Clinical research hotspots and trends of atherosclerosis treatment with traditional Chinese medicine preparations

Introduction

While traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has proved to be effective in treating atherosclerosis (AS), further analyses of the current research trends and treatment quality are essential. Based on data and visualisation analyses, this study aimed to explore the research hotspots and trends of AS treatment with TCM.

Methods

Relevant literature was searched using the evidence-based strategy system. Visual cluster analysis, association rule analysis, and study quality evaluation were performed using VOSviewer, IBM SPSS Statistics 23, Cochrane Risk Bias Assessment Scale, and Modified Jadad Scale.

Results

A total of 334 eligible papers were included. Over the past decade, the number of annual publications in this field has substantially increased, with a shift towards combining Chinese and Western medicine and using standardised and detailed outcome indicators. The frequently used herbs have warm or cold nature, sweet or bitter flavour, and belong to the liver, lung, or spleen channel. Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Danshen) - Astragalus mongholicus Bunge (Huangqi) + Conioselinum anthriscoides 'Chuanxiong' (Chuanxiong) was the most commonly used combination, while Carthamus tinctorius L. (Honghua) - Prunus persica (L.) Batsch (Taoren) + Chuanxiong was associated with the highest confidence. The protocols of studies with a high risk of bias lacked standardisation, and the administration protocols of different clinical studies that used the same TCM preparations showed significant diversification. Despite this, the literature quality has shown pronounced growth in recent years.

Conclusions

Clinical research on AS prevention and treatment using TCM preparations is popular and follows TCM pathology theory; however, the overall research quality needs further improvement.