The beneficial effects of the herbal medicine di-huang-yin-zi (DHYZ) on patients with moderate volume of basal ganglia hemorrhage: A randomized, double- blind, placebo-controlled study

Abstract

Objective: In China, Di-Huang-Yin-Zi (DHYZ) 地黄饮子, a traditional polyherbal formula with rehmannia as its key ingredient, has been applied in treating neurological disorders since the Song dynasty, around 900 years ago. This study aimed to explore the safety and efficacy of DHYZ in treating patients with moderate basal ganglia hemorrhage.

Method: This double-blind, placebo-controlled trial randomly assigned patients with moderate basal ganglia hemorrhage to receive either DHYZ (n = 40) or placebo (n = 40) for 8 weeks. Both groups concurrently underwent rehabilitation therapy. Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA), activities of daily living (ADL), functional walking scale (FAC), and Modified Rankin Scale (MRS) were evaluated at the 4th, 6th, and 8th weeks of treatment.

Results: At the study’s conclusion, the DHYZ group demonstrated significantly higher scores on the FMA, ADL, FAC, and MRS compared to the placebo group (all P<0.05). Additionally, no drug-related serious adverse events were recorded.

Conclusion: DHYZ enhanced neurological function in patients with moderate basal ganglia hemorrhage and could serve as an effective adjunctive treatment to promote functional recovery.