Xiaoqinglong decoction (a traditional Chinese medicine) combined conventional treatment for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: A traditional Chinese medicine classic herbal formula named Xiaoqinglong decoction (XQLD) is widely used in China for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). The efficacy and safety of XQLD for AECOPD was evaluated in this systematic review. Methods: Five databases, including the Cochrane Library, PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang database, and Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database were searched up to October 5, 2018 for randomized control trials in treating AECOPD with XQLD. Result: Thirty-eight trials were identified. Compared with conventional therapy (CT), XQLD plus CT significantly improve the total clinical efficacy rate (Risk Ratio [RR] = 1.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.18-1.26, P < .00001). Forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) (mean difference [MD] = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.27-0.46; P < .00001), FEV1%pre (MD = 4.52, 95% CI = 2.42-6.62; P < .00001), FEV1/forced vital capacity (MD = 5.11, 95% CI = 4.21-6.00; P < .00001), PaO2 (MD = 7.17, 95% CI = 4.80-9.54; P < .00001); lowered cough symptom score (MD = -0.65; 95% CI = -0.70 to -0.59; P < .00001), sputum symptom score (MD = -0.41; 95% CI = -0.45 to -0.37; P < .00001), wheezing symptom score (MD = -0.49; 95% CI = -0.60 to -0.38; P < .00001); reduce cough relief time (MD = -1.28; 95% CI = -1.53 to -1.02; P < .00001), sputum relief time (MD = -1.19; 95% CI = -1.42 to -0.96; P < .00001), wheezing relief time (MD = -1.65; 95% CI = -2.63 to -0.68; P = .0009), lassitude relief time (MD = -2.16; 95% CI = -3.44 to -0.89; P = .0009), and PaCO2 (MD = -7.63, 95% CI = -9.62 to -5.63; P < .00001). Benefit for interleukin (IL)-4 (MD = -9.20, 95% CI = -13.59 to -4.81; P < .00001), IL-6 (MD = -5.07, 95% CI = -8.14 to -2.01; P = .001), IL-8 (MD = -5.59, 95% CI = -6.09 to -5.08; P < .00001), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha (MD = -5.93, 95% CI = -6.97 to -4.89; P < .00001), Interferon (INF)-gamma (MD = 18.03, 95% CI = 13.22-22.84; P < .00001), and C-reactive protein (MD = -3.93, 95% CI = -5.97 to -1.89; P = .0002). For adverse events, there were no difference between XILD plus CT and CT. Conclusion: XQLD plus CT was more effective than CT alone for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Further higher quality trials are needed. The safety of XQLD remained uncertain.