Abstract
Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a debitlitating, chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disorder without modifying therapy. Here, we aimed to evaluate the available evidence of herbal medicine (HM) formulas for patients with PD according to randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trials.Methods: HM formulas for PD were searched in eight main databases from their inception to February 2018. The methodological quality was assessed using Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software.Results: Fourteen trials with Seventeen comparisons comprising 1,311 patients were identified. Compared with placebo groups, HM paratherapy (n = 16 comparisons) showed significant better effects in the assessments of total Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) (WMD: −5.43, 95% CI:−8.01 to −2.86; P < 0.0001), UPDRS I (WMD: −0.30, 95% CI: −0.54 to −0.06; P = 0.02), UPDRS II (WMD: −2.21, 95% CI: −3.19 to −1.22; P < 0.0001), UPDRS III (WMD: −3.26, 95% CI:−4.36 to −2.16; P < 0.00001), Parkinson's Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire (p < 0.01) and Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39 (WMD: −7.65, 95% CI: −11.46 to −3.83; p < 0.0001), Non-motor Symptoms Questionnaire (p < 0.01) and Non-Motor Symptoms Scale (WMD: −9.19, 95% CI: −13.11 to −5.28; P < 0.00001), Parkinson's Disease Sleep Scale (WMD: 10.69, 95% CI: 8.86 to 12.53; P < 0.00001), and Hamilton depression rating scale (WMD: −5.87, 95% CI: −7.06 to −4.68; P < 0.00001). The efficiency of HM monotherapy (n = 1 comparison) was not superior to the placebo according to UPDRS II, UPDRS III and total UPDRS score in PD patients who never received levodopa treatment, all P > 0.05. HM formulas paratherapy were generally safe and well tolerated for PD patients (RR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.21 to 0.80; P = 0.009).Conclusion: The findings of present study supported the complementary use of HM paratherapy for PD patients, whereas the question on the efficacy of HM monotherapy in alleviating PD symptoms is still open.
Highlights
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common chronic neurodegenerative disease characterized by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) (Kalia and Lang, 2015), and presents with non-motor or/and motor syndrome (Rogers et al, 2017)
The findings of present study showed that herbal medicine (HM) paratherapy can effectively improve the motor symptoms and non motor symptoms of PD and is well tolerated for PD patients
The available evidence supported the complementary use of HM paratherapy for PD patients; the question on the efficacy of HM monotherapy in alleviating PD symptoms is still open
Summary
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common chronic neurodegenerative disease characterized by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) (Kalia and Lang, 2015), and presents with non-motor or/and motor syndrome (Rogers et al, 2017). In the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2016, PD was the second leading cause in neurological disorders of years lived with disability (YLDs), contributing to 6.1 million of patients (GBD, 2016 Disease and Injury Incidence and Prevalence Collaborators, 2017). All the current therapeutic approaches remain palliative and can’t inhibit or reverse the progression of PD (Athauda and Foltynie, 2015). Frequently with these treatments can lead to obvious adverse events and efficacies diminished, as well as induce therapy-related motor complications such as dyskinesia, choreoathetosis, and fluctuations in motor function (Jenner, 2015). We aimed to evaluate the available evidence of herbal medicine (HM) formulas for patients with PD according to randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trials
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
