Study Study design Diagnostic criteria Sample size Sample and characteristics (male/female; mean age, year) Interventions Disease duration Course of treatment Outcome index TG CG TG CG Chen 2017 [28 ] RCT CRA criteria (2003) 92 46 (16/30); 46 (20/26); Sanbi Xiao granule (0.3 g, tid, 4 w) Glucosamine sulfate (628 mg, tid, 4 w) TG: CG: 4 w (1) VAS (2) WOMAC (3) ADR Chen 2018 [29 ] RCT COA criteria (2007) 128 64 (26/38); 56.1 64 (24/40); 57.3 (1) Danqi granule (12 g, bid, 24 w) (2) Glucosamine sulfate (500 mg, tid, 24 w) Glucosamine sulfate (500 mg, tid, 24 w) TG: 0.6 to 9 y CG: 0.7 to 8 y 24 w (1) WOMAC (2) ER (3) VAS (4) Lequesne Cui 2017 [31 ] RCT ACR criteria (1986) 106 66 (30/36); 40 (17/23); Chaihu Jiangu decoction (1 package, qod, 12 w) Glucosamine hydrochloride (750 mg, bid, 12 w) TG: 10.6 y CG: 9.9 y 12 w (1) VAS (2) ER (3) Lequesne Cui 2018 [30 ] RCT COA criteria (2007) 122 61 (30/31); 61 (32/29); (1) Bushen Huoxue decoction (1 package, bid, 12 w) (2) Diclofenac sodium (75 mg, qd, 12 w) Diclofenac sodium (75 mg, qd, 12 w) TG: CG: 12 w (1) ER (2) ADR Dou 2015 [32 ] RCT COA criteria (2007) 60 30 (14/16); 64 30 (17/13); 63 Danzi Kangxi electuary (6 g, tid, 4 w) Glucosamine sulfate (500 mg, tid, 4 w) TG: 2 to 6 y CG: 3 to 5 y 4 w (1) VAS (2) ER Fu 2018 [33 ] RCT ACR criteria (1995) 76 38 (13/25); 38 (14/24); (1) Duhuo Jisheng decoction (1 package, bid, 4 w) (2) Celecoxib (200 mg, qd, 4 w) Celecoxib (200 mg, qd, 4 w) TG: CG: 4 w (1) ER (2) ADR Guo 2019 [34 ] RCT COA criteria (2007) 102 51 (31/20); 51 (29/22); (1) Duhuo Jisheng decoction (1 package, bid, 4 w) (2) Celecoxib (200 mg, bid, 4 w) Celecoxib (200 mg, bid, 4 w) TG: CG: 4 w (1) VAS (2) WOMAC (3) ER He 2019 [35 ] RCT ACR criteria (1995) 70 35 (11/24); 35 (12/23); (1) Shuanggu Sanzi capsule (0.9 g, tid, 4 w) (2) Celecoxib (200 mg, bid, 4 w) Celecoxib (200 mg, bid, 4 w) TG: CG: 4 w (1) ADR Hong 2013 [36 ] RCT ACR criteria (1995) 115 63 (25/38); 52 (20/32); (1) Qufeng Jiangu decoction (1 package, qd, 12 w) (2) Glucosamine hydrochloride (480 mg, tid, 12 w) Glucosamine hydrochloride (480 mg, tid, 12 w) TG: CG: 12 w (1) WOMAC (2) ER Hu 2012 [37 ] RCT ACR criteria (1995) 90 45 (13/32); 45 (16/29); (1) Bushen Zhuangu decoction (1 package, qd, 6 w) (2) Glucosamine hydrochloride (750 mg, bid, 6 w) Glucosamine hydrochloride (750 mg, bid, 6 w) NR 6 w (1) Lequesne (2) VAS (3) ADR Huang 2015 [38 ] RCT ACR criteria (1986) 80 40(NR); 40(NR); (1) Bushen Guangjie Huoluo Pulvis (1 package, bid, 4 w) (2) Celecoxib (200 mg, bid, 4 w) Celecoxib (200 mg, bid, 4 w) TG: CG: 4 w (1) Lequesne (2) ER (3) ADR Jiang 2009 [39 ] RCT ACR criteria (1995) 60 30 (11/19); 30 (9/22); Bushen Huoxue decoction (1 package, qd, 24 w) Glucosamine sulfate (628 mg, tid, 24 w) TG: CG: 24 w (1) VAS (2) WOMAC (3) Lequesne (4) ER Li 2018 [40 ] RCT COA criteria (2007) 100 50 (19/31); 50 (23/27); (1) Duhuo Jisheng decoction (1 package, bid, 8 w) (2) Celecoxib (200 mg, qd, 8 w) Celecoxib (200 mg, qd, 8 w) TG: CG: 4 w (1) WOMAC (2) ER (3) Lysholm Liu 2011 [43 ] RCT ACR criteria (1995) 80 40 (19/21); 40 (22/18); (1) Zhengqing Fengtongning tablet (60 mg, tid, 12 w) (2) Glucosamine hydrochloride (480 mg, tid, 12 w) Glucosamine hydrochloride (480 mg, tid, 12 w) TG: CG: 12 w (1) WOMAC (2) ER (3) ADR Liu 2016 [41 ] RCT COA criteria (2007) 90 45 (25/20); 45 (21/24); (1) Jingu Tongning capsule (0.5 g, tid, 12 w) (2) Glucosamine sulfate (628 mg, tid, 12 w) Glucosamine sulfate (628 mg, tid, 12 w) TG: CG: 12 w (1) VAS (2) ER (3) Lysholm Liu 2017 [42 ] RCT CRA criteria (2010) 114 57 (35/22); 57 (36/21); (1) Shujin decoction (1 package, qd, 4 w) (2) Celecoxib (200 mg, qd, 4 w) Celecoxib (200 mg, qd, 4 w) TG: CG: 4 w (1) VAS (2) WOMAC (3) Lysholm (4) ER Lu 2016 [44 ] RCT CRA criteria (2010) 100 50 (33/17); 50 (35/15); (1) Lujiao Zhuanggu capsule (1.5 g, tid, 8 w) (2) Glucosamine hydrochloride (480 mg, tid, 8 w) Glucosamine hydrochloride (480 mg, tid, 8 w) TG: CG: 8 w (1) VAS (2) ER (3) ADR Luo 2019 [45 ] RCT COA criteria (2007) 98 49 (13/36); 49 (14/35); (1) Zhengqing Fengtongning tablet (60 mg, bid, 12 w) (2) Glucosamine hydrochloride (750 mg, tid, 12 w) Glucosamine hydrochloride (750 mg, tid, 12 w) TG: CG: 12 w (1) WOMAC (2) ER (3) ADR Ma 2009 [48 ] RCT CRA criteria (2003) 118 59 (5/54); 59 (7/52); Huoxue Tongluo decoction (1 package, qd, 12 w) Celecoxib (200 mg, qd, 12 w) TG: CG: 12 w (1) VAS (2) ER Ma 2018 [46 ] RCT COA criteria (2007) 60 32 (22/10); 28 (19/9); Duhuo Jisheng decoction (1 package, qd, 12 w) Celecoxib (200 mg, bid, 12 w) TG: CG: 12 w (1) VAS (2) ER (3) ADR Ma 2019 [47 ] RCT COA criteria (2007) 164 82 (38/44); 82 (40/42); Bushen Yiqi Huayu Jiedu decoction (1 package, qd, 8 w) Glucosamine hydrochloride (480 mg, tid, 8 w) TG: CG: 8 w (1) VAS (2) Lysholm (3) ER Mo 2018 [49 ] RCT COA criteria (2007) 120 60 (26/34); 60 (25/35); (1) Kangguzhi Zengsheng capsule (17.5 g, tid, 12 w) (2) Celecoxib (200 mg, bid, 12 w) Celecoxib (200 mg, bid, 12 w) TG: CG: 12 w (1) VAS (2) ER (3) ADR (4) Lysholm Pan 2017 [22 ] RCT CRA criteria (2010) 80 40 (6/34); 40 (5/35); Longbie capsule (1.2 g, tid, 4 w) Celecoxib (200 mg, qd, 4 w) TG: CG: 4 w (1) VAS (2) Lequesne (3) ER (4) ADR Qian 2019 [51 ] RCT COA criteria (2007) 78 39 (17/22); 39 (19/20); (1) Yishen Quyu decoction (1 package, bid, 2 w) (2) Celecoxib (200 mg, qd, 2 w) Celecoxib (200 mg, qd, 2 w) TG: CG: 2 w (1) VAS (2) Lequesne (3) ER (4) ADR Ren 2016 [53 ] RCT CRA criteria (2005) 95 48 (34/14); 47 (30/17); (1) Yishen Quyu decoction (1 package, bid, 4 w) (2) Celecoxib (200 mg, bid, 4 w) Celecoxib (200 mg, bid, 4 w) TG: CG: 4 w (1) Lysholm (2) ER Ren 2018 [52 ] RCT COA criteria (2007) 80 40 (18/22); 40 (20/20); Duhuo Jisheng decoction (1 package, qd, 5 w) Celecoxib (200 mg, qd, 5 w) TG: CG: 5 w (1) VAS (2) Lysholm (3) ER (4) ADR Rong 2017 [54 ] RCT CRA criteria (2010) 73 42 (19/23); 31 (14/17); Duhuo Jisheng decoction (1 package, qd, 4 w) Glucosamine sulfate (500 mg, tid, 4 w) NR 4 w (1) VAS (2) WOMAC (3) ADR Shi 2019 [55 ] RCT CRA criteria (2010) 78 39 (22/17); 39 (24/15); (1) Duhuo Jisheng decoction (1 package, qd, 4 w) (2) Glucosamine sulfate (500 mg, tid, 4 w) Glucosamine sulfate (500 mg, tid, 4 w) TG: CG: 4 w (1) WOMAC (2) ER (3) ADR Song 2017 [56 ] RCT COA criteria (2007) 95 50 (28/22); 45 (27/18); (1) Duhuo Jisheng decoction (1 package, qd, 4 w) (2) Celecoxib (200 mg, qd, 4 w) Celecoxib (200 mg, qd, 4 w) TG: CG: 4 w (1) VAS (2) Lequesne (3) ER Sun 2018 [57 ] RCT COA criteria (2007) 50 25 (12/13); 25 (11/14); Qinbi decoction (1 package, qd, 4 w) Celecoxib (200 mg, qd, 4 w) TG: CG: 4 w (1) VAS (2) WOMAC (3) ER Tan 2014 [58 ] RCT ACR criteria (1995) 60 30 (8/22); 55.6 30 (12/18); 57.4 Huangqi Biejia pill (15 g, tid, 6 w) Glucosamine hydrochloride (480 mg, tid, 6 w) TG: 2.51 y CG: 2.42 y 6 w (1) Lequesne (2) ER (3) ADR Tang 2012 [59 ] RCT ACR criteria (1995) 114 56 (20/36); 58 (22/36); Jiedu Yishen pill (15 g, bid, 8 w) Glucosamine sulfate (500 mg, tid, 8 w) TG: CG: 8 w (1) WOMAC (2) ER Wang 2013 [60 ] RCT ACR criteria (1986) 120 60 (35/25); 60 (28/32); (1) Fufang Xiatian Wu pill (0.6 g, tid, 24 w) (2) Glucosamine hydrochloride (480 mg, bid, 24 w) Glucosamine hydrochloride (480 mg, bid, 24 