Efficacy and Safety of a Formulated Herbal Granula, Jiu Wei Zhen Xin, for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Meta‐Analysis

Abstract

Background The traditional Chinese medicine formula Jiu Wei Zhen Xin Granula (JWZXG) is prescribed to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in China. This study was to assess the efficacy and safety of JWZXG in patients with GAD. Method Data were pooled from 14 randomized controlled trials involving the assessment of mean changes of Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) total scores, response rates, adverse event rates, quality, publication bias, and risk of bias. Results Pooled analysis showed no significant difference in response rate (risk ratio 1.01, 95% CI [0.93–1.08]; Z test = 0.17, P = 0.86) and no significant difference between JWZXG group and azapirones group (RR 0.69, 95% CI [0.45, 1.06]; Z test = 1.69, P = 0.09) in rate of adverse events. Though no difference exists between JWZXG group and azapirones group in HAMA total score from baseline, JWZXG group was inferior to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) group (WMD −0.93, 95% CI [−1.64, −0.23]; Z test = 2.6, P = 0.009) which had more adverse events than JWZXG group (RR 0.64, 95% CI [0.46, 0.89]; Z test = 2.63, P = 0.009). Conclusions This meta-analysis preliminarily suggests that JWZXG is as effective as azapirones, though having the same possibility of suffering AEs. JWZXG was inferior to SSRIs but causes fewer AEs in the treatment of GAD.

Effectiveness and safety of Jiuwei Zhenxin granules for treating generalized anxiety disorder: A randomized controlled trial

“…Generalized anxiety disorder is a prevalent disorder associated with significant impairments in social, emotional, and physical functioning, and it has received increasing attention in recent years. Jiuwei Zhenxin granules have been approved for the treatment of patients with GAD, but their safety and therapeutic efficacy have been compared mainly to non-benzodiazepine drugs ( 24 , 25 ). In the present multicenter, randomized controlled study, we evaluated for the first time the safety and efficacy of Jiuwei Zhenxin granules in the presence or absence of the benzodiazepine anxiolytic drug alprazolam.…”

“…Benzodiazepines are considered the primary pharmacological treatment for GAD ( 26 ), with alprazolam being the most frequently prescribed agent ( 27 ). Jiuwei Zhenxin granules have also been identified as a promising treatment for GAD ( 24 ), and their efficacy has been confirmed in phase II and III trials ( 18 , 19 ). Indeed, Jiuwei Zhenxin granules can significantly reduce HAMA total score in GAD patients ( 10 , 28 ).…”

Analysis of the Underlying Mechanism of the Jiu Wei Zhen Xin Formula for Treating Generalized Anxiety Disorder Based on Network Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medicine

“…Novel approaches like pharmacogenetics and pharmacoepigenetics are safer and may improve the treatment response while reducing the socioeconomic burden [ 13 ]. A meta-analysis revealed Jiu Wei Zhen Xin Formula (JWZXF) and concluded that a formulated herbal granule is less effective than SSRIs but is safer [ 14 ]. This research intends to construct a pharmacological network on JWZXF and GAD genetic targets and reveal their relationship.…”

<p>Traditional Chinese Medicine Jiuwei Zhenxin Granules in Treating Depression: An Overview</p>

“…Jiuwei Zhenxin granules (JZG) are a classical Chinese medicine prescription that has been used in the prevention and treatment of various depressive, anxiety, and bipolar disorders in China. 11 JZG originated from Pingbu Zhenxin and was first recorded in Tai Ping He pharmacy prescriptions in the Northern Song Dynasty. In the 1990s, the formula was revised by TCM Professor TuYa of Beijing University and Professor Xiaolan Cui of the Institute of Pharmacology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.…”