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 .
Effects of passiflora incarnata and midazolam for control of anxiety in patients undergoing dental extraction
Background Anxiety symptoms are frequently observed in dental patients , whether they are undergoing simple or more invasive procedures such as surgery . This research aim ed to compare the effects of Passiflora incarnata and midazolam for the control of anxiety in patients undergoing m and ibular third molar extraction . Material and Methods Forty volunteers underwent bilateral extraction of their m and ibular third molars in a r and omized , controlled , double-blind , crossover clinical trial . Passiflora incarnata ( 260 mg ) or midazolam ( 15 mg ) were orally administered 30 minutes before surgery . The anxiety level of participants was evaluated by question naires and measurement of physical parameters  , including  heart rate ( HR ) , blood pressure ( BP ) , and oxygen saturation ( SpO2 ) . Results Considering each procedure independently , there were no significant differences between the protocol s in BP , HR , and SpO2 . Over 70 % of the volunteers responded that they felt quiet or a little anxious under both protocol s. With midazolam , 20 % of the participants reported amnesia ( not remembering anything at all ) , while Passiflora showed little or no ability to interfere with memory formation . Conclusions Passiflora incarnata showed an anxiolytic effect similar to midazolam , and was safe and effective for conscious sedation in adult patients who underwent extraction of their m and ibular third molars . Key words : Passiflora incarnata , midazolam , anxiety , oral surgery
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 .