The Clinical Trial of Chinese Herbal Medicine (SaiLuoTong) Capsule

A Phase III, Randomised, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Parallel, and Multi-centre Study to Evaluate the Clinical Efficacy and Safety of SaiLuoTong (SLT) in the Treatment of Vascular Dementia

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Vascular Dementia
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: SaiLuoTong capsule; Drug: placebo

Detailed Description

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.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 493
• Phase: Phase 3

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• China
  • Beijing Municipality
    • Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China, 100053
      • Xuan Wu Hospital of Capital Medical University
    • Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China, 100144
      • Peking University Shougang Hospital
    • Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China
      • Xiyuan Hospital
  • Hebei
    • Baoding, Hebei, China
      • Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University
    • Chengde, Hebei, China, 067000
      • Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical College
    • Handan, Hebei, China, 056000
      • Handan First Hospital
    • Langfang, Hebei, China, 065000
      • Hebei Central Hospital of petrochina
    • Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China, 050051
      • The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University
    • Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China, 050000
      • The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University
  • Hei Longjiang
    • Harbin, Hei Longjiang, China
      • The Fourth Hospital of Medical University
  • Henan
    • Luoyang, Henan, China, 471000
      • The First People's Hospital of Luoyang
    • Nanyang, Henan, China, 473000
      • The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanyang Medical College
    • Nanyang, Henan, China, 473003
      • Nanyang Second People's Hospital
  • Hunan
    • Changsha, Hunan, China, 41000
      • The First Hospital of Changsha
    • Changsha, Hunan, China
      • Xiangya Boai Rehability Hospital
    • Yueyang, Hunan, China, 414000
      • Yueyang Second People's Hospital
  • Inner Mongolia
    • Baotou, Inner Mongolia, China, 014000
      • Baogang Hospital
    • Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
      • Inner Mongolia International Mongolian Hospital
  • Jiangsu
    • Taizhou, Jiangsu, China, 225300
      • Taizhou Hospital of Chinese Medicine
  • Jiangxi
    • Jiujiang, Jiangxi, China, 332000
      • Jiujiang University Clinical Medical College ▪ Jiujiang University Hospital
    • Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
      • Nanchang Hongdu Hospital of TCM
  • Shanxi
    • Changzhi, Shanxi, China, 046000
      • Changzhi People's Hospital
    • Jinzhong, Shanxi, China
      • Jinzhong First People's Hospital
    • Xianyang, Shanxi, China, 712000
      • Xianyang Hospital of Yan'an University
    • Yuncheng, Shanxi, China
      • Yuncheng Central hospital
  • Sichuan
    • Neijiang, Sichuan, China
      • The Second People's Hospital of Neijiang
  • Tianjin Municipality
    • Tianjin, Tianjin Municipality, China, 300250
      • Second Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
  • Xingjiang
    • Ürümqi, Xingjiang, China
      • The Second Hospital of Xingjiang Medical University
  • Zhejiang
    • Lishui, Zhejiang, China, 323000
      • The Central Hospital of Lishui City

