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Table 2 Basic descriptions of the studies included in this review

From: Efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicines for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a systematic literature review of randomized controlled trials

No

Authors, year

TCM name in the test group

TCM component

Diagnosis criteria of NAFLD

History of NAFLD

Number of participants in total (test group, control group)

Number of male, female

Participants’ mean age (years old)

1

Wu et al., 2020 [43]

Jianpi Qingzhi prescription

Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Alismatis Rhizoma, Crataegi Fructus, Curcumae Radix, Poria, Cassiae Semen, etc.

IM

T: 3.05 ± 0.61 years

C: 2.96 ± 0.67 years

60 (30, 30)

35, 25

T: 49.22 ± 5.65

C: 48.96 ± 5.71

2

Lyv et al., 2020 [47]

Shenge formula

Codonopsis Radix, Puerariae Lobatae Radix, Atractylodis Rhizoma, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma, etc.

WM

N/A

65 (34, 31)

37, 28

T: 42.03 ± 13.91

C: 44.94 ± 13.09

3

Yang et al., 2019 [59]

Yanggan Jieyu granule

Moutan Cortex, Gardeniae Fructus, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Paeoniae Radix Alba, Radix Bupleuri, Poria, etc.

IM

N/A

65 (30, 30)

37, 28

T: 42.03 ± 13.91

C: 44.94 ± 13.09

4

Yang et al., 2019 [97]

Qinjiang Baoling decoction

Radix Bupleur, Paeoniae Radix Alba, Gynostemmatis Herba, Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus, Curcumae Rhizoma, Poria, etc.

IM

T: 21.3 ± 13.4 months

C: 20.9 ± 12.7 months

100 (50, 50)

59, 41

T: 57.3 ± 12.2

C: 51.7 ± 10.3

5

Li et al., 2018 [62]

Qutan Huoxue decoction

Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Gynostemmatis Herba, Curcumae Longae Rhizoma, Rhodiolae Crenulatae Radix Et Rhizoma, etc.

IM

N/A

140 (63, 62)

113, 27

T: 42.01 ± 9.60

C: 41.43 ± 9.31

6

Chen et al., 2017 [98]

Shuangqing granule

Gynostemmae Herba, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma, Polygonum Cuspidati Rhizoma Et Radix, Artemisia Scopariae Herba, and Nelumbinis Folium

IM

T: 0.5–8 years

C: 0.6–7 years

103 (78, 25)

49, 53

Range: 18–65

7

Hu et al., 2017 [31]

Jianpishugan and Huoxuehuatan formulae

Astragali Radix, Radix Bupleuri, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Alismatis Rhizoma, Cassiae Semen, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, etc.

IM

T: 1–12 years

C: 1–13 year

140 (70, 70)

83, 57

T: 42.9 ± 5.3

C: 43.2 ± 5.7

8

Jiang et al., 2017 [41]

Dahuang Lidan capsule

Rhei Radix Et Rhizoma, Phyllanthi Fructus and Radix Gymnadeniae

IM

N/A

144 (72, 72)

104, 40

T: 43.0 ± 0.03

C: 43.4 ± 7.60

9

Yang et al., 2017 [53]

Cigu Xiaozhi capsule

Cremastrae Pseudobulbus, Alismatis Rhizoma, Crataegi Fructus, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma, Radix Bupleuri, Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum, Cassiae Semen, etc.

WM

N/A

87 (43, 44)

50, 37

T: 49.02 ± 11.19

C: 50.63 ± 10.97

10

Jeong et al., 2017 [28]

HL tablet

Extract of Magnolia officinalis

WM

N/A

72 (22, 23, 23)*

54, 18

H: 39.1 ± 9.5

L: 45.5 ± 11.5

C: 42.7 ± 11.2

11

Sun et al., 2017 [68]

Jianpi Qushi prescription

Codonopsis Radix, Poria, Microctis Folium, Microctis Folium, Crataegi Fructus, Cassiae Semen, Pogostemonis Herba, etc.

