Meta-analysis of the regulatory effect of traditional Chinese medicine on intestinal flora in patients with constipation

Abstract

Objective: To systematically evaluate the regulatory effect of traditional Chinese medicine on intestinal flora in patients with constipation. Methods: From PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library to December 2022, the qualified research was screened in strict accordance with the nanofiltration standard. The Cochrane bias risk assessment method and the modified Jadad scale were used to evaluate the quality of literature, and the meta-analysis was carried out using stata 15.0 software. Results: 16 clinical randomized controlled trials were finally included, with a total of 1099 patients. Meta-analysis shows that Chinese medicine can effectively promote bifidobacteria (SMD=0.95, 95% CI (0.78-1.12), Z=10.79, P=0.000<0.05), lactobacillus (SMD=0.61, 95% CI (0.25 - 0.98), Z=3.26, P=0.001<0.05), lactobacillus (SMD=0.72, 95% CI (0.42 - 1.03), Z=4.68, P=0.000<0.05) and gram-positive bacilli (SMD=2.12, 95% CI (1.65, 2.59), Z=8.90, P=0.000<0.05) in the intestine of constipation patients), It can inhibit Escherichia coli (SMD=-0.46, 95% CI (-0.66, -0.27), Z=4.69, P=0.000<0.05), enterobacteria (SMD=-0.86, 95% CI (-1.08, -0.64), Z=7.67, P=0.000<0.05), enterococcus (SMD=-0.42, 95% CI (-0.62, -0.22), Z=4.14, P=0.000<0.05), yeast (SMD=-0.94, 95% CI (-1.28, -0.59), Z=5.32, P=0.000<0.05) and gram negative cocci (SMD=-0.68, 95% CI (-1.23, -0.15), Z=2.50, P=0.012<0.05). There is no significant difference between traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine in terms of gram-negative bacilli (SMD=-0.19, 95% CI (-0.56,0.18), Z=1.02, P=0.306>0.05), gram-positive cocci (SMD=-0.23, 95% CI (-0.60,0.13), Z=1.26, P=0.208>0.05), and cocci ratio (SMD=1.32, 95% CI (-0.22,1.16), Z=1.92, P=0.186>0.05). In addition, traditional Chinese medicine can reduce the intestinal PH value of constipation patients (SMD=-0.85, 95% CI (-1.11, -0.59), Z=6.38, P=0.000<0.05), and keep the intestinal micro-ecological environment in balance. Conclusion: Compared with western medicine, traditional Chinese medicine has more advantages in regulating intestinal flora of constipation patients.