Evidential support for garlic supplements against diabetic kidney disease: a preclinical meta-analysis and systematic review.

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is a popular spice that is widely used for food and medicinal purposes and has shown potential effects on diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Nevertheless, systematic preclinical studies are still lacking. In this meta-analysis and systematic review, we evaluated the role and potential mechanisms of action of garlic and its derived components in animal models of DKD. We searched eight databases for relevant studies from the establishment of the databases to December 2022 and updated in April 2023 before the completion of this review. A total of 24 trials were included in the meta-analysis. It provided preliminary evidence that supplementing with garlic could improve the indicators of renal function (BUN, Scr, 24 h urine volume, proteinuria, and KI) and metabolic disorders (BG, insulin, and body weight). Meanwhile, the beneficial effects of garlic and its components in DKD could be related to alleviating oxidative stress, suppressing inflammatory reactions, delaying renal fibrosis, and improving glucose metabolism. Furthermore, time-dose interval analysis exhibited relatively greater effectiveness when garlic products were supplied at doses of 500 mg kg-1 with interventions lasting 8-10 weeks, and garlic components were administered at doses of 45-150 mg kg-1 with interventions lasting 4-10 weeks. This meta-analysis and systematic review highlights for the first time the therapeutic potential of garlic supplementation in animal models of DKD and offers a more thorough evaluation of its effects and mechanisms to establish an evidence-based basis for designing future clinical trials.

Effects of Sheng-Mai Injection on Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by progressive ß cell dysfunction. Sheng-Mai Injection (SMI), a Traditional Chinese medicine preparation, is widely used for DM and its related complications. OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis aimed to summarize the applications of SMI in DM and related complications. METHODS: Eight databases were searched, and meta-analyses were performed. RESULTS: Fifteen studies, including 1273 participants, were included. All studies and participants included were from China. Pooled effects showed that SMI might reduce glycated hemoglobin (MD -0.46%; 95% CI -0.89 to -0.03; P < 0.01), fasting blood glucose (MD -0.83 mmol/L; 95% CI -1.30 to -0.36; P < 0.01), two-hour postprandial glucose (MD -1.27 mmol/L; 95% CI -1.96 to -0.58; P < 0.01), 24-hour urinary protein (MD -0.28 mg; 95% CI -0.51 to -0.06; P = 0.01), blood urea nitrogen (MD -1.31 mg; 95% CI -2.08 to -0.54; P < 0.05), Scr (MD -2.60; 95% CI -3.43 to -1.77; P < 0.05), ulnar nerve motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) (MD 1.45; 95% CI 0.03 to 2.87; P < 0.05), and tibial nerve sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) (MD 1.84; 95% CI 0.1 to 3.58; P < 0.05). There was no evidence of an effect on common peroneal nervous MNCV and SNCV, tibial nerve MNCV, median nerve MNCV, and SNCV. Adverse effects included less frequent gastrointestinal reactions, elevated transaminase, leucopenia, fever, and rash. CONCLUSION: Combination use of SMI based on conventional hypoglycemic treatment can significantly improve HbA1c, FBG, and 2hPG in DM and reduce 24-hour urinary protein, Scr, and BUN in DM patients. SMI was found to have no effect on the neurological function of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Effects and Mechanisms of Ban-Xia Xie-Xin Decoction on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Network Pharmacology Analysis and Experimental Evidence.

