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Objective: The high incidence of Tension-type headache (TTH) has led to significant social and economic challenges. Given the widespread use of Chinese patent medicines (CPM) for TTH patients, this study aim to evaluate the efficacy of different CPMs in treating TTH by network meta-analysis. Methods: Eight databases were conducted to identify CPMs-related randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from database inception date to August 2023. The primary outcome was clinical efficiency rate. The secondary outcomes were numerical rating scale (NRS), frequency of headache, duration of headache, hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA), hamilton depression Scale (HAMD) and adverse reactions. ROB 2.0 were used for quality evaluation. Stata 15.1 and R 3.5.3 software were used for Bayesian network meta-analysis. Results: A total of forty-one RCTs were included, involving 3,996 patients and 8 CPMs. The network meta-analysis revealed that Shugan Jieyu capsule plus western medicine (WM) was the best choice of CPM for improving clinical efficiency rate [vs. WM: relative risk (RR) = 7.31, 95 % confidence interval (CI): (1.65, 56.71)]. Yangxue Qingnao granule plus WM was superior to other therapeutic combinations in reducing duration of headache [vs. WM: MD = 1.05, 95%CI(0.74, 1.40)]. Jieyu pill plus WM might have best effect in reducing HAMD [vs. WM: MD = 7.15, 95%CI(-3.77, 18.14)], HAMA scores [vs. WM: MD = −7.41, 95%CI(-13.39, −1.42)], and NRS scores [vs. WM: mean difference (MD) = 2.01, 95%CI(1.47, 2.55)]. In terms of the frequency of headache, although Yangxue Qingnao granule plus WM and Toutong-ning capsule plus WM performed best, the optimal CPMs in reducing the frequency of headache remain to be further explored. Furthermore, due to the limited safety evidence available, reliable safety conclusions could not be drawn. Conclusion: CPM can effectively improve headache symptoms, clinical efficiency, and quality of life in patients with TTH. However, research with high quality and large sample sizes is needed for further investigation due to the limitations of this study.

Introduction: Chronic insomnia in adults affects the health and quality of life of patients. Chinese patent medicines (CPMs) combined with benzodiazepines/non-benzodiazepines (BZDs/N-BZDs) are used frequently in routine clinical practice. However, evidence on the efficacy and safety of these combined interventions is lacking. A multiple treatment meta-analysis (MTMA) was conducted to evaluate the comparative efficacy and safety of 16 CPMs combined with BZDs/N-BZDs for the treatment of chronic insomnia in adults. Methodology: We systematically reviewed 171 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 16,874 participants (8506 in intervention groups and 8368 in control groups) from the inception of several databases to 2023. This review encompassed electronic databases, regulatory-agency websites, and international registers of published trials involving adult patients with chronic insomnia who received CPM + BZDs/N-BZDs therapies. A random-effects MTMA was undertaken using Stata/MP17, RevMan (5.3), and R. Outcome measures were the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), overall efficacy rate, as well as the incidence of dry mouth, dizziness, and somnolence. Results: Our MTMA showed that BZD/N-BZD therapy as a co-intervention for Tianmengjiaonang (TMJN) was likely to be the optimal option for improving the PSQI (surface under the cumulative sorting curve (SUCRA) = 95.00 %), whereas shensongyangxinjiaonang (SSYXJN) had the highest probability of improving overall effectiveness (SUCRA = 88.20 %). Jiaotaiwan (JTW), Bailemian (BLMJN), and Wulinjiaonang (WLJN) had the highest probability of reducing the incidence of somnolence (SUCRA = 90.00 %), dry mouth (SUCRA = 72.90 %), and dizziness (SUCRA = 84.40 %). Conclusions: All CPMs in combination with BZDs/N-BZDs were more efficacious and safer than using BZDs/N-BZDs alone in adults with chronic insomnia. SSYXJN + BZDs/N-BZDs and TMJN + BZDs/N-BZDs are likely to be optimal CPMs because they improve overall efficacy and sleep quality and reduce the risk of adverse effects. However, the effects of these interventions may vary from person to person. Hence, patients, carers, and clinicians should carefully consider the efficacy, safety, and risk–benefit profile of all active interventions for patients with insomnia based on real-world data.

