Aloysia polystachya (Griseb.) Moldenke (Verbenaceae) powdered leaves are effective in treating anxiety symptoms: A phase-2, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Autor(es)

Carmona, Fabio ^[1] ; Coneglian, Fernando Saraiva ^[1] ; Batista, Priscila Alves ^[1] ; Aragon, Davi Casale ^[1] ; Angelucci, Mateus Andrea ^[1] ; Martinez, Edson Zangiacomi ^[2] ; Soares Pereira, Ana Maria ^[3]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Med Sch, Dept Pediat, Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Med Sch, Dept Social Med, Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

^[3] Univ Ribeirao Preto, Dept Plant Biotechnol, Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Journal of Ethnopharmacology; v. 242, OCT 5 2019.
• Citações Web of Science: 0

Resumo

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Aloysia polystachya (Griseb.) Moldenke (Verbenaceae) is a plant traditionally used as medicine for anxiety symptoms. This activity was confirmed in preclinical studies. However, its efficacy was never studied in human clinical trials. Aim of the study: We aimed to test the hypothesis that the herbal medicine of A. polystachya is superior to placebo for the treatment of anxiety-related symptoms in adults after 8 weeks. Patients and methods: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase-2 clinical trial. Fifty-four adults with self-reported anxiety symptoms were randomly allocated to receive either capsules containing A. polystachya powdered leaves (300 mg, twice a day) or placebo (maltodextrin), for 8 weeks. The intensity of anxiety symptoms was assessed by the Hamilton Anxiety Ranking Scale (HAM-A) at baseline and after 2, 4 and 8 weeks. All analyses were adjusted for physical activity (assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire {[}IPAQ], short version) and gender. Results: We confirmed the presence of acteoside (chromatographic analysis) and carvone and limonene (gas chromatography) as major constituents in our plant material. Only patients that received A. polystachya experienced a significant decrease in their HAM-A scores, with none or mild side-effects. Conclusion: Administration of powdered leaves of A. polystachya, rich in acteoside, carvone and limonene, to adults with anxiety symptoms was significantly superior to placebo in decreasing HAM-A scores after 8 weeks. This finding confirms the ethnopharmacological use of this plant for anxiety symptoms. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 14/22298-4 - Eficácia da Aloysia polystachya (Griseb.) Moldenke (Verbenaceae) em sintomas de ansiedade
• Beneficiário: Priscila Alves Batista
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Iniciação Científica