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 40 years to 75 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• 40 years≤Age≤75 years, female or male.
• With an education at more than (including) 6 years.
• Meet the diagnostic criteria for dementia in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5th Edition (DSM-V).
• Meet the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke-Association Internationale pour la Recherche etl'Enseignement en Neurosciences(NINDS-AIREN) Criteria of Probable Vascular Dementia (1993).
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) supports the presence of ischemic cerebrovascular disease, and meets NINDS-AIREN Imaging Criteria; the diameter of each infarct≤ 30mm(And the perivascular spaces and cerebral microbleeds were excluded).
• Modified Hachinski Ischemic (mHIS) Scale ≥ 4.
• Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) ≤ 17.
• Patients with mild or moderate VaD: 10 ≤ MMSE ≤ 26 and 1 ≤ CDR ≤ 2.
• Willing to participate in this study and could sign the informed consent form by him/herself and lawful guardian prior to the study.
• The subjects must have a care giver who are cognitively normal (MMSE scores: illiteracy> 17 points, 1 - 6 years of education > 20 points, 7 years and above of education > 24 points). The care giver shall also be able to take care of the patient at least 4 days a week for more than 4 hours a day while he or she can accompany the subjects to attend each visit. During the trial, a new caregiver must have MMSE score and the results would be presented in forms of subjects in the attachment.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with dementia caused by a brain disease other than VaD (such as Alzheimer's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson's disease, central nervous system demyelinative diseases, tumour, hydrocephalus, trauma, central nervous system infection, such as syphilis, AIDS and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease);
• Patients with serious neurological impairment to finish the examination: hand hemiplegia, aphasia, and visual or hearing impairment.
• Laboratory anomalies: hemoglobin (Hb) level less than 80g/L , platelet count (Plt) level less than 50×109/L, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) exceeds 2.5 times the normal upper level, fibrinogen(FIB) level less than 0.5g/L, prothrombin time (PT) exceeds 2.5 times the normal upper level, Serum creatinine (Scr) exceeds 3 times the normal upper level, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) exceed 5 times the normal upper level , aspartate aminotransferase (AST) exceed 5 times the normal upper level, alkaline phosphates (ALP) exceed 5 times the normal upper level , γ-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT) exceed 5 times the normal upper level, total bilirubin (TBiL) exceeds 3 times the normal upper level.
• The subjects have nutritional and metabolic diseases and endocrine system diseases that cannot been controlled by therapy - thyroid diseases, parathyroid disease, vitamin or element deficiency.
• Patients with serious circulatory system diseases, respiratory system diseases, urinary system diseases, digestive system diseases, haemopoietic system diseases (such as unstable angina, uncontrollable asthma and active gastrorrhagia) and cancer.
• Serious mental disease (such as depression and schizophrenia) and epilepsy.
• Gastrointestinal diseases that may affect the absorption, distribution, and metabolism of the investigational drug.
• Alcohol and drug abuse.
• Patients who have been given any drug that can affect the cognitive function (including Chinese herbal preparations containing any one of these: ginseng, ginkgo leaf, and saffron; Western medicines such as donepezil, karbalatine, rivastigmine, huperzine a, memantine and similar drugs, etc; Butylphthalide and other drugs with the same effect such as runeirergine, aniracetam, cytosporine, dihydroergine, nimodipine, etc) within one month before the start of this study and cannot be discontinued.
• Patients who are allergic to more than 2 drugs or any component of the SLT capsules.
• Pregnant or lactating women.
• Patients who have participated in other clinical studies within 3 months prior to this study.
• Cannot accept magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Quadruple

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: active group; take two pills (120 mg) of SaiLuoTong capsule each time, twice a day, 0.5 hours before breakfast and dinner, taking with lukewarm water.	Drug: SaiLuoTong capsule; 500 subjects are randomly divided into two groups by 3:1. 375 subjects in the active group take two pills(120mg) of SaiLuoTong capsule each time, twice a day, 0.5 hours before breakfast and dinner, taking with lukewarm water.; Other Names: The effects of SaiLuoTong capsule on VaD
Placebo Comparator: control group; take two pills (120 mg) of placebo each time, twice a day, 0.5 hours before breakfast and dinner, taking with lukewarm water.	Drug: placebo; 500 subjects are randomly divided into two groups by 3:1. 125 subjects in the control group take two pills(120mg) of placebo each time, twice a day, 0.5 hours before breakfast and dinner, taking with lukewarm water.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Vascular Dementia Assessment Scale-cognitive Subscale(VaDAS-cog)	The VaDAS-cog comprises the Alzheimer's disease assessment scale(ADAS-cog) plus the Maze and Number Cancellation test to specifically assess executive function. The score of each item is summed to compute a total score. The range of the total score was from 0(no cognitive impairment) to 90(severe cognitive impairment). The data in the table below is the statistical data (mean,SD) of precise scores at screening and week 0 (baseline), while the statistical data of difference value compared to the score of Baseline at weeks 52.	Change from baseline VaDAS-cog score at Week 52
Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-clinical Global Impression of Change(ADCS-CGIC)	The Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-clinical Global Impression of Change(ADCS-CGIC) involves comparison of data acquisition from both home and clinic and the use of both informant-ratings and self-ratings. Important outcomes include clinical global impressions of change (CGIC) as indicators of clinically meaningful change. In week 0 (baseline), the score was to judge the severity of the cognitive, 0(no evaluate),1(normal),2(slight intelligence obstacle),3(mide intelligence obstacle),4(moderate intelligence obstacle),5(significantly intelligence obstacle),6(severe intelligence obstacle),7(intelligent obstacle end-stage). In week 13,26,39,52, the score was to judge the change of the clinical global impression,1(improved significantly),2(improve),3(improve a little),4(no change),5(a little deteriorated),6(deteriorated),7(serious deterioration).	Change from baseline ADCS-CGIC score at Week 52

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-activities of Daily Living(ADCS-ADL)	To assess the daily living activity of the patients, including a subgroup in which there are 23 items to be checked and the total score is 78. A higher score represents a better daily living activity, vice versa. The score of each item is summed to compute a total score. The data in the table below is the statistical data (mean,SD) of precise scores at week 0 (baseline), while the statistical data of difference value compared to the score of baseline at weeks 26.	Change from baseline ADCS-ADL score at Week 26
Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-activities of Daily Living(ADCS-ADL)	To assess the daily living activity of the patients, including a subgroup in which there are 23 items to be checked and the total score is 78. A higher score represents a better daily living activity, vice versa. The score of each item is summed to compute a total score. The data in the table below is the statistical data (mean,SD) of precise scores at week 0 (baseline), while the statistical data of difference value compared to the score of baseline at weeks 52.	Change from baseline ADCS-ADL score at Week 52
Mini-mental State Examination(MMSE)	The MMSE is a global test of cognitive function, for which the total score ranges from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating lesser severity. The score of each item is summed to compute a total score. The data in the table below is the statistical data (mean, SD) of precise scores at screening (baseline), while the statistical data of difference value compared to the score of baseline at weeks 26.	Change from baseline MMSE score at Week 26
Mini-mental State Examination(MMSE)	The MMSE is a global test of cognitive function, for which the total score ranges from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating lesser severity. The score of each item is summed to compute a total score. The data in the table below is the statistical data (mean, SD) of precise scores at screening (baseline), while the statistical data of difference value compared to the score of baseline at weeks 52.	Change from baseline MMSE score at Week 52
Clinical Dementia Rating(CDR Scale )	The CDR is a numeric scale used to quantify the severity of symptoms of dementia (i.e. its 'stage'). Talk to the patients or those who know well about the patients and assess the 6 functions (memory, orientation, judgment and problem-solving ability, social activities, household duties and hobbies as well as self-care ability) to obtain the scores and based on the predetermined principles the CDR score is calculated. The diagnostic criteria[68]: normal-CDR=0; suspected dementia-CDR=0.5, mild dementia-CDR=1; moderate dementia- CDR=2; and serious dementia-CDR=3. The data in the table below is the statistical data (mean, SD) of precise scores at baseline and weeks 26.	Change from baseline CDR Scale score at Week 26
Clinical Dementia Rating(CDR Scale )	The CDR is a numeric scale used to quantify the severity of symptoms of dementia (i.e. its 'stage'). Talk to the patients or those who know well about the patients and assess the 6 functions (memory, orientation, judgment and problem-solving ability, social activities, household duties and hobbies as well as self-care ability) to obtain the scores and based on the predetermined principles the CDR score is calculated. The diagnostic criteria[68]: normal-CDR=0; suspected dementia-CDR=0.5, mild dementia-CDR=1; moderate dementia- CDR=2; and serious dementia-CDR=3. The data in the table below is the statistical data (mean, SD) of precise scores at baseline and weeks 52.	Change from baseline CDR Scale score at Week 52
Clinical Dementia Rating sum of boxes(CDR-sb)	CDR-sb is the sum of boxes of CDR, with higher scores indicating severer degree of impairment. CDR-sb is the algebraic sum of 6 functional domains with a range of 0(normal) - 18(severe dementia). The data in the table below is the statistical data (mean,SD) of precise scores at weeks 0 (baseline), while the statistical data of difference value compared to the score of baseline at weeks 26.	Change from baseline CDR-sb score at Week 26