BACKGROUND: Studies have indicated that Ban-Xia Xie-Xin Decoction (BXXXD) has therapeutic effects on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, due to the complexity of components and diversity of targets, the mechanisms are still not fully elucidated. OBJECTIVE: In this research, we systematically analysed the targets of BXXXD through the method of network pharmacology and further validated them through experiments. METHODS: The active components and therapeutic targets were identified, and these targets were analysed by the methods of gene ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis. Then, based on these network pharmacology analyses, we validated the main targets through animal experiments. RESULTS: A total of 169 active components and 159 targets were identified. KEGG analysis showed that the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathway, tumour necrosis factor (TNF) signalling pathway, the phosphatidylinositol 3' -kinase (PI3K), Akt signalling pathway, and other pathways were related to the treatment of T2DM by BXXXD. PPI network analysis showed that the key genes included signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3), JUN, TNF, Recombinant V-Rel Reticuloendotheliosis Viral Oncogene Homolog A (RELA), Akt/PKB- 1 (Protein kinase B), TP53, mitogen-activated protein kinase-1 (MAPK-1), mitogen-activated protein kinase-3 (MAPK-3), interleukin- 6 (IL6), and mitogen-activated protein kinase-14 (MAPK- 14), respectively. Animal experiments showed that BXXXD could reduce blood glucose and improve insulin resistance, which may be related to the mechanisms of inhibiting TNF, interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6, and interleukin-17 (IL-17) and promoting Akt phosphorylation. CONCLUSION: Our research revealed the mechanisms of BXXXD in the treatment of diabetes, which laid a solid foundation for further studies on the molecular mechanisms of BXXXD in the treatment of T2DM.

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) in diabetes and its complications: Recent advances in mechanisms of action.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and impaired islet secretion that places a heavy burden on the global health care system due to its high incidence rate, long disease course and many complications. Fortunately, garlic (Allium sativum L.), a well-known medicinal plant and functional food without the toxicity and side effects of conventional drugs, has shown positive effects in the treatment of diabetes and its complications. With interdisciplinary development and in-depth exploration, we offer a clear and comprehensive summary of the research from the past ten years, focusing on the mechanisms and development processes of garlic in the treatment of diabetes and its complications, aiming to provide a new perspective for the treatment of diabetes and promote the efficient development of this field.

Corrigendum: The Communication Between Intestinal Microbiota and Ulcerative Colitis: An Exploration of Pathogenesis, Animal Models, and Potential Therapeutic Strategies.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.766126.].

Efficacy and Safety of Probiotics Combined With Traditional Chinese Medicine for Ulcerative Colitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: The combination of probiotics and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a prospective therapy for ulcerative colitis (UC), and its efficacy and safety need to be urgently evaluated. Objective: This study aims to comprehensively assess the efficacy and safety of probiotics combined with TCM for the treatment of UC. Methods: The Pubmed, EMBASE, Cochrane library, China Academic Journals (CNKI), Wan-fang database, Chinese biomedical literature service system (CBM), and Chinese Science and Technology Journals (CQVIP) were searched. Subgroup analysis were designed in accordance with different control drugs, treatment courses, and types of probiotics. The Review Manager software (version 5.4.1) was utilized for statistical analysis. Results: 14 original studies containing 1,154 patients were analyzed and showed that probiotics with TCM was more effective than 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), probiotics or TCM used individually. Moreover, probiotics combined with TCM could inhibit the intestinal inflammation, reduce the recurrence rate and the incidence of adverse events. The subgroup analysis showed that a mixture of different probiotics was more effective than a single strain. Conclusion: It is suggested that probiotics combined with TCM could effectively control clinical symptoms, inhibit intestinal inflammatory response, and finally slow down the disease progress and reduce the disease recurrence with less adverse events. The mixture of different probiotics used in conjunction with individually tailored TCM is a potential clinical strategy for UC.

The Communication Between Intestinal Microbiota and Ulcerative Colitis: An Exploration of Pathogenesis, Animal Models, and Potential Therapeutic Strategies.

Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. The prolonged course of UC and the lack of effective treatment management make it difficult to cure, affecting the health and life safety of patients. Although UC has received more attention, the etiology and pathogenesis of UC are still unclear. Therefore, it is urgent to establish an updated and comprehensive understanding of UC and explore effective treatment strategies. Notably, sufficient evidence shows that the intestinal microbiota plays an important role in the pathogenesis of UC, and the treating method aimed at improving the balance of the intestinal microbiota exhibits a therapeutic potential for UC. This article reviews the relationship between the genetic, immunological and microbial risk factors with UC. At the same time, the UC animal models related to intestinal microbiota dysbiosis induced by chemical drugs were evaluated. Finally, the potential value of the therapeutic strategies for restoring intestinal microbial homeostasis and treating UC were also investigated. Comprehensively, this study may help to carry out preclinical research, treatment theory and methods, and health management strategy of UC, and provide some theoretical basis for TCM in the treatment of UC.

