The efficacy of Xue Fu Zhu Yu prescription for hyperlipidemia: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Hyperlipidemia is rampant as a crucial risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Xue Fu Zhu Yu (XFZY), a prescription formula in traditional Chinese medicine, is well-known for treating hyperlipidemia. Herein we conducted meta-analysis and assessed the efficacy of XFZY prescription as mono or adjunctive therapy in patients with hyperlipidemia. Databases including Medline, Cochrane Library, Embase, CNKI, Wanfang Data and VIP Information were comprehensively investigated via searching keywords "Xuefuzhuyu", "Xuefu Zhuyu", "Xue Fu Zhu Yu", "Xuefu-Zhuyu" or "XFZY" in combination with "hyperlipidemia" and "dyslipidemia". Efficacy, methodological quality, and publication bias of recruited trials on XFZY prescription were also assessed. Review Manager version 5.3 software was used for statistical analysis. Twelve trials involving 1305 participants all reported in Chinese were enrolled and, based on our analysis, significant increase of efficacy in XFZY prescription groups compared to control groups was observed, and there was either significance or non-significance of differences in regulating the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). This meta-analysis preliminarily demonstrated that XFZY prescription is effective for treating hyperlipidemia, but due to the poor methodological quality of most analyzed trials, conclusion should be cautiously summarized. Thoroughly designed, large-scale and multicenter trials are needed to estimate efficacy and safety of XFZY prescription for hyperlipidemia in the future.