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 .
Passionflower in the treatment of generalized anxiety: a pilot double-blind randomized controlled trial with oxazepam.
OBJECTIVE Passionflower ( Passiflora incarnata ) is a folk remedy for anxiety . A double-blind r and omized trial compared the efficacy of Passiflora incarnata extract with oxazepam in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder .  METHODS The study was performed on 36 out- patients diagnosed with GAD using DSM IV criteria . Patients were allocated in a r and om fashion : 18 to the Passiflora extract 45 drops/day plus placebo tablet group , and 18 to oxazepam 30 mg/day plus placebo drops for a 4-week trial . RESULTS Passiflora extract and oxazepam were effective in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder . No significant difference was observed between the two protocol s at the end of trial . Oxazepam showed a rapid onset of action . On the other h and , significantly more problems relating to impairment of job performance were encountered with subjects on oxazepam . CONCLUSION The results suggest that Passiflora extract is an effective drug for the management of generalized anxiety disorder , and the low incidence of impairment of job performance with Passiflora extract compared to oxazepam is an advantage . A large-scale trial is justified
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 .