Evidence and Potential Mechanisms of Jin-Gui Shen-Qi Wan as a Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a subtype of diabetes mellitus characterized by progressive dysfunction of ß-cell insulin secretion and insulin resistance. Jin-Guì Shèn-Qì Wán (JGSQW) has for many years been widely used in clinical practice as a treatment for T2DM. However, its effect remains unknown. Objectives: This study aims to summarize the clinical evidence of the effect of JGSQW on glucose and lipid metabolism in T2DM and the potential mechanisms underlying this effect. Methods: Six databases were searched without language or publication status restrictions. Data were extracted to a predefined template for synthesis. Results: Fourteen studies with 1586 participants were included in this meta-analysis. All 14 studies were judged to be at high risk of bias. JGSQW is safe for T2DM patients. Pooled results indicated that combination treatment results in a reduction in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (mean difference (MD) -0.49%; 95% CI -0.67 to -0.31), fasting blood glucose (FBG) (MD -0.84; 95% CI -1.19 to -0.49), and 2-hour postprandial glucose 2hBG (MD -1.38; 95% CI -1.60 to -1.16). No significant difference in glucose metabolism was observed between JGSQW and hypoglycemic agents. The available evidence was insufficient to determine the effects on lipid metabolism. Sensitivity analyses indicated that these results were robust. Conclusion: By combining the available evidence, we found that JGSQW is safe for T2DM patients. Compared with hypoglycemic agents alone, combination treatment with JGSQW enhances the effect on glucose metabolism in patients with T2DM. We found no difference in the efficacy of JGSQW alone compared to hypoglycemic agents alone. In terms of lipid metabolism, the current evidence is insufficient and too inconsistent for us to draw firm conclusions, so further studies are needed.

Effect of Huang-Lian Jie-Du Decoction on Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a heterogeneous disease characterized by persistent hyperglycemia. Huang-Lian Jie-Du decoction (HLJDD) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula which is widely used in treating T2DM in China. A thorough understanding of current body of evidence is needed. Objective: this study aims to summarize the clinical evidence of HLJDD for T2DM to provide an up-to-date and accurate understanding of this issue for research and clinical practice. Methods: Six databases were searched from inception to June 27, 2020 without language and publication status restrictions and randomized controlled trials about HLJDD on T2DM were included. Two evaluators searched and screened citations independently. Risk of bias was assessed by 2019 version 2 of the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB2). Risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used as an effect measure for dichotomous outcomes and mean difference (MD) with 95% CI was used for continuous outcomes. Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were carried out. Results: Nine studies including 811 participants were included in this study. The overall risk of bias was high risk. Compared with metformin alone, combination treatment of HLJDD and metformin may result in a reduction in HbA1c, FBG, 2hPG, HOMA-IR and an improved lipid metabolism. Evidence comparing HLJDD and metformin or no intervention or placebo was insufficient. The quality of evidence was low. Conclusions: Current evidence about HLJDD on T2DM is still uncertain and more high-quality studies are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy and safety of HLJJD.

Add-on effect of Qiming granule, a Chinese patent medicine, in treating diabetic macular edema: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Qiming granule (QG) on diabetic macular edema (DME). PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang, qvip and China Biology Medicine Disc were searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about participants with a diagnosis of DME were included. Risk of bias assessment was conducted by Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for RCT. Random-effects model was implemented to pool results. Among 16 included studies, QG combined with conventional treatment was administered 13.5 g daily for a period ranging from 2 to 6 months. Results showed combination therapy was more effective than conventional treatment alone in central macular thickness (weighted mean difference (WMD) = -29.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) (-39.56 to -19.29), p = .0001), optimum corrected vision (pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) = -0.962, 95%CI (-1.35 to -0.57), p = .0001) and overall effective rate (RR = 1.25, 95%CI = [1.13 to 1.35], p < .0001). Only three studies reported adverse effects. The quality of evidence is low. Due to a lack of placebo control, the net efficacy of QG is still uncertain. More high-quality RCTs are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of QG in DME.