IM

T: 3.41 ± 2.56 years

C: 4.02 ± 2.73 years

120 (60, 60)

67, 53

T: 34.61 ± 12.47

C: 36.37 ± 10.25

12

Niu, 2016 [48]

Shugan Jianpi Huatan decoction

Codonopsis Radix, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Poria, Alismatis Rhizoma, Coicis Semen, Artemisia Scopariae Herba, Radix Bupleuri, Curcumae Radix, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma, etc.

IM

T: 3.3 ± 0.4 years

C: 3.5 ± 0.8 years

120 (60, 60)

72, 48

T: 47.2 ± 2.7

C: 46.4 ± 2.4

13

Zhang et al., 2016 [99]

Yiqi Qizhu decoction

Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Astragali Radix, Poria, Citri Pericarpium Reticulatae, Radix Bupleuri, Curcumae Radix, Coicis Semen, Pogostemonis Herba, etc.

IM

N/A

104 (52, 52)

67, 37

T: 24–60

C: 25–58

14

Zhang et al., 2016 [34]

Jiang Zhi granules

Gynostemmatis Herba, Polygonum Cuspidati Rhizoma Et Radix, Artemisia Scopariae Herba, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma and Nelumbinis Folium

IM

N/A

144 (73, 71)

110, 34

T: 42.4 ± 11.6

C: 44.8 ± 11.4

15

Qi et al., 2016 [63]

Jiangpi Shugan Huoxue Huatan decoction

Radix Bupleuri, Curcumae Radix, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum, Artemisia Scopariae Herba, Alismatis Rhizoma, Cassiae Semen, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Crataegi Fructus, etc.

IM

N/A

90 (45, 45)

53, 37

T: 49.49 ± 9.91

C: 48.87 ± 9.06

16

Tan et al., 2016 [100]

Shugan Jianpi decoction

Radix Bupleuri, Aurantii Fructus, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Poria, Crataegi Fructus, Cyperi Rhizoma, Alismatis Rhizoma, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma, Citri Pericarpium Reticulatae, etc.

WM

T: 5.75 ± 2.41 years

C: 5.43 ± 2.85 years

92 (45, 47)

50, 42

T: 40.25 ± 4.78

C: 43.02 ± 5.48

17

Yu et al., 2016 [69]

Qinggan Jiangzhi decoction

Poria, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma, Curcumae Longae Rhizoma, Cassiae Semen, Alismatis Rhizoma, etc.

IM

T: mean = 7.5 years

C: mean = 8.2 years

125 (62, 63)

71, 54

T: 48.28

C: 49.81

18

Yin et al., 2016 [35]

Danxia Zhifang decoction; Simulated Zhiganxiao capsule

Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma, Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum, Radix Bupleuri, Poria, Citri Pericarpium Reticulatae, Raphani Semen, Crataegi Fructus, etc.

IM

N/A

202 (98, 104)

149, 53

T: 43.38 ± 9.75

C: 44.49 ± 9.80

19

Zhu, 2015 [33]

Qingdan Jiangzhi decoction

Artemisia Scopariae Herba, Poria, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Citri Pericarpium Reticulatae, Nelumbinis Folium, Crataegi Fructus, Curcumae Radix, Alismatis Rhizoma, Radix Bupleuri, etc.

IM

T: 5.1 ± 1.2 years

C:4.9 ± 1.3 years

80 (40, 40)

43, 37

T: 44.6 ± 9.6

C: 42.8 ± 8.4

20

Li, 2015 [64]

Huatan Lishi Huoxue granule combined granule decoction

Alismatis Rhizoma, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma, Crataegi Fructus, Cassiae Semen and Radix Bupleuri

N/A

T: 3.5 ± 2.2 years

C: 3.9 ± 2.3 years

104 (52, 52)

78, 26

T: 42.3 ± 8.4

C: 41.7 ± 7.8

21

Chen et al., 2015 [101]

Zaozhu Yinchen decoction

Gleditsiae Spina, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Artemisia Scopariae Herba, Rhei Radix Et Rhizoma and Gardeniae Fructus

IM

T: 30.32 ± 6.98 months

C: 31.14 ± 7.21 months

78 (40, 38)

41, 37

T: 38.28 ± 4.82

C: 39.53 ± 4.62

22

Yu et al., 2015 [52]

Tiaogan Lipi recipe

Astragali Radix, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Coicis Semen, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma, Cyperi Rhizoma, Radix Bupleuri, Artemisia Scopariae Herba, Polygonum Cuspidati Rhizoma Et Radix, Cassiae Semen, Crataegi Fructus, etc.

