Does Xinyue capsule, a Chinese herbal medicine, reduce the risk of cardiovascular events?

This study investigated if the Xinyue capsule (XYC) reduces the risk of cardiovascular events (CVEs) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). 

They found that XYC combined with standard treatment reduced the risk of CVEs in these patients. 

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is caused by blockages in the coronary arteries. This reduces blood flow to the heart. This can cause cardiovascular events (CVEs). CVEs include heart attack, stroke, and cardiac death. CVEs can prove to be fatal so reducing the risk is important. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a procedure used to remove blockages. It is a minimally invasive surgery. After PCI, patients take medication to prevent blood clots forming more blockages. 

Alternative medicine has been used in China for centuries. This includes the treatment of CAD. Xinyue capsule (XYC) is a herbal medicine approved in China. XYC contains 100 mg panax quinquefolius saponins. One study showed that XYC improved blood flow in patients that had a heart attack. These patients also had standard treatment. It is unclear if XYC added to standard treatment further reduces the risk of CVEs in patients with CAD. 

This study included 1054 patients with stable CAD. All patients had recently undergone PCI. Patients were randomly assigned to XYC or placebo for 24 weeks. All patients also received standard treatment for CAD. The primary outcome was the occurrence of CVEs. These included heart attack, repeat PCI, and death. The average follow-up time was 12 months. 

A CVE was recorded in 3.02% of XYC-treated patients and 6.49% of placebo-treated patients. The risk of CVE was 54% lower in patients treated with XYC and standard treatment compared to standard treatment alone. There was a 48.5% lower risk of related events including stroke and blood clots in the lungs. Quality of life scores were also higher in XYC-treated patients. 

The authors concluded that XYC added to standard treatment reduced the risk of CVEs in patients with CAD.

The risk of heart attack or cardiac death was not different between the groups. The long-term effects of XYC are still unclear. Both low- and high-risk patients were included in this study. It is unclear if XYC is more effective in certain patients. Larger long-term studies are needed. 

If you have any concerns regarding CAD management, please discuss it with your doctor.