Vascular dementia (VaD) is a clinical syndrome of acquired intellectual and functional impairment that results from cerebrovascular diseases. SaiLuoTong capsule is a traditional Chinese medicine compound; it is composed of ginseng extract (the main composition: ginseng total saponins), ginkgo biloba extract (the main composition: YinXingTong ester) and safflower extract (the main composition: the west safflower total glycosides). The function of SaiLuoTong capsule is Yiqi Huoxue and Huayu Tongluo in Chinese traditional medicine theory. Pharmacodynamics studies showed that SaiLuoTong capsule can significantly improve neurological symptoms caused by focal cerebral ischemia in animals, and learning and memory ability in animal models of VaD. The result of the phase II study showed that the efficacy of SaiLuoTong capsule in the treatment of patients with VaD was better than that of placebo group and no difference in safety. Based on these previous evidences, the investigators conduct this study to further confirm the efficacy and safety of SaiLuoTong capsule in patients with mild to moderate VaD. This study is a phase III clinical trial of SaiLuoTong capsule for treatment of vascular dementia. The study is a 52-week, multicentre, randomized, double -blind, placebo-controlled study.
As a traditional Chinese medicine compound, SaiLuoTong capsule is proven to have beneficial effects on learning and memory ability in animal models of vascular dementia (VaD). According to the result of the phase II study, the efficacy of SaiLuoTong capsule in the treatment of patients with VaD was better than that of placebo group and no difference in safety. So the study hypothesis is also that SaiLuoTong capsule will be effective in the treatment of patients with VaD and will be well tolerated. The purpose of the study is to confirm the efficacy and safety of SaiLuoTong capsule on patients with mild to moderate VaD. The outcome measures include general cognitive function, executive function, daily living skills, and mental behavior changes of symptoms in VaD patients.