Efficacy of Aloysia polystachya (Griseb.) Moldenke (Verbenaceae) on symptoms of anxiety

• Grant number: 14/22298-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2015
• End date: January 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Fabio Carmona
• Grantee: Priscila Alves Batista
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Anxiety is a highly prevalent disorder in Brazil and in the world. Besides being non-progressive, it does not get better with time, leading to elevated costs for the person and the society. Pharmacological treatment brings undesirable side effects, needs psychiatric follow-up, and is not usually available in the public health system. One of the Brazilian species that has potential to become a herbal medicine for country- and world-wide use for anxiety, is Aloysia polystachya (Griseb.) Moldenke, which has anxiolytic and antidepressant properties. We propose here a phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial, to investigate the effect of A. polystachya on adults with symptoms of anxiety. Our hypothesis is that A. polystcahya leads to a reduction of at least 5 points on HAM-A scale after 8 weeks of treatment.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

CARMONA, FABIO; CONEGLIAN, FERNANDO SARAIVA; BATISTA, PRISCILA ALVES; ARAGON, DAVI CASALE; ANGELUCCI, MATEUS ANDREA; MARTINEZ, EDSON ZANGIACOMI; SOARES PEREIRA, ANA MARIA. Aloysia polystachya (Griseb.) Moldenke (Verbenaceae) powdered leaves are effective in treating anxiety symptoms: A phase-2, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, v. 242, OCT 5 2019. (14/22298-4)