Quantitative Evaluation of Chinese Herb Medicine in the Treatment of Sialorrhea and Frequent Nighttime Urination in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract

Aims. To evaluate the efficacy of Lian-Se formula (LSF), one Chinese herb formulation for treating sialorrhea and frequent overnight urination in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods. 96 PD patients suffering from sialorrhea and/or frequent nighttime urination were divided into two groups: an LSF group (n = 48) treated with LSF for 6 weeks and a placebo group (n = 48) treated with a placebo formula whose appearance and taste were the same as LSF for 6 weeks. All patients were treated by standard antiparkinsonism medicine according to the PD guideline of China. The changes of the quantity of saliva (QS) (mL), frequency of nighttime urination (FNU) and early sleep activity (ESA), and nocturnal activity (NA) by analyzing actigraphic records as the primary results and the total score of unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) as the secondary results were used to evaluate the clinical efficacy in both groups. Results. There were no significant differences in the baseline values of QS, FNU, NA, ESA, UPDRS total score, and ESS between the two groups. At the end of week 6, the QS, FNU, NA, and ESA in the LSF group showed superior results to those of the placebo group with no differences in the total UPDRS score between the two groups during the investigation. The ESS was significantly improved at the end of week 6 compared with the baseline and the placebo group. Laboratory test results indicated there were no side effects in either group. Conclusion. The findings of LSF treatment have clear clinical effects in patients with sialorrhea and frequent overnight urination. LSF thus appears to be a potential choice as an additional drug that can improve the sialorrhea and frequent overnight urination symptoms of PD patients.

Pharmacological Interventions for Sialorrhoea in People with Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

“…Following title and abstract screening 149 records underwent full text review and 13 articles were chosen to be included in the systematic review. [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30] See Figure 1…”

“…The remaining three studies are summarized below. 19,27,28 Schirinzi et al studied a dopamine agonist in the form of a rotigotine patch. They recruited seven participants to an open label pilot trial of rotigotine patch that was titrated up to 4 mg/24 hr.…”

Effects of Combined Bushen Zhichan Recipe and Levodopa in a Rodent Model of Parkinson Disease: Potential Mechanisms

“…levodopa is the gold standard for the treatment of Parkinson disease [17], but prolonged L-dopa treatment often leads to the development of abnormal involuntary movements [18]. Many studies show the potential effects of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on Parkinson disease [19][20][21][22]. The Bushen Zhichan recipe used in the current study is a clinical intervention developed by Director Wentao Li (Encephalopathy Department, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine).…”

Strengthening the Ability of General Hospital Neurology Departments to Treat Neuropsychiatric Diseases and Mental Disorders

“…Decreased dopaminergic activity in the central nervous system may cause a decrease in or loss of the feeling of happiness, a decrease in emotion and willpower activity, and affect the concentration of receptors such as serotonin (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NA) in the synaptic cleft of the brain, as well as metabolic cycle pathways leading to depression. These are forms of "endogenous depression," that is, the pathological process of PD is prone to generate depression [12]. Besides, PD patients are sluggish, make certain gestures (postural disorders), suffer from muscle stiffness, tremors, and a mask-like face, slobber, their self-care ability of daily living declines, and their "image" is severely impaired, forcing them out of normal social groups, out of society, and shutting themselves off.…”