Tanreqing Injection for community-acquired pneumonia: a systematic review of randomized evidence

Abstract

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Tanreqing Injection, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, for community-acquired pneumonia. Literatures about randomized controlled trials of Tanreqing Injection for community-acquired pneumonia were reviewed. Related literatures were selected and analyzed according to different treatment strategies of the trials. The methodological quality of the trials was assessed by the Jadad scale, and evaluation was performed. Twelve randomized controlled trials meeting the inclusion criteria were selected and reviewed. As Tanreqing combined group (Tanreqing Injection plus antibiotics and basic therapy) was compared with antibiotics group (antibiotics plus basic therapy), the meta-analysis indicated that the relative risk (RR) for the total cure rate was 1.51, and 95% confidence interval (CI) was [1.29, 1.77]; RR for the total obvious effect rate was 1.31,ls and 95% CI was [1.20,1.43]; RR for the effective rate was 1.17, and 95% CI was [1.11, 1.23]. The weighted mean difference (WMD) in disappearance time of fever between the two groups was -1.24, and 95% CI was [-1.71, -0.76]. The RR values between the two groups for the total obvious effect rate of cough and expectoration were 1.42 and 1.27, and 95% CIs were [1.16, 1.74] and [1.04, 1.55] respectively. The RR values between the two groups in absorption of chest X-ray shadow and neutrophil number were 1.19, 1.10 and 95% CIs were [1.09, 1.30], [1.03, 1.17] respectively. The differences were all statistically significant. Serious systematic adverse reactions had not been reported in the trials. The effect of combined therapy with Tanreqing Injection plus antibiotics and basic therapy is better than that of antibiotics plus basic therapy. Tanreqing Injection can improve the symptoms of cough and expectoration, shorten the fever time and facilitate the absorption of chest X-ray shadow, without any significant adverse reactions. However, further high-quality trials are needed.