CHGZGJT combined with conventional treatment improves HbA1c, fasting glucose, and lipid profiles in Type 2 DiabetesHerbal Formula May Improve Blood Sugar in Type 2 Diabetes

BackgroundThe pathological mechanisms of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are complex and necessitate multi-target intervention strategies. Chaihu Guizhi Ganjiang Tang (CHGZGJT), a classical formula derived from the ancient canonical text Shanghan Lun (Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases), has been reported to improve glucose and lipid metabolism as well as islet function in patients with T2DM. However, a quantitative evidence-based evaluation is currently lacking. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the overall efficacy and safety of CHGZGJT.MethodsThis study was registered on the PROSPERO platform. Eight Chinese and English databases and two clinical trial registries were systematically searched, and 12 clinical controlled trials involving a total of 883 patients were ultimately included. Meta-analysis were performed using R software to assess efficacy and safety.ResultsThe meta-analysis suggested that CHGZGJT combined with conventional treatment significantly reduced glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c, MD = −0.69%), fasting plasma glucose (FPG, MD = −0.86 mmol/L), and 2-h postprandial glucose (2hPG, MD = −0.74 mmol/L) in patients with T2DM. At the mechanistic level, this regimen significantly decreased fasting insulin (FINS, MD = −2.08 µIU/mL) and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR, MD = −0.79), improved islet β-cell function (HOMA-β, MD = 5.13), and lowered total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, with a lower risk of adverse events (RR = 0.44).ConclusionCHGZGJT may improve glycemic control, insulin resistance, β-cell function, and the lipid profile in patients with T2DM, with a favorable safety profile for short-term administration. However, the quality of evidence from the included studies was low to moderate, and high-quality clinical trials are still warranted to further verify its long-term efficacy and safety.