Evidence-based Clinical Efficacy of Certain Indigenous Traditional Siddha Formulations in Combating Anemia: A Global Health Burden – A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Anemia is a widespread issue impacting the well-being of millions and their quality of life. It also hinders the growth and learning of children, which can detrimentally affect a nation’s progress. In Siddha System of medicine, various pharmaceutical formulations are available for anemia treatment. However, there is a lack of evidence-based clinical trial data supporting these traditional Siddha claims. Aim and Objective: This study aimed to conduct an extensive meta-analysis to assess the therapeutic effectiveness of Siddha formulations in anemia management and also to evaluate the clinical evidence’s validity. Materials and Methods: The study gathered data from various sources, showcasing the use of different Siddha preparations in clinical studies for anemia treatment. Rev-Man 5.2 software was used for meta-analysis. The study revealed a significant improvement in both adults and paediatric groups after treatment with various Siddha formulations. Results: The meta-analysis showed a standardized mean difference (SMD) of 1.92 for haemoglobin level before and after treatment over an average period of 44 ± 20 days (P≤0.0001). Conclusion: This analysis demonstrates that Siddha formulations have substantial evidence-based therapeutic efficacy in treating anemia. These Siddha formulations hold promise for inclusion in public health programs and policies aimed at combating anemia in the population. However, conducting more randomized control trials (RCTs) in anemia treatment is essential to establish robust scientific evidence which potentially leads to global acceptance of these Siddha formulations.