Efficacy of external application of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of snakebites:a randomized controlled network meta-analysis
Cai Yalin
Yang Guosheng
Zhong Tao
Zou Yue
Lian Yu
Liu Anping
Yu Anyong
Duan Haizhen
Abstract：Objective Meta-analysis and network meta-analysis were used to evaluate the efficacy of exter-nal application of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)in the treatment of snakebite.Methods The clinical con-trolled trials related to the treatment of snakebite by combining external application of TCM with conventional West-ern medicine in China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),Wanfang Database,PubMed and Web of Science database from Jan.2004 to Oct.2024 were retrieved by computer.The literature quality was evaluated using the Jadad scale,meta-analysis was conducted using Revman5.4 software,and network meta-analysis was performed u-sing ADDIS software.Results A total of 16 randomized controlled trials were included.The results of the meta-a-nalysis suggested:compared with the control group treated with conventional Western medicine,the experimental group treated with external application of TCM had a higher cure rate(OR=2.97,95%CI:2.22 to 3.98,P<0.001),and a shorter duration of swelling(MD=-1.93,95%CI:-2.44 to 1.43,P<0.001),and the duration of pain was also shorter(MD=-2.92,95%CI:-4.22 to-1.62,P<0.001).The results of the network meta-analysis indica-ted that the cure rates of She Shang San(snakebite-specific powder)and Huzhang Gao(Polygonum cuspidatum resin plaster)were the highest(Prank1=0.2),followed by Shuanghuang Sheyao San(double-yellow anti-venom powder,Prank3=0.1).The swelling duration of Sheshang Gao(snakebite wound ointment)was the shortest(Prank10=0.34),followed by Xianyao Banzhilian(freshly harvested Scutellaria barbata,Prank9=0.19),and final-ly Shuanghuang Sheyao San(Prank8=0.17).The pain duration of Sihuang San(four-Coptis powder)was the shor-test(Prank8=0.66),followed by Sheshang Gao and Shuanghuang Sheyao San(Prank7=0.19).Among them,Prank represented the ranking probability of the corresponding position.Conclusion Combining external TCM with con-ventional Western therapy significantly improves cure rates and reduces swelling and pain duration in snakebite treat-ment.
Keywords：SnakebitesMedicineChinese traditionalExternal applicationCurative effectNetwork me-ta-analysis
Publication Date：2025-06-15
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：10( 420-429 )