Corrigendum: The Efficacy and Safety of Qiming Granule for Dry Eye Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00580.].

The Herbal Medicine Scutellaria-Coptis Alleviates Intestinal Mucosal Barrier Damage in Diabetic Rats by Inhibiting Inflammation and Modulating the Gut Microbiota.

Recent studies have confirmed that increased intestinal permeability and gut-origin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) translocation are important causes of metabolic inflammation in type 2 diabetes (T2D), but there are no recognized therapies for targeting this pathological state. Scutellaria baicalensis and Coptis chinensis are a classic herbal pair often used to treat diabetes and various intestinal diseases, and repair of intestinal barrier damage may be at the core of their therapeutic mechanism. This study investigated the effects of oral administration of Scutellaria-Coptis (SC) on the intestinal mucosal barrier in diabetic rats and explored the underlying mechanism from the perspective of anti-inflammatory and gut microbiota-modulatory effects. The main results showed that, in addition to regulating glycolipid metabolism disorders and inhibiting serum inflammatory factors, SC could also upregulate the expression levels of the tight junction proteins claudin-1, occludin, and zonula occludens (ZO-1), significantly improve intestinal epithelial damage, and inhibit excessive LPS translocation into the blood circulation. Furthermore, it was found that SC could reduce the levels of the inflammatory factors interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), IL-6, and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in intestinal tissue and that the anti-inflammatory effects involved the TLR-4/TRIF and TNFR-1/NF-κB signalling pathways. Moreover, SC had a strong inhibitory effect on some potential enteropathogenic bacteria and LPS-producing bacteria, such as Proteobacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, Enterobacter, Escherichia-Shigella, and Enterococcus, and could also promote the proliferation of butyrate-producing bacteria, such as Lachnospiraceae and Prevotellaceae. Taken together, the hypoglycaemic effects of SC were related to the protection of the intestinal mucosal barrier, and the mechanisms might be related to the inhibition of intestinal inflammation and the regulation of the gut microbiota.

The efficacy and safety of acupoint injection for diabetic gastroparesis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic gastroparesis (DGP) is one of the common complications of diabetes. Accumulated evidences have shown that acupoint injection is beneficial for the clinical treatment of diabetic gastroparesis. However, there is currently no systematic review to assess this therapy. This program aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of this therapy for the patients with DGP. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Literature search will be conducted via following electronic bibliographic databases from inception to Aug 2020: the Cochrane Library, PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE, Springer, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Biology Medicine (CBM), Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP), Wan-Fang Database. All randomized controlled trials published in English or Chinese related to acupoint injection for DGP will be included. The primary outcome is the total effective rate. The secondary outcomes are the change of motilin and gastrin levels before and after the treatment. Two researchers will be responsible for the selection of study, extraction of data, and assessment of study quality independently. RevMan V5.3 Software will be used for assessing the risk of bias and synthesizing data. RESULTS: This study will provide a high-quality synthesis of current available evidence for the treatment of DGP with this therapy clinically. CONCLUSION: The conclusions of our study will provide new evidence to judge whether acupoint injection is an effective intervention for patients suffered from DGP. OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER:: osf.io/ms58j.

Exploration in the Mechanism of Kaempferol for the Treatment of Gastric Cancer Based on Network Pharmacology.

