Chinese herbal medicines for hypertriglyceridaemia : intervention review

Zhao Lan Liu, George Q. Li, Alan Bensoussan, Hosen Kiat, Kelvin Chan, Jian Ping Liu

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    17 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Hypertriglyceridaemia is a condition characterised by increased blood levels of triglycerides, which constitute one of the blood lipid components. Hypertriglycerideamia can be divided into primary and secondary types. Hypertriglyceridaemia is associated with many diseases including atherosclerosis, diabetes and hypertension. To evaluate the effects of various herbal formulations (including single herbs, Chinese proprietary medicines, and mixtures of different herbs) for treating hypertriglyceridaemia, we examined all available randomised controlled trials of Chinese herbal medicines. We identified three studies lasting from four to six weeks and recruiting 170 participants with hypertriglyceridaemia. There were no data on death from any cause, cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events (such as heart attacks or strokes), health-related quality of life, or costs. We found that Chinese herbal medicines used alone or in combination with lipid-lowering drugs or 'life style' changes may have positive effects on reducing the blood levels of triglycerides. No relevant differences in adverse effects occurred and no serious adverse events were noted. On the basis of the current evidence, no definite conclusion is possible especially because of the unclear risk of bias in the included studies and lack of reporting on patient-important long-term outcomes.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1-38
    Number of pages38
    JournalCochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
    Volume2013
    Issue number6
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2013

    Open Access - Access Right Statement

    This review is published as a Cochrane Review in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 6. Cochrane Reviews are regularly updated as new evidence emerges and in response to comments and criticisms, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews should be consulted for the most recent version of the Review. Liu ZL, Li GQ, Bensoussan A, Kiat H, Chan K, Liu JP. Chinese herbal medicines for hypertriglyceridaemia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 6. Art. No.: CD009560. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD009560.pub2 (URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD009560.pub2)

    Keywords

    • antilipemic agents
    • hypertriglyceridaemia
    • lipid, lowering agents
    • medicine_Chinese

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