Meta-Analysis on Efficacy and Safety of Modified Guizhi Shaoyao Zhimu Tang with the Western Medicines in Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of modified Guizhi Shaoyao Zhimu Tang (GSZT) with the Western medicines in treating rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: All the relevant studies were collected by searching the Pubmed, Web of science, Embase, Cochrane Library, SpringerLink, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP Journals database, and Wanfang database from their inception to October 2017. After the assessment, the eligible ones were subject to Jadad score. The meta-analysis was conducted by RevMan 5.3 software. Results: Totally 10 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 962 patients were enrolled. The clinical efficacy of analysis showed that modified GSZT with the Western medicines can significantly improve the clinical total effective rate [OR = 4.64, 95%CI (3.03, 7.12), P < 0.00001], the duration of morning stiff [MD = −14.58, 95%CI (−16.49, −12.68), P < 0.00001], erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) [MD = −12.62 95%CI (−18.69, −6.54), P < 0.001], rheumatoid factor (RF) [MD = −49.88, 95%CI (−77.6, −22.09), P < 0.001], C-reactive protein (CRP) [MD = −5.34, 95%CI (−5.86, −4.82), P < 0.001]. The adverse events had been seen in both of the two groups, however, the clinical symptoms of the group on modified GSZT with the Western medicines were obviously reduced than the other one [OR = 0.25, 95%CI (0.10, 0.61), Z = 3.06, P < 0.01]. This system review shows that the modified GSZT with the Western medicines improved the clinical efficacy, symptoms and the blood biochemical indicators were improved significantly than that of Western medicines alone on rheumatoid arthritis. At the same time, it can reduce adverse effects and enhance safety. How to cite this paper: Lu, W.Y., Zhou, Z.S., Naqvi, S.M.A.S. and Li, X.L. (2018) Meta-Analysis on Efficacy and Safety of Modified Guizhi Shaoyao Zhimu Tang with the Western Medicines in Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis. Yangtze Medicine, 2, 161-170. https://doi.org/10.4236/ym.2018.23017 Received: June 10, 2018 Accepted: August 27, 2018 Published: August 30, 2018 Copyright © 2018 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY 4.0). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Open Access


Introduction
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that is characterized by joint erosion, stiffness, deformity, loss of function, and with high morbidity [1] [2].However, the cause of RA is unknown.RA belongs to the category of "bi syndrome" in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).It is caused by invading cold and dampness inside body and blood qi stasis in the theory of TCM.At present, the effective treatments of routine western drugs include glucocorticoid, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologic agents.While the long term use of these drugs can produce the multiple side effects, and cause much socioeconomic costs and safety, and even some patients cannot tolerate the situation [3].But the TCM has special effects in the treatment of RA [4].Recently, the TCM is attracting the attention of the public, because of the potential and positive effects in treatment of autoimmune disease.The TCM mainly contains Chinese herbs.
In the ancient period of China, there was a formula that was most commonly used in the management of RA.Guizhi Shaoyao Zhimu Tang (GSZT) is the classical Chinese medicine which is extensively used in clinical application.In this article, the potentially therapeutic effect and safety of the GSZT combined with the Western medicine for the treatment of RA were systematically evaluated.

Literature Retrieval Strategy
The search strategy was developed by Cochrane collaboration and the relevant studies were collected by searching the Pubmed, Web of science, Embase, Cochrane Library, SpringerLink, CNKI, VIP Journals database, and Wanfang database from their inception to October 2017.A multiple number of medical terms such as "rheumatoid arthritis", "RA" and "Guizhi Shaoyao Zhimu Tang" were utilized for medical subject heading (MeSH) to find out the articles, which have been published on the base of combine conventional western medicines for the treatment of RA.The retrieval is conducted in the form of free combination with a keyword, manual retrieval had been used to trace the references in the literature.No language or time restrictions were applied in the search.Rheumatology criteria for the disease [5], 2) the experimental group was treated with the combined conventional Western medicine and the GSZT, and the control group was just treated with conventional Western medicine, 3) the research type satisfied the RCT data, 4) the outcomes included at least one of the following therapeutic effects: duration of morning stiffness (DMS), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), rheumatoid factor (RF), C-reactive protein (CRP), there were no restrictions regarding gender, age, severity or duration of RA.The safety evaluation index is the adverse reactions.

