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 .
Ginkgo biloba special extract EGb 761 in generalized anxiety disorder and adjustment disorder with anxious mood: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Ginkgo biloba special extract EGb 761 , an anti-dementia drug , enhances cognitive functioning and stabilizes mood in cognitively impaired elderly subjects . Moreover , EGb 761 had been found to alleviate symptoms of anxiety in people with mental decline , therefore it was now tested for clinical efficacy in younger patients suffering from anxiety . One hundred and seven patients with generalized anxiety disorder ( GAD , n=82 ) or adjustment disorder with anxious mood ( ADWAM , n=25 ) according to the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders , third edition - revised ( DSM-III-R ) were r and omized to daily doses of 480 mg EGb 761 , 240 mg EGb 761 or placebo for 4 weeks . Intention-to-treat ( ITT ) analyses were performed on the primary outcome measure , the Hamilton rating scale for anxiety ( HAMA ) , and the secondary variables , the clinical global impression of change ( CGI-C ) , the Erlangen anxiety tension and aggression scale ( EAAS ) , the list of complaints ( B-L ' ) , and the patient 's global rating of change . The HAMA total scores decreased by -14.3 ( + /-8.1 ) , -12.1 ( + /-9.0 ) and -7.8 ( + /-9.2 ) in the high-dose EGb 761 , the low-dose EGb 761 and the placebo group , respectively . Changes were significantly different from placebo for both treatment groups with p=0.0003 ( high-dose group ) and p=0.01 ( low-dose ) . Regression analyses revealed a dose-response trend ( p=0.003 ) . EGb 761 was significantly superior to placebo on all secondary outcome measures . It was safe and well tolerated and may thus be of particular value in elderly patients with anxiety related to cognitive decline
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 .