Planta Med 2019; 85(18): 1562
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-3400132
Main Congress Poster
Poster Session 2
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Treatment of restless legs syndrome with Bryophyllum pinnatum: a case series

SV Manitius
1   Department of Neurology,, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, 9007 St. Gallen, Switzerland
,
D Flügel
1   Department of Neurology,, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, 9007 St. Gallen, Switzerland
,
BG Steinlein
1   Department of Neurology,, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, 9007 St. Gallen, Switzerland
,
M Schnelle
2   Weleda AG,, 4144 Arlesheim, Switzerland
,
UV Mandach
3   Department of Obstetrics, Zurich University Hospital,, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
,
AP Simões-Wüst
3   Department of Obstetrics, Zurich University Hospital,, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
4   Research Department, Clinic Arlesheim,, 4144 Arlesheim, Switzerland
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
20 December 2019 (online)

 

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) may seriously affect patients’ sleep and quality-of-life, but established pharmacological therapy often have severe side effects. Therefore, new therapeutic approaches are needed. Preparations of leaves from Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lamarck) Oken [syn.: Kalanchoe pinnata (Lamarck) Persoon] have been proposed to possess both sedative and muscle relaxant properties [1]. Moreover, prospective observational trials revealed good effectiveness in the treatment of sleep disorders with Bryophyllum pinnatum 50% chewable tablets [2],[3].

We set out to experimentally treat RLS patients with preparations of Bryophyllum pinnatum [4].

The pre/post comparison of polysomnography tests revealed a frequency reduction of periodic legs movements during sleep (PLMS) in four out of our five patients, most interestingly, also in the two patients with the highest PLMS indexes. Moreover, patients with low sleep-efficiency, moderate sleep-latency and high arousal index at treatment-begin could show improvement for these sleep parameters. The one patient who did not show improvements either in RLS symptoms or in sleep quality was able to abstain from benzodiazepines, which favourably affected her health status. Questionnaire results were in line with the polysomnography data.

This case series suggests that RLS treatment with Bryophyllum pinnatum preparations (mainly 50% chewable tablets, or the lactose-free alternative, 33% mother tincture) can reduce restless legs symptoms and improve sleep quality. Spasmolytic properties and the sedative effect of Bryophyllum pinnatum preparations seem to play a role. Randomised controlled trials with appropriate size and treatment duration are urgently needed.

 

  • References

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