Herbal medicine treatment for Alzheimer disease: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer disease (AD) is a leading progressive neurodegenerative disease worldwide, but treating it is challenging in clinical practice. This review is aimed at evaluating the efficacy and safety of herbal medicine for treating AD. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We will search for randomized controlled trials related to the effect and safety of herbal medicine for AD in the following databases: PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Excerpta Medica Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure database, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated system, Korean Traditional Knowledge Portal, and Citation Information by National Institute for Informatics. The risk of bias will be evaluated using the Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment tool. After screening the studies, a meta-analysis will be performed. The primary outcome will be the Mini-Mental State Examination score. Secondary outcomes will consist of other scales for cognitive function and other aspects, such as behavioral and psychological symptoms and plasma levels of amyloid-β. RESULTS: This study will provide the current status of evidence for herbal medicine to treat AD. CONCLUSION: The results of this review will determine the efficacy and safety of herbal medicine for AD. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval is not required, as this study is based on a review of published research. This review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and disseminated both electronically and in print. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Research Registry reviewregistry933.