Review Article

Oral Huangqi Formulae for Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Table 2

Characteristics of included studies.

First author, year [Ref]Intervention (ingredients of Huangqi formulae) ControlDuration /followupAdverse eventOutcome measures
Lung functionPESISGRQFCOPDE

Xu, 2007 [7]Manzufei decoction (Ginseng, Huangqi, Prepared Rehmannia Root, Tatarian Aster Root, White Mulberry Root-Bark, Chinese Caterpillar Fungus, Chinese Magnoliavine Fruit, Liquorice Root, Salvia Root, Peach Seed, Earthworm, Dwarf Lilyturf Tuber, English Walnut Seed) + BronchodilatorsBronchodilators2 weeks/NRNoYes (no FEV1)NoNoNo

Hong, 2004 [8]Yufeining pills (Ginseng, Huangqi, Polygonatum sibiricum, White Atractylodes Rhizome, Human Placenta, English Walnut Seed, Dodder Seed, Asiatic Cornelian Cherry Fruit, Bitter Apricot Seed, Snakegourd Fruit, Thunberg Fritillary Bulb, Salvia Root, Peach seed)No treatment6 mths/NRNoYesNoNoNo

Jia, 2007 [9]Yiqihuoxue decoction (Huangqi, Earthworm, Figwort Root, Salvia Root, Heterophylly Falsestarwort Root, Chinese Angelica) + Ipratropium bromideIpratropium bromide6 mths/NRNRYes (no FEV1)NoYesYes (noncontinuous data)

Wang, 2005 [10]Yifeijianpi decoction (Huangqi, Tangshen, White Atractylodes Rhizome, Poria, Divaricate Saposhnikovia Root, Pinellia Tuber, Dried Tangerine Peel, Earthworm, Common Coltsfoot Flower, Liquorice Root) + Hydrochloric acid ammonia bromine tabletSalbutamol + Hydrochloric acid ammonia bromine tablet8 weeks/NRNRYes (no FEV1)NoNoNo

Cui, 2004 [11]Tongfei decoction (Unprocessed Rehmannia Root, Chinese Angelica, Huangqi, Salvia Root, Lily Bulb, Dwarf Lilyturf Tuber, Ginseng, Pinellia Tuber, Thunberg Fritillary Bulb, Snakegourd Fruit, Poria, Liquorice Root, Fructus Perillae, Citrus Red) + Ipratropium bromide+ Oxygen therapyIpratropium bromide + Oxygen therapy4 weeks/NRNoYesNoNoNo

Lin, 2003 [12]Jianpiyifei granule (Ginseng, White Atractylodes Rhizome, Poria, Dwarf Lilyturf Tuber, White Mulberry Root-Bark, Huangqi) + Conventional treatment Placebo + Conventional treatment2 mths/NRNRYes (no FEV1)YesNoNo

Zhang, 2006 [13]Jianpiyifeibushen decoction (Huangqi, Tangshen, White Atractylodes Rhizome, Poria, Dwarf Lilyturf Tuber, Coastal Glehnia Root, Malaytea Scurfpea Fruit, Dodder Seed, Glossy Privet Fruit, Tokay Gecko, Bitter Apricot Seed, Snakegourd Fruit, Thunberg Fritillary Bulb, Salvia Root, Sichuan Lovage Rhizome)No treatment6 mths/NRNRYes (no FEV1)NoNoYes (noncontinuous data)

Feng, 2006 [14]Jianpibufei decoction (Heterophylly Falsestarwort Root, Huangqi, Tokay Gecko, White Atractylodes Rhizome, Largetrifoliolious Bugbane Rhizome, Chinese Thorowax Root, Chinese Angelica, Common Coltsfoot Flower, Dodder Seed, Leech) + Doxofylline tablet + Contracting lip breathing + Oxygen therapy Doxofylline table + Contracting lip breath + Oxygen therapy30 days/NRNRYes (no FEV1)YesNoNo

Zhao, 2003 [15]Herbal decoction (Huangqi, Cassia Bark, Radix Aconiti Praeparata, Prepared Rehmannia Root, Common Yam Rhizome, Asiatic Cornelian Cherry Fruit, Poria, Oriental Waterplantain Rhizome, Tree Peony Root Bark, Dwarf Lilyturf Tuber, Chinese Magnoliavine Fruit) + Pulmonary rehabilitation Pulmonary rehabilitation4 weeks/NRNRYes (no FEV1)NoNoNo

Li, 2006 [16]Bufeihuoxue Decoction (Huangqi, White Atractylodes Rhizome, Common Yam Rhizome, Peach Seed, Salvia Root, Sanqi, Red Peony Root, Safflower, Dried Tangerine Peel, Bitter Apricot Seed, Dwarf Lilyturf Tuber) + Bronchodilators + Expectorants Bronchodilators + Expectorants8 weeks/1 yearNRYesYesNoYes

Xu, 2004 [17]Fufangqiqi decoction (Huangqi, Polygonatum Sibiricum, Epimedium Herb, Sanqi) + Ipratropium bromide Nucleotide and casein oral solution + Ipratropium bromide6 mths/NRNRYesNoNoYes

Luo, 2002 [18]Baofeidingchuan granule (Tangshen, Huangqi, Salvia Root, Chinese Angelica, Unprocessed Rehmannia Root, Dwarf Lilyturf Tuber, Platycodon Root, Liquorice Root, Earthworm, Epimedium Herb, etc) Theophylline controlled release capsules + Carbocisteine + Contracting lip breathing Theophylline controlled release capsules + Carbocisteine + Contracting lip breathing3 mths/NRNRYesNoNoNo

