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Lee J, Kwon S, Jin C, Cho SY, Park SU, Jung WS, Moon SK, Park JM, Ko CN, Cho KH. Traditional East Asian Herbal Medicine Treatment for Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:174. [PMID: 35215287 PMCID: PMC8874541 DOI: 10.3390/ph15020174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a leading progressive neurodegenerative disease worldwide, and its treatment is a challenging clinical problem. This review was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of herbal medicine for AD treatment. The PubMed, CENTRAL, EMBASE, CNKI, OASIS, KTKP, and CiNii databases were searched until June 2020 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on herbal medicine for AD, and a meta-analysis of 57 RCTs was conducted. For cognitive function, herbal medicine significantly improved the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and AD Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-cog) scores compared with conventional medicine. The MMSE scores showed no significant difference between the groups treated with herbal medicine and donepezil; however, herbal medicine significantly lowered the ADAS-cog score. Acori Graminei Rhizoma-containing and Cnidii Rhizoma-containing herbal medicine significantly improved the MMSE and ADAS-cog scores compared with conventional medicine. Ginseng Radix-containing herbal medicine showed a positive, but not statistically significant, tendency toward improving the MMSE score compared with conventional medicine. Herbal medicine with conventional medicine significantly improved the MMSE, ADAS-cog, and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores compared with conventional medicine, and herbal medicine with donepezil also significantly improved these scores compared with donepezil. Acori Graminei Rhizoma or Cnidii Rhizoma-containing herbal medicine with conventional medicine significantly improved the MMSE and ADAS-cog scores compared with conventional medicine. Ginseng Radix-containing herbal medicine + conventional medicine significantly improved the MMSE score, but not the ADAS-cog score, compared with conventional medicine. For behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, the Neuropsychiatry Inventory (NPI) score was not significantly different between herbal and conventional medicines. Herbal medicine with conventional medicine significantly improved the NPI and Behavioral Pathology in Alzheimer's Disease Rating Scale scores compared with conventional medicine. The NPI score showed no significant difference between the groups treated with herbal medicine and placebo. Furthermore, herbal medicine with conventional medicine significantly lowered plasma amyloid beta levels compared with conventional medicine alone. Herbal medicine, whether used alone or as an adjuvant, may have beneficial effects on AD treatment. However, owing to the methodological limitations and high heterogeneity of the included studies, concrete conclusions cannot be made.
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Affiliation(s)
- JiEun Lee
- Department of Korean Medicine Cardiology and Neurology, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea; (J.L.); (C.J.)
| | - Seungwon Kwon
- Department of Cardiology and Neurology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea; (S.-Y.C.); (S.-U.P.); (W.-S.J.); (S.-K.M.); (J.-M.P.); (C.-N.K.); (K.-H.C.)
| | - Chul Jin
- Department of Korean Medicine Cardiology and Neurology, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea; (J.L.); (C.J.)
| | - Seung-Yeon Cho
- Department of Cardiology and Neurology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea; (S.-Y.C.); (S.-U.P.); (W.-S.J.); (S.-K.M.); (J.-M.P.); (C.-N.K.); (K.-H.C.)
| | - Seong-Uk Park
- Department of Cardiology and Neurology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea; (S.-Y.C.); (S.-U.P.); (W.-S.J.); (S.-K.M.); (J.-M.P.); (C.-N.K.); (K.-H.C.)
| | - Woo-Sang Jung
- Department of Cardiology and Neurology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea; (S.-Y.C.); (S.-U.P.); (W.-S.J.); (S.-K.M.); (J.-M.P.); (C.-N.K.); (K.-H.C.)
| | - Sang-Kwan Moon
- Department of Cardiology and Neurology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea; (S.-Y.C.); (S.-U.P.); (W.-S.J.); (S.-K.M.); (J.-M.P.); (C.-N.K.); (K.-H.C.)
| | - Jung-Mi Park
- Department of Cardiology and Neurology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea; (S.-Y.C.); (S.-U.P.); (W.-S.J.); (S.-K.M.); (J.-M.P.); (C.-N.K.); (K.-H.C.)
| | - Chang-Nam Ko
- Department of Cardiology and Neurology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea; (S.-Y.C.); (S.-U.P.); (W.-S.J.); (S.-K.M.); (J.-M.P.); (C.-N.K.); (K.-H.C.)
| | - Ki-Ho Cho
- Department of Cardiology and Neurology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea; (S.-Y.C.); (S.-U.P.); (W.-S.J.); (S.-K.M.); (J.-M.P.); (C.-N.K.); (K.-H.C.)