Clinical Dementia Rating sum of boxes(CDR-sb)	CDR-sb is the sum of boxes of CDR, with higher scores indicating severer degree of impairment. CDR-sb is the algebraic sum of 6 functional domains with a range of 0(normal) - 18(severe dementia). The data in the table below is the statistical data (mean,SD) of precise scores at weeks 0 (baseline), while the statistical data of difference value compared to the score of baseline at weeks 52.	Change from baseline CDR-sb score at Week 52
Blood biomarker: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)	The data in the table below is the statistical data (mean,SD) of precise measurement at weeks 0 (baseline), while the statistical data of difference value compared to the score of baseline at weeks 26.	Change from baseline BDNF at Week 26
Blood biomarker: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)	The data in the table below is the statistical data (mean,SD) of precise measurement at weeks 0(baseline), while the statistical data of difference value compared to the score of baseline at weeks 52.	Change from baseline BDNF at Week 52
Blood biomarker: Vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)	The data in the table below is the statistical data (mean,SD) of precise measurement at weeks 0 (baseline), while the statistical data of difference value compared to the score of baseline at weeks 26.	Change from baseline VEGF at Week 26
Blood biomarker: Vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)	The data in the table below is the statistical data (mean,SD) of precise measurement at weeks 0 (baseline), while the statistical data of difference value compared to the score of baseline at weeks 52.	Change from baseline VEGF at Week 52
Blood biomarker: Matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9)	The data in the table below is the statistical data (mean,SD) of precise measurement at weeks 0 (baseline), while the statistical data of difference value compared to the score of baseline at weeks 26.	Change from baseline MMP-9 at Week 26
Blood biomarker: Matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9))	The data in the table below is the statistical data (mean,SD) of precise measurement at weeks 0 (baseline), while the statistical data of difference value compared to the score of baseline at weeks 52.	Change from baseline MMP-9 at Week 52
Blood biomarker: Interleukin-6(IL-6)	The data in the table below is the statistical data (mean,SD) of precise measurement at weeks 0 (baseline), while the statistical data of difference value compared to the score of baseline at weeks 26.	Change from baseline MMP-9 at Week 26
Blood biomarker: Interleukin-6(IL-6)	The data in the table below is the statistical data (mean,SD) of precise measurement at weeks 0 (baseline), while the statistical data of difference value compared to the score of baseline at weeks 52.	Change from baseline MMP-9 at Week 52
Vascular Dementia Assessment Scale-cognitive Subscale(VaDAS-cog)	The VaDAS-cog comprises the ADAS-cog plus the Maze and Number Cancellation test to specifically assess executive function. The score of each item is summed to compute a total score. The range of the total score was from 0(no cognitive impairment) to 90(severe cognitive impairment). The data in the table below is the statistical data (mean,SD) of precise scores at screening and week 0 (baseline), while the statistical data of difference value compared to the score of Baseline at weeks 13.	Change from baseline VaDAS-cog score at week 13
Vascular Dementia Assessment Scale-cognitive Subscale(VaDAS-cog)	The VaDAS-cog comprises the ADAS-cog plus the Maze and Number Cancellation test to specifically assess executive function. The score of each item is summed to compute a total score. The range of the total score was from 0(no cognitive impairment) to 90(severe cognitive impairment). The data in the table below is the statistical data (mean,SD) of precise scores at screening and week 0 (baseline), while the statistical data of difference value compared to the score of Baseline at weeks 26.	Change from baseline VaDAS-cog score at week 26
Vascular Dementia Assessment Scale-cognitive Subscale(VaDAS-cog)	The VaDAS-cog comprises the ADAS-cog plus the Maze and Number Cancellation test to specifically assess executive function. The score of each item is summed to compute a total score. The range of the total score was from 0(no cognitive impairment) to 90(severe cognitive impairment). The data in the table below is the statistical data (mean,SD) of precise scores at screening and week 0 (baseline), while the statistical data of difference value compared to the score of Baseline at weeks 39.	Change from baseline VaDAS-cog score at week 39
Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-clinical Global Impression of Change(ADCS-CGIC)	The ADCS-CGIC involves comparison of data acquisition from both home and clinic and the use of both informant-ratings and self-ratings. Important outcomes include clinical global impressions of change (CGIC) as indicators of clinically meaningful change. In week 0 (baseline), the score was to judge the severity of the cognitive, 0(no evaluate),1(normal),2(slight intelligence obstacle),3(mide intelligence obstacle),4(moderate intelligence obstacle),5(significantly intelligence obstacle),6(severe intelligence obstacle),7(intelligent obstacle end-stage). In week 13,26,39,52, the score was to judge the change of the clinical global impression,1(improved significantly),2(improve),3(improve a little),4(no change),5(a little deteriorated),6(deteriorated),7(serious deterioration).	Change from baseline ADCS-CGIC score at week 13
Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-clinical Global Impression of Change(ADCS-CGIC)	The ADCS-CGIC involves comparison of data acquisition from both home and clinic and the use of both informant-ratings and self-ratings. Important outcomes include clinical global impressions of change (CGIC) as indicators of clinically meaningful change. In week 0 (baseline), the score was to judge the severity of the cognitive, 0(no evaluate),1(normal),2(slight intelligence obstacle),3(mide intelligence obstacle),4(moderate intelligence obstacle),5(significantly intelligence obstacle),6(severe intelligence obstacle),7(intelligent obstacle end-stage). In week 13,26,39,52, the score was to judge the change of the clinical global impression,1(improved significantly),2(improve),3(improve a little),4(no change),5(a little deteriorated),6(deteriorated),7(serious deterioration).	Change from baseline ADCS-CGIC score at week 26
Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-clinical Global Impression of Change(ADCS-CGIC)	The ADCS-CGIC involves comparison of data acquisition from both home and clinic and the use of both informant-ratings and self-ratings. Important outcomes include clinical global impressions of change (CGIC) as indicators of clinically meaningful change. In week 0 (baseline), the score was to judge the severity of the cognitive, 0(no evaluate),1(normal),2(slight intelligence obstacle),3(mide intelligence obstacle),4(moderate intelligence obstacle),5(significantly intelligence obstacle),6(severe intelligence obstacle),7(intelligent obstacle end-stage). In week 13,26,39,52, the score was to judge the change of the clinical global impression,1(improved significantly),2(improve),3(improve a little),4(no change),5(a little deteriorated),6(deteriorated),7(serious deterioration).	Change from baseline ADCS-CGIC score at week 39

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Shineway Pharmaceutical Co.,Ltd
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Jianping Jia, Professor, Xuan Wu Hospital of Capital Medical University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): April 10, 2019
• Primary Completion (Actual): March 12, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): May 19, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 4, 2018
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 26, 2018
• First Posted (Actual): December 31, 2018

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 17, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 12, 2026
• Last Verified: February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Vascular Dementia; cognitive
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Cerebrovascular Disorders; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Mental Disorders; Neurocognitive Disorders; Dementia; Arteriosclerosis; Arterial Occlusive Diseases; Leukoencephalopathies; Intracranial Arteriosclerosis; Intracranial Arterial Diseases; Dementia, Vascular; sailuotong
• Other Study ID Numbers: SW003

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No