Objective: To explore the mechanism of reinforcing kidney-essence, removing phlegm, and promoting mental therapy in treating Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Methods: Sixty patients with AD in Wuhan No.1 Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Geriatrics from May 2009 to April 2011 were randomly divided into two groups, with 30 in each group. Patients in Bushenhuatanyizhi group (BHY group) took BHY instant granules (6 g, twice per day). Patients in the control group took piracetam (0.8 g, 3 times per day). There were twelve weeks in a course. Changes in the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score and Activity of Daily Living Scale (ADL) score were analyzed before and after treatment.
Results: MMSE scores in the two groups increased and ADL scores decreased after treatment, compared with those before treatment (both P < 0.05). The total effective rate was 86.67% in the BHY group (10 very effective, 13 effective, 7 non-responsive). The control group was 57.69% (5 very effective, 16 effective, 9 non-responsive) (P < 0.05). Superoxide dismutase levels were increased, lipid peroxide and triglyceride levels decreased after treatment in the BHY group as compared with the control group.
Conclusion: Reinforcing kidney-essence, removing phlegm, and promoting mental therapy can improve cognitive function and daily life of AD patients. The mechanism of the therapy might be related to improving blood fat, scavenging free radicals, and inhibiting lipid peroxides.