Efficacy and Safety of the Antidiabetic effect of Hwangryunhaedok-tang for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients without Complications: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this review is to assess the efficacy and safety of <i>Hwangryunhaedok-tang</i> for type 2 diabetes without complications by systemic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).Methods: We searched the following up to March 31. 2021: PubMed, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, CNKI, CiNii, KISS, KMBASE, OASIS, ScienceON. Data extraction and assessment of Cochrane’s risk of bias (RoB) tool were performed by two independent authors, and if there was disagreement between two researchers, it was resolved through the intervention of a third researcher.Results: A total of seven trials are included in this systemic review. The treatment group (<i>Hwangryunhaedok-tang</i> plus conventional treatment) showed more statistically significant effects than did the control group (conventional treatment only) in fasting plasma glucose level, 2-hour postprandial plasma glucose level, glycated hemoglobin A1c, fasting insulin level, and HOMA-IR. There was no significant difference between the treatment group (<i>Hwangryunhaedok-tang</i> alone) and the control group (metformin alone).Conclusion: <i>Hwangryunhaedok-tang</i> might have efficacy and safety in controlling blood sugar level and improving insulin-resistance. However, the number of studies included in the meta-analysis was insufficient, and the <i>Hwangryunhaedok-tang</i> used in the included studies was not standardized. Also, the quality of the involved studies was generally low. Therefore, further studies are needed to determine the efficacy and safety of <i>Hwangryunhaedok-tang</i> treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus.