To systematically evaluate the efficacy of urinary granules combined with RAAS system blockers in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy(DN). A meta-analysis of the data required in the literature in accordance with this study was performed using Rev Man 5.3 software. Fifteen randomized controlled trials were analyzed in the present study to evaluate the clinical effect of Niaoduqing-angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blocker(ACEI/ARB) in DN patients. A total of 1063 patients were involved, including 538 patients receiving the combination treatment and 525 patients in the control group. The results showed that the clinical efficacy of Niaoduqing granule combined with ACEI/ARB was significantly better than of the control group(odds ratio = 2.92, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.76–4.86). The treatment combined with Niaoduqing granule decreased the 24-h urinary protein quantitation(mean difference [MD] 0.71, 95% CI 0.28–1.14) and urine albumin excretion rate(UAER)(MD 41.13, 95% CI 26.66–55.59) levels. However, the combination group had no treatment advantage on reducing serumurea nitrogen(MD 0.86, 95% CI 0.05–1.68, P = 0.02) and fasting blood glucose(MD-0.03, 95% CI-0.15–0.09, P = 0.61). And there was no significance in adverse events between two groups(risk ratio = 2.34, 95% CI 0.69–7.95, P = 0.17). Niaoduqing granule-ACEI/ARB combination group maybe as safe as ACEI/ARB alone, and the combination played an advantage in improvement in total effective rate, reduction of 24-h urinary protein quantitation and UAER.
