Herbal Medicine for Patients with Cognitive Impairment: An Observational Study

Abstract

Purpose:The potential effects of herbal medicine for patients with cognitive disorders have been reported in various human and animal studies. This study aimed to explore the effect of herbal medicine treatment according to the Korean Medicine (KM) pattern identification for patients with mild cognitive impairment and early dementia. Patients and Methods: Twenty patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia who planned to receive herbal medicine treatment were enrolled. Herbal formulae were prescribed based on the KM pattern for 12-24 weeks. Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery II (SNSB-II) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) were assessed at the baseline, after 12 weeks, and after 24 weeks (Trial registration: cris.nih.go.kr, KCT0004799). Results: Herbal medicine products, including Yukmijihwang-tang, Samhwangsasim-tang, Palmul-tang, Banhasasim-tang, and Yukgunja-tang, were prescribed to the patients. Among the SNSB-II five cognitive function domains, the T scores for language, visuospatial function, memory, and frontal/executive function increased over time. The MoCA score also improved following the treatment (mean difference 4.23 [95% CI: 2.60, 5.86], p < 0.0001 at 12-week follow-up compared to the baseline). Considering the KM pattern scores, phlegm-dampness and fire-heat scores tended to improve after the treatment. No serious adverse events related to the intervention were reported. Conclusion:The potential effect of herbal medicine formulae products on improving cognitive functions in patients with cognitive impairment was observed. Further research is needed to objectify the KM pattern identification process and evaluate the KM patternrelated signs and symptoms.

The clinical efficacy of Olibanum gum chewing in patients with Mild‐to‐Moderate Alzheimer disease: A randomized Parallel‐Design controlled trial

“…About 121 499 deaths were recorded from AD in 2019, the latest year for which data are available. Alzheimer's disease was officially listed as the sixth‐leading cause of death in the United States in 2019 and the seventh‐leading cause of death in 2020 and 2021, when COVID‐19 entered the ranks of the top 10 causes of death 3 . Regardless of the increasing prevalence of AD due to the world's aging population and related health problems, there are no effective strategies for the prevention and treatment of this disease 3 .…”

“…Alzheimer's disease was officially listed as the sixth‐leading cause of death in the United States in 2019 and the seventh‐leading cause of death in 2020 and 2021, when COVID‐19 entered the ranks of the top 10 causes of death 3 . Regardless of the increasing prevalence of AD due to the world's aging population and related health problems, there are no effective strategies for the prevention and treatment of this disease 3 . Many studies have reported that higher levels of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin‐1, interleukin −6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) in AD patients impair memory and learning performance 4 …”

“…Recent studies reported that herbal compounds may have a beneficial effect on improvement of inflammatory diseases such as osteoarthritis, 5 psychological disorders, 6 and inflammatory bowel disease 7 . Several studies have also demonstrated the effectiveness of herbal medicines in memory‐related disorders 3,8 . Effectiveness of saffron extract and crocin have been reported on recognition and spatial memory after chronic cerebral hypoperfusion in rats 9 .…”

“…3 Regardless of the increasing prevalence of AD due to the world's aging population and related health problems, there are no effective strategies for the prevention and treatment of this disease. 3 Many studies have reported that higher levels of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1, interleukin −6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in AD patients impair memory and learning performance. 4 Recent studies reported that herbal compounds may have a beneficial effect on improvement of inflammatory diseases such as osteoarthritis, 5 psychological disorders, 6 and inflammatory bowel disease.…”

“…7 Several studies have also demonstrated the effectiveness of herbal medicines in memory-related disorders. 3,8 Effectiveness of saffron extract and crocin have been reported on recognition and spatial memory after chronic cerebral hypoperfusion in rats. 9 In addition, Foroumandi et al reported that fenugreek seed extract supplementation improved memory function in patients with Alzheimer's disease.…”