Efficacy and safety of Yangxue Qingnao Granules in treatment of migraine: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Bo Zhou; Gui-Shu Wang; Yu-Ning Yao; Tong Hao; Huan-Qin Li; Ke-Gang Cao

doi:10.12998/wjcc.v12.i2.335

Efficacy and safety of Yangxue Qingnao Granules in treatment of migraine: A systematic review and meta-analysis

World J Clin Cases. 2024 Jan 16;12(2):335-345. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v12.i2.335.

Authors

Bo Zhou¹, Gui-Shu Wang², Yu-Ning Yao³, Tong Hao³, Huan-Qin Li⁴, Ke-Gang Cao⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurology, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100091, China.
² Department of Infectious Disease, Dongfang Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100078, China.
³ Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100700, China.
⁴ Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing 100010, China.
⁵ Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100700, China. kgdoctor@sina.com.

Abstract

Background: Yangxue Qingnao Granules (YXQN) is a Chinese patent medicine that has been commonly used in the clinical treatment of migraine.

Aim: To assess the efficacy and safety of YXQN alone for the treatment of migraine.

Methods: We searched 10 databases to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published before September 2022. Two review authors independently searched and screened the literature, extracted the data, and assessed the methodological quality of the studies using criteria from ROB 2.0, and analyzed the data using Review Manager 5.4 software.

Results: A total of 12 RCTs including 767 participants with migraine met the selection criteria. We divided these studies into comparisons of YXQN with placebo, routine treatment drugs, and other Chinese patent medicines. The meta-analysis showed the following: (1) Efficacy: The YXQN group outperformed the placebo group [relative risk (RR) = 0.29, 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 0.15-0.43, P < 0.00001], routine treatment group (RR = 0.18, 95%CI: 0.09-0.27, P < 0.0001), and Chinese patent medicine group (RR = 0.27, 95%CI: 0.13-0.41, P < 0.001); (2) frequency of headache: There was a significant difference between YXQN vs placebo [mean difference (MD) = -1.25, 95%CI: -1.60 to -0.90, P < 0.00001], routine treatment drugs (MD = -0.85, 95%CI: -1.15 to -0.56, P < 0.00001), and Chinese patent medicine (MD = -0.91, 95%CI: -1.35 to -0.46, P < 0.0001); (3) headache duration: We found great heterogeneity between studies, with no differences between YXQN and placebo (MD = -0.61, 95%CI: -1.53 to -0.31, P = 0.19) and routine treatment drugs (MD = -0.22, 95%CI: -0.89 to 0.46, P < 0.53). YXQN was more effective than other Chinese patent medicines in reducing headache duration (MD = -1.24, 95%CI: -1.70 to -0.77, P < 0.00001); and (4) headache severity: There was no significant difference between YXQN vs placebo (MD = -1.67, 95%CI: -3.52 to 0.19, P = 0.08), routine treatment drugs (MD = -0.53, 95%CI: -2.02 to 0.96, P = 0.68), and other Chinese patent medicines (MD = -0.49, 95%CI: -2.83 to 1.85, P = 0.68). Mild gastrointestinal adverse reactions were reported in three cases.

Conclusion: This study revealed that YXQN is effective and safe for treatment of migraine.

Keywords: Meta-analysis; Migraine; Traditional Chinese patent medicine; Yangxue Qingnao Granules.