BACKGROUND: Kaempferol is a natural polyphenol in lots of Chinese herbs, which has shown promising treatment for gastric cancer (GC). However, the molecular mechanisms of its action have not been systematically revealed yet. In this work, a network pharmacology approach was used to elucidate the potential mechanisms of kaempferol in the treatment of GC. METHODS: The kaempferol was input into the PharmMapper and SwissTargetPrediction database to get its targets, and the targets of GC were obtained by retrieving the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) database, MalaCards database, Therapeutic Target Database (TTD), and Coolgen database. The molecular docking was performed to assess the interactions between kaempferol and these targets. Next, the overlap targets of kaempferol and GC were identified for GO and KEGG enrichment analyses. Afterward, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed to get the hub targets, and the expression and overall survival analysis of the hub target were investigated. Finally, the overall survival (OS) analysis of hub targets was performed using the Kaplan-Meier Plotter online tool. RESULTS: A total of 990 genes related to GC and 10 overlapping genes were determined through matching the 24 potential targets of kaempferol with disease-associated genes. The result of molecular docking indicated that kaempferol can bind with these hub targets with good binding scores. These targets were further mapped to 140 GO biological process terms and 11 remarkable pathways. In the PPI network analysis, 3 key targets were identified, including ESR1, EGFR, and SRC. The mRNA and protein expression levels of EGFR and SRC were obviously higher in GC tissues. High expression of these targets was related to poor OS in GC patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study provided a novel approach to reveal the therapeutic mechanisms of kaempferol on GC, which will ease the future clinical application of kaempferol in the treatment of GC.

Efficacy and safety of total glucosides of paeony for rheumatoid arthritis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by erosion of joints and surrounding tissues. RA not only causes the decline of patients' physical function and quality of life, but also brings huge economic burden to patients' families and society. Total glucosides of paeony (TGP) is commonly used in treating RA in China. At present, there are many clinical reports about this medicine, but these reports have their own flaws. Therefore, there is an urgent need for systematic review and meta-analysis of the existing clinical evidence. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Literature search will be carried out in 6 databases, and the literatures will be screened according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The clinical effective rate will be taken as primary outcome. Serum rheumatoid factor, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, Western Ontario and McMaster before and after treatment and adverse effects will be secondary outcomes. The heterogeneity of the study will be examined by χ and I test. To identify the source of heterogeneity, subgroup analysis will be carried out. The sensitivity test will be conducted investigate the stability of results. Funnel plot and Egger test will be used to evaluate publication bias. Finally, the quality of evidence will be summarized. RESULTS: The results will be published in peer-reviewed journals. CONCLUSIONS: This study will systematically evaluate the efficacy of TGP in the treatment of RA. The results of this study can better guide clinical practice. OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/85QVF.

The effect of Baduanjin on intestinal flora in patients with prediabetes mellitus: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The incidence rate of prediabetes is increasing year by year. Prediabetes is a continuous ever fount of diabetes. Diabetes is closely related to intestinal flora imbalance and insulin resistance (IR). Previous studies have proved that Baduanjin can effectively improve the blood glucose and blood lipid of patients, but there is no relevant research on intestinal flora and IR. Therefore, this study focuses on the influence of Baduanjin on intestinal flora of patients with prediabetes, so as to improve the effect of IR, and finally delay or prevent the occurrence of to diabetes mellitus 2 type (T2DM). METHODS: This study will recruit 80 patients who meet the diagnostic criteria of prediabetes from Hospital of Chengdu University of traditional Chinese Medicine. Eighty patients will be randomly divided into experimental group and control group, 40 cases in each group. The control group received routine lifestyle intervention, and the experimental group received Baduanjin at least 3 to 5 times a week for a total of 6 months. The researchers monitored the intestinal flora, insulin resistance index, blood glucose, blood lipid, body mass index, and other indicators after 3 months of intervention and 6 months of intervention DISCUSSION:: Based on previous studies, intestinal flora is closely related to the occurrence and development of T2DM-IR. Baduanjin can significantly improve the blood glucose and blood lipid of patients with prediabetes, and has a positive effect on the intestinal flora of the elderly and significantly improve the intestinal microecological balance. This study used randomized controlled trial to explore the control method between Baduanjin and conventional lifestyle, in order to further establish the application of Baduanjin in patients with prediabetes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial protocol has been approved by the research hospital and registered in China clinical trial registration center on July 6, 2020 (ChiCTR2000034490).

