Herbal interventions in asthma management: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Journal of Herbal Medicine, cilt.60, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Derleme
- Cilt numarası: 60
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.hermed.2026.101137
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Herbal Medicine
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Asthma, Herbal medicine, Meta-analysis, Phytotherapy, Systematic review
- Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Introduction Herbal medicines are increasingly used as complementary therapies in asthma management despite limited consolidated evidence. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the clinical effects of plant-derived herbal medicines used either alone or as adjunctive therapy in asthma. Methods This study was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A literature search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Randomised controlled trials including paediatric and/or adult patients diagnosed with asthma were eligible. Interventions consisted of plant-derived herbal medicines and phytotherapeutic preparations. Pooled analyses were conducted using a random-effects model. Results The systematic review included 33 randomised controlled trials (RCTs). A pooled analysis of Asthma Control Test (ACT) and Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT) scores showed a significant improvement in favour of pharmacological interventions (SMD = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.23–0.84; I ² = 51.9%), and no significant difference was observed between the ACT and C-ACT subgroups. Forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV₁) values did not show a significant difference between the intervention and control groups following treatment. However, change-from-baseline FEV₁ was significantly higher in the intervention group (SMD = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.19–0.89; I ² = 50.2%). Discussion/Conclusions Herbal interventions were associated with improvements in asthma control and functional outcomes, suggesting a potential adjunctive role in asthma management. However, given the clinical and methodological heterogeneity across studies, the evidence should be interpreted cautiously. Further well-designed randomised controlled trials using standardised herbal preparations and objective outcome measures are required.