[Clinical observation on effect of Xianlong capsule in treating vascular dementia].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of Xianlong Capsule (XLC) in treating vascular dementia (VD) and to explore its therapeutic mechanism.


METHODS
The criteria of learning and memory related cholinergic nerve system, oxygen free radical and nitrogen monoxide (NO) in 35 patients with VD treated with XLC and 33 patients treated with hydergine were observed and compared with the normal control group.


RESULTS
XLC could lower the acetylcholine esterase activity, increase the acetylcholine content in erythrocytes and plasma and decrease the NO content. No toxic adverse reaction was found in the observation period.


CONCLUSIONS
XLC has definite effect in treating VD in aged patients, the therapeutic mechanism may be related with the actions in strengthening cholinergic nerve system, improving oxygen free radical metabolism, regulating NO and relieving its excitatory neurotoxicity.
Luo
Z G
ZG
National TCM Health Care Center of Geriatric Diseases, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of TCM, Beijing 100091.
Zhou
W Q
WQ
Gao
P
P
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000097:blood; D000368:Aged; D015140:Dementia, Vascular / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood*; D008517:Phytotherapy
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D000109:Acetylcholine