Objective: This scoping review aims to document Chinese Patent Medicines (CPMs) for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, explore whether CPMs can improve patients’ health outcomes, and set priorities in addressing research gaps in this area. Methods: Following the framework of PRISMA-SCr, we proposed the research questions based on PICOS principle, and searched the CPMs for T2DM from three drug lists, followed by a systematic search of the literature in eight databases from their inception to June 22, 2023. Then, we developed the eligibility criteria and systematically reviewed the relevant studies, retained the studies about CPMs for T2DM, extracted the related data, and identified the differences across studies in structured charts. Results: A total of 25 types of CPMs were extracted from the three drug lists. Radix astragali appeared most frequently (19 times) among the herbal medicinal ingredients of CPMs. A total of 449 articles were included in the full-paper analysis ultimately, all of which were about 20 types of CPMs, and there were no related reports on the remaining five CPMs. Except about a quarter (25.39 %, 114/449) using CPMs alone, the remaining studies all involved the combination with oral hypoglycemics for T2DM. Biguanides are the most common drugs used in combination with CPMs (50.14 %, 168/335). Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) is the most frequently reported outcomes in efficacy evaluation (82.41 %, 370/449). Conclusion: There are a total of 25 types of CPMs currently available for T2DM patients. However, the volume of related evidence on these CPMs varies. It is necessary to standardize the combined use of CPMs and conventional medicine and select appropriate outcomes in future studies.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is one of the most common infectious diseases, and its morbidity and mortality increase with age. Resistance and mutations development make the use of anti-infective therapy challenging. Chinese patent medicines (CPMs) are often used to treat CAP in China and well tolerable. However, currently there are no evidence-based guideline for the treatment of CAP with CPMs, and the misuse of CPMs is common. Therefore, we established a guideline panel to develop this guideline. We identified six clinical questions through two rounds of survey, and we then systematically searched relevant evidence and performed meta-analyses, evidence summaries and GRADE decision tables to draft recommendations, which were then voted on by a consensus panel using the Delphi method. Finally, we developed ten recommendations based on evidence synthesis and expert consensus. For the treatment of severe CAP in adults, we recommend Tanreqing injection, Reduning injection, Xuebijing injection, Shenfu injection, and Shenmai injection respectively. For the treatment of non-severe CAP in adults, we recommend Tanreqing injection, Reduning injection, Lianhua Qingwen capsule/granule, Qingfei Xiaoyan Pill and Shufeng Jiedu capsule respectively. CPMs have great potential to help in the fight against CAP worldwide, but more high-quality studies are still needed to strengthen the evidence.

