Clinical observation of Danhong Injection (herbal TCM product from Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae and Flos Carthami tinctorii) in the treatment of traumatic intracranial hematoma

Danhong Injection (DHI), a Chinese Materia Medica standardized product extracted from Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae and Flos Carthami tinctorii, has the actions of promoting blood circulation and resolving stasis to promote regeneration. The clinical therapeutic effects of DHI on traumatic intracranial hematoma (TICH) were observed. Eighty patients with TICH were randomly assigned to trial group and a control group (40 patients per group), and all were administered with routine medication. Additionally, DIH was administered intravenously to patients in the trial group. Pre and post-treatment GCS was observed in the two groups, along with GOS after therapy. The intracranial hematoma absorption, hemorheological changes, and changes in coagulation indexes pre- and post-treatment were evaluated. The results indicated that GCS and GOS after therapy for the trial group were superior to those for the control group (p<0.05). There was a significant post-treatment difference in the intracranial hematoma absorption between the two groups (p<0.01). Each hemorheological index in the trial group improved significantly as compared with that of the control group (p<0.05 or p<0.01). The plasma levels of fibrinogen and D-dimer in the trial group were significantly decreased after therapy (p<0.01). These results suggest that DHI is conducive to the recovery of patients with TICH. (C) 2009 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.