Data Extraction
The two researchers independently screened and extracted the retrieved documents, and the differences were determined and resolved by the third person, including study design, randomization and diagnostic criteria.

Quality Evaluation
According to the quality criteria of Cochrane Review's Handbook, the literature quality is evaluated and Jadad scale method was independently used for the evaluation of methodological quality of articles [6].The specific contents include: 1) random grouping sequence method, 2) blind method, include double-blind method and single blind method, 3) allocation concealment, 4) reports about the withdrawal.

Statistical Analysis
Data analysis was performed by using the RevMan 5.3 software provided by the Cochrane collaboration.The statistical data were analyzed by odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) and the metering data was expressed by mean difference (MD) and 95%CI.A fixed-effect model was employed if there was no statistical heterogeneity among studies, otherwise, the random effect model was used [7].Heterogeneity is assessed by Chi-square test, and the degree of inconsistency Higgins I 2 is measured between studies whether the percentage of total variation across studies is due to heterogeneity rather than chance [8].If the source of heterogeneity is unable to be determined, the descriptive analysis will be adopted.The distribution of the research data, in the study, was analyzed by funnel plot.The reliability analysis of publication bias was carried out.

Study Selection and Characteristics
According to the above mentioned research strategy we got information from 1313 articles which are potentially relevant.1078 studies were screened after removal of duplicates.There were ten relevant studies that finally met the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis.The general situation of the study selection was shown in Figure 1.

General Situation and Quality Evaluation of the Included Literature
A total of 10 RCTs were included [9]- [18], and the conventional Western medicine involves three major categories in these studies.They are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and glucocorticoids (GCs).NSAIDs included Meloxicam (MLX), voltaren, nimesulide (Nime), celecoxib (CXB), loxoprofen.DMARDs included methotrexate (MTX), sulfasalazine (SSZ) and Leflunomide (LEF).The experimental group was based on the control group with GSZT.The general description about literature and the results of methodological quality evaluation are shown in Table 1.

Comparison of Disease Efficacy for RA
In the articles that met the criteria.9 trials were compared for the efficacy of RA patients and the specific values were given [9]- [17].According to the data which we had screened in combination, we can see that 9 trials included in the study were homogeneity (no heterogeneity) and showed insignificant difference (X 2 = 1.57,P = 0.99, I 2 = 0%).The fixed effect model was used and showed [OR = 4.64, 95%CI (3.03, 7.12), Z = 7.04, P < 0.00001].Therefore, it is considered that there is a statistically significant difference in the efficacy of the combination therapy between the combination therapy trial group and the Western medicine treatment control group alone.In addition, the lower and lower limit of 95%CI of OR is more than 1.It can be seen that the clinical efficacy of the experimental group is better than the Western medicine alone control group in RA.See Figure 2. Figure 2. Meta-analysis forest map of the effect comparison.

Effect on Duration of Morning Stiffness
Four trials reported the effects on the DMS between the experimental group and control group was carried out.The meta-analysis showed that 4 trials included in the study were homogeneity (no heterogeneity), and showed a insignificant difference (X 2 = 1.05,P = 0.79, I 2 = 0% group and the Western medicine alone group.The lower and lower limit of 95%CI of the OR was less than 0, indicating that the experimental group could improve the efficacy of the DMS better than the control group.See Figure 3.

Effect on Blood Biochemical Indexes
Seven trials reported the effects on the serum level of the ESR [9] [12] [13] [15] [16] [17] [18], four trials reported the effects on the serum level of the RF [12] [13] [17] [18], and four trials reported the effects on the serum level of the CRP [9] [13] [17] [18].The meta-analysis showed that there was a large heterogeneity between the ESR and RF tests (P < 0.001), However, CRP test has homogeneity (P = 0.91), we analyzed the outcome in fixed effect model.All three blood biochemical indexes in experimental group were better than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.001).As shown in Table 2.

