Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervenes in Vascular Dementia: Traditional Medicine Brings New Expectations

Abstract

Vascular dementia (VD) is one of the most common forms of dementia, referring to a group of symptoms that mainly manifest as advanced neurocognitive dysfunction induced by cerebrovascular disease (CVD). A significant number of studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a clinical impact on VD and thus has promising prospects. There have been many discussions regarding the pharmacological mechanisms involved in treatment of the kidney, elimination of turbidity, and promotion of blood circulation. TCM has a prominent effect on improving patients’ cognitive function and quality of life. In this review, we summarize the pathogenesis of VD in modern medicine and TCM, traditional prescriptions, single-agent effective ingredients and their pharmacological mechanisms for treating VD, highlight TCM’s characteristics, and discuss TCM’s multi-targeted mechanism for the treatment of VD.

Chinese Medicine, Succinum, Ameliorates Cognitive Impairment of Carotid Artery Ligation Rats and Inhibits Apoptosis of HT22 Hippocampal Cells via Regulation of the GSK3β/β-Catenin Pathway

“…Chinese medicine has accumulated rich experiences in the treatment of VD and also has good efficacy. For example, the Shenzhi Jiannao formula and natural medicines such as Acorus tatarinowii , Ligusticum wallichii , Salvia miltiorrhiza , and Panax ginseng have been proven to be used in the treatment of VD ( Bai and Zhang, 2021 ). Succinum is also a herbal medicine frequently used for treating disease with “phlegm-obsessed mind, speech like a fool and forgetfulness” in the Qing Dynasty internal medicine book.…”

The effectiveness and safety of Naoxintong capsules in the treatment of vascular dementia

“…In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used in clinical treatment of VaD, which has played an effect in suppressing vascular inflammatory response, reducing vascular damage and antagonistic apoptosis. TCM Naoxintong capsules (NXTC) is a combination of astragalus, leech, salvia, myrrh, frankincense and other TCM preparations, which has been widely used in the treatment of VaD [10,11] . Because the sample size of current study is too small, the quality of the study is uneven, the results of inconsistent situations occur from time to time.…”

“…frankincense and other TCM preparations, which has been widely used in the treatment of VaD. [10,11] Because the sample size of current study is too small, the quality of the study is uneven, the results of inconsistent situations occur from time to time. Therefore, it is very necessary to systematically evaluate the effectiveness and safety of NXTC in the treatment VaD by the method of meta-analysis, and provide scientific guidance for clinical treatment and practice.…”

Progress in the Mechanism of Autophagy and Traditional Chinese Medicine Herb Involved in Dementia

“…Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is rooted in yin-yang theory and has been broadly used for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative disease in China for centuries ( Han et al, 2012 ; Wang et al, 2021 ). As some Chinese medicines act as alternative approach in treating dementia and show effects on relieving dementia-related syndrome ( Bai and Zhang, 2021 ), it has drawn great attention among researchers. It is the plant elements or extracts that carry out therapeutic function ( Li and Zhang, 2009 ).…”