Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicines for patients with depression. Method: A meta-analysis was performed to identify case-control studies of Chinese herbal medicines for patients with depression from the literatures. Result: Eight studies involving 1 340 participants were included. As for the total effective rate

there is no statistical difference between treatment group and control group in the 4 trials comparing with Fluoxetine (OR=1.04

95% CI=0.74-1.46

P=0.84)

in the 2 trials comparing with Paroxetine (OR=0.57

95% CI=0.16-2.08

P=0.40)

in the 1 trial comparing with Venlafaxine (OR=0.57

95% CI=0.22-1.50

P=0.26)

and in the 1 trial comparing with Maprotiline (OR=0.23

95% CI=0.02-2.22

P=0.21). As for HAM-D scaling rate

neither 6 trials with treatment for 6 weeks nor 1 trial for 12 weeks appear statistical differences between treatment group and control group (MD=0.18

95% CI=-0.89-1.24

P=0.74; MD=0.75

95% CI=-0.56-2.06

P=0.26). Conclusion: Based on the existing evidence

some Chinese herbal medicines for treating depression appeared efficacious. However

due to the lack of stronger evidence

we cannot recommend any kind of Chinese medical herbal formulation as an effective remedy for depression.