Abstract
Context
Chaihu Jia Longgu Muli Decoction (CLMD) is a traditional Chinese medicine for treating depression.
Objective
This study investigated the effect of CLMD combined with antidepressants on multimorbidity with depression (MMD).
Method
Published randomized controlled trials were collected from PubMed, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal, Wanfang and China Biomedical Literature Service System Databases. Participants were divided into study groups (CLMD combined with antidepressants) and control groups (antidepressants). RevMan5.4 software was used for data analysis.
Results
Hamilton’s Depression Scale score was significantly lower (MD = −5.62, 95%CI [−5.86, −5.37], p < 0.00001), and the effective rate was significantly higher (RR = 1.23, 95%CI [1.17, 1.29], p < 0.00001) in study groups. National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score of study groups were significantly lower (MD = −2.82, 95%CI [−3.84, −1.81], p < 0.00001; MD = −2.26, 95%CI [−3.19, −1.34], p < 0.00001). 5-HT, DA, NE and IL-1β level were significantly lower (SMD = 1.99, p = 0.003; SMD = 1.99, p < 0.00001; SMD = 0.86, p < 0.00001; MD = −14.64, p = 0.003) in study groups. Adverse reaction rate in study groups was significantly lower (RR = 0.47, 95%CI [0.24, 0.91], p = 0.03). The gastrointestinal tract and autonomic nervous system disorders were reduced in study groups.
Discussion and conclusions
CLMD combined with antidepressants enhances the effect of antidepressants and reduces their adverse reactions, performing a synergistic effect; it may be considered as an effective option in the treatment of MMD.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Data availability statement
The data used to support the results of this study are available from the corresponding authors upon request.