Chinese herbal medicine for hyperlipidaemia: A review based on data mining from 1990 to 2016

Background: Many studies have shown that the reduction of low density lipoprotein (LDLC) levels provides cardiovascular protection; therefore LDL-C is considered to be a core therapeutic target in anti-hyperlipidaemia treatment. However, the LDL-C goal attainment is often not satisfied in China with conventional lipid-lowering agents. Many patients seek help from Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM). To further understand the current use of CHM in hyperlipidaemia, we conducted a review based on a systematic literature search and data mining. Methods: We comprehensively searched MEDLINE, EBSCO, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang database to identify potentially relevant articles. We included literatures that met the following criteria: (1) randomized or non-randomized controlled trials; (2) observational clinical trials; (3) case series or case reports. In order to enrich the systematic literature searching and provide the quantitative relationship between relative items and the treatment of hyperlipidaemia, the data mining was also conducted by filtering the biomedical literature on hyperlipidaemia in SinoMed and other available databases like VIP and CNKI. Results: In summary, 282 records of CHM on hyperlipidaemia were captured and analysed. The top used single herb was Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae. The most frequently used formula was Xuefuzhuyu Decoction. The most used herbs in clinical practice have some pharmacological evidences. The mechanisms are different, but could be classified into three categories: inhibiting synthesis, increasing decomposition and reducing absorption. Conclusion: CHM shows positive effect in the treatment of hyperlipidaemia and has the potential to be used in combination with conventional drugs. However, their use should be demonstrated in highquality clinical trials and clinicians should pay attention to potential herb-drug interactions.