The effect of Sailuotong (SLT) on neurocognitive and cardiovascular function in healthy adults: a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled crossover pilot trial. Issue 1 (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Steiner, Genevieve; Yeung, Alan; Liu, Jian-Xun; Camfield, David; Blasio, Frances; Pipingas, Andrew; Scholey, Andrew; Stough, Con; Chang, Dennis
• Is Part Of: BMC complementary and alternative medicine. Volume 16:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 13
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Sailuotong (SLT) -- Chinese Herbal Medicine (CHM) -- EEG -- Event-related potentials (ERPs) -- P3(00) -- Blood pressure -- Heartrate (HR) -- Neurocognition -- Age related cognitive decline; Alternative medicine -- Periodicals; Complementary Therapies -- Periodicals; 615.505
• DOI: 10.1186/s12906-016-0989-0
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1472-6882

Abstract

Abstract Background Sailuotong (SLT) is a standardised herbal medicine formula consisting ofPanax ginseng, Ginkgo biloba, andCrocus sativus, and has been designed to enhance cognitive and cardiovascular function. Methods Using a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled crossover design, this pilot study assessed the effect of treatment for 1 week with SLT and placebo (1 week washout period) on neurocognitive and cardiovascular function in healthy adults. Sixteen adults completed a computerised neuropsychological test battery (Compass), and had their electroencephalographic (EEG) activity and cardiovascular system function assessed. Primary outcome measures were cognitive test scores and oddball task event-related potential (ERP) component amplitudes. Secondary outcome measures were resting EEG spectral band amplitudes, and cardiovascular parameters. Results Treatment with SLT, compared to placebo, resulted in small improvements in working memory, a slight increase in auditory target (cf. nontarget) P3a amplitude, and a decrease in auditory N1 target (cf. nontarget) amplitude. There was no effect of SLT on EEG amplitude in delta, theta, alpha, or beta bands in both eyes open and eyes closed resting conditions, or on aortic and peripheral pulse pressure, and resting heartrate. Conclusions Findings suggest that SLT has the potential to improve working memory performance in healthy adults; a larger sample size is needed to confirm this. Trial registration Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry Trial Registration Id:ACTRN12610000947000 .