Traditional Chinese medicine: a promising candidate for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder, characterized clinically by insidious onset of memory and cognition impairment, emergence of psychiatric symptoms and behavioral disorder, and impairment of activities of daily living (ADL). Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is practiced in the Chinese health care system for more than 2,000 years. In recent years, scientists have isolated many novel compounds from herbs, some of which improve dementia with fewer side effects than conventional drugs and are regarded as potential anti-AD drugs. In this review, we summarize the latest research progress on TCM showing their possible role of treatment of AD and other demented diseases and possible pharmacological actions.

Vascular Contributions to Cognitive Impairment and Treatments with Traditional Chinese Medicine

“…The fruits and leaves of Ginkgo biloba are used to treat various types of diseases and symptoms such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, poor circulation, fatigue, vertigo, tinnitus, and cognitive disorder [15]. A standardized extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGb 761) has been shown to exhibit potent antioxidative and antiplatelet effects and could effectively reduce damage from cerebral ischemia [76–81].…”

Synergistic Inhibition of Acetylcholinesterase by Alkaloids Derived from Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix, Coptidis Rhizoma and Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex

“…In clinical practice, the treatment of AD with TCM has shown good efficiency [37][38][39]. TCMs have been used in treating mental-related problems for thousands of years in China, and many of them show good effect in tranquilizing the mind, relieving anxiety, and enhancing learning and memory.…”

“…According to the theory of TCM, mental state, emotional activities, especially high-level intellectual activities (e.g., planning and making decisions), are closely related to the functions of the liver and kidney. TCM herbal decoctions could have overall and comprehensive therapeutic effects by matching the corresponding herbs under the guidance of syndrome differentiation [38,39], e.g., the "liver-fire" excess symptom (showing forgetfulness, muttering, flushing, bitter taste, irritability) of AD patients could be relieved by therapies of clearing "liver-fire" and relieving depression when paired with CR and Gardeniae Fructus (as in Huanglian Jiedu Tang), and the sea of medulla insufficiency with "damp-heat" of downward flow symptoms (showing forgetfulness, lumbar debility, deep-colored urine, or difficult, painful urination) could be relieved by therapies of nourishing yin and reducing pathogenic fire of downward flow when paired with PCC and Rehmanniae Radix (Zhibai Dihuang Tang). In current clinical application, a herbal mixture of STR and Rehmanniae Radix (Fangji Dihuang Tang) is used for treatment of vascular dementia by therapies of nourishing yin and promoting diuresis.…”

Rivastigmine Patch in Chinese Patients with Probable Alzheimer's disease: A 24‐week, Randomized, Double‐Blind Parallel‐Group Study Comparing Rivastigmine Patch (9.5 mg/24 h) with Capsule (6 mg Twice Daily)

“…Currently approved therapies for AD include acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) such as donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine and the N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor antagonist memantine. In China, the AChEI huperzine A and traditional Chinese medicines are also used to treat dementia .…”