Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40333888›Full record

SynthesisPloS one2025

Effect of Qingjin Huatan decoction on pulmonary function and inflammatory mediators in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Xuqin Du, Yan Li, Jiansen Wang, Youqin Jiang, Yaji Liu, Dingrong Zhang, Qi Wu, Shouhong Long

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Xuqin DuSchool of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing University of Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0953-5444
Yan LiDepartment of Emergency, Chongqing Bishan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China.
Jiansen WangDepartment of Emergency, Chongqing Bishan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China.
Youqin JiangDepartment of Emergency, Chongqing Bishan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China.
Yaji LiuDepartment of Emergency, Chongqing Bishan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China.
Dingrong ZhangDepartment of Emergency, Chongqing Bishan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China.
Qi WuDepartment of Emergency, Chongqing Bishan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China.
Shouhong LongDepartment of Emergency, Chongqing Bishan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe inflammatory response is the main pathophysiological basis of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is a key factor that leads to frequent exacerbations and disease progression. Suppressing the inflammatory response can improve pulmonary function, prognosis, and quality of life in stable COPD patients.

objectiveTo evaluate the effect of Qingjin Huatan decoction (QJHTD) on pulmonary function and inflammatory mediators in stable COPD patients.

methodsRandomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the treatment of stable COPD with QJHTD were retrieved from nine Chinese and English electronic databases up to June 30, 2024. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool and the modified Jadad scale. Statistical analysis, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias assessment were performed using Stata 17.0 software.

resultsA total of 16 RCTs involving 1,228 stable COPD patients were included. Compared to standard treatment, QJHTD significantly improved pulmonary function, with increases in FEV1 (MD = 0.32, 95% CI [0.25, 0.38], p = 0.000), FVC (MD = 0.30, 95% CI [0.22, 0.37], p = 0.000), FEV1/FVC (MD = 5.58, 95% CI [4.81, 6.34], p = 0.000), and PaO2 (MD = 9.62, 95% CI [6.17, 13.08], p = 0.000), and a decrease in PaCO2 (MD = -9.12, 95% CI [-11.96, -6.28], p = 0.000). QJHTD also significantly suppressed the expression of inflammatory mediators, including TNF-α (MD = -7.47, 95% CI [-10.59, -4.34], p = 0.000), IL-6 (MD = -4.33, 95% CI [-6.17, -2.48], p = 0.000), and hs-CRP (MD = -9.11, 95% CI [-11.02, -7.20], p = 0.000). Additionally, QJHTD improved clinical efficacy (RR = 4.60, 95% CI [3.09, 6.86], p = 0.000) without increasing the incidence of adverse reactions (RR = 1.60, 95% CI [0.69, 2.46], p = 0.42).

conclusionThe current evidence suggests that QJHTD, as an adjunct therapy to standard treatment, may significantly improve pulmonary function, reduce inflammatory mediators, and enhance clinical efficacy in patients with stable COPD, with a favorable safety profile. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution due to several limitations, including small sample sizes, high heterogeneity among studies, and methodological weaknesses such as lack of blinding. More rigorously designed, high-quality, multicenter trials are needed to confirm these results.

Indexed as

Drugs, Chinese HerbalInflammation MediatorsLungPulmonary Disease, Chronic ObstructiveHumansMaleQuality of LifeRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicRespiratory Function TestsDrugs, Chinese HerbalInflammation Mediators

Identifiers

PMID40333888
PMCPMC12057979

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.