Effects of Yangxue Qingnao Granules on chronic cerebral circulation insufficiency: a randomized, double-blind,...

There is a great deal of interest in traditional Chinese medicine as a treatment for chronic cerebral circulation insufficiency (CCCI). In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of Yangxue Qingnao Granules (YXQNG) as a monotherapy in patients with CCCI.

From July 2007 to May 2010, 273 patients with CCCI at nine centres in China were randomly assigned to receive either YXQNG with nimodipine placebo (n= 140, 12 g/day) or nimodipine with YXQNG placebo (n= 133, 30 mg/day) for 8 weeks. The primary end points after 8 weeks of treatment were changes from baseline in severity of headache, heavy-headed feeling, dizziness and sleep disorder.

The mean baseline levels of headache, heavy-headed feeling, dizziness and sleep disorder were comparable between the two groups. Both therapies significantly improved these symptoms after 8 weeks of treatment (P < 0.001). Compared with nimodipine therapy, YXQNG resulted in similar reductions in these symptoms. No adverse effects were observed in the YXQNG group.

These data demonstrate that YXQNG as a monotherapy were as effective as nimodipine monotherapy in improving the symptoms of CCCI. It is well-tolerated and may have an important place in the management of this condition. Whether a combination of these two medicines will increase therapeutic efficacy deserves further clinical investigation.