title: Chinese Herb Astragalus membranaceus Enhances Recovery of Hemorrhagic Stroke: Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Study.
abstract: We tested the effect of Astragalus membranaceus (AM) on acute hemorrhagic stroke. Seventy-eight patients were randomly assigned to Group A (3 g of AM three times/day for 14 days); or Group B (3 g of placebo herb). A total of 68 patients (Group A 36, Group B 32) completed the trial. The increase of functional independence measure scale score between baseline and week 4 was 24.53 ± 23.40, and between baseline and week 12 was 34.69 ± 28.89, in the Group A was greater than 11.97 ± 11.48 and 23.94 ± 14.8 in the Group B (both P≦0.05). The increase of Glasgow outcome scale score between baseline and week 12 was 0.75 ± 0.77 in the Group A was greater than 0.41 ± 0.50 in the Group B (P < 0.05). The results are preliminary and need a larger study to assess the efficacy of AM after stroke.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40402, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chun-Chung
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Han-Chung
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ju-Hsin
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Shuang-Shuang
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Tsai-Chung
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Chang-Hai
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Der-Yang
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Ching-Liang
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Hsieh