OBJECTIVETo explore the therapeutic mechanism of Tiaoxin Recipe (TXR) and Bushen Recipe (BSR) in treating Alzheimer's disease (AD).

METHODSSixty patients with AD were divided into 3 groups according to their MMSE and ADL scores before treatment, using randomized block design. They were treated separately with TXR, BSR and Donepezil (Dp) for 12 weeks. The changes of MMSE score, ADL score, neuro-psychology amount table score, including FOM, RVR, DS and BD, as well as the overall operational evaluation before and after treatment were analyzed.

RESULTSThe recognition and daily life capacity of patients in the 3 groups were improved after treatment. MMSE score in the TXR group increased from 16.10 +/- 1.94 scores before treatment to 17.90 +/- 2.59 scores after treatment, in the BSR group, from 16.15 +/- 2.16 to 17.50 +/- 2.59, and in the Dp group, from 17.35 +/- 1.90 to 19.60 +/- 3.39, all showed significant difference (all P < 0.01). Change of ADL score showed that in TXR from 43.10 +/- 3.86 to 41.50 +/- 4.40, in the BSR group from 43.30 +/- 4.53 to 41.60 +/- 4.12 and in the Dp group, from 42.95 +/- 3.58 to 40.60 +/- 5.23, which also showed significant difference (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Moreover, increase of FOM, RVR and DS score was shown in the TXR and the Dp group, and increase of RVR and BD score was shown in the BSR group with significant difference in comparison of corresponding score before and after treatment, inter-groups comparison showed significant difference of FOM score between the BSR and the Dp group (P < 0.01). Overall operational evaluation (total effective rate) in the TXR group was 70%, in the BSR group 65% and in Dp group 75%, with no significant difference among them.

CONCLUSIONTXR and BSR are effective TCM drugs in treating AD.