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 .
Extract of Valerian Root (Valeriana Officinalis L.) vs. Placebo in Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Randomized Double-Blind Study
Objective : Obsessive – Compulsive Disorder ( OCD ) is a common neuropsychiatric condition . Many herbs with psychotropic effects exist which can have fewer side effects compared to more conventional medications . Valeriana Officinalis L. is a well-known medicinal plant with a long history of usage in the world with an effect on GABA . This plant is reported to be safe on humans . Our objective in this study was to compare the efficacy of the extract of Valeriana Officinalis L. with placebo in the treatment of OCD . Methods : The study was an 8-week pilot double-blind r and omized trial . Thirty-one adult out patients who met the DSM-IV-TR criteria for OCD based on the structured clinical interview participated in the trial . In this double-blind and r and omized trial , patients were r and omly assigned to receive either capsule of the extract ( 765 mg/day ) or placebo ( 30 mg/day ) for 8 weeks . Results : The results showed significant difference between the extract and placebo in the end of treatment ( P=0.000 ) . Somnolence was the only significant difference between the two groups in terms of observed side effects ( P=0.02 ) . Conclusion : The results suggest that Valeriana Officinalis L. has some antiobsessive and compulsive effects . However , further studies are needed to confirm these findings . Psychiatrists often find that many patients can not tolerate the side effects of psychiatry medicine Valeriana Officinalis L. is a well-known medicinal plant with a long history of usage in world with effect on GABA.The results showed significant difference between the extract and placebo in the treatment of OCD . There was also no significant difference between the two groups in terms of observed side effects
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 .