Effect of astragalus membranaceus on neurological function in acute aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients with high inflammation: A preliminary randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Background and aim

Astragalus membranaceus (AM) is a traditional Chinese herb. Our previous study revealed that AM can enhance neurological function in patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage. The aim of this study was to investigated the effects of AM on patients with acute aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH).

Experimental procedure

Eighty-eight patients experiencing acute aSAH were randomly allocated to either the treatment group (TG) comprising 44 patients, who received 3 g of AM orally thrice daily for 14 days, or the control group (CG) with 44 patients, who received 3 g of a placebo.

Results

Eighty-three patients (41 in CG and 42 in TG) completed the trial. Stratified analyses revealed serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) median ≥7.28 pg/mL at baseline. The percentage of good GOS scores (GOS 4 or 5) at two weeks (W2) and four weeks (W4) was significantly higher in TG than in CG (W2: 35.3 % vs. 7.7 %, p = 0.042; W4: 62.5 % vs. 30.8 %, p = 0.044). Moreover, a higher percentage of Barthel index scores (>60) was observed in TG than in CG at W2 (35.3 % vs. 7.7 %, p = 0.042) after AM or placebo administration.

Conclusion

Administering AM for 14 days has shown potential in enhancing neurological function four weeks post-aSAH onset, especially in patients with a serum IL-6 level median ≥7.28 pg/mL. Therefore, further research is warranted to explore the anti-inflammatory role of AM. However, this study's limitations include a small sample size and the single-center design, signifying its status as a preliminary investigation.