Efficacy and safety of traditional chinese medicine treatment for overweight and obese individuals: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Wen ZG, Zhang QQ, Zhang LL, Shen MF, Huang YS and Zhao LH · Frontiers in Pharmacology · 2022 October 05

DOI https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.964495

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of TCM based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Conclusions

It has been demonstrated that TCM preparations have good clinical efficacy and safety for overweight/obesity. TCM may be suitable for overweight/obesity in adult populations for its efficacy and safety of long-term treatment.

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Insights

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) demonstrates weight loss efficacy and metabolic benefits in overweight and obese individuals

TCM interventions, particularly polyherbal preparations, effectively reduced weight, BMI, waist and hip circumference in overweight and obese individuals across 25 studies with nearly 2,000 participants. TCM also improved glucose and lipid metabolism by reducing fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, and total cholesterol while increasing HDL levels. TCM treatments were generally well-tolerated and safe, with some mild adverse effects.