Objective To systematically evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Yaotongning Capsules（腰痛宁胶囊） versus Bitongning Capsules（痹痛宁胶囊） in the treatment of lumbar osteoarthritis. Methods Electronic databases including PubMed

Embase

Cochrane Library

Wanfang

CNKI and VIP database were searched for randomized controlled trials（RCTs） comparing Yaotongning Capsules to Bitongning Capsules in the treatment of lumbar osteoarthritis

and relevant data were extracted and analyzed. The quality of the literature was evaluated according to the Cochrane 5.1.0 manual. RevMan 5.3 software was used to perform meta-analyses on the total effective rate

the Japanese Orthopaedic Association（JOA） score

the visual analog scale（VAS） score

the Oswestry dysfunction index（ODI） score

the serological indicators including matrix metalloproteinase 3（MMP-3） level

interleukin 1β（IL-1β） level

and safety indicators. Results Five RCTs involving 533 patients were included with 265 patients in the treatment group and 268 in the control group. Meta analyses showed that the total effective rate（RR = 1.26

95%CI 1.15 to 1.38） and JOA score（MD = 4.60

95%CI 0.91 tof 8.28） were significantly higher in the treatment group than those in the control group（P<0.05）; the resting pain VAS score（MD=-0.97

95% CI-1.24 to-0.70）

active pain VAS score（MD=-1.16

95% CI-1.61 to-0.71）

ODI score（MD=-4.26

95%CI-5.99 to-2.52）

serum IL-1β（MD=-3.17

95%CI-4.86 to-1.49） and MMP-3（MD=-13.54

95%CI-15.69 to-11.39） levels were significantly lower in the treatment group（P<0.05）. There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups（P>0.05）. Conclusion Compared to Bitongning Capsules

Yaotongning Capsules have a higher total effective rate in treating lumbar osteoarthritis

which can better inhibit inflammation

relieve pain

and relieve lumbar spine dysfunction.