IM

T: 3.38 ± 4.17 years

C: 3.61 ± 4.93 years

99 (66, 33)

52, 47

T: 49.22 ± 11.08

C: 49.34 ± 10.77

23

Li et al., 2015 [58]

Qinghua decoction

Nelumbinis Folium, Gynostemmatis Herba, Coicis Semen, Poria, Citri Pericarpium Reticulatae, Alismatis Rhizoma, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, etc.

WM

T: 3.15 ± 1.52 years

C: 3.82 ± 1.3 years

119 (60, 59)

74, 45

T: 51.1 ± 9.8

C: 48.8 ± 11.2

24

Liu et al., 2014 [49]

Heze lipid-lowering oral liquid

Gynostemmatis Herba, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma, Alismatis Rhizoma, Nelumbinis Folium, Citri Pericarpium Reticulatae, Crataegi Fructus, etc.

IM

Range: 0.5–10 years

120 (60, 60)

55, 65

T: 50 ± 12.27

C: 50.88 ± 13.17

25

Liu et al., 2014 [50]

Ruangan Jiangzhi capsule

Radix Bupleuri, Rhei Radix Et Rhizoma, Prunus Semen, Paeoniae Radix Alba, Nelumbinis Folium, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma, Crataegi Fructus, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Astragali Radix, Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus, etc.

IM

T: mean = 2.9 years

C: mean = 2.8 years

120 (60, 60)

87, 33

T: 45.7

C: 44.3

26

Li et al., 2014 [51]

Jianpi Shugan recipe

Gynostemmae Herba, Curcumae Radix, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Poria, Alismatis Rhizoma, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma, Crataegi Fructus, etc.

IM

N/A

201 (100, 101)

143, 58

T: 43.41 ± 10.80

C: 39.81 ± 11.79

27

Zhu et al., 2014 [102]

Zhigan pill

Alismatis Rhizoma, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma, Cassiae Semen, Crataegi Fructus, Curcumae Radix, Polygonum Cuspidati Rhizoma Et Radix, etc.

IM

T: 3.72 ± 2.53 years

C: 3.00 ± 2.35 years

158 (120, 38)

122, 36

T: 46.15 ± 7.37

C: 45.70 ± 9.41

28

Wen et al., 2014 [60]

Jiangan Xiaozhi granule

Curcumae Rhizoma, Curcumae Longae Rhizoma, Notoginseng Radix Et Rhizoma, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma, Astragali Radix, etc.

IM

T: 29.97 ± 10.96 months

C: 30.14 ± 10.60 months

73 (37, 36)

35, 38

T: 43.10 ± 9.14

C: 43.08 ± 8.65

29

Deng, 2013 [103]

Jiangan Sanqing decoction

Lycii Fructus, Astragali Radix, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Crataegi Fructus, Nelumbinis Folium, Citri Pericarpium Reticulatae, Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum, Radix Bupleuri, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma, etc.

WM

T: 3.3 ± 1.2 years

C: 3.1 ± 1.3 years

60 (30, 30)

40, 20

T: 44.1 ± 6.2

C: 43.3 ± 5.9

30

Li et al., 2013 [54]

Jianpi Huatan Zhuyu prescription

Artemisia Scopariae Herba, Crataegi Fructus, Curcumae Longae Rhizoma, Prunus Semen, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Cassiae Semen, Raphani Semen, etc.

IM

T: 23.3 ± 11.1 months

C: 21.4 ± 13.2 months

118 (60, 58)

59, 59

T: 43.2 ± 14.2

C: 42.7 ± 13.0

31

Song et al., 2013 [104]

Modified Linggui Zhugan decoction

Poria, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Cinnamomi Ramulus, Glycyrrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma, Caulis Nelumbonis and Alismatis Rhizoma

IM

T: 4.24 ± 2.10 years

C: 4.20 ± 2.12 years

90 (48, 42)

72, 18

T: 44.8 ± 4.2

C: 42.2 ± 4.9

32

Li et al., 2013 [42]

