Chinese herbal medicine Dengzhan Shengmai capsule as adjunctive treatment for ischemic stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Complement Ther Med. 2018 Feb;36:82-89. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2017.12.004. Epub 2017 Dec 9. Yang XY1, Wang LQ2, Li JG3, Liang N4, Wang Y5, Liu JP6. Author information 1 Centre for Evidence-Based Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China. Electronic address: yuki_ying24@163.com. 2 Centre for Evidence-Based Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China. Electronic address: 912131198@qq.com. 3 Centre for Evidence-Based Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China. Electronic address: lijingen198908@126.com. 4 Centre for Evidence-Based Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China. Electronic address: liangning229@163.com. 5 Centre for Evidence-Based Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China. Electronic address: huorentang@163.com. 6 Centre for Evidence-Based Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China; The National Research Center in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NAFKAM), Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Science, the Arctic University of Norway, 9037 Tromsø, Norway. Electronic address: jianping_l@hotmail.com. Abstract OBJECTIVE: The existing eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were critically appraised for the effectiveness and safety of Chinese herbal medicine Dengzhan Shenmai for ischemic stroke. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis (CRD42016042914, http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO). METHODS: Six electronic databases were searched from inception to May 2016. Risk ratio (RR) and mean difference (MD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) were used as effect estimates using RevMan 5.3. Meta-analysis was performed where data were available. A summary of finding table was generated by the GRADEpro (version 3.6). RESULTS: We identified 14 RCTs involving 5206 participants. Majority of the included trials were of high risk of bias in methodological quality. For acute ischemic stroke, adding DZSM capsule to conventional therapy achieved higher Barthel Index scores (MD 22.37, 95% CI 21.34-23.40), lower neurological function deficit scores (MD - 3.73, 95% CI -5.27 to -2.19) and lower recurrence rate (RR 0.22, 95% CI 0.10, 0.46). For patients in their convalescence (or sequelae) stage of ischemic stroke, DZSM capsule was superior in improving quality of life (MD 28.8, 95% CI 7.10-50.50) and recurrence rate (RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.51-0.99) compared to placebo. No trials reported serious adverse events. CONCLUSION: DZSM capsule appears to improve neurological function, quality of life, and reduce recurrence rate based on conventional therapy for ischemic stroke. DZSM capsule seems generally safe for clinical application. However, the findings of benefit are inconclusive due to generally weak evidence, and further large, rigorous trials are still warranted. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved. KEYWORDS: Chinese patent medicine; Dengzhan shengmai; Ischemic stroke; Meta-analysis; Randomized controlled trials; Systematic review PMID: 29458937 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2017.12.004 [Indexed for MEDLINE] Free full text Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Google+