Yukmijihwang-Tang Derivatives Enhance Cognitive Processing in Normal Young Adults: A Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Abstract

Yukmijihwang-tang (YMJ), also known as Luweidihuang-tang in China, has been widely used as a general herbal tonic for hundreds of years in many Asian countries. This study examines whether YMJ derivatives (YMJd) enhance cognitive ability in normal human subjects and discusses its potential as treatment for dementia patients with deficient cognitive ability. Subjects were divided into two groups, the placebo-treated group (n = 15) and the YMJd-treated group (n = 20). K-WAIS tests, a Korean version of an individual intelligence quotient (IQ) test, and a P300 latency assessment of event-related potential (ERP) were conducted in order to measure changes in cognitive ability before and after 6 weeks of YMJd treatment. The K-WAIS mean scores of the group treated with YMJd were significantly higher than those of the placebo group (p < 0.05), and their mean P300 latency was substantially shorter (p < 0.005). These results suggest that YMJd treatment accelerates the speed of information processing and enhances cognitive ability. YMJd treatment may help dementia patients or the elderly recover from cognition deficiencies or degeneration in clinic.

Standardized Herbal Formula PM012 Decreases Cognitive Impairment and Promotes Neurogenesis in the 3xTg AD Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease

“…Previous studies have reported the pharmacological efficacy of PM012 in various AD models. PM012 was shown to have a potent protective effect against ibotenic acid-induced cell damage and cognitive deficits [29]. In addition, PM012 treatment accelerated information processing and enhanced cognitive abilities in normal human subjects [29].…”

“…The effects of these medicines have been demonstrated scientifically [28]. Among them, the herbal formula PM012 (also known as Yukmijihwang-tang derivatives) is one of the most extensively studied for its effect on dementia [29]. PM012 has a significant effect on memory enhancement, the expression of genes associated with preventing neuronal degeneration, and genes associated with neuronal growth [30][31][32].…”

“…PM012 has a significant effect on memory enhancement, the expression of genes associated with preventing neuronal degeneration, and genes associated with neuronal growth [30][31][32]. Double-blind, placebocontrolled trials demonstrated that PM012 significantly enhances the cognitive abilities of normal human subjects [29]. Based on the efficacy data, together with a series of preclinical studies, PM012 has been approved for a phase II clinical trial by the Food and Drug Administration in Korea (KFDA).…”

Comparative Study of Vasodilatation Induced by Rokumigan, Hachimijiogan, and Goshajinkigan in the Rat Aorta

“…Hachimijiogan and goshajinkigan warm the extremities and the body [1,2]. Moreover, rokumigan [14] and hachimijiogan [15] have shown usefulness for memory enhancement, improvement of precognitive abilities, prevention of neuronal degeneration [16], and protection from ischemia/reperfusion-induced renal injury [17].…”

Traditional Korean East Asian Medicines and Herbal Formulations for Cognitive Impairment

“…YMJ prevents the deterioration of learning and memory ability in senescent accelerated mice and hydrocortisone-treated mice [123] YMJ reverses scopolamine-induced and p-chloroamphetamine-induced amnesia in rats. YMJ cause significant reversal of ibotenic acid-induced deficit in learning and memory [124,125] YMJ derivatives enhance cognitive ability in normal human subjects, accelerates the speed of information processing and enhances cognitive ability [126] 7.…”