Wang, 2007 [19]Bufeiyishen capsule (Tangshen, Huangqi, White Atractylodes Rhizome, Dwarf Lilyturf Tuber, Salvia Root, Chinese Caterpillar Fungus, Prepared Rehmannia Root, etc) + Bronchodilators + Mucus lytic agent + Antioxidants + Oxygen therapyBronchodilators + Mucus lytic agent+ Antioxidants + Oxygen therapy6 mths/NRNRYesNoNoNo

Huang, 2008 [20]Butihuatan decoction (Huangqi, Heterophylly Falsestarwort Root, Cassia Bark, Chinese Angelica, Salvia Root, Fructus Perillae, Radish Seed, Pepperweed Seed, Leaf of Leatherleaf Mahonia) Salbutamol + Theophylline + Hydrochloric acid ammonia bromine tablet + -Chymo- trypsin2 mths/NRNRYes (no FEV1)YesNoNo

He, 2010 [21]Buzhongyiqi granule (Ginseng, Huangqi, White Atractylodes Rhizome, Chinese Angelica, Dried Tangerine Peel, Divaricate Saposhnikovia Root, Largetrifoliolious Bugbane Rhizome, Poria, Fragrant Solomonseal Rhizome, Coastal Glehnia Root) + Theophylline Placebo + Theophylline 6 mths/NRNoYes (no FEV1)NoNoYes

Guan, 2006 [22]Feikang granule (Huangqi, Leech,Pinellia Tuber, Earthworm,) + Conventional therapyConventional therapy3 mths/NRNRYes (no FEV1)NoNoNo

Wei, 2007 [23]Yiqihuayu decoction (Huangqi, Herba Gynostemmatis, Cairo Morningglory Root or Leaf, Largetrifoliolious Bugbane Rhizome, Platycodon Root, Common Anemarrhena Rhizome, Zedoary Rhizome, Peach Seed) No treatment3 mths/NRNRYesNoNoNo

Ma,2010 [24]Bufei decoction (Tangshen, Huangqi, Prepared Rehmannia Root, White Mulberry Root-Bark, Malaytea Scurfpea Fruit, Tokay Gecko, Tatarian Aster Root, Chinese Magnoliavine Fruit, Liquorice Root) + Pulmonary rehabilitation Pulmonary rehabilitation 12 weeks/NRNRYes (no FEV1)NoYesYes

Ding, 2009 [25]Herbal decoction (Tangshen, Huangqi, Magnetite, English Walnut Seed, Chinese Magnoliavine Fruit, Tatarian Aster Root, Common Coltsfoot Flower, Fructus Perillae, Citrus Red, Aloeswood, Liquorice Root, Human Placenta, Tokay Gecko) + Theophylline tablet Theophylline tablet2 mths/NRNRYesYesNoNo

Zhou, 2005 [26]Feisaitong mixture (Huangqi, Coix Seed, Platycodon Root, Radish Seed, Salvia Root, Earthworm, Common Anemarrhena Rhizome) + Salbutamol Salbutamol1 mth/NRNoYes (no FEV1)YesNoNo

Hu, 2009 [27]Jiajianbufei decoction (Tangshen, Huangqi, Figwort Root, Dwarf Lilyturf Tuber, Malaytea Scurfpea Fruit, Morinda Root, Dodder Seed, Stemona Japonica, White Mulberry Root-Bark, Dried Tangerine Peel, Platycodon Root, Salvia Root) + Oxygen therapy + Hydrochloric acid ammonia bromine tablet + Theophylline + Salbutamol Oxygen therapy + Hydrochloric acid ammonia bromine tablet + Theophylline + Salbutamol2 mths/NRNRYesYesNoNo

Chen, 2009 [28]Jiaweiqiweiduqi decoction (Asiatic Cornelian Cherry Fruit, Common Yam Rhizome, Prepared Rehmannia Root, Tree Peony Root Bark, Oriental Waterplantain Rhizome, Poria, Chinese Magnoliavine Fruit, Huangqi, Tangshen, White Atractylodes Rhizome) + salmeterol/fluticasone Salmeterol/fluticasone12 weeks/NRYesYesNoYesNo

Liang, 2009 [29]Dongping decoction (Chinese Caterpillar Fungus, Huangqi, White Atractylodes Rhizome, Divaricate Saposhnikovia Root) + BronchodilatorsBronchodilators12 mths/NRNRYes (no FEV1)YesNoNo

Zhang, 2009 [30]Yifeiyangyin decoction (Lily Bulb, Unprocessed Rehmannia Root, Prepared Rehmannia Root, Thunberg Fritillary Bulb, Platycodon Root, Fructus Auranti, Dwarf Lilyturf Tuber, Radix Paeoniae Alba, Chinese Angelica, Coastal Glehnia Root, Common Yam Rhizome, Poria, Huangqi, Liquorice Root ) + Conventional treatment Conventional treatment6 mths/NRNRYesNoYesNo

Tatsumi, 2002 [31]Buzhongyiqi decoction (Huangqi, Ginseng, White Atractylodes Rhizome, Liquorice Root, Chinese Angelica, Dried Tangerine Peel, Largetrifoliolious Bugbane Rhizome, Chinese Thorowax Root, Ginger) + Inhaled bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids, or bothInhaled bronchodilators, ICS, or both 6 mths/NRNoNoNoYesYes

PESI: percentage of effectiveness of symptom improvement; SGRQ: St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire; FCOPDE: frequency of COPD exacerbation; NR: not reported.