Home›Drug Pipeline› Huanglian Wendan Decoction combined with conventional treatment improves blood pressure and lipid levels in metabolic syndrome
Huanglian Wendan Decoction combined with conventional treatment improves blood pressure and lipid levels in metabolic syndromeTrial Shows Huanglian Wendan Decoction Helps Manage Metabolic Syndrome
Frontiers in MedicinePublished June 20, 2026DOI ↗Editorial oversight: Dr. Julia Lee, PhD · Oncology, Genomics & Drug Development
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Key Takeaway
Consider Huanglian Wendan Decoction as an adjunct to standard care to improve blood pressure and glucose markers.
This meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy and safety of Huanglian Wendan Decoction as an adjuvant therapy for patients with metabolic syndrome compared to conventional treatment alone. The analysis included 17 randomized controlled trials involving 1,549 patients. The authors synthesized data on several primary and secondary outcomes including blood pressure, lipid profiles, and glucose metabolism.
Key findings indicate that combination therapy led to significant improvements across multiple metrics: systolic blood pressure decreased by 6.62 mmHg (95% CI: -7.58 to -5.66), diastolic blood pressure decreased by 4.88 mmHg (95% CI: -5.69 to -4.08), and waist circumference decreased by 1.82 cm (95% CI: -2.53 to -1.12). Additionally, body mass index improved by 0.76 kg/m2 (95% CI: -0.99 to -0.54) and fasting plasma glucose decreased by 0.71 mmol/L (95% CI: -0.81 to -0.61). Other significant improvements were noted in 2-h postprandial glucose (-0.71 mmol/L), glycated haemoglobin (-0.47%), and LDL-C (-0.57 mmol/L).
The authors acknowledged limitations including a limited number of included studies and the limited quality of those studies. Safety indicators showed no statistically significant differences between groups (OR = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.03 to 2.26, P = 0.21). The findings suggest that Huanglian Wendan Decoction may offer additional benefits in managing blood pressure, lipid levels, and glucose control for patients with metabolic syndrome.
How this fits prior evidence
This meta-analysis addresses a gap in pharmacological management of metabolic syndrome by evaluating an adjunctive herbal treatment. While prior evidence highlights the role of dietary interventions like the Mediterranean diet to reverse metabolic syndrome, this finding explores a specific combination therapy to improve blood pressure and lipid levels. It also provides data on managing symptoms that may impact outcomes in patients with comorbidities, such as hypertension or dyslipidemia.
A review of 17 clinical trials involving 1,549 patients looked at the effects of combining Huanglian Wendan Decoction with standard medical treatments. The study focused on people living with metabolic syndrome, a condition involving concerns like high blood pressure and elevated blood sugar.
The results showed that patients who received both the herbal decoction and standard treatment saw improvements compared to those receiving only standard care. These changes included lower blood pressure readings, reduced blood sugar levels, and smaller waist measurements. The study also noted improvements in several cholesterol markers and body mass index.
While the findings are promising for managing metabolic syndrome symptoms, the researchers noted that the quality of the original studies was limited. Because the evidence comes from a small number of studies with varying quality, these results should be viewed as preliminary. Talk to your doctor before adding any new supplements or herbal treatments to your current medical plan.
What this means for you:
Combining Huanglian Wendan Decoction with standard care may improve blood pressure and glucose in some patients.
Common questions
What are the benefits of using Huanglian Wendan Decoction?
When combined with standard treatment, this decoction showed improvements in several areas for patients with metabolic syndrome. These included lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure, reduced fasting plasma glucose, and a decrease in waist circumference and body mass index.
Is it safe to use this decoction as an extra treatment?
The study reported that safety indicators showed no statistically significant differences between those taking the combination therapy and those on standard treatment alone. However, because the evidence comes from a limited number of studies, you should consult your doctor before starting any new treatment.
How does it affect blood sugar and cholesterol?
The study found that the combination therapy led to lower levels of triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. It also showed a reduction in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and an improvement in the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance.
BackgroundMetabolic syndrome (MetS) is a prevalent metabolic disorder with a rising global prevalence, serving as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Huanglian Wendan Decoction, a commonly used formula in traditional Chinese medicine, has increasingly been used to treat MetS. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Huanglian Wendan Decoction as an adjunctive therapy for MetS.ObjectiveThis meta-analysis aims to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of Huanglian Wendan Decoction in treating metabolic syndrome, thereby providing new approaches and insights for its management.MethodsLiterature searches were conducted using English-language databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library) and Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure Wanfang, the VIP Chinese Science Journal Database, and the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database). The search period extended through 1 October 2025. Data were analyzed using RevMan 5.3 and Stata 17.0. The study protocol is registered in PROSPERO (registration number: CRD420251151304).ResultsA total of 17 randomized controlled trials, involving 1,549 patients, were ultimately included. Huanglian Wendan Decoction combined with conventional treatment for MetS significantly improved waist circumference (WC) (MD = −1.82 cm, 95% CI:−2.53 to −1.12, P < 0.00001), body mass index (BMI) (MD = −0.76 kg/m2, 95% CI: −0.99 to −0.54, P < 0.00001), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (MD = −6.62 mmHg, 95% CI: −7.58 to −5.66, P < 0.00001), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (MD = −4.88 mmHg, 95% CI: −5.69 to −4.08, P < 0.00001), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (MD = −0.71 mmol/L, 95% CI: −0.81 to −0.61, P < 0.00001), 2-h postprandial glucose (2 hPG) (MD = −0.71 mmol/L, 95% CI: −0.83 to −0.58, P < 0.00001), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) (MD = −0.47%, 95% CI: −0.68 to −0.26, P < 0.00001), triglycerides (TG) (MD = −0.38 mmol/L, 95% CI: −0.44 to −0.33, P < 0.00001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (MD = −0.57 mmol/L, 95% CI: −0.73 to −0.42, P < 0.00001), and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (MD = −0.93, 95% CI: −1.09 to −0.78, P < 0.00001). However, conventional therapy demonstrated greater improvement in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (MD = 0.16 mmol/L, 95% CI: 0.14 to 0.18, P < 0.00001). Nevertheless, the safety of Huanglian Wendan Decoction combined with conventional therapy for MetS remains inconclusive, as the safety indicators showed no statistically significant differences (OR = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.03 to 2.26, P = 0.21).ConclusionAccording to the results of the meta-analysis, Huanglian Wendan Decoction combined with standard treatment for metabolic syndrome (MetS) offers greater benefits than standard treatment alone; it can control blood pressure, blood lipid levels, and blood glucose, improve waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI), and reduce insulin resistance. Huanglian Wendan Decoction is relatively safe. However, due to the limited number and quality of the included studies, the data from this study remain uncertain; further large-scale, double-blind, randomised controlled trials are required to validate these findings.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251151304. Identifier CRD420251151304.
