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 .
Preoperative Oral Passiflora Incarnata Reduces Anxiety in Ambulatory Surgery Patients: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study
BACKGROUND : Many patients have preoperative anxiety ; therefore , the development of a strong anxiolytic with minimal psychomotor impairment for premedication may be desirable . METHODS : In this study , 60 patients were r and omized into two groups to receive either oral Passiflora incarnata ( 500 mg , Passipy ™ Ir anD arouk ) ( n = 30 ) or placebo ( n = 30 ) as premedication , 90 min before surgery . A numerical rating scale ( NRS ) was used for each patient to assess anxiety and sedation before , and 10 , 30 , 60 , and 90 min after premedication . Psychomotor function was assessed with the Trieger Dot Test and the Digit-Symbol Substitution Test at arrival in the operating room , 30 and 90 min after tracheal extubation . The time interval between arrival in the postanesthesia care unit and discharge to home ( discharge time ) was recorded for each patient . RESULTS : The demographic characteristics of patients , ASA physical status , duration of surgery , basal NRS score , sedation at the preset time intervals , and discharge time were similar in the two groups . The NRS anxiety scores were significantly lower in the passiflora group than in the control group ( P < 0.001 ) . There were no significant differences in psychological variables in the postanesthesia care unit and recovery of psychomotor function was comparable in both groups . CONCLUSIONS : In outpatient surgery , administration of oral Passiflora incarnata as a premedication reduces anxiety without inducing sedation
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 .