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Hyde AJ, May BH, Dong L, Feng M, Liu S, Guo X, Zhang AL, Lu C, Xue CC. Herbal medicine for management of the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD): A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Psychopharmacol 2017; 31:169-183. [PMID: 27899689 DOI: 10.1177/0269881116675515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Management of the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia remains a challenge worldwide. Herbal medicines may play a role in the development of new interventions. To determine effects of herbal medicines for management of the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, meta-analysis was conducted of 31 controlled trials (3613 participants). Frequently tested herbal medicines were the Ginkgo biloba leaf extract EGb 761 (seven studies) and the multi-ingredient formula Yokukansan (eight studies). Sixteen studies tested other herbal medicines. Improvements were detected in Neuropsychiatric Inventory scores in EGb 761 groups compared to placebo (MD -3.46 [-5.94, -0.98]; I2 = 93%; n = 1757) and Yokukansan groups compared to no treatment (SMD -0.53 [-0.86, -0.21]; I2 = 0%; n = 150). Cognitive scores were improved in EGb 761 groups while Yokukansan did not appear to affect cognitive function. Of the other herbal medicines, there were improvements in the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia and cognitive outcomes in two of four placebo-controlled studies. EGb 761 and Yokukansan appeared safe and well tolerated. Adverse effects and dropouts were not reported consistently for the other herbal medicines. Weaknesses of these included short durations, small sample sizes, lack of blinding and other risks of bias. Well-designed studies are needed to further investigate the reported effects of these interventions on the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna J Hyde
- 1 The China-Australia International Research Centre for Chinese Medicine, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Brian H May
- 1 The China-Australia International Research Centre for Chinese Medicine, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Lin Dong
- 1 The China-Australia International Research Centre for Chinese Medicine, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Mei Feng
- 2 Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences & Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shaonan Liu
- 2 Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences & Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinfeng Guo
- 2 Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences & Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Anthony Lin Zhang
- 1 The China-Australia International Research Centre for Chinese Medicine, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Chuanjian Lu
- 2 Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences & Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Charlie Changli Xue
- 1 The China-Australia International Research Centre for Chinese Medicine, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Australia.,2 Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences & Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
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Interventions for Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Neurocognitive Impairment Due to Alzheimer's Disease: A Review of the Literature. Harv Rev Psychiatry 2015; 23:377-93. [PMID: 26332220 DOI: 10.1097/hrp.0000000000000097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Neurocognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease (previously termed Alzheimer's dementia) (AD) is the most common form of cognitive impairment worldwide. Given the anticipated increase in the population aged 65 and over, the prevalence of persons with AD is expected to increase exponentially during the next 30 years. Noncognitive neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) commonly occur in AD and are associated with adverse outcomes for patients and their caregivers. This review summarizes randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2004 and 2014 with a primary outcome measure of change in symptom severity for NPS in AD. Of the 388 articles initially identified through a literature search, 33 trials met inclusion criteria. Fifteen of these studies had agitation/aggression as a targeted symptom. Twenty-eight evaluated pharmacologic treatments, including psychotropics, cognitive enhancers, stimulants, and nutraceuticals. Nonpharmacologic interventions included bright light, music, exercise, and cognitive-stimulation therapies. Among the pharmacologic interventions, modest efficacy was reported with aripiprazole, citalopram, trazodone, methylphenidate, and scheduled analgesics. Significant reduction in symptom severity was reported with nearly all the nonpharmacologic interventions. Variations in methodology such as inclusion criteria, study setting, and outcome measures limit the generalizability of these results. Barriers to the implementation of nonpharmacologic interventions in clinical settings include resource and training limitations. Electroconvulsive therapy and dronabinol are promising as emerging treatment strategies. Randomized clinical trials are needed in order to validate the utility of electroconvulsive therapy and dronabinol, including where and with whom these interventions will prove most valuable.
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