Rhizoma Coptidis for Alzheimer's Disease and Vascular Dementia: A Literature Review.

Rhizoma Coptidis for Alzheimer's Disease and Vascular Dementia: A Literature Review.
Curr Vasc Pharmacol. 2019 Jul 10;:
Authors: Wang Z, Yang Y, Liu M, Wei Y, Liu J, Pei H, Li H
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD) are major types of dementia, which both cause heavy economic burdens for families and society. However, no currently available medicines can control dementia progression. Rhizoma Coptidis, a Chinese herbal medicine, has been used for >2000 years, and is now gaining attention as a potential treatment for AD and VaD.
METHODS: We reviewed the mechanisms of the active ingredients of Rhizoma Coptidis and Rhizoma Coptidis-containing Chinese herbal compounds in the treatment of AD and VaD. We focused on studies on ameliorating the risk factors and the pathological changes of these diseases.
RESULTS: The Rhizoma Coptidis active ingredients include berberine, palmatine, coptisine, epiberberine, jatrorrhizine and protopine. The most widely studied ingredient is berberine, which has extensive therapeutic effects on the risk factors and pathogenesis of dementia. It can control blood glucose and lipid levels, regulate blood pressure, ameliorate atherosclerosis, inhibit cholinesterase activity, Aβ generation, and tau hyperphosphorylation, decrease neuroinflammation and oxidative stress and alleviate cognitive impairment. Other ingredients (such as jatrorrhizine, coptisine, epiberb...

Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - July 9, 2019 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Wang Z, Yang Y, Liu M, Wei Y, Liu J, Pei H, Li H Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: research