SynthesisFrontiers in endocrinology2022
Add-on effect of the Guizhi Fuling formula for management of reduced fertility potential in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Synthesis in Frontiers in endocrinology, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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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.
The trial behind it
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.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- The efficacy and safety of Cangfu Daotan decoction in the treatment of infertility associated with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Journal of ovarian research · 2026Pooled it
- Anti-Dysmenorrhea Effects and Safety of Guizhi Fuling Capsules for Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.Journal of pain research · 2026Review
- Integrative Approaches to Ovulation Induction in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Narrative Review of Conventional and Complementary Therapies.Biomedicines · 2025Review
- Research progress on the pathogenesis, clinical impact, and traditional Chinese medicine treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome complicated by insulin resistance.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2025Review
- The evolution and application of the medical evidence chain.Frontiers in medicine · 2025Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: Guizhi Fuling (GZFL) pill, a traditional Chinese herbal formula including Objective: To evaluate the add-on effect of the GZFL formula for treating reduced fertility potential in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: Two reviewers independently searched the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Wanfang, SinoMed, and CKNI databases until 09/11/2022. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of the GZFL formula plus Western medicine versus the Western medicine for treating PCOS. The primary endpoint was the ovulation, pregnancy, and miscarriage rate. The secondary endpoints included the serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), total testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, and homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Results: There were 16 RCTs with 1,385 patients identified. The GZFL formula plus Western medicine significantly improved the ovulation rate (risk ratios [RR] 1.24; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.15-1.34) and pregnancy rate (RR 1.53; 95% CI 1.38 to 1.69) than the Western medicine alone. Adjuvant treatment with the GZFL formula also significantly decreased the serum FSH (mean difference [MD] -0.48 U/l; 95% CI -0.80 to -0.15), total testosterone (standard mean difference [SMD] -1.07; 95% CI -1.71 to -0.44), LH level (MD -2.19 U/l; 95% CI -3.04 to -1.34), and HOMA-IR (MD -0.47; 95% CI -0.60 to -0.34). However, there was no significant difference in the miscarriage rate (RR 0.89; 95% CI 0.36-2.20) and serum estradiol level (SMD 0.34; 95% CI -0.25 to 0.94) between two groups. Conclusions: The GZFL formula as adjuvant therapy can improve the ovulation and pregnancy rates in women with PCOS. Its beneficial effects may correlate with reducing FSH, total testosterone, and LH and ameliorating insulin resistance. However, more well-designed RCTs with larger samples and multicenter trials are required to confirm the current findings due to uncertainty of the evidence. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO identifier, CRD42022354530.
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Registered trials
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