Collectively , the literature reveals pre clinical and clinical evidence for various phytomedicines modulating GABA-pathways , with comparative anxiolytic effect to the current array of pharmaceuticals , along with good safety and tolerability profiles
Anxiety disorders are chronic and functionally disabling conditions with high psychological stress , characterised by cognitive symptoms of excessive worry and focus difficulties and physiological symptoms such as muscle tension and insomnia .
Gamma-aminobutyric acid ( GABA ) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter within the central nervous system and is a key target of pharmacotherapies in the treatment of anxiety .
Although current pharmaceutical treatments are often efficacious , they may cause undesirable side effects including cognitive decrements and withdrawal symptoms .
Plant-based " phytomedicines " may provide novel treatment options , to act as an adjunctive or alternative to existing anxiolytic medications .
As such , we conducted a systematic review to assess the current body of literature on anxiolytic phytomedicines and /or phytoconstituents .
Attenuation of Laboratory-Induced Stress in Humans After Acute Administration of Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm)
Objective : Melissa officinalis ( lemon balm ) is contemporaneously used as a mild sedative and /or calming agent . Although recent research has demonstrated modulation of mood in keeping with these roles , no studies to date have directly investigated the effects of this herbal medication on laboratory-induced psychological stress . Methods : In this double-blind , placebo-controlled , r and omized , balanced crossover experiment , 18 healthy volunteers received two separate single doses of a st and ardized M. officinalis extract ( 300 mg , 600 mg ) and a placebo , on separate days separated by a 7-day washout period . Modulation of mood was assessed during predose and 1-hour postdose completions of a 20-minute version of the Defined Intensity Stressor Simulation ( DISS ) battery . Cognitive performance on the four concurrent tasks of the battery was also assessed . Results : The results showed that the 600-mg dose of Melissa ameliorated the negative mood effects of the DISS , with significantly increased self-ratings of calmness and reduced self-ratings of alertness . In addition , a significant increase in the speed of mathematical processing , with no reduction in accuracy , was observed after ingestion of the 300-mg dose . Conclusion : These results suggest that the potential for M. officinalis to mitigate the effects of stress deserves further investigation
Collectively , the literature reveals pre clinical and clinical evidence for various phytomedicines modulating GABA-pathways , with comparative anxiolytic effect to the current array of pharmaceuticals , along with good safety and tolerability profiles
Anxiety disorders are chronic and functionally disabling conditions with high psychological stress , characterised by cognitive symptoms of excessive worry and focus difficulties and physiological symptoms such as muscle tension and insomnia .
Gamma-aminobutyric acid ( GABA ) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter within the central nervous system and is a key target of pharmacotherapies in the treatment of anxiety .
Although current pharmaceutical treatments are often efficacious , they may cause undesirable side effects including cognitive decrements and withdrawal symptoms .
Plant-based " phytomedicines " may provide novel treatment options , to act as an adjunctive or alternative to existing anxiolytic medications .
As such , we conducted a systematic review to assess the current body of literature on anxiolytic phytomedicines and /or phytoconstituents .