Qushi Huayu decoction

Artemisia Scopariae Herba, Polygonum Cuspidati Rhizoma Et Radix, Herba Hyperici Japonici, Curcumae Longae Rhizoma, and Gardeniae Fructus

IM

N/A

164 (72, 73)

82, 82

T: 44.6 ± 10.9

C: 45.6 ± 11.2

33

Wong et al., 2013 [26]

Phyllanthus urinaria

Phyllanthus urinaria

N/A

N/A

60 (40, 20)

33, 27

T: 52 ± 10

C: 48 ± 11

34

Pan et al., 2013 [27]

Jiang Zhi granule

Gynostemmatis Herba, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma, Polygonum Cuspidati Rhizoma Et Radix, Artemisia Scopariae Herba, Nelumbinis Folium

WM

T: 26.61 ± 29.29 m

C: 30.02 ± 34.59 m

221 (111, 110)

177, 44

T: 42.39 ± 11.55

C: 44.82 ± 11.41

35

Chen et al., 2012 [45]

Jindanwang mixture

lysimachiae Herba, Sargassum, Plantaginis Semen, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma, Curcumae Radix, Artemisia Scopariae Herba, etc.

IM

Mean = 1.25 years

124 (62, 62)

79, 45

Range: 28–65

36

Zhao et al., 2012 [30]

Huatan Xiezhuo recipe

Alismatis Rhizoma, Cassiae Semen, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma, Crataegi Fructus, Radix Bupleuri, etc.

IM

N/A

194 (96, 98)

N/A

N/A

37

Wang et al., 2012 [65]

Yigan Jiedu decoction

Sargassum, Curcumae Radix, Cassiae Semen, Curcumae Longae Rhizoma, Sedi Herba, Ginseng Folium, Radix Bupleuri, etc.

IM

T: 4.8 ± 3.6 years

C: 4.1 ± 4.3 years

90 (45, 45)

49, 41

T: 49.64 ± 14.29

C: 47.82 ± 15.08

38

Pei et al., 2012 [70]

Qinggan Huatan Huoxue recipe

Cassiae Semen, Radix Bupleuri, Citri Pericarpium Reticulatae, Pinelliae Rhizoma, Curcumae Radix, Crataegi Fructus, Rhei Radix Et Rhizoma, Artemisia Scopariae Herba, etc.

IM

T: 17.83 ± 19.55 months

C: 20.05 ± 28.11 months

150 (78, 72)

101, 49

T: 43.44 ± 12.76

C: 44.56 ± 12.30

39

Wu, 2012 [83]

Jianpi Huatan Fang

Atractylodis Rhizoma, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Poria, Alismatis Rhizoma, Curcumae Radix, Crataegi Fructus, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma, etc.

WM

T: 1.8 ± 1.2 years

C: 2.1 ± 1.4 years

60 (30, 30)

53, 7

T: 9.3 ± 2.1

C: 8.9 ± 2.5

40

Tong et al., 2011 [105]

Jiedu Jianpi Tongluo decoction

Semen Hoveniae, Curcumae Longae Rhizoma, and Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma

WM

Range: 1–8 years

100 (45, 46)

58, 42

36.9

41

Zhang et al., 2011 [66]

Kangzhi decoction

Astragali Radix, Crataegi Fructus, Chrysanthemi Flos, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Cassiae Semen, Alismatis Rhizoma, Nelumbinis Folium, Atractylodis Rhizoma, Sedi Herba, etc.

IM

T: 0.3–12.5 years

C: 0.3–11.5 years

182 (92, 90)

79, 103

T: 38.6 ± 12.65

C: 39.3 ± 13.47

42

Gu et al., 2011 [61]

Zhigan capsule

Alismatis Rhizoma, Poria, Artemisia Scopariae Herba, Nelumbinis Folium, Crataegi Fructus, Radix Bupleuri, Puerariae Lobatae Radix, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma, etc.

IM

T: 1–10 years

C: 1–11 years

100 (50, 50)

70, 30

T: 41.2 ± 10.7

C: 41.6 ± 11.1

43

Zhao et al., 2010 [46]

Qiyin tea

Astragali Radix, Artemisia Scopariae Herba, Crataegi Fructus, Psoraleae Fructus, Alismatis Rhizoma, Cassiae Semen, Notoginseng Radix Et Rhizoma, Rhei Radix Et Rhizoma, etc.

