Andrographis paniculata (Chuān Xīn Lián) for symptomatic relief of acute respiratory tract infections in adults and children: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Hu XY, Wu RH, Logue M, Blondel C, Lai LYW, et al. · PLOS One · 2018 November 14
DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0181780
Objective
This systematic review aimed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of A. Paniculata for symptoms of acute RTIs (ARTIs)
Conclusions
A. Paniculata appears beneficial and safe for relieving ARTI symptoms and shortening time to symptom resolution. However, these findings should be interpreted cautiously owing to poor study quality and heterogeneity. Well-designed trials evaluating the effectiveness and potential to reduce antibiotic use of A. Paniculata are warranted.
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Insights
Andrographis Paniculata (Chuan Xin Lian) appears beneficial and safe for relieving acute respiratory tract infection symptoms and shortening time to symptom resolution.
Thirty-three RCTs (7175 patients) were included. Most trials evaluated A. Paniculata (as a monotherapy and as a herbal mixture) provided commercially but seldom reported manufacturing or quality control details.
A. Paniculata improved cough and sore throat when compared with placebo. A. Paniculata (alone or plus usual care) has a statistically significant effect in improving overall symptoms of acute respiratory tract infections when compared to placebo, usual care, and other herbal therapies. Evidence also suggested that A. Paniculata (alone or plus usual care) shortened the duration of cough, sore throat and sick leave/time to resolution when compared versus usual care. No major adverse events were reported and minor adverse events were mainly gastrointestinal. The methodological quality of included trials was overall poor.
