AUTHOR=Hu Qian , Peng Ze , Li Lingli , Zou Xin , Xu Lijun , Gong Jing , Yi Ping 

TITLE=The Efficacy of Berberine-Containing Quadruple Therapy on Helicobacter Pylori Eradication in China: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pharmacology

VOLUME=10

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2019.01694

DOI=10.3389/fphar.2019.01694

ISSN=1663-9812

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Background</title><p>Berberine-containing quadruple therapy (adding berberine to the standard triple therapy) is being used to treat <italic>Helicobacter pylori</italic> infection, but the effects in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are still controversial. Therefore, a meta-analysis is needed to estimate the efficacy and safety of berberine-containing quadruple therapy on <italic>Helicobacter pylori</italic> eradication.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>Ten databases were searched to find the available literature. RCTs about the efficacy and safety of berberine-containing quadruple therapy on <italic>Helicobacter pylori</italic> eradication were included. The data of <italic>Helicobacter pylori</italic> eradication rate, peptic ulcer healing rate, relieving rate of clinical symptoms and adverse events were extracted to appraise the net change with a fixed or randomized effect model.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>A total of 13 articles were included in the analysis. Pooled results showed that the addition of berberine in standard triple therapy significantly improved <italic>Helicobacter pylori</italic> eradication rate (RR 1.22; 95% CI 1.16 to 1.27; I<sup>2</sup> = 12%), increased the peptic ulcer healing rate (RR 1.15; 95% CI 1.10 to 1.19; I<sup>2</sup> = 44%), relieved the clinical symptoms (RR 1.11; 95% CI 1.06 to 1.17; I<sup>2</sup> = 44%) and reduced the incidence of side events (RR 0.65; 95% CI 0.53 to 0.80; I<sup>2</sup> = 58%) comparing to the standard triple therapy.</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusions</title><p>The analysis showed that the addition of berberine in standard triple therapy could improve <italic>Helicobacter pylori</italic> eradication rate and clinical symptom remission rate, accelerate ulcer healing, and reduce adverse events, which is very beneficial to clinical work in China.</p></sec>