Application of Leonurus cardiaca L. oil extract for treatment of psycho neurological disorders in clinic

Leonurus cardiaca L. has a long history of application in Russian traditional medicine and now it is described in a number of pharmacopoeias around the world. L. cardiaca is used in form of tinctures and tablets with dry extract and has been demonstrated to have sedative, hypotensive and cardiotonic effects. Recently an oil extract of L. cardiaca (OEL) was prepared by roto-pulsed extraction [1]. Its effects on animals were studied [2], but clinical application was not described. Fifty patients with stage 1 and stage 2 arterial hypertension accompanied by anxiety and sleep disorders were treated 28 days with 1200mg (4 capsule) OEL per day. OEL was standardized in iridoids (0.15mg/capsule) [3]. Subjective complaints of patients with stage 1 hypertension improved after 14 days, with stage 2 hypertension after 21 days of treatment and were significantly different from baseline after 28 days of treatment. Anxiety was reduced by 61% and 62%, emotional liability – by 53% and 20%, headache – by 41% and 34% and sleep disorders by 47% and 42% respectively. A statistically significant decrease and normalization in blood pressure was noted at 21 days and 28 days of treatment respectively. According to CGI scale large improvement and no side effects was observed for 32%, moderate effect for 48%, and weak effect for 8% of the patients. Only 12% of the patients did not respond to therapy. Thus this small uncontrolled pilot-study shows a positive effect of OEL on psycho-emotional status and arterial blood pressure of patients with psycho neurological disorders.

References: 1. Shikov, A.N. (2006) Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal 40(7):385–388.

2. Makarov, V.G. et al. (2006) Eksp Klin Farmakol. 69: 23–25.

3. Kosman, V.M. et al. (2002) Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal 36:96–99.