Traditional Chinese herbal medicine shows promising efficacy in improving clinical symptoms and reducing recurrence of multiple sclerosis.
In the methodological process for this research, a scoping review was conducted using the Arksey and O'Malley framework, focusing on studies related to the use of herbal medicine treatments for MS patients. The researchers carried out the investigation in March 2020, by reviewing articles published until 2019 found in six databases which include PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, KoreaMed, NDSL, and OASIS.
In the findings, 14 studies were identified out of the 1,445 articles and were analysed in line with the study's questions. Predominantly, these were single and serial case reports, with the majority of the studies being conducted in China. It was noted that a total of 20 prescriptions which contained 95 types of herbs were used in intervention and observational studies. The results of the research revealed that herbal medicines were successful in improving clinical symptoms of MS and reducing recurrence rates, with oxidative stress identified as the main presumed cause of MS.
