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 .
Effect of valepotriates (valerian extract) in generalized anxiety disorder: a randomized placebo-controlled pilot study.
The aim of the present study was to carry out a controlled pilot study on the putative anxiolytic effect of valepotriates .  Thirty-six out patients with generalized anxiety disorder ( DSM III-R ) , after a 2-week wash-out , were r and omized to one of the following three treatments for 4 weeks ( n = 12 per group ) : valepotriates ( mean daily dose : 81.3 mg ) , diazepam ( mean daily dose : 6.5 mg ) , or placebo . A parallel , double-blind , flexible-dose , placebo-controlled design was employed . No significant difference was observed among the three groups at baseline or in the change from baseline on the Hamilton anxiety scale ( HAM-A ) or in the trait part of the state-trait anxiety inventory ( STAI-trait ) . Moreover , the three groups presented a significant reduction in the total HAM-A scores . On the other h and , only the diazepam and valepotriates groups showed a significant reduction in the psychic factor of HAM-A. The diazepam group also presented a significant reduction of the STAI-trait . Although the principal analysis ( HAM-A between group comparison ) found negative results ( probably due to the small sample size in each group ) , the preliminary data obtained in the present study suggest that the valepotriates may have a potential anxiolytic effect on the psychic symptoms of anxiety . However , since the number of subjects per group was very small , the present results must be viewed as preliminary . Thus , further studies addressing this issue are 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 .