Efficacy and safety of Tongxinluo capsule for treatment of acute cerebral infarction:A systematic review

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Tongxinluo capsule for treatment of acute cerebral infarction.Methods Electronic search were performed by using Cochrane Clinical Trial Register(Issue 1,2009),MEDLINE or PubMed(1978-2009),EMBase(1978-2009),OVID Database(1978-2009),Chinese Biological Medicine Database (CBMDisc)(1978-2009),CNKI(1979-2009),Chinese VIP Database(1989-2009) and Wanfang Database(1978- 2009).We also searched Chinese journal,meeting abstract and related references.All the randomized controlled trials of Tongxinluo capsule for acute cerebral infarction were included.Systematic review was conducted using the method recommended by The Cochrane Collaboration.Results 39 RCT involving 3262 patients were included in this systematic review.Meta-analysis showed that:(1) Overall effective rate:Tongxinluo capsule with basic therapy were better than basic therapy[OR= 3.27,95%CI(2.61～4.11),P0.01];The Tongxinluo capsule were better than complex Danshen therapy[OR=3.31, 95%CI(1.78～6.13),P0.01];The Tongxinluo capsule with basic therapy were better than Weinaolutong with basic the rapy[OR=4.69,95%CI(2.16～10.19),P0.01].(2) Improving neurological impairment score:The Tongxinluo capsule with basic therapy were better than basic therapy[WMD=-5.51,95%CI(-6.59～-3.71),P0.01].(3) Improving cognitive function:The Tongxinluo capsule with basic therapy were better than basic therapy[WMD=1.66,95%CI(1.05～2.27),P0.01].(4) Complications:no side effect was reported.Conclusion According to present evidence,the Tongxinluo capsule was safety and effective for treating acute cerebral infarction.The results suggested that further and larger scale trials using Tongxinluo capsule for treating acute cerebral infarction were needed based on the limitation of article quality.