IM

N/A

112 (56, 56)

46, 66

N/A

44

Ding et al., 2010 [88]

Pingganjian decoction

Astragali Radix, Typhae Pollen, Curcumae Longae Rhizoma,Coptidis Rhizomacoptidis Rhizoma, Alismatis Rhizoma, Poria, Artemisia Scopariae Herba, Crataegi Fructus, etc.

IM

N/A

105 (54, 51)

60, 45

T: 45.8 ± 13.5

C: 47.2 ± 15.6

45

Pan et al., 2010 [32]

Tiaozhiji granules

Curcumae Rhizoma, Curcumae Radix, Raphani Semen, Crataegi Fructus, Aurantii Fructus, Alismatis Rhizoma, etc.

IM

T: 24.1 ± 10.4 years

C: 22.3 ± 12.1 years

70 (35, 35)

49, 21

T: 46.0 ± 13.7

C: 50.9 ± 16.4

46

Liu et al., 2008 [67]

Qiyin granules

Astragali Radix, Artemisia Scopariae Herba, Crataegi Fructus, Psoraleae Fructus, Alismatis Rhizoma, Cassiae Semen, etc.

IM

N/A

70 (35, 35)

N/A

N/A

47

Ji et al., 2008 [25]

Danning tablet

Radix Et Rhizoma Rhei, Giant Knotweed Rhizome, Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae Viride, Aurantii Nobilis Pericarpium, Radix Curcu Mae, Fructus Crataegi and Imperatae Rhizoma

IM

N/A

135 (102, 33)

102, 33

T: 48.37 ± 9.60

C: 44.43 ± 10.40

48

Chen et al., 2008 [29]

Xiaoyao San decoction and Danggui Shaoyao San decoction

Radix Bupleuri, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Paeoniae Radix Alba, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Poria, Alismatis Rhizoma, Glycyrrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma, etc.

IM

Range: 0.5–5 years

120 (60, 60)

58, 62

49.56 ± 5.67

49

Lou et al., 2008 [44]

Yiqi Sanju formula

Astragali Radix, Coptidis Rhizoma, etc.

WM

N/A

67 (39, 28)

44, 23

T: 52.6 ± 12.8

C: 54.8 ± 11.0

50

Li et al., 2007 [55]

Jianpi Bushen decoction

Astragali Radix, Codonopsis Radix, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Corni Fructus, Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata, Dioscoreae Rhizoma, etc.

WM

Range: 1–6 years

100 (47, 45)

78, 22

38.5

51

Yang et al., 2007 [56]

Yigan Jiangzhi capsule

Polygoni Multiflori Radix, Curcumae Radix, Ginkgo Folium, Nelumbinis Folium, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma, Artemisia Scopariae Herba, etc.

WM

T: 2.0 ± 0.5

C: 1.5 ± 0.6

128 (68, 60)

68, 60

T: 45 ± 2

C: 47 ± 4

52

Gu et al., 2007 [24]

Tiaozhi Yanggan decoction

Thorowax Root, Turmeric Root, Red Peony Root, Hawthorn Fruit, Water-Plantain Tuber, Cassia Seed, Giant Knotweed Rhizome, Prepared Rhubarb, Peach Kernel, Red Sage Root, Radish Seed and Tangerine Peel

IM

T: mean = 3 months and 8 years

C: mean = 2 months and 6 years

130 (101, 29)

98, 32

T: 47.38 ± 9.50 years

C: 43.34 ± 10.54 years

53

Chen et al., 2006 [57]

Qianggan capsule

Astragali Radix, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Paeoniae Radix Alba, Curcumae Radix, Codonopsis Radix, Alismatis Rhizoma, Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Crataegi Fructus, Artemisia Scopariae Herba, Glycyrrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma, etc.

IM

N/A

122 (64, 58)

77, 45

T: 42.5

C: 45.8

  1. T test group, C control group, H high dose group, L low dose group, IM integrative medicine, WM Western medicine
  2. 74(22, 23,23)*: this study set three group: high dose, low dose and placebo