An evaluation of the effects and safety of Zuogui pill for treating osteoporosis: Current evidence for an ancient Chinese herbal formula

The aim of this study is to systematically evaluate existing evidence of the Chinese herbal formula, Zuogui pill (ZGP), for the treatment of osteoporosis. A systematic literature search was performed in six electronic databases. The authors independently extracted data in pairs and evaluated the risk of bias. A total of 221 articles were identified initially, of which 12 relevant studies were enrolled. The primary outcome was fracture incidence and bone mineral density (BMD) at different sites. Bone metabolism markers, clinical symptoms, quality of life, and adverse events or adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were secondary outcomes. The results showed that ZGP, combined with anti-osteoporosis drugs, significantly increased BMD at the lumbar spine, Ward's area, and total hip. In terms of markers for improved bone metabolism, ZGP plus conventional drugs dramatically improved the levels of alkaline phosphatase, bone Gla protein, bone alkaline phosphatase, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase. Gastrointestinal discomfort, dizziness, and fatigue were found in the combined therapy group. Although the results indicate that ZGP is a potential candidate for osteoporosis, evidence remains insufficient. Further rigorously designed and high-quality trials with a larger sample size are warranted to verify the current conclusions.