[Dan'e-fukang soft extract for dysmenorrhea: a meta-analysis]

Yu et al., 2014 | Zhejiang Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban | Meta Analysis

Citation

Yu Kun, Zhang Zhen-dong, ... Wang Zheng-long. [Dan'e-fukang soft extract for dysmenorrhea: a meta-analysis]. Zhejiang Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban. 2014-Jul;43(4):474-9

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of Dan'e-fukang soft extract for dysmenorrhea by meta-analysis. METHODS: Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, PubMed, EMBASE, CBM, VIP, Wanfang Data, and CNKI databases were searched. Results of randomized controlled trials were also harvested from pharmaceutical companies by manual search. Meta-analysis was carried out according to the method provided by the Cochrane Collaboration with RevMan5.0 software. RESULTS: Twelve Chinese papers were selected, and 1213 patients were included. Significant difference in recovery rate was found between Dan'e-fukang soft extract group and other drugs group (RR=1.33, 95%CI: 1.02-1.75, P<0.05), but the difference no longer existed when studies with pseudo ginseng and marvelon were removed from other drug groups (RR=1.08, 95%CI: 0.91-1.29, P>0.05). No statistical difference was noticed in total effective rate between two groups (RR=1.04, 95%CI: 1.00-1.08, P>0.05). A statistical difference in improvement of dysmenorrhea symptoms was found before and after treatment in both Dan'e-fukang soft extract group and other drugs group (MD=5.79, 95%CI: 5.01-6.56, P<0.001; MD=4.62, 95%CI: 3.71-5.53, P<0.001), while no significant difference was seen between two groups before treatment (MD=0.20, 95%CI: -0.11-0.50, P>0.05) and after treatment (MD=-0.94, 95%CI: -2.11-0.23, P>0.05). Oral administration of Dan'e-fukang soft extract caused only mild gastrointestinal discomfort, but other drugs had more adverse effects including serious gastrointestinal reaction, severe liver dysfunction, vaginal bleeding, and female masculinity. CONCLUSION: The existing evidence shows that Dan'e-fukang soft extract has the same efficacy as other drugs in treatment of dysmenorrheal. Because of the quality of the included studies was limited, the evidence of the efficacy and safety of Dan'e-fukang soft extract was not strong, and high-quality randomized trials with large samples are needed.

Key Findings

Twelve Chinese papers were selected, and 1213 patients were included. Significant difference in recovery rate was found between Dan'e-fukang soft extract group and other drugs group (RR=1.33, 95%CI: 1.02-1.75, P<0.05), but the difference no longer existed when studies with pseudo ginseng and marvelon were removed from other drug groups (RR=1.08, 95%CI: 0.91-1.29, P>0.05). No statistical difference was noticed in total effective rate between two groups (RR=1.04, 95%CI: 1.00-1.08, P>0.05). A stati

Outcomes Measured

Requires manual extraction

Population

Field	Value
Population	See abstract
Sample Size	1213
Age Range	See abstract
Condition	See abstract

MeSH Terms

Drugs, Chinese Herbal
Dysmenorrhea
Female
Humans
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Evidence Classification

Level: Meta Analysis
Publication Types: English Abstract, Journal Article, Meta-Analysis
Vertical: ginseng

Provenance

PMID: 25187464
DOI: (not available)
PMCID: Not in PMC
Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09