title: Herbal medicine (Shaofu Zhuyu decoction) for treating primary dysmenorrhea: A systematic review of randomized clinical trials.
abstract: Shaofu Zhuyu decoction (SFZY) or Sobokchugeo-tang, a traditional herbal formula, is used as a treatment for primary dysmenorrhea. We searched four English, seven Korean, three Chinese, and one Japanese database from inception through January 2016 without a language restriction. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of SFZY or modified SFZY (MSFZY) were included. Data extraction and risk of bias assessments were performed by two independent reviewers. A total of 51 potentially relevant studies were identified, and 9 RCTs met our inclusion criteria. Seven RCTs tested the effects of SFZY or modified SFZY in treating dysmenorrhea. Three RCTs showed superior effects of (M)SFZY on the response rate, while the other three RCTs failed to do so (n=531, RR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.09 to 1.26, P<0.0001, I(2)=0%). Three RCTs showed favorable effects of MSFZY for pain reduction compared with conventional drugs (n=340, SMD: -1.39, 95% CI: -2.23 to -0.55, P=0.01). Two RCTs examined the effects of modified SFZY plus conventional drugs and conventional drugs alone. The meta-analysis showed favorable effects of MSFZY (n=206; RR, 1.12; 95% CI 1.08 to 1.36; P=0.0009, I(2)=0%). Our systemic review and meta-analysis provide suggestive evidence of the superiority of SFZY over conventional drugs for treating primary dysmenorrhea. However, the level of evidence is low because of a high risk of bias.
authors.affiliation: KM Fundamental Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine 483 Expo-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34054, Republic of Korea; Department of Pharmacology, Chungnam National University College of Pharmacy, 99 Daehakno, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hoyoung
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine 483 Expo-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34054, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Tae-Young
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Chungnam National University College of Pharmacy, 99 Daehakno, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Chang-Seon
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Myung
authors.affiliation: KM Fundamental Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine 483 Expo-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34054, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ju Ah
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine 483 Expo-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34054, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: drmslee@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Myeong Soo
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004412:Dysmenorrhea / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D028321:Plant Preparations; C529850:Shao-Fu-Zhu-Yu
keywords: Dysmenorrhea; Herbal medicine; Randomized controlled trials (RCTs); Shaofu Zhuyu decoction; Systematic review