Background: Tripterygium glycosides (TGs) has been widely used in the treatment of Sjögren's syndrome (SS).
Methods: Seven databases, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Medical Database, China Science and Technology Journal Database, and the Chinese Biomedicine database, were selected to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to the treatment of SS with TGs alone or in combination. The participants, intervention, comparison, outcome, and study design principle were adopted for the inclusion of related studies. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool. Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.3, with risk ratios (RRs) or standard mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
Results: Overall, 12 trials involving 668 patients were analyzed. The results of the meta-analysis showed that TGs in combination with total glucosides of paeony (TGP) had significantly lower symptom scores than TGs alone on dry eyes (SMD =-0.61, 95% CI: -1.12 to -0.10, P=0.02) or dry mouth (SMD =-1.29, 95% CI: -1.84 to -0.74, P<0.00001). The efficacy rates of TG + TGP vs. TGs (P<0.00001) and TG + HM vs. TGs (P=0.01) were significantly different. In addition, compared to hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), TGs could induce expression of C-reactive protein (P=0.007), globulin (P<0.00001), and immunoglobulin A (IgA) (P=0.006), whereas the TG + TGP group had lower levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) (P<0.00001), immunoglobulin M (IgM) (P=0.02), and IgA (P<0.00001), as well as saliva flow rate (P<0.00001) and lacrimal gland function (P<0.00001). The adverse events between TGs and HCQ were not evident, and there was no increase in the risk of adverse reactions when combined with other drugs.
Discussion: TGs are potentially effective for treating SS without increasing the risk of adverse events. High-quality, multi-center, and large-scale RCTs are required.
Keywords: Sjögren’s syndrome (SS); Tripterygium glycosides (TGs); meta-analysis.