A clinical study on compound da huang (radix et Rhizoma rhei) preparations for improvement of senile persons' memory ability.

By comparison of the effects of the Compound Tong Jiang Oral Liquid with Da Huang added (TJ [symbol: see text]) and Qi Yin Oral Liquid (QY [symbol: see text]) without Da Huang on senile persons' memory ability, it is discovered that the effects of TJ on shortening the interval between defecations and the duration of defecation, and on improving senile persons' memory ability are significantly better than that of QY (P < 0.05). In addition, TJ can also decrease the serum content of lipid peroxidase and increase the superoxide dismutase activity in red blood cells (RBC). Thus, it is demonstrated that Dahuang and its agents possess the action of anti-senility and can improve mentality.