NeuroAiD

NeuroAiD is a herbal supplement proposed to support functional recovery after strokes. There were two formulations of NeuroAiD: MLC601 (NeuroAiDTM) was first developed. Since 2018 MLC601 formulation is no longer on the market, and has been replaced by MLC901 (NeuroAiDTMII), a simplified formulation containing only 9 botanical ingredients. It can be administered orally or through a feeding tube. The drug shows no significant benefit in improving outcomes at 3 months in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

NeuroAiD was first registered and marketed in China in 2001. It is derived from traditional Chinese medicine. According to the CEO of Moleac, NeuroAiD is sold in at least 25 countries, and 20,000 people have taken it.

Composition
NeuroAiD I, or MLC601, is composed of nine herbal components (astragalus root, Salvia miltiorrhiza root, chishao, rhizome lovage, Angelica sinensis root, safflower, peach, thinleaf milkwort root, and grassleaf sweet flag rhizome) and five components derived from animals (Hirudo medicinalis, Eupolyphaga seu steleophaga, Calculus bovis artifactus, Buthus martensii, and Cornu saigae tataricae). NeuroAiDTMII, or MLC901, is a simpler form of the medication that only contains the nine herbal components without the animal components. Since 2018, MLC601 formulation is no longer marketed.

Pharmacology
Laboratory studies suggest that NeuroAiD can aid with stroke recovery by improving neuroprotection, neurogenesis, and neuroplasticity by amplifying endogenous processes of self-protection and self-repair of the brain. MLC901 can activate KATP channels, which has a neuroprotective effect against brain ischemia.

Effectiveness
Neuroaid was statistically no better than placebo in improving stroke recovery at 3 months post-stroke. Additionally, recent research indicates that NeuroAid improves cognitive functioning after traumatic brain injury and could potentially play a role in treating severe traumatic spinal cord injuries, as well as in slowing down the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

Side effects
Common side effects include abdominal discomfort, headaches, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Frequently, they can be relieved by reducing the dosage of the medication by 50% for a week. Once the symptoms have resolved, the usual dosage can be resumed. In some rare cases during clinical trials, a few patients experienced serious side effects (jaundice, low potassium levels, recurring strokes).

Contraindications
The medication is contraindicated in pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Approvals and patents
NeuroAiD was approved by the Sino Food and Drug Administration in August 2001, under the name Danqi Piantan Jiaonang. NeuroAiD has also been approved for use in other Asian countries such as Singapore. In 2006, NeuroAiD was also chosen for the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology's Key Technologies Research & Development program.