Chinese herbs for dementia diseases

Hügel et al., 2012 | Mini Rev Med Chem | Systematic Review

Citation

Hügel H M, Jackson N, ... Xue C C I. Chinese herbs for dementia diseases. Mini Rev Med Chem. 2012-May;12(5):371-9

Abstract

In the last twenty years a considerable body of information has accumulated on the chemical constituents of Chinese herbs and their therapeutic potential. Our evaluation/systematic review [1, 2] of well-designed, randomized double blind controlled trials on Chinese herbal medicines beneficial for the improvement of cognitive function revealed a range of either single herbs or herbal mixtures that provided neuroprotective benefits. Oxidative stress may directly initiate neurodegeneration and herbal antioxidant neuroprotection is considered as a preventative and therapeutic approach. We encountered Acoris gramineus rhizome (AGR), Panax ginseng, Polygala tenuifolia and Poria cocos as the four most frequently used herbs as single/herbal mixtures that were associated with positive cognitive enhancing outcomes. This review focuses on the evidence of their medicinal effects attributed to those constituents present in relatively high concentration.

Key Findings

This review focuses on the evidence of their medicinal effects attributed to those constituents present in relatively high concentration.

Outcomes Measured

Requires manual extraction

Population

Field	Value
Population	See abstract
Sample Size	See abstract
Age Range	See abstract
Condition	stress

MeSH Terms

Animals
Dementia
Drugs, Chinese Herbal
Humans
Magnoliopsida
Poria

Evidence Classification

Level: Systematic Review
Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
Vertical: ginseng

Provenance

PMID: 22303969
DOI: (not available)
PMCID: Not in PMC
Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09