Effectiveness and safety of herbal medicines in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: A systematic review

Table 1 Characteristics of studies included in the analysis

Study ID	Year	n	Mean age	Sex (male %)	Study quality	Herbal medicine	Type of herbs	Control	Length (wk)	Follow-up (wk)
Gao[10]	1992	111	34	39	L	Lizhong Huoxie decoction	C.F	Oryzanol, Nifedipine	4	52
Bensoussan[11]	1998	116	47	35	H	Individualized CHM	C.F	Placebo	16	14
						Standard Formula	C.F
Zhao[12]	2000	233	39	34	L	Tongxie Yaofang modified decoction	C.F	Salazosulfapyridine	3	n.r
								Diphenoxylate, Anisodamine, Amitriptyline, Placebo
Lei[13]	2000	96	39	56	L	Huatan Liqi Tiaofu decoction	C.F	Smecta	3	n.r
Wang[14]	2000	96	39	49	L	Geqin Shujiang Shaocao decoction	C.F	Smecta, vitB	3	n.r
Ye[15]	2002	80	37	46	L	Xianshi Capsule	C.F	Dicetel, Smecta	8	n.r
Deng[16]	2002	62	38	35	L	Huanchang decoction	C.F	Anisodamine, Oryzanol	3-6	52
Zeng[17]	2002	98	38	46	L	Congpi Lunzhi Formula	C.F	Bacillus Licheniformis	6	n.r
Ge[18]	2002	57	40	44	L	Xiangsha Liujunzi decoction	C.F	Diazepam, Propantheline, Domperidone	2	n.r
Zhou[19]	2002	105	n.r	n.r	L	Shunji mixture	C.F	Bitinal	4	n.r
Sallon[20]	2002	80	47.9 ± 2.11	38	H	Padma Lax (Tibetan herbal formula)	C.E	Placebo	12	n.r
			46.3 ± 2.93
Ma[21]	2003	204	36	48	L	Changkang Capsule	C.F	Amitriptyline	4	n.r
Wang[22]	2003	104	53	53	L	Wuma Simo decoction	C.F	Cisapride	2	n.r
Liu[23]	2003	77	37	36	L	Gegan Qinlian Pellet	C.F	Nifedipine	3	n.r
Li[24]	2003	101	39	68	L	Changning Yin decoction	C.F	Diphenoxylate	5	n.r
Shen[25]	2003	47	41.6 ± 12.81	57	L	Changjitai decoction	C.F	Dicetel	8	n.r
			42.3 ± 14.73
Zhao[26]	2004	84	44	44	L	Liyiting decoction	C.F	Dicetel	6	n.r
Xiao[27]	2004	167	37	41	L	Tongxie Yaofang plus sini san decoction (similar with Tongxie Yaofang modified decoction)	C.F	Salazosulfapyridine Diphenoxylate, Anisodamine, Amitriptyline, Placebo	2	n.r
Gao[28]	2004	98	36	35	L	Tongxie yihao capsule	C.F	Dicetel, Domperidone, Loperamide, Doxepin	4	24
Madisch[29]	2004	208	47	40	H	1 STW5	C.E	Placebo	4	n.r
						2 STW5-II	C.E
						3 Bitter Candytuft	M.E
Bo[30]	2004	92	38.8 ± 1.71	41	L	Jiejing Yiji decoction	C.F	Cerekinon	2	4
			41.3 ± 1.73
Brinkhaus[31]	2005	106	47.2 ± 11.71	37	H	1 Curcama	M.E	Placebo	18	n.r
			49.5 ± 14.52			2 Fumitory	M.E
			49.0 ± 9.13

H: High quality study; L: Low quality study; C.F: Complex formulation of herbs; C.E: Complex extracts of different herbs; M.E: Mono-extract of single herb.

¹The first treatment group;

²The second treatment group;

³The control group; n.r: Not reported.

Table 2 The type and frequency of adverse events reported in the 22 studies included in the analysis (n = 1279)

Adverse events	Number of adverse events	Percentage	95% CI
Distention	9	0.70	0.32-1.34
Diarrhea	8	0.63	0.27-1.23
Abdominal pain	6	0.47	0.17-1.02
Constipation	5	0.39	0.13-0.91
Dizziness and sleepiness	4	0.31	0.09-0.80
Headaches	4	0.31	0.09-0.80
Nausea	3	0.23	0.05-0.69
Gastrointestinal discomfort	1	0.08	0.002-0.44
Upper gastrointestinal discomfort	1	0.08	0.002-0.44
Loss of hair	1	0.08	0.002-0.44
Pruritus	1	0.08	0.002-0.44
Paraesthesia	1	0.08	0.002-0.44
Disturbance	1	0.08	0.002-0.44
Hoarseness	1	0.08	0.002-0.44
Shortness of breath and chest pain	1	0.08	0.002-0.44
Total	47	3.67	2.73-4.87