The efficacy and safety of Banxia-Houpo-Tang for chronic pharyngitis: A protocol for systematic review and meta analysis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic pharyngitis is a common disease with a dry throat, sore throat, pharyngeal itching, dry cough, and difficulty in swallowing, bringing inconvenience to patients' daily life. Banxia-Houpo-Tang (BHT) has proven to be effective in the treatment of chronic pharyngitis, yet its real extent is not well understood. To prove this point, we will perform a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of BHT for chronic pharyngitis. METHODS/DESIGN: We will search for electronic databases both English and Chinese from inception to December 2019. Two experienced researchers select the qualified articles from: The Cochrane Library, EBM Reviews, OVID, Web of Science, PubMed, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Academic Journal Network Publishing Database (CAJD), China Biomedical Literature database (CBM), VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals (VIP). Journal Integration Platform and WAN FANG Database. We select the appropriate searching language. The primary outcome was remission rate, and the secondary outcomes include clinical symptoms, clinical examination, adverse event. Data extraction and quality assessment will be conducted by 2 experienced researchers independently. Data analysis and the risk of bias assessment will be determined by RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS: Based on the current proofs, we will get the exact evidence about the safety and effectiveness of BHT in the treatment of chronic pharyngitis. CONCLUSION: Our study is the first meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of BHT in the treatment of chronic pharyngitis, and it will provide evidence for alternative treatment for the management of chronic pharyngitis. OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/QNF6X.

Network Pharmacology-Based Identification of the Mechanisms of Shen-Qi Compound Formula in Treating Diabetes Mellitus.

AIM: The purpose of this research is to identify the mechanisms of Shen-Qi compound formula (SQC), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), for treating diabetes mellitus (DM) using system pharmacology. METHODS: The active components and therapeutic targets were identified, and these targets were analyzed using gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis. Finally, an integrated pathway was constructed to show the mechanisms of SQC. RESULTS: A total of 282 active components and 195 targets were identified through a database search. The component-target network was constructed, and the key components were screened out according to their degree. Through the GO, PPI, and KEGG analyses, the mechanism network of SQC treating DM was constructed. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the mechanisms of SQC treating DM are related to various pathways and targets. This study provides a good foundation and basis for further in-depth verification and clinical application.

Efficacy and safety of Lian-Hua Qing-Wen granule for COVID-2019: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Since the outbreak, the disease has caused more than 60,502 deaths worldwide. Lian-Hua Qing-Wen Granule (LHQWG) is widely used in treating COVID-19 in China. However, there is no evidence that LHQWG is effective for COVID-19. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A comprehensive literature search will be conducted. Two methodological trained researchers will read the title, abstract and full texts and independently select the qualified literature according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. After assessment of the risk of bias and data extraction, we will conduct meta-analyses for outcomes related to COVID-19. The heterogeneity of data will be investigated by Cochrane X and I tests. Publication bias assessment will be conducted by funnel plot analysis and Egger test. RESULTS: The results of our research will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. CONCLUSION: Our study aims to systematically present the clinical evidence of LHQWG in treating COVID-19, which will be of significant meaning for further research and clinical practice. OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER: 10.17605/OSF.IO/27SBU.

Efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine for Coronavirus disease 2019: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). There is no specific cure for this disease, and the clinical management mainly depends on supportive treatment. Traditional Chinese medicines (CHM) is widely used in treating COVID-19 in China. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search will be conducted. Two methodological trained researchers will read the title, abstract, and full texts and independently select the qualified literature according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. After assessment of the risk of bias and data extraction, we will conduct meta-analyses for outcomes related to COVID-19. The heterogeneity of data will be investigated by Cochrane χ and I tests. Then publication bias assessment will be conducted by funnel plot analysis and Egger test. RESULTS: The results of our research will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. CONCLUSION: Our study aims to systematically present the clinical evidence of CHM in the treatment of COVID-19, which will be of guiding significance for further research and clinical practice. OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER: 10.17605/OSF.IO/H7GMU.