2.1. Database and retrieval strategies

The present systematic review and Meta-analysis was conducted according to the Preferred Reported Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement.¹² We searched various databases, namely PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure database, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, China Science and Technology Journal Database, and China Biology Medicine Disc, to identify the randomized control trials (RCTs) published from the inception of database to November 2021. Search terms were: “hepatitis B” OR “hepatitis B virus infection” OR “chronic hepatitis B” OR “hepatitis B virus” OR “type B hepatitis,” “tenofovir disoproxil fumarate” OR “TDF,” “Fuzheng Huayu” OR “FZHY” OR “Fuzheng Huayu capsule” OR “Fuzheng Huayu tablet” OR “Fuzheng Huayu recipe” OR “Fuzheng Huayu formula,” and “randomized controlled trial” OR “randomized” OR “controlled clinical trial.” These terms were mainly subject-related words and free words with no language restrictions. All authors unanimously approved the final search strategy. The protocol for the current systematic review was registered on the PROSPERO platform (registration number: CRD42021287242).