Table 1.
Summary of the effects of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) used in ALS.
| CAM modality | Type of study | Method | Effectiveness | Author (year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electroacupuncture (EA) | Animal | Zusanli (ST36) acupoint, (1 mA, 2 Hz, 30 min), 6 times | (Spinal cord) Increased motor activity. neuronal protection, and anti-neuroinflammation | Yang (2010) 11 |
| Electroacupuncture (EA) | Animal | Zusanli (ST36) acupoint, (1 mA, 2 Hz, 30 min), 6 times | (Lung) Reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines. and increased cell survival-related protein | Jiang (2010)10 |
| Saam acupuncture | Clinical | Taibai (SP3), Taiyuan (LU9), Shaofu (HT8), and Yuji (LU10) twice a day for 5 days | Regulated respiratory physiology | Lee (2013) 13 |
| Bee venom (BV) | Animal | 0.1 μg/g, Zusanli (ST36), 14 times | (Brainstem and spinal cord) Increased motor activity, survival, anti-inflammation, and neuronal protection | Yang (2010) 20 |
| Melittin (MT) | Animal | 0.1 μg/g, Zusanli (ST36), 14 times | (Brainstem and spinal cord) Increased motor activity, anti-neuroinflammation, and proteasome activity | Yang (2011) 23 |
| Melittin (MT) | Animal | 0.1 μg/g, Zusanli (ST36), 14 times | (Lung) Increased anti-inflammation (Spleen) Increased anti-inflammation and cell survival |
Lee (2014)24 |
| Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans (SSM) | Animal | 2.5 μg/g, Zusanli (ST36), 6 times | (Brainstem and spinal cord) Increased neuronal protection, anti-inflammation, and anti-oxidation | Cai (2013)29 |
| Ginsenoside Re (G-Re) | Animal | 2.5 μg/g, Zusanli (ST36), 6 times | (Spinal cord) Increased neuronal protection, anti-inflammation, and anti-oxidation | Cai (2016)34 |
| Withania somnifera | Animal | 5 mg/per animal, p.o., 8 or 16 weeks | (Gastrocnemius muscle and spinal cord) Increased motor activity, cognitive function, muscle innervation. Anti-inflammation, anti-NF-kb activation Decreased mislocalization and aggregation of TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP43) |
Dutta (2017)37 |
| Bojungikgi-tang (BJIGT) | Animal | 1 mg/g, p.o., 6 weeks | (Spinal cord and gastrocnemius muscle) Increased motor activity, survival, anti-inflammation, and anti-oxidation Decreased autophagy dysfunction, muscle atrophy, and denervation of neuromuscular junctions |
Cai (2018)40 |
| Gamisoyo-San (GSS) | Animal | 1 mg/g, p.o., 6 weeks | (Spinal cord) Increased neuronal protection, anti-inflammation, and anti-oxidation Decreased metabolism dysfunction |
Cai (2018)43 |
| Gamisoyo-San (GSS) | Animal | 1 mg/g, p.o., 6 weeks | (Gastrocnemius muscle) Increased anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation | Park (2018)44 |
| Jaeumganghwa-Tang (JGT) | Animal | 1 mg/g, p.o., 6 weeks | (Spinal cord) Increased motor function, anti-inflammation, and anti-oxidation | Lee (2019)47 |
| Huolingshengji Formula (HLSJ) | Animal | 4.5 g/kg·d, p.o., ˜100 days | (Spinal cord, Gastrocnemius muscle) Increased motor activity and survival, anti-apoptotsis and anti-inflammation, Decreased muscle atrophy | Zhou(2018)48 |
| Huolingshengji Formula (HLSJ) | Clinical | 200 ml, p.o., 12 weeks | Decreased Advanced Norris scale score (ANSS) Improved TCM syndrome |
Sui (2016)49 |
| Dihuang Yinzi (DHYZ) | Clinical | Decoction, p.o., twice daily, 12 years | Increased survival, muscle fibrillation, and muscle strength Delayed use of ventilator support Fewer adverse effects |
Qiu (2016)50 |
| Jiawei Sijunzi (JWSJZ) | Clinical | Decoctions, p.o., 50 ml, twice daily | Improved neurological evaluation according to the ALS functional rating scale (ALSFRS) | Pan (2013)51 |
| Creatine | Animal | 2% creatine‐fed, 4 weeks | Improved motor performance, weight maintenance, and survival | Andreassen (2001)52 |
| Creatine | Animal | 2% creatine‐fed, 60 days | No effect on muscle metabolic parameters, muscle weight, muscle contractile parameters, and fatigability | Derave (2003)53 |
| Creatine | Clinical | doses ranging from 5 – 10 g per day | No effect on survival and ALS functional rating revised scores (ALSFRS‐R) progression or percent predicted forced vital capacity (FVC) progression | Pastula (2012)54 |
| Vitamin D | Clinical | 2000 IU/day, 9 months, daily | Decreased revised ALS functional rating scale (ALSFRS-R) score | Karam (2013)56 |
| Vitamin E | Animal | 200 IU/kg of mouse chow, Treatment continued until end-stage disease |
Delayed disease onset and slow progression | Gurney (1996)57 |
ALS, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; ALSFRS, ALS functional rating scale; ALSFRS‐R, revised ALS functional rating scores; ANSS, Advanced Norris scale score; FVC, forced vital capacity; IU, international unit; p.o., Per os; TCM: Traditional Chinese Medicine.