine treatment could improve the clinical efficacy,symptoms and quality of life of patients in the treatment of chronic heart failure with edema syndrome due to yang deficiency.