w) TG: CG: 24 w (1) Lequesne (2) ADR Wang 2019 [61 ] RCT COA criteria (2007) 96 48 (10/38); 56.9 48 (13/35); 58.4 (1) Taoren Xikang pill (6 g, bid, 12 w) (2) Celecoxib (200 mg, bid, 4 w) Celecoxib (200 mg, bid, 4 w) NR 12 w (1) VAS (2) WOMAC (3) ER (4) ADR Wen 2016 [62 ] RCT ACR criteria (1995) 142 72 (29/43); 70 (26/44); Duhuo Jisheng decoction (1 package, qd, 4 w) Glucosamine hydrochloride (480 mg, tid, 4 w) TG: CG: 4 w (1) VAS (2) ER (3) ADR Wu 2012 [65 ] RCT ACR criteria (1995) 120 60 (22/38); 60 (19/41); Zhuanggu Tongbi pill (6 g, bid, 12 w) Glucosamine sulfate (628 mg, tid, 12 w) NR 12 w (1) Lequesne (2) ER (3) ADR Wu 2018 [63 ] RCT CRA criteria (2003) 93 47 (20/27); 46 (18/28); (1) Bushen Huoxue decoction (1 package, bid, 12 w) (2) Celecoxib (200 mg, qd, 12 w) Celecoxib (200 mg, qd, 12 w) TG: CG: 12 w (1) WOMAC (2) ER Wu 2018 [64 ] RCT COA criteria (2007) 64 32 (12/20); 32 (11/21); (1) Sanqi Xuejie capsule (4 capsules, tid, 4 w) (2) Celecoxib (200 mg, bid, 4 w) Celecoxib (200 mg, bid, 4 w) TG: CG: 4 w (1) Lequesne (2) ER (3) ADR Xia 2017 [66 ] RCT COA criteria (2007) 92 46 (20/26); 46 (21/25); (1) Jingu Tongning capsule (1.5 g, tid, 4 w) (2) Glucosamine hydrochloride (480 mg, tid, 4 w) Glucosamine hydrochloride (480 mg, tid, 4 w) TG: CG: 4 w (1) WOMAC (2) ER Yang 2016 [67 ] RCT COA criteria (2007) 96 48 (15/33); 48 (13/35); Jiawei Simiao Pulvis (1 package, bid, 4 w) Celecoxib (200 mg, bid, 4 w) TG: CG: 4 w (1) VAS (2) ER (3) ADR Yang 2019 [68 ] RCT COA criteria (2007) 120 60 (32/28); 60 (27/33); (1) Duhuo Jisheng decoction (1 package, bid, 4 w) (2) Glucosamine sulfate (628 mg, tid, 4 w) Glucosamine sulfate (628 mg, tid, 4 w) TG: CG: 4 w (1) WOMAC (2) ER (3) ADR (4) VAS Yao 2013 [69 ] RCT COA criteria (2007) 81 41 (NR); NR 40 (NR); NR Duhuo Jisheng decoction (1 package, qd, 6 w) Celecoxib (200 mg, qd, 6 w) NR 6 w (1) VAS (2) WOMAC (3) ER Yi 2017 [70 ] RCT ACR criteria (1986) 120 60 (21/39); 58 60 (23/37); 56 (1) Bushen Huoxue decoction (1 package, qd, 4 w) (2) Celecoxib (200 mg, qd, 4 w) Celecoxib (200 mg, qd, 4 w) NR 4 w (1) VAS (2) WOMAC (3) ER Yi 2017 [71 ] RCT COA criteria (2007) 136 68 (38/30); 68 (37/31); (1) Qiangjin Zhuanggu decoction I (1 package, qd, 4 w) (2) Celecoxib (200 mg, qd, 4 w) Celecoxib (200 mg, qd, 4 w) TG: CG: 4 w (1) VAS (2) WOMAC (3) Lysholm (4) ER Yu 2010 [72 ] RCT ACR criteria (1995) 113 56 (21/35); 57 (18/38); Duhuo