A Meta -analysis of Radix Astragali f or Primary Nephrotic Syndrome in Adu lts / 中药新药与临床药理

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the effects of Radix Astr agali combined with prednisone and i mmunosuppressant for primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS)in adults and to compare the effects o f Radix Astragali in various prepata tions for PNS.Methods Randomized controlled trials were a pplied for systemic reviews.Electr onic and manual retrieve of Medline,Embase,Cochrane Library,CBMdisc a nd CEBM/CCD and relevant medical jou rnals in China were applied to search the RCTs of Radix Astragali,non -specific treatment,glucocorticoids and i mmunosuppresants for PNS,and the RCTs were analysed with RevMan 4.1.Results There were 14randomized controlled trials with 524cases involved.Meta-analysis showed that Radix Astragali could in crease the therapeutic effect of pre dnisone and immunosuppressant for PNS and re-duce its recurrence.Radix Astragali also had an effect in decreasing 24-hour proteinuria content and the pla sma levels of total cholesterol and albumin.There were no differences between single injection and compound decoction.Asymmetry showed in"Funnel plot"may be related to publication bias,l ow quality of methodology and small -size in sample.Conclusion Radix Astragali and its prescriptio n may become a prospect therapy for PN S and its recurrence and the com-bination of traditional Chinese med icine and western medicine can be more effective for PNS.The dedinite effect of Radix Astragali for PNS will be further con firmed by multiple -center,large -s ample randomized controlled trial.