Objective To assess the effectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese medicinal herbs for subfertility. Method Databases used including MEDLINE, EMBASE, CBM and the Cochrane Controlled Trial Register (CCTR). Potentially related trials in reference lists of studies were hand searched. Published RCTs in any languages and length whether they were blind or unblind, were included. Treatments were Chinese medicinal herbs (single or compound), and controls were placebo, standard medical intervention, or no intervention. Data were extracted independently by two reviewers and analyzed with Revman 4.2 softeware. Results 7 randomized trials, including 1 042 patients met inclusion criteria. Methodological quality of all trials was poor. Chinese medicinal herbs were effective compared with routine antibiotics [RR 1.49, 95％CI (1.37 to1.62), Plt;0.000 01] and resulted in higher pregnancy rate [RR 1.46, 95%CI (1.09 to,1.96), P=0.01]. There were no adverse events reported in treatment group. Conclusions Some Chinese medicinal herbs may be effective for subfertility. However, the evidence is too weak to draw a conclusion. More strictly designed, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials are required.
Objective To assess the effectiveness and safety of Chinese medicinal herbs for female immune-caused subfertility. Methods Databases included: MEDLINE (1966-2002.2), EMBASE (1984-2002.2), CBM (1978-2002.2) and Cochrane Controlled Trial Register, CCTR (Issue 1, 2002). Reference lists of trials were handsearched. Published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) whether blind or unblind, any languages and length of follow up were included. Treatments included Chinese medicinal herbs (single or compound). Controls were placebo and western medicine, or no intervention. Data were extracted independently by two reviewers and analyzed with Revman 4.2. Results Six RCTs were included, all of which were poor in methodological quality. Because of different therapies in the treatment and control groups, we did not perform meta-analysis. The No.1 anti-immune tablet was more effective than corticosteroid plus condom during intercourse both in the pregnancy rate (RR 3.75, 95%CI 1.61 to 8.75, P=0.002) and AsAb negative rate (RR 1.66, 95%CI 1.23 to 2.22, P=0.000 8). Bushen Xiezhuo Soup was more effective than antibiotic in the pregnancy rate (RR 2.97, 95%CI 1.60 to 5.50, P=0.000 6) and antisperm antibody (AsAb) negative rate (RR 2.33, 95%CI 1.54 to 3.54, Plt;0.000 1)。Zhenqi Zhuanyin Soup was as effective as IUI in pregnancy rate (RR 1.80, 95%CI 0.58 to 5.60, P＝0.31) but more effective than IUI in AsAb negative conversion rate (RR 9.61, 95%CI 3.22 to 28.67, Plt;0.000 1), Zhenqi Zhuanyin Soup combined with IUI was more effective than IUI in pregnancy rate (RR 3.60, 95%CI 1.32 to 9.85,P=0.01) and AsAb negative rate (RR 8.92, 95%CI 2.98 to 26.75, Plt;0.000 1). Conclusions Some Chinese medicinal herbs may work well in subfertility treatment. However, the evidence is too weak to draw a conclusion for there are deficiencies in strict randomization, blinding and follow-up.More strictly designed, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials are required.