Acanthopanax for Acute Ischemic Stroke

Graeme J. Hankey MD, FRCP, FRACP Section Editor: Acute ischemic stroke is a common cause of death and disability. Acanthopanax is widely used in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke in China, and a number of studies on Acanthopanax for acute ischemic stroke were published in Chinese journals. However, whether there is adequate randomized evidence for its efficacy is unclear. ### Objectives The objective of this review was to assess the efficacy and safety of Acanthopanax in patients with acute ischemic stroke. ### Search Strategy We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (last searched January 2008), the Chinese Stroke Trials Register (last searched March 2008), and the Trials Register of the Cochrane Complementary Medicine Field (last searched January 2008). In addition, we searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; The Cochrane Library Issue 1, 2008), MEDLINE (1966 to March 2008), …