SynthesisBMC complementary and alternative medicine2019
The use of maoto (Ma-Huang-Tang), a traditional Japanese Kampo medicine, to alleviate flu symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 17 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
17 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 30 citations in OpenAlex.
- Efficacy of Pharmacotherapy for Seasonal Influenza in Young and Middle-aged Adults: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis.Internal medicine (Tokyo, Japan) · 2024Pooled it
- Pooled it
- H5N1 Avian Influenza: A Narrative Review of Scientific Advances and Global Policy Challenges.Viruses · 2025Review
- Multiple antiviral mechanisms of Ephedrae Herba and Cinnamomi Cortex against influenza: inhibition of entry and replication.Microbiology spectrum · 2025Article
- The Antiviral Effect of Ephedrine Alkaloids-Free Ephedra Herb Extract, EFE, on Murine Coronavirus Growth in the Lung and Liver of Infected Mice.Microorganisms · 2025Article
- Inhibitory effects of senkyuchachosan on SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease activity in vitro.Journal of natural medicines · 2024Article
- A Review on Measures to Rejuvenate Immune System: Natural Mode of Protection Against Coronavirus Infection.Frontiers in immunology · 2022Review
- Maoto plus neuraminidase inhibitor versus neuraminidase inhibitor alone for reducing hospitalization in older adults with seasonal influenza.Annals of clinical epidemiology · 2022Article
- Effects of maoto (ma-huang-tang) on host lipid mediator and transcriptome signature in influenza virus infection.Scientific reports · 2021Article
- Advancing the Regulation of Traditional and Complementary Medicine Products: A Comparison of Five Regulatory Systems on Traditional Medicines with a Long History of Use.Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM · 2021Review
- Association between Maoto Use and Hospitalization for Seasonal Influenza in a Nonelderly Cohort in Japan.Internal medicine (Tokyo, Japan) · 2021Article
- Efficacy and Safety of Chinese Patent Medicine Combined With Oseltamivir in Treatment of Children With Influenza: A meta-Analysis.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2021Article
- Prevention and Recovery of COVID-19 Patients With Kampo Medicine: Review of Case Reports and Ongoing Clinical Trials.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2021Review
- The Relevance of Complementary and Integrative Medicine in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Review of the Literature.Frontiers in medicine · 2020Review
- Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treating Influenza: From Basic Science to Clinical Applications.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2020Review
- A Traditional Chinese Medicine, Maoto, Suppresses Hepatitis B Virus Production.Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology · 2020Article
- Screening of Antiviral Components of Ma Huang Tang and Investigation on the Ephedra Alkaloids Efficacy on Influenza Virus Type A.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2019Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors at 4 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundInfluenza is a common viral infection worldwide. Maoto (ma-huang-tang) was developed in ancient China and is used to alleviate flu symptoms. Currently, no meta-analyses have evaluated the efficacy and safety of maoto for alleviating flu symptoms.
methodsIn the present study, we searched MEDLINE/PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), EMBASE, a Japanese database (Ichushi), two Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure and VIP), and two Korean databases (Korean Medical database and Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors) for studies published in or before October 2017. Clinical studies that compared maoto plus neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs) vs. NAIs alone, or maoto alone vs. NAIs alone, were included in the present analysis. The primary outcome measure (efficacy) was the length of time from the start of medication to resolution of influenza symptoms (fever, headache, malaise, myalgia, and chills) and virus isolation. The secondary outcome measures (safety) were as follows: (1) side effects and adverse reactions, such as nausea, abnormal behaviour, or discontinuation of symptomatic treatment; (2) morbidity (complications caused by influenza infection) or mortality; and (3) hospitalisation for any reason.
resultsTwelve relevant studies were identified, including two randomised controlled trials (RCTs, N = 60) and ten non-randomised studies (NRSs, N = 1110). We found that maoto plus NAIs was superior to NAIs alone in terms of the duration of fever in one RCT (P < 0.05, median difference = - 6 h) and four NRSs (P = 0.003, weighted mean difference = - 5.34 h). The duration of symptoms or virus isolation did not differ between maoto and NAIs. No severe side effects or adverse reactions were reported related to maoto or NAIs.
conclusionsAlthough we could not reach a definitive conclusion because of the small sample sizes and high risk of bias in the analysed studies, maoto may lower the duration of fever when it is used alone or in combination with NAIs and may be a well-tolerated treatment. More RCTs are needed to determine the efficacy and safety of maoto.
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.