Jisheng decoction (1 package, qd, 4 w) Glucosamine sulfate (500 mg, tid, 4 w) TG: CG: 4 w (1) Lequesne (2) ER (3) ADR Yuan 2017 [73 ] RCT COA criteria (2007) 70 35 (18/17); 35 (15/20); Bushen Huoxue decoction (1 package, qd, 112 w) Celecoxib (200 mg, qd, 12 w) TG: CG: 12 w (1) VAS (2) Lysholm (3) ER Zhang 2016 [74 ] RCT COA criteria (2007) 156 80 (30/50); 53.1 76 (24/52); 51.4 (1) Jinwu Gutong capsule (0.3 g, tid, 12 w) (2) Glucosamine hydrochloride (750 mg, bid, 12 w) Glucosamine hydrochloride (750 mg, bid, 12 w) NR 12 w (1) ER (2) Lequesne Zhang 2017 [77 ] RCT COA criteria (2007) 63 32 (19/13); 31 (20/11); (1) Fugui Gutong capsule (1.32 g, tid, 4 w) (2) Celecoxib (200 mg, qd, 4 w) Celecoxib (200 mg, qd, 4 w) TG: CG: 4 w (1) VAS (2) Lequesne (3) ER (4) ADR Zhang 2018 [76 ] RCT COA criteria (2007) 110 55 (21/34); 55.2 55 (20/35); 54.5 (1) Qianggu capsule (0.25 g, tid, 12 w) (2) Glucosamine sulfate (500 mg, tid, 12 w) Glucosamine sulfate (500 mg, tid, 12 w) TG: CG: 12 w (1) VAS (2) ER (3) ADR (4) Lequesne Zhang 2019 [75 ] RCT ACR criteria (1995) 86 43 (17/26); 43 (15/28); (1) Duhuo Jisheng decoction (1 package, tid, 8 w) (2) Meloxicam (7.5 mg, bid, 8 w) Meloxicam(7.5 mg, bid, 8 w) TG: CG: 8 w (1) WOMAC (2) ER Zheng 2014 [78 ] RCT ACR criteria (1986) 80 40 (11/29); 40 (9/31); (1) Zhengqing Fengtongning tablet (60 mg, tid, 4 w) Glucosamine sulfate (628 mg, tid, 4 w) TG: CG: 4 w (1) Lequesne (2) ER (3) ADR Zheng 2019 [79 ] RCT COA criteria (2007) 100 50 (27/23); 50 (24/26); Bushen Huoxue decoction (1 package, bid, 4 w) Celecoxib (200 mg, bid, 4 w) TG: CG: 4 w (1) VAS (2) WOMAC (3) ER (4) ADR Zhong 2017 [80 ] RCT ACR criteria (1995) 116 58 (26/32); 58 (28/30); Shentong Zhuyu decoction (1 package, qd, 4 w) Glucosamine hydrochloride (750 mg, tid, 4 w) TG: CG: 4 w (1) VAS (2) ER Zhou 2012 [81 ] RCT ACR criteria (1986) 78 43 (17/26); 35 (14/21); Shufu Jiangu decoction (1 package, qd, 8 w) Celecoxib (200 mg, qd, 8 w) TG: CG: 8 w (1) VAS (2) Lysholm (3) ER Zhu 2013 [82 ] RCT ACR criteria (1995) 86 43 (8/22); 43 (12/18); Zhengqing Fengtongning tablet (60 mg, bid, 12 w) Glucosamine hydrochloride (480 mg, tid, 12 w) TG: CG: 12 w (1) WOMAC (2) ER (3) ADR Zhuo 2019 [83 ] RCT COA criteria (2007) 64 32 (13/19); 32 (14/18); (1) Rendong Bixie decoction (1 package, bid, 4 w) (2) Celecoxib (200 mg, qd, 4 w) Celecoxib (200 mg, qd, 4 w) TG: CG: 4 w (1) WOMAC (2) ER (3) ADR