Safety Evaluation
Only 3 trials were referred to adverse events during the treatment, the cases were clearly mentioned and observed [9] [12] [17].No heterogeneity was identified among the trials (X 2 = 1.93,P = 0.38, I 2 = 0%) based on the fixed-effect model.
See Figure 4, the meta-analysis demonstrated a meaningfully higher rate of AEs   dizziness, 1 cases of diarrhea and 1 cases of oral ulcer.As shown in Table 3, these side effects, however, which could be alleviated or disappeared after symptomatic treatment in experimental group.

Publication Bias
A funnel plot analysis was carried out on the efficacy of the 9 studies in RA, the distribution of each study is symmetrical, and the funnel plot is basically symmetric.It can be concluded that there is no publication bias, and the meta-analysis was credible.See Figure 5.

Discussions
Guizhi Shaoyao Zhimu Tang, a Chinese medicinal formula, is accepted as the most prevalent and effective treatment for RA in many Asian countries [19].The essential herbs in this formula, GSZT, are well-known for the book as follow: "Synopsis of Prescriptions of the Golden Chamber".It is the main prescription for the treatment of "arthralgia syndrome".The theory of TCM holds that is "Medicinal and Edible".Modern pharmacological research shows that the formula can significantly reduce the PGE2 content in the inflammatory tissue of adjuvant induced arthritis, inhibit the migration of white blood cells, and reduce the permeability of capillaries [20].Another study pointed out that the GSZT has similar efficacy to methotrexate in treatment of RA, which could inhibit the secretion of IL-2 and CRP in varying degrees [21].It also shows the effects in treating RA by adjusting to IL-2, IL-6, IL-17, IL-27, IL-32, TNF-α, HRAS, CD14, CD40, and TLR-MAPKs signaling pathway, TLR-NF-κB signaling pathway, NLR signaling pathways and TNF signaling pathway [13] [22].The animal experiments have also been found that the GSZT can have a protective effect on collagen II-induced arthritis (CIA), and can significantly inhibit the histopathological changes of rheumatoid arthritis and restrain the expression of RANKL/OPG [23] [24].It is indicated that the GSZT has the function of anti-rheumatism, inhibiting the immune response, and also provides the molecular basis for the treatment of RA.Therefore, the treatment of RA is quite effective in clinic.This system systematically evaluated the inclusion criteria of clinical studies.The results showed that the GSZT combined with the Western medicine was better than the Western medicine alone in the treatment of RA.According to the funnel plot analysis, this meta-analysis is credible.Note: 1) The conditions of [9] [12] [17] applied the Western medicine shows in Table 1.
2) The AEs of [9], 1 case of nausea vomiting, 1 case of epigastric discomfort, 1 case of skin rash, 1 case of dizziness, 1 case of abnormal liver function in the experimental group; 4 case of nausea vomiting and epigastric discomfort, 3 case of oral ulcer, 3 case of abnormal liver function, 1 case of leukopenia in the control group.
3) The AEs of [12], no AEs in the experimental groupand 5 case of epigastric discomfort in the control group; 4) The AEs of [17], 1 case of diarrhea in the experimental group; 2 case of nausea vomiting, 2 case of epigastric discomfort, 3 case of dry mouth in the control group.

Figure 1 .
Figure 1.Flow diagram of study selection process.

Figure 3 .
Figure 3. Meta-analysis forest map of the effect on the DMS.

Figure 4 .
Figure 4. Meta-analysis forest map of the effect on the adverse events.

Figure 5 .
Figure 5. Funnel plot for publication bias in the included trials.

Table 1 .
Characteristics of the ten trials included in the meta-analysis.

Table 2 .
Comparison of the improvement of RA on ESR, RF, CRP in the two groups.

Table 3 .
The experimental group was W. Y. Lu et al.Effect of adverse events in the two groups.