Background: Considering the limitations of Western medicine (WM) in treating Insomnia among adults, and the extensive use of Chinese patent medicines (CPMs), a comprehensive evaluation of the efficacy and safety of Different CPMs used in combination with WM for Insomnia in adults is necessary. To this end, a systematic investigation was conducted to scrutinize the effectiveness and safety of using 16 different CPMs in conjunction with WM in treating Insomnia in adults. The present study employed a network meta-analysis technique to compare and evaluate the combined therapeutic potential of these 16 CPMs and WM in treating adults with Insomnia. Methods: Literary databases were scrupulously combed through from their commencement until November 2022 to collect all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that centered on adult patients afflicted with insomnia and treated with a blend of Chinese patent medicines (CPMs) and Western medicine (WM). The investigation analyzed diverse outcomes, comprising total effective rate, Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), occurrence of somnolence, occurrence of dry mouth, and occurrence of dizziness. The examination utilized advanced statistical tools such as RevMan (5.3), Stata/MP17, and R software, and also calculated the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) probability values, which were employed to rank the examined treatments. In addition, the inquiry executed clustering analysis to contrast the effects and safety of CPMs on distinct outcomes. Results: A total of 283studies involving 27,151patients and 16 CMPs were included. The 16 CMPs were: Wulingjiaonang (WLJN), Anshenbunaoye (ASBNY), Baileminjiaonang (BLWJN), Shenqiwuweizi (SQWWZ), Shensongyangxinjiaonang (SSYXJN), Jiaotaiwan (JTW), Yangxinanshengwan (YXASW), Tianwangbuxindan (TWBXD), Zhushaanshenwan (ZSASW), Yangdanxinnaotong (YDXNT), Yangxueqingnaokeli (YXQNKL), Tianmengjiaonang (TMJN), Zaorenanshenjiaonang (ZRASJN), Shuganjieyujiaonang (SGJYJN), Xiaoyaosan (XYS), Shumianjiaonang (SMJN). The results of the network meta-analysis showed that, with WM treatment as a co-intervention, SSYXJN was most likely to improve the total efficiency rate (SUCRA= 84.70%), ASBNY had the highest probability of being the best option for improving the Sleep quality (SUCRA= 99.20%), JTW had the highest probability of reducing the incidence of somnolence (SUCRA= 94.10%), ZSASW had the highest probability of reducing the incidence of dry mouth (SUCRA= 74.70%), while WLJN had the highest probability of reducing the incidence of dizziness (SUCRA= 73.10%). Conclusions: CPMs combined with WM is proved to be more effective and safer than WM alone, which may be beneficial to adults with Insomnia patients. SQWWZ+WM(Level of evidence, moderate) and ZSASW+WM(Level of evidence, moderate) are most likely the optimal CPM to improve total efficiency rates, Sleep quality, and reduce adverse effects. This study, however, has some limitations as discussed in this article; therefore, higher quality RCTs and real-world evidence are required to support our conclusions.

Identification of constitutive herbs in an herbal product is critical for ensuring its quality and efficacy. However, current identification methods often lack universality, entail long durations, and involve complex procedures. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop innovative methods for identifying constitutive herbs. This paper aims to propose a more refined, universal, simple, rapid, and eco-friendly method for identifying more constitutive herbs in herbal products, significantly enhancing the precision and efficiency of quality control method of herbal products. Leveraging UHPLC‒Q‒TOF‒MS (ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry) data of herbs and the R language, we devised algorithms to find exclusive ions and diagnostic ions of each herb. An open platform named IdenHerb for identifying constitutive herbs of herbal products was established. Using IdenHerb, exclusive ions of 94 herbs were found, and from these exclusive ions, their diagnostic ions were screened out. These diagnostic ions were successfully applied to identify constitutive herbs of two mixtures of herbal powders and eight Chinese patent medicines. Furthermore, this methodology was evaluated using three commonly encountered adulterants as test cases. After incorporating the LC‒MS data of these adulterants into the comprehensive LC‒MS database of all herbs, this approach demonstrated excellent discriminatory capabilities. Compared to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2020 edition), IdenHerb is capable of identifying a greater number of constituent herbs, thereby enhancing the level of quality control for the herbal products. This strategy deserves further research and wide application., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2025 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Chinese patent medicines (CPMs) are popularly used in clinical practice. Though the composition is complex, the quality of CPM is usually evaluated by the contents of a few main compounds. In this study, a two-leveled metabolomics strategy was proposed to discover minor marker compounds for different CPM products. Zhenqi Fuzheng (ZQFZ) granule was studied an example, where 15 batches from 3 producers were analyzed. The samples were separated using UHPLC on an Acquity UPLC® HSS T3 column, and then detected using Q-Orbitrap-MS. In the first level, 1475 common peaks were extracted and 95 compounds were identified using diagnostic ions and a homemade database. In the second level, the data were subjected to a two-way hierarchical clustering analysis and screened by variable importance value. In total 14 marker compounds were discovered which were responsible for the grouping of different ZQFZ products. Echinacoside (22), oleoside (13), loganic acid (5), salidroside (7), ligustrosidic acid (42), 6α-hydroxygeniposide (28), and oleoside 11-methyl ester (15) could be used to reflect the quality difference for ZQFZ granule products. The proposed strategy could also contribute to the discovery of quality control markers for other CPMs., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare no actual or potential competing financial interests., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Influenza is a major public health problem worldwide. Mutations and resistance development make the use of antiviral therapy challenging. Chinese patent medicines are often used to treat influenza in China and well tolerable. However, the misuse of Chinese patent medicines is common. We therefore aimed to develop an evidence-based guideline on treating influenza with Chinese patent medicines in adults to guide clinical practice. We formed a steering committee, a consensus panel, a consultants' group and an evidence synthesis team to guide the development of the guideline. We formulated the clinical questions through two rounds of survey, and finally selected five questions. We then systematically searched the related evidence and conducted meta-analyses, evidence summaries and GRADE decision tables to draft the recommendations, which the consensus panel then voted on using the Delphi method. Finally, we formulated six recommendations based on the evidence synthesis and experts' consensus. For treating mild influenza, we suggest either Lianhua Qingwen capsule, Jinhua Qinggan granule, Banlangen granule, Shufeng Jiedu capsule, or Jinfang Baidu pill, depending on the manifestations. For severe influenza, or mild influenza in patients at high risk of developing severe influenza, we suggest Lianhua Qingwen capsule in combination with antiviral medications and supportive therapy. The strength of all recommendations was weak. Traditional Chinese medicine has great potential to help in the fight against influenza worldwide, but more high-quality studies are still needed to strengthen the evidence., (Copyright © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

The outbreak of emerging infectious pneumonia caused by 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) has posed an enormous threat to public health, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) have made vast contribution to the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) among Chinese population. As an indispensable part of TCM, Chinese patent medicines (CPMs) are highly valued and critically acclaimed in their campaign to contain and tackle the epidemic, they can achieve considerable effects for both suspected cases under medical observation period, and confirmed individuals with serious underlying diseases or critical conditions. Given this, based on the Guideline on Diagnosis and Treatment of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in China, the present review summarized the basic information, clinical evidence and published literatures of recommended CPMs against COVID-19. The details were thoroughly introduced involving compositions, therapeutic effects, clinical indications, medication history of CPMs and the profiles of corresponding research. With regard to infected patients with different stages and syndrome, the preferable potentials and therapeutic mechanism of CPMs were addressed through the comprehensive collection of relevant literatures and on-going clinical trials. This study could provide an insight into clinical application and underlying mechanism of recommended CPMs against COVID-19, with the aim to share the Chinese experience in clinical practice and facilitate scientific development of TCM, especially CPMs in the fierce battle of COVID-19., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors of the manuscript that titled “The clinical benefits of Chinese patent medicines against COVID-19 based on current evidence” declared that there are no conflicts of no financial/personal interest., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

ZishenYutai pill (ZYP) is one of the most commonly used Chinese patent medicines for threatened miscarriage. Although ZYP is widely used, its toxic effects are rarely assessed. We aimed to investigate whether ZYP had reproductive toxicity during perinatal and postnatal period. Pregnant rats (F0) were continuously exposed to 6, 12 and 24 g/kg body weight/d of ZYP by intragastric administration from gestation day 15 to post-natal day 21 . Vehicle and propylthiouracil (PTU, 15 mg/kg) were used as the negative control and positive control, respectively. The mating was done between the treatment (ZYP or PTU) group and negative control group when the F1 pups were born 63-70 days. Body weight, reproductive ability, physical development and neurodevelopment of F0, F1 and F2 pups were observed. The reproductive capacity of F0 and F1 generation decreased significantly after PTU exposure; however, the body weight and reproductive ability of F0, the physical development, weight, feed consumption and reproductive ability of F1, as well as the physical development and body weight of F2 rats were not significantly changed in the ZYP-treated group compared with the negative control group. ZYP exposure had no perinatal toxicity in 3 generations of rats and may be widely used for miscarriage., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)