Shengxuebao Mixture for Iron Deficiency Anemia: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#anemia-iron-deficiency #china #humans #iron-deficiencies

Shengxuebao Mixture for Iron Deficiency Anemia: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

Li et al., 2022 | Complement Med Res | Meta Analysis

Citation

Li Ailin, Wang Haixia, ... Gu Yuming. Shengxuebao Mixture for Iron Deficiency Anemia: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review. Complement Med Res. 2022;29(3):249-256. doi:10.1159/000523741

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Traditional Chinese medicine Shengxuebao Mixture (SXBM) has been approved for treating iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in China. This study aimed to collect evidence and quantify the effect of SXBM on IDA. METHODS: Seven online databases were surveyed up to July 13, 2021. Randomized controlled trials in which SXBM was combined with conventional therapies to treat IDA and compared with placebo or conventional therapies were included in the study. The red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb) level, serum ferritin (SF) level, and adverse events rate (AER) were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 1,108 patients from 8 trials were recruited. SXBM plus conventional therapy increased the Hb level (mean difference [MD] = 13.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] 8.37-17.7, p < 0.00001), RBC count (MD = 0.41, 95% CI 0.19-0.62, p = 0.002), SF level (MD = 6.25, 95% CI 2.88-9.62, p = 0.0003), and AER (risk ratio = 0.56, 95% CI 0.36-0.86; p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: SXBM combined with conventional treatment seemed to be beneficial for patients with IDA. However, the harmlessness of SXBM was not confirmed due to insufficient trials and low methodological quality. Follow-up clinical studies should be cautiously designed, and more research is needed.

Key Findings

A total of 1,108 patients from 8 trials were recruited. SXBM plus conventional therapy increased the Hb level (mean difference [MD] = 13.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] 8.37-17.7, p < 0.00001), RBC count (MD = 0.41, 95% CI 0.19-0.62, p = 0.002), SF level (MD = 6.25, 95% CI 2.88-9.62, p = 0.0003), and AER (risk ratio = 0.56, 95% CI 0.36-0.86; p = 0.008).

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population ida
Sample Size 1108
Age Range See abstract
Condition deficiency

MeSH Terms

  • Anemia, Iron-Deficiency
  • China
  • Humans
  • Iron Deficiencies

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review, Journal Article
  • Vertical: iron

Provenance

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