Gualou Xiebai Guizhi Decoction in the Treatment of Angina Pectoris in Coronary Heart Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract

The effectiveness of the Gualou Xiebai Guizhi Decoction (GLXBGZD) in treating angina pectoris associated with coronary heart disease (CHD), a prevalent cardiovascular condition, remains a topic of inquiry. Hence, this meta-analysis systematically evaluated its efficacy in this context. A comprehensive search spanning PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, SinoMed, WanFang Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Chinese Scientific Journal Database, from inception to November 2022, was conducted to identify studies investigating GLXBGZD combined with conventional antianginal drugs for CHD-related angina pectoris. Outcome measures encompassed clinical effectiveness rate, left ventricular ejection fraction, blood lipid levels, and angina pectoris duration and frequency. Meta-analysis was performed utilizing Stata17 and Review Manager 5.4 software. The study was registered in PROSPERO under the number CRD42022375760. Seven eligible studies involving 688 patients were included. Compared to conventional treatments, GLXBGZD combined with conventional treatments exhibited a significant improvement in the clinical efficacy rate (odds ratio, 3.90; 95% confidence interval, 2.21-6.86; P <0.001). Furthermore, GLXBGZD combined with conventional treatments showed promising trends in enhancing heart function and blood lipid profiles (including reductions in total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein levels, along with an increase in high-density lipoprotein levels), as well as in reducing the duration and frequency of angina. However, we did not reach statistical significance for these outcomes (all P >0.05). In conclusion, the combination of GLXBGZD with conventional treatment demonstrated an enhanced clinical efficacy in the management of CHD-related angina pectoris. Nevertheless, there remains insufficient evidence to conclusively establish the benefits of GLXBGZD combined with conventional treatment in improving blood lipid levels and cardiac function, as well as in reducing the duration and frequency of angina pectoris.