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 .
Short-term open-label chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) therapy of moderate to severe generalized anxiety disorder.
BACKGROUND Conventional drug treatments for Generalized Anxiety Disorder ( GAD ) are often accompanied by substantial side effects , dependence , and /or withdrawal syndrome . A prior controlled study of oral chamomile ( Matricaria chamomilla L. ) extract showed significant efficacy versus placebo , and suggested that chamomile may have anxiolytic activity for individuals with GAD . HYPOTHESIS We hypothesized that treatment with chamomile extract would result in a significant reduction in GAD severity ratings , and would be associated with a favorable adverse event and tolerability profile . STUDY DESIGN We report on the open-label phase of a two-phase r and omized controlled trial of chamomile versus placebo for relapse-prevention of recurrent GAD . METHODS Subjects with moderate to severe GAD received open-label treatment with pharmaceutical- grade chamomile extract 1500mg/day for up to 8 weeks . Primary outcomes were the frequency of clinical response and change in GAD-7 symptom scores by week 8 . Secondary outcomes included the change over time on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety , the Beck Anxiety Inventory , and the Psychological General Well Being Index . Frequency of treatment-emergent adverse events and premature treatment discontinuation were also examined . RESULTS Of 179 subjects , 58.1 % ( 95 % CI : 50.9 % to 65.5 % ) met criteria for response , while 15.6 % prematurely discontinued treatment . Significant improvement over time was also observed on the GAD-7 rating ( β=-8.4 [ 95 % CI=-9.1 to -7.7 ] ) . A similar proportion of subjects demonstrated statistically significant and clinical ly meaningful reductions in secondary outcome ratings of anxiety and well-being . Adverse events occurred in 11.7 % of subjects , although no serious adverse events occurred . CONCLUSION Chamomile extract produced a clinical ly meaningful reduction in GAD symptoms over 8 weeks , with a response rate comparable to those observed during conventional anxiolytic drug therapy and a favorable adverse event profile . Future comparative effectiveness trials between chamomile and conventional drugs may help determine the optimal risk/benefit of these therapies for patients suffering from GAD
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 .