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2026, Vol: 10, Issue: 6
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Review Article
Online Published: 01 May 2026
 


Efficacy of Xiao-Feng-San for atopic dermatitis: a systematic review and meta analysis

Mohammed Salem Alshehri, Ibrahim Mohammed Alfuraih, Rahaf Fayih Alotaibi, Remas Hamad Alsharif, Alanoud Abdullah Al Daej, Nawal Hussain Hibili, Amani Abduh Mosleh, Leen Saleh Al-wagdani, Najwa Hamad Almutairi, Rema Aldihan.


Abstract
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by intense pruritus, eczematous lesions, and impaired quality of life. Xiao-Feng-San (XFS), a traditional Chinese herbal formula, has been used as a complementary therapy for AD; however, its clinical efficacy and safety remain uncertain. This study aimed to systematically review and meta-analyze the efficacy and safety of XFS in patients with atopic dermatitis. This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were searched from inception. Randomized controlled trials comparing XFS with placebo or sham treatment in patients with AD were included. Continuous outcomes were pooled as mean differences (MDs), and dichotomous outcomes as risk ratios (RRs), each with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), using random-effects models. Three randomized controlled trials involving 245 participants were included. Follow-up ranged from 4 to 8 weeks. Meta-analysis demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in dermatology-specific quality of life at 4 weeks in patients treated with XFS compared with control (MD −1.97, 95% CI −3.51 to −0.44). Findings for pruritus and disease severity were inconsistent across studies. Immunologic markers, including serum total IgE, did not differ significantly between groups. Xiao-Feng-San might provide modest short-term improvement in quality of life in patients with atopic derma titis. However, evidence remains limited by small sample sizes, short follow-up duration, and methodological concerns. Larger, well-designed randomized trials are required to establish its clinical efficacy and safety.

Key words: Atopic dermatitis, Xiao-Feng-San, sopoongsan, traditional chinese medicine, herbal medicine, meta-analysis, randomized controlled trials


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Alshehri MS, Alfuraih IM, Alotaibi RF, Alsharif RH, Daej AAA, Hibili NH, Mosleh AA, Al-wagdani LS, Almutairi NH, Aldihan R. Efficacy of Xiao-Feng-San for atopic dermatitis: a systematic review and meta analysis. IJMDC. 2026; 10(6): 1701-1708. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1774619635

Web Style

Alshehri MS, Alfuraih IM, Alotaibi RF, Alsharif RH, Daej AAA, Hibili NH, Mosleh AA, Al-wagdani LS, Almutairi NH, Aldihan R. Efficacy of Xiao-Feng-San for atopic dermatitis: a systematic review and meta analysis. https://www.ijmdc.com/?mno=315422 [Access: June 29, 2026]. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1774619635

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Alshehri MS, Alfuraih IM, Alotaibi RF, Alsharif RH, Daej AAA, Hibili NH, Mosleh AA, Al-wagdani LS, Almutairi NH, Aldihan R. Efficacy of Xiao-Feng-San for atopic dermatitis: a systematic review and meta analysis. IJMDC. 2026; 10(6): 1701-1708. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1774619635


Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Alshehri MS, Alfuraih IM, Alotaibi RF, Alsharif RH, Daej AAA, Hibili NH, Mosleh AA, Al-wagdani LS, Almutairi NH, Aldihan R. Efficacy of Xiao-Feng-San for atopic dermatitis: a systematic review and meta analysis. IJMDC. (2026), [cited June 29, 2026]; 10(6): 1701-1708. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1774619635


Harvard Style

Alshehri, M. S., Alfuraih, . I. M., Alotaibi, . R. F., Alsharif, . R. H., Daej, . A. A. A., Hibili, . N. H., Mosleh, . A. A., Al-wagdani, . L. S., Almutairi, . N. H. & Aldihan, . R. (2026) Efficacy of Xiao-Feng-San for atopic dermatitis: a systematic review and meta analysis. IJMDC, 10 (6), 1701-1708. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1774619635


Turabian Style

Alshehri, Mohammed Salem, Ibrahim Mohammed Alfuraih, Rahaf Fayih Alotaibi, Remas Hamad Alsharif, Alanoud Abdullah Al Daej, Nawal Hussain Hibili, Amani Abduh Mosleh, Leen Saleh Al-wagdani, Najwa Hamad Almutairi, and Rema Aldihan. 2026. Efficacy of Xiao-Feng-San for atopic dermatitis: a systematic review and meta analysis. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 10 (6), 1701-1708. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1774619635


Chicago Style

Alshehri, Mohammed Salem, Ibrahim Mohammed Alfuraih, Rahaf Fayih Alotaibi, Remas Hamad Alsharif, Alanoud Abdullah Al Daej, Nawal Hussain Hibili, Amani Abduh Mosleh, Leen Saleh Al-wagdani, Najwa Hamad Almutairi, and Rema Aldihan. "Efficacy of Xiao-Feng-San for atopic dermatitis: a systematic review and meta analysis." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries 10 (2026), 1701-1708. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1774619635


MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Alshehri, Mohammed Salem, Ibrahim Mohammed Alfuraih, Rahaf Fayih Alotaibi, Remas Hamad Alsharif, Alanoud Abdullah Al Daej, Nawal Hussain Hibili, Amani Abduh Mosleh, Leen Saleh Al-wagdani, Najwa Hamad Almutairi, and Rema Aldihan. "Efficacy of Xiao-Feng-San for atopic dermatitis: a systematic review and meta analysis." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries 10.6 (2026), 1701-1708. Print. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1774619635


APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Alshehri, M. S., Alfuraih, . I. M., Alotaibi, . R. F., Alsharif, . R. H., Daej, . A. A. A., Hibili, . N. H., Mosleh, . A. A., Al-wagdani, . L. S., Almutairi, . N. H. & Aldihan, . R. (2026) Efficacy of Xiao-Feng-San for atopic dermatitis: a systematic review and meta analysis. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 10 (6), 1701-1708. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1774619635




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