Dengzhan shengmai capsule combined with donepezil hydrochloride in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: preliminary findings, randomized and controlled clinical trial

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of Dengzhan Shengmai capsule combined with donepezil hydrochloride on cognitive function, daily living ability, and safety in patients with Alzheimer's disease.METHODS: A total of 294 patients with Alzheimer's disease were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, 147 cases each group. The control group was given oral donepezil hydrochloride 5 mg once a day, and the treatment group was given oral Dengzhan Shengmai capsule 0.36 g three times a day, based on the control group. RESULTS: At 3 and 6 months of treatment, the ADAS-cog score of the treatment group was 48.69±6.23 and 44.24±5.53; for the control group, 45.48±5.94 and 41.57±5.10. The difference between the two groups is statistically significant (p<0.05). At 3 and 6 months of treatment, the NO level in the treatment group was (46.28±6.68) umol/l, (43.55±7.92) umol/l, and the control group was (42.95±7.92) umol/l, (38.89±5.93) umol/l. The differences between both groups were statistically significant (p<0.05). At 3 and 6 months of treatment, ET levels in the treatment group were (156.08±17.39) ng/l, (144.91±17.60) ng/l, and the control group was (150.48±22.94) ng/l, (135.04±10.08) ng/l. Correlation analysis showed that ADAS-cog score was negatively correlated with NO and ET (p<0.001).CONCLUSIONS: Dengzhan Shengmai capsule combined with donepezil hydrochloride can improve cognitive function and the living capacity of patients with Alzheimer's disease, reduce the production of neurotoxic substances NO and ET, and provide higher safety.

Efficacy of Donepezil Hydrochloride plus Olanzapine for Senile Dementia and Its Effect on the Recovery of Cognitive Function

“…It is associated with severe cognitive and behavioral disorders and even mental disorders. Research has revealed that the leading causes of Alzheimer's disease are amyloid deposition, neurofibrillary tangles, and decreased levels of acetylcholine in the brain's neurotransmitters, resulting in a continuous decrease in the number of neurons and compromised memory [ 13 ]. Symptoms of dementia patients include delusions and agitation.…”

Mapping new pharmacological interventions for cognitive function in Alzheimer’s disease: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials

“…For example, Danggui-Shaoyao-San has been found to significantly reduce symptoms in patients with vascular dementia ( Kim and Cho, 2020 ). Furthermore, some studies suggest that a combination of TCM and Western medicine may offer greater benefits than using only one of them ( Huang et al, 2021 ). Traditional Chinese and Japanese medicines have become important sources for drug discovery, and their efficacy in modern drug discovery needs to be investigated ( Paudel et al, 2020 ).…”

Erigeron breviscapus (Vant.) Hand-Mazz.: A Promising Natural Neuroprotective Agent for Alzheimer’s Disease

“…Recent studies have shown that the DZSM capsules and its main active ingredient scutellarin can protect neurons from ischemic injury via anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and antioxidant activities ( Wang et al, 2016 ; Sun et al, 2018 ). Moreover, DZSM capsules combined with donepezil hydrochloride have been reported to improve cognitive function and living ability in patients with AD and reduce the production of the neurotoxic substances nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin (ET) ( Huang et al, 2021 ). In patients with vascular dementia, DZSM capsules combined with butylphthalide can effectively reduce vascular endothelial function injury, inhibit the oxidative stress response, and reduce the endoplasmic reticulum stress response, thereby reducing dementia symptoms and improving cognitive function ( Ma and Sun, 2020 ).…”

“…Previous studies have confirmed the therapeutic effects of EBHM in AD. For example, Huang et al (2021) reported that DZSM capsules can improve cognitive function and the living capacity of patients with AD and suggested that inhibiting the production of neurotoxic substances (NO and ET) may be an anti-AD mechanism ( Huang et al, 2021 ). Pu and Su (2020) also pointed out that EBHM and its active ingredients (scutellarin and CQA) may improve the learning and memory ability of AD animal models, and that its mechanisms may be associated with inhibition of Aβ aggregation, regulation of the cholinergic nervous system, inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammation, alleviation of tau hyperphosphorylation, and resistance to neuronal apoptosis ( Pu and Su, 2020 ).…”