Efficacy and safety of Chinese patent medicine for urinary tract infections: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Abstract
Introduction: Chinese patent medicines (CPMs) have garnered increasing attention as therapeutic options for urinary tract infections (UTIs); however, robust evidence supporting their efficacy remains limited. To address this gap, we performed a network meta-analysis (NMA) incorporating both direct and indirect comparisons to systematically evaluate and rank the efficacy and safety profiles of CPMs for UTIs.
Methods: We systematically searched five electronic databases from their inception through April 2025. Data were analyzed using a frequentist approach with random-effects models.
Results: Twenty-three studies with nine types of medicines and 3,250 patients were included in this study. While network meta-analysis suggested that Xueniaoan capsule with antibiotics (XNA_Ab) had the highest probability of being optimal, this conclusion requires cautious interpretation because of the low certainty of evidence from the included studies.
Conclusion: Several CPMs demonstrate potential therapeutic benefits for UTIs; however, these preliminary findings require validation through rigorously designed large-scale randomized controlled trials.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 3,250 participants or records.
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