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 .
American Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora): a randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study of its effects on mood in healthy volunteers.
Scutellaria lateriflora , a traditional herbal remedy for stress and anxiety , was tested on human volunteers for its effects on mood . In a placebo-controlled , double-blind , crossover study , 43 healthy participants were r and omised to a sequence of three times daily S. lateriflora ( 350 mg ) or placebo , each over two weeks . In this relatively non-anxious population ( 81 % were mildly anxious or less , i.e. Beck Anxiety Inventory ( BAI ) scores ≤ 15 ) , there was no significant difference between skullcap and placebo with BAI ( p = 0.191 ) . However , there was a significant group effect ( p = 0.049 ) , suggesting a carryover effect of skullcap . For Total Mood Disturbance measured by the Profile of Mood States , there was a highly significant ( p = < 0.001 ) decrease from pre-test scores with skullcap but not placebo ( p = 0.072 ) . The limitations of carryover effect , generally low anxiety scores and differences in anxiety levels between groups at baseline ( p = 0.022 ) , may have reduced the chances of statistical significance in this study . However , as S. lateriflora significantly enhanced global mood without a reduction in energy or cognition , further study assessing its putative anxiolytic effects in notably anxious subjects with co-morbid depression is warranted
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 .