Abstract
ObjectiveTo assess the efficacy and safety of a freeze dried, aqueous extract of Nepeta menthoides Boiss. & Buhse (N. menthoides) in reducing anxiety in patients suffering from depression. MethodA two–armed, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial was conducted with 70 patients suffering from anxiety and depression. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups, receiving capsules of either N. menthoides or sertraline for four weeks. The Beck anxiety inventory (BAI) score together with side effects of the intervention were evaluated at baseline and then every two weeks up to the sixth week (i.e. two weeks after cessation of the intervention). In addition, Folin-Ciocalteu and Dowd methods were utilized to determine total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the N. menthoides extract. ResultsThe N. menthoides group demonstrated: (a) a greater reduction of BAI scores as compared to the sertraline group in the 2nd (16.52±8.07 vs. 21.38±10.98, P=0.04) and 4th (11.55±6.74 vs. 20.47±11.53, P<0.0001) weeks, (b) a lower recurrence rate, with BAI scores of 11.06±7.36 in the N. menthoides vs. 24.73±12.93 in the sertraline group, two weeks after finishing the intervention (P<0.0001), and (c) fewer side effects when compared to those of the sertraline group. Twelve patients reported severe side effects from the intervention, with only one of these belonging to the N. menthoides group. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the N. menthoides extract were 127.09±0.43mg Gallic acid equivalent/g and 16.93±0.09mg Quercetin/g of the extract, respectively. ConclusionThe anxiolytic effects of N. menthoides, its lower symptom recurrence rate and its lesser side effects make this herb a potential alternative treatment for anxiety in patients with depression. The presence of polyphenols and flavonoids in the extract might be at